Comments on: Lamictal and acne http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/lamictal-and-acne/ Practical answers to mental health questions Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:34:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU hourly 1 By: Dee http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/lamictal-and-acne/#comment-2296 Dee Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:51:59 +0000 http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/?p=100#comment-2296 acne on chest every time i go back on lamictal. of course it is related. acne on chest every time i go back on lamictal. of course it is related.

]]> By: Mary http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/lamictal-and-acne/#comment-2291 Mary Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:21:51 +0000 http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/?p=100#comment-2291 Hello, I hate to say it, but I was relieved to hear that many others reported gettting acne (especially along jawline) from Lamictal. I complained about this to my Psyciatrist, but he said he never heard of that being a side effect. I, also was feeling so blah, lost my self-esteem and confidence to do my job (and quit) and could not get any endorphin release from aerobic exercise, listening to music & playing my trombone. I became so very depressed and stopped doing these activities which have been trustworthy coping strategies (am 47 yrs old). I told this to my Dr. and he insisted that I was not depressed which made me more depressed to have a Dr. who I thought understood me discount my feelings. Anyways, I have gone back to my former psychiatrist (reluctantly b/c have to pay out of pocket) b/c he has known me for almost 3 years and validated that I am depressed. I got off the 200 mg Lamictal within 1.5 weeks which gave me terrible anxiety. I tried Prozac which made it worse and went off of that. Now I have been on 50 mg of zoloft for 2 weeks & still feel depressed. I saw my Dr. today & he told me to bump the dose up to 100 mg and then to add Topomax. I fear adding a second drug especially a mood stabilizer since I had such bad experience with the Lamictal. I just want to be on one drug for now and only to be on an antidepressant for now b/c I have not been in a hypomaniac mood since January. Do you think going off the Lamictal too quickly caused me to go deeper into depression? Do you think I should wait and see if the Zoloft pulls my mood up? I am currently not working b/c of all I mentioned above and can barely take care of myself and my 5 yr. old daughter. People who know me would not recognize me b/c I have always been upbeat, positive and motivated. Now I can barely get up and take my daughter to preschool and then in another week get her off to K-grade. Oh, and yes, I have been getting talk therapy on a weekly basis for the past 4 years. Please advise.....I am in the process of trying to find a Dr. in my insurance network to get another oppinion. Thank you for your assistance....I am desperate! Hello,
I hate to say it, but I was relieved to hear that many others reported gettting acne (especially along jawline) from Lamictal. I complained about this to my Psyciatrist, but he said he never heard of that being a side effect. I, also was feeling so blah, lost my self-esteem and confidence to do my job (and quit) and could not get any endorphin release from aerobic exercise, listening to music & playing my trombone. I became so very depressed and stopped doing these activities which have been trustworthy coping strategies (am 47 yrs old). I told this to my Dr. and he insisted that I was not depressed which made me more depressed to have a Dr. who I thought understood me discount my feelings. Anyways, I have gone back to my former psychiatrist (reluctantly b/c have to pay out of pocket) b/c he has known me for almost 3 years and validated that I am depressed. I got off the 200 mg Lamictal within 1.5 weeks which gave me terrible anxiety. I tried Prozac which made it worse and went off of that. Now I have been on 50 mg of zoloft for 2 weeks & still feel depressed. I saw my Dr. today & he told me to bump the dose up to 100 mg and then to add Topomax. I fear adding a second drug especially a mood stabilizer since I had such bad experience with the Lamictal. I just want to be on one drug for now and only to be on an antidepressant for now b/c I have not been in a hypomaniac mood since January. Do you think going off the Lamictal too quickly caused me to go deeper into depression? Do you think I should wait and see if the Zoloft pulls my mood up? I am currently not working b/c of all I mentioned above and can barely take care of myself and my 5 yr. old daughter. People who know me would not recognize me b/c I have always been upbeat, positive and motivated. Now I can barely get up and take my daughter to preschool and then in another week get her off to K-grade. Oh, and yes, I have been getting talk therapy on a weekly basis for the past 4 years. Please advise…..I am in the process of trying to find a Dr. in my insurance network to get another oppinion. Thank you for your assistance….I am desperate!

]]> By: doctordan http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/lamictal-and-acne/#comment-2218 doctordan Sun, 13 Jul 2008 13:50:39 +0000 http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/?p=100#comment-2218 Nat-- Sorry to hear about the acne. As you can read, it is a big problem for many people. Lowering the dose may help, especially with the addition of the Yaz if that was previously helpful. I am not a big Topamax fan, only because in my limited use of it, I have not had great success (but no crash and burn failures, either). Sounds like you have a doc who is listening and willing to try options . . . keep trying your options . . . there is likely a solution for your mood issues that will not require such a difficult trade off. --DH MD Nat– Sorry to hear about the acne. As you can read, it is a big problem for many people. Lowering the dose may help, especially with the addition of the Yaz if that was previously helpful. I am not a big Topamax fan, only because in my limited use of it, I have not had great success (but no crash and burn failures, either). Sounds like you have a doc who is listening and willing to try options . . . keep trying your options . . . there is likely a solution for your mood issues that will not require such a difficult trade off.

–DH MD

]]> By: nat http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/lamictal-and-acne/#comment-2211 nat Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:49:13 +0000 http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/?p=100#comment-2211 I suffer from bipolar disorder and I was put on lamictal 100mg and geodon 20mg. It seemed to work great for my mood. However, my face has suffered because of the lamictal. The acne along my jawline and cheeks is gross. I went to see my psychiatrist and he suggested that I get off it and go on topamax. Lamictal works well, but the acne it causes made me feel bad. I tried proactive and other expensive acne products but the acne kept coming. I'm also going back on Yaz because that helped with my mood too and it helps with acne. I suffer from bipolar disorder and I was put on lamictal 100mg and geodon 20mg. It seemed to work great for my mood. However, my face has suffered because of the lamictal. The acne along my jawline and cheeks is gross. I went to see my psychiatrist and he suggested that I get off it and go on topamax. Lamictal works well, but the acne it causes made me feel bad. I tried proactive and other expensive acne products but the acne kept coming. I’m also going back on Yaz because that helped with my mood too and it helps with acne.

]]> By: Jessi http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/lamictal-and-acne/#comment-2201 Jessi Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:19:13 +0000 http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/?p=100#comment-2201 hi, I was on Lamictal for a long time....i stopped takin it about 4 motnhs ago when i realized i didn't need it. I am also Bi-Polar and have depression....my doctors decided to put me on Wellbutrin....which has helped me morre then anything....hope this helps some Jessi www.cindycut.com hi,

I was on Lamictal for a long time….i stopped takin it about 4 motnhs ago when i realized i didn’t need it. I am also Bi-Polar and have depression….my doctors decided to put me on Wellbutrin….which has helped me morre then anything….hope this helps some

Jessi

http://www.cindycut.com

]]> By: doctordan http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/lamictal-and-acne/#comment-2167 doctordan Thu, 22 May 2008 04:35:16 +0000 http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/?p=100#comment-2167 Vicki--Wierd bunch of side effects. Problem with starting two meds at once is that you never know which caused problems if they do arise. There should be no difficulties with Lamictal and the Thalassemia. The presence os what seems like a low grade infectious process is concerning. Not likely due to the meds but you never know. I hope that you went to your family doc. If not . . . get there. If the doc does not find any other cause for your medical issues, I would suggest stopping the Lamictal first. It can be a messy med for some people . . . much less likely with the Lexapro. --DH MD Vicki–Wierd bunch of side effects. Problem with starting two meds at once is that you never know which caused problems if they do arise. There should be no difficulties with Lamictal and the Thalassemia. The presence os what seems like a low grade infectious process is concerning. Not likely due to the meds but you never know. I hope that you went to your family doc. If not . . . get there. If the doc does not find any other cause for your medical issues, I would suggest stopping the Lamictal first. It can be a messy med for some people . . . much less likely with the Lexapro.

–DH MD

]]> By: Vicki http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/lamictal-and-acne/#comment-2159 Vicki Fri, 16 May 2008 06:40:15 +0000 http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/?p=100#comment-2159 Really good advice. I feel the same as the woman. Mental issues are a pain in the butt. I've had severe depression problems my entire life and have recently found the courage to get help. I was also put on Lamictal and Lexapro about 7 or 8 weeks ago. I've had a range of side effects. The psych. wanted me to go up to 100mg/day of Lamictal, but am afraid to do it given the current side effects, and that I have Thalassemia (spelling?). I've kept myself on 50mg/day and haven't yet discussed it with the doc because I haven't yet gone back since she said to increase it after the 5th week. Side effects: lumps in my throat, cyst-like lumps that I'm concerned about (could be lymph node enlargement from the drug, could be from Hashimoto hypothyroidism...not sure) I've never felt these fairly large sized lumps before, so it's a concern; some acne problems on the lower jaw; blurred vision (on occasion); fever and flu like symptoms for a week (never get sick, so could have just been me getting sick, but a weird coincidence); dry mouth; difficulty swallowing; weight gain (could not be related, but it's irritating non the least); sleepy; waking up in middle of the night with difficulty returning to sleep. Is it worth it? I'm struggling with this because I do feel so much better, but I still have zero energy and am really concerned about having a blood disorder taking this drug and just worried about a lot of the side effects I've been having. Any advice? I will speak with my psych. and I also have an appointment with my primary care doc to discuss all, but any additional advice from any experts would be appreciated. Thanks. Really good advice. I feel the same as the woman. Mental issues are a pain in the butt. I’ve had severe depression problems my entire life and have recently found the courage to get help. I was also put on Lamictal and Lexapro about 7 or 8 weeks ago. I’ve had a range of side effects. The psych. wanted me to go up to 100mg/day of Lamictal, but am afraid to do it given the current side effects, and that I have Thalassemia (spelling?). I’ve kept myself on 50mg/day and haven’t yet discussed it with the doc because I haven’t yet gone back since she said to increase it after the 5th week.

Side effects: lumps in my throat, cyst-like lumps that I’m concerned about (could be lymph node enlargement from the drug, could be from Hashimoto hypothyroidism…not sure) I’ve never felt these fairly large sized lumps before, so it’s a concern; some acne problems on the lower jaw; blurred vision (on occasion); fever and flu like symptoms for a week (never get sick, so could have just been me getting sick, but a weird coincidence); dry mouth; difficulty swallowing; weight gain (could not be related, but it’s irritating non the least); sleepy; waking up in middle of the night with difficulty returning to sleep.

Is it worth it? I’m struggling with this because I do feel so much better, but I still have zero energy and am really concerned about having a blood disorder taking this drug and just worried about a lot of the side effects I’ve been having.

Any advice? I will speak with my psych. and I also have an appointment with my primary care doc to discuss all, but any additional advice from any experts would be appreciated. Thanks.

]]> By: Dan http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/lamictal-and-acne/#comment-2158 Dan Fri, 16 May 2008 01:00:23 +0000 http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/?p=100#comment-2158 Great tips, thanks! By the way, I don't recommend anyone using ProActiv for treating acne... I just tried it last month, and it really irritated and dried out my skin. Great tips, thanks! By the way, I don’t recommend anyone using ProActiv for treating acne… I just tried it last month, and it really irritated and dried out my skin.

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