Comments on: Lamictal and acne http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/lamictal-and-acne/ Practical answers to mental health questions Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:42:17 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: doctordan http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/lamictal-and-acne/#comment-3394 doctordan Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:39:49 +0000 http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/?p=100#comment-3394 Darlene-- HANDS DOWN!!! I would give it a try. I assume that the mood stabilizer you are referring to is Lamictal. Can Lamictal cause worsening of acne . . . yup. Can it provide for significant improvement in mood, overall improvement in feelings of well-being, happiness, contentment, relief from suicidal thoughts . . . yup. Do the math. You don't know what side effects it will cause. You don't know what the benefits will be. I suggest you do a benefit/risk analysis and decide for yourself. If it was up to me, I would choose the chance for happy over the risk of acne. If my acne got worse, I'd treat it or stop the Lamictal. What is relief from depression worth to you???? You decide. --DH MD Darlene–

HANDS DOWN!!! I would give it a try. I assume that the mood stabilizer you are referring to is Lamictal. Can Lamictal cause worsening of acne . . . yup. Can it provide for significant improvement in mood, overall improvement in feelings of well-being, happiness, contentment, relief from suicidal thoughts . . . yup.

Do the math.

You don’t know what side effects it will cause. You don’t know what the benefits will be. I suggest you do a benefit/risk analysis and decide for yourself. If it was up to me, I would choose the chance for happy over the risk of acne. If my acne got worse, I’d treat it or stop the Lamictal.

What is relief from depression worth to you????

You decide.

–DH MD

]]> By: Darlene http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/lamictal-and-acne/#comment-3393 Darlene Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:29:41 +0000 http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/?p=100#comment-3393 I have been recently diagnosed w/bi-polar disorder, have been on many many different anti-depressents over the yrs, now my pych dr. wants me to try a mood stabilzer even though I suffer from acne & meds only make it worse. I don't know what to do. I have been recently diagnosed w/bi-polar disorder, have been on many many different anti-depressents over the yrs, now my pych dr. wants me to try a mood stabilzer even though I suffer from acne & meds only make it worse. I don’t know what to do.

]]> By: doctordan http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/lamictal-and-acne/#comment-2501 doctordan Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:52:58 +0000 http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/?p=100#comment-2501 Traci-- What comment about rather feeling good or looking good??? I can't find that comment in my comments or article? Seems to me the message is to find a doctor who will work with you and help you get through those tough decisions. With any of the medications that are used in medicine or psychiatry, it is a balance between the benefits and the side effects. If you can't stand the side effects than you gotta look for a new solution. Problem is that for some people, there is just no way around the presence of some side effects (eg, acne, sexual side effects, weight gain). Part of the work done with the therapist/psychiatrist is getting comfortable enough with those side effects to live a good life. That is not condescending . . . sometimes it is the hard and difficult truth. That said, seeking a medication that works without side effects is ALWAYS the prime directive. --DH MD Traci–

What comment about rather feeling good or looking good??? I can’t find that comment in my comments or article? Seems to me the message is to find a doctor who will work with you and help you get through those tough decisions. With any of the medications that are used in medicine or psychiatry, it is a balance between the benefits and the side effects. If you can’t stand the side effects than you gotta look for a new solution. Problem is that for some people, there is just no way around the presence of some side effects (eg, acne, sexual side effects, weight gain). Part of the work done with the therapist/psychiatrist is getting comfortable enough with those side effects to live a good life. That is not condescending . . . sometimes it is the hard and difficult truth. That said, seeking a medication that works without side effects is ALWAYS the prime directive.

–DH MD

]]> By: Traci http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/lamictal-and-acne/#comment-2500 Traci Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:42:06 +0000 http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/?p=100#comment-2500 I find the comment about would you rather feel good or look good extremely condescending. This assumes that you cannot have both. Actually for me, if I feel like I'm the ugliest person alive I don't care how great the medication is, I'm going to be depressed. I have only been on the Lamictal for two weeks and have canceled client appointments and nights out with friends because I cannot stand the way I look with all this acne. I'm glad my doctor is not so condescending and willing to work with me until we find the right drug that no only makes me feel better but doesn't have the nasty side effects to go with it. I find the comment about would you rather feel good or look good extremely condescending. This assumes that you cannot have both. Actually for me, if I feel like I’m the ugliest person alive I don’t care how great the medication is, I’m going to be depressed. I have only been on the Lamictal for two weeks and have canceled client appointments and nights out with friends because I cannot stand the way I look with all this acne. I’m glad my doctor is not so condescending and willing to work with me until we find the right drug that no only makes me feel better but doesn’t have the nasty side effects to go with it.

]]> By: BipolarBear http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/lamictal-and-acne/#comment-2429 BipolarBear Sat, 08 Nov 2008 03:30:15 +0000 http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/?p=100#comment-2429 Lamictal caused terrible acne for me. It is a bummer to be 40 years old and have a face like a pimply 17 year old...looking young is usually nice, but not in that way. Anyway, I saw a dermatologist and got a prescription for Clindamycin Phosphate lotion in the morning, and Tretinoin cream at night. The combo has worked wonders (although it took several weeks to take effect), and my face is completely clear now. Tretinoin is also used to treat wrinkles, so I've had the added benefit that my face is looking more youthful too (in the good way). My face is still excessively oily though, so I have to re-powder it often during the day. Lamictal caused terrible acne for me. It is a bummer to be 40 years old and have a face like a pimply 17 year old…looking young is usually nice, but not in that way.

Anyway, I saw a dermatologist and got a prescription for Clindamycin Phosphate lotion in the morning, and Tretinoin cream at night. The combo has worked wonders (although it took several weeks to take effect), and my face is completely clear now. Tretinoin is also used to treat wrinkles, so I’ve had the added benefit that my face is looking more youthful too (in the good way).

My face is still excessively oily though, so I have to re-powder it often during the day.

]]> By: doctordan http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/lamictal-and-acne/#comment-2341 doctordan Sun, 14 Sep 2008 23:29:03 +0000 http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/?p=100#comment-2341 Sandro . . . Thanks, dude . . . . . . DH MD Sandro . . .

Thanks, dude . . .

. . . DH MD

]]> By: Sandro http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/lamictal-and-acne/#comment-2340 Sandro Sun, 14 Sep 2008 23:26:52 +0000 http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/?p=100#comment-2340 Nice blog... Nice blog…

]]> 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

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