I have SO many drug allergies. And I'm officially bipolar. Finally, I have a diagnosis after more than a decade of suffering.
I don't know if I'm bipolar because my father was, or if it's solely from the Lyme, but there you go.
So my psychiatrist gave me a starter pack of Lamictal. It's supposed to be well tolerated. Very rarely can there be a serious, possibly deadly skin reaction.
Shortly after taking my first dose, my throat and lungs got "twitchy." Then my face flushed. I began to get itchy in various locations (of my body, not the house. ). Then, I really got worried: I developed bumps on my neck and chest. Could be the first signs of the serious rash: respiratory and papules.
I left messages at the psych's office. I don't think I'll be swallowing another of these.
Now I have to try something else, and she doesn't like Depakote. I can't take Neurontin, nor can I take Topamax.
I want to scream!
Itchy, itchy, itchy.
Steph
P.S. I've actually had Stevens-Johnson Syndrome before (from sulfa), but, fortunately, I avoided the hospital. It was caught before it went too far, but even the psych said that what I experienced was enough!
Posted by ShadowHawk (Member # 6263) on :
Star!!!
You might want to talk to your Dr. about Abilify. Their web site is here at abilify.com. I know a few folks that have had very good luck with using it to treat bipolar disorder. ;-)
Hope that helps.
Posted by Starphoenix (Member # 2402) on :
I'm still itchy and so sedated at 1:00 p.m.
I'll check out that website, ShadowHawk. I never heard of this.
Steph
Posted by Starphoenix (Member # 2402) on :
Thanks, ShadowHawk. I did check it out, but I can't use it. It's an antipsychotic drug. Fortunately, I don't have the psychosis.
Steph
Posted by dontlikeliver (Member # 4749) on :
That is scary. I'mn sorry you're dealing with that.
Lymesux also ahd SJS once, when I first joined here, and it is such an awful thing, and so rare (MY LLMD said in over 20 years he has not seen one single case).
I think Lymesux's case was also caused by a drug with a very similar name to what you mentioned, maybe even the same drug?? I don't know.
maybe she'll be along here soon.
DLL
Posted by Starphoenix (Member # 2402) on :
Thanks, DLL, for your comforting words.
Now, I'm even MORE manic after the effects of the drug itself (still having allergy symtoms) wore off. My thoughts are racing more than ever. I am speaking very quickly. And I'm very, very tense/agitated.
I left a total of six messages on my psychiatrist's machine (or service). Must not be in today. You'd think messages would be checked more often.
I may look for another doctor. I like her, though, because she's holistic.
Steph
Posted by ShadowHawk (Member # 6263) on :
Hey Steph,
Sorry it won't work for you. Still, I don't think you have to be suffering psychotic episodes in order to use the abilify for Bi-Polar disorder. At least, that's what the Doc I know here has said. The folks that I know using it I don't think ever suffered anything more than some sever cyclothemic events (mood swings, both up and down).
Posted by Starphoenix (Member # 2402) on :
Thanks, SH. I was just reading tonight about how antipsychotics can help those with Bipolar Disorder, with or without psychotic features.
My doctor is going to "ponder" my options. I will get a call from the office manager tomorrow.
In the meantime, it may not have been a Lamictal allergy. It may have been gluten sensitivity. I have been lax. I am not always sensitive, but I don't know until it's too late. Still, I think I need a better antimanic, and the Lamictal was sedating for many, many hours. I am a slow metabolizer.
Thanks for the info!
Steph
Posted by hopeful123 (Member # 3244) on :
Hi Steph, I think it really stinks that you are allergic. I also wanted to support what others are saying about taking anti-psychotics even if you are not psychotic. You don't have to be psychotic to take them.
sorry this is going on and on.....
someday soon it will turn around.
I got really excited because I could remember the name of the actress Tululu (sp?) Bankhead while watching tv last night. So something is better...it will for you, too.
hopeful123
Posted by Starphoenix (Member # 2402) on :
Thanks, Hopeful One! I appreciate your encouragement. And I'm glad you are seeing a glimmer of improvement!
I spoke to the office manager, and she relayed the doctor's message. No Lamictal for me. And here's my official diagnosis, if I can remember it correctly. It's a mouthful:
Organic Mood Disorder, Bipolar Type, Secondary To Lyme Disease and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Phew!
I guess this makes sense. She HAS to say it's secondary to Lyme and PTSD since I had them first. I'll never know if my father's diagnosis had an impact on mine, but, whatever.
She still is pondering what medicine to give me, so I won't hear anything until next week.
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
). Then, I really got worried: I developed bumps on my neck and chest. Could be the first signs of the serious rash: respiratory and papules.![[Frown]](frown.gif)
![[hi]](graemlins/hi.gif)
hopeful123