My new pdoc just started me on Lamictal. Starting off at 25 then will slowly add up to 200. I’m really worried about developing a rash, has anyone experienced that before? Any positives from taking this drug for schizoaffective disorder?
Also another question how are Klonopin and Ativan different. Just got switched to Klonopin and I’m wondering what to expect.
Never taken a mood stabiliser. Gotta ask the bipolars.
I know many people with schizoaffective disorder who might have been on them might be on here.
I take it for epilepsy and have done for years but I think this medication has really helped my mood because in my early twenties before starting it I was actually suicidal.
I did not develope a rash. I think that is very rare it’s just a precaution so they start it slowly. But it’s a good medication.
I developed 2 small rashes and since I’ve stopped it they have gone away !!!
I had a tardive psychosis from lamictal 25 mg, but thats 1 in 10000000
thats just me
the difference between Klonopin and Ativan is milder then Klonopin is also for seizures, it works pretty well but makes me tired
Even though I didn’t develop a rash, I responded very strangely to Lamictal. My hallucinations and delusions got worse even at a low dose. When I told the dr, she thought the answer was to titrate the dosage up. Needless to say, things went from bad to worse and I ended up titrating off the drug entirely. Others have used it with wonderful results and I hope that your experience is a good one.
Lamictal is a lifesaver for me (sza depressive type). I tried coming off it once and went wild. 100 mg is my sweet spot. Don’t worry about a rash since your pdoc is moving you up slowly.
Klonopin is stronger and longer lasting than Ativan. Also a lifesaver for me. It’s my rescue med for when the paranoia is just too much.
I have sza/bipolar type, and I have been taking Lamictal for years with no problems, no noticeable side effects. I take 200 mg/day. It completely blocks the manic stuff for me, but seems like it doesn’t help as much with my depression. I still have to take Wellbutrin and Paxil for that.
From what I’ve researched it about:
Go up dosage very very slow, if you miss more than like a days dosage restart the titration process, any sign of a rash immediately stop taking it and call a doctor and if it gets worse hit up a hospital because it can progress in sjs or in worst case scenario ten! The latter of which tends to be fatal, but I’ve heard good things about it’s effects, I believe it has more evidence to back it up than tegretol/trileptal/depakote
Thanks for the responses everyone. I was prescribed it for treatment for sza depressive type. Hearing some positive experiences really put my mind at ease. We are upping the dose super slowly. I won’t even be at my target dose for two months yet! Anyone notice if it makes them drowsy at all? I take it at night but I wasn’t sure because I take the Klonopin now as well.
I take mine at night too, with 30 mg of Haldol. I always attribute my drowsiness to all that Haldol and not to the Lamictal, but who knows?
I take mine in the morning, 200 mg.
I take 150mg a day. It’s helped me. I did stop taking it for a week and started back up. I did develop a small rash on my neck but it went away. Good luck!