[Pamster]

He has this toughened skin on his knuckles, and redness to his skin on his wrists, the ped neuro said to go to a dermotologist and we've YET to get the dang referal from his pediatrician. I am really worried about it. I will have to shoot some pics of it later, but it's like red skin, no blisters or pustules, just red skin on the top of the wrists about three inches wide.

We're worried it's related to lamictal. We have had him on this med for ten years, last dose increase was June last year with no problems. He takes 200 mg in the am and 300 mg at bedtime. He's had it for over two months now, at first the peditrician gave us bethamesaone cream which kinda helped but it still persisted. Then she talked about switching soaps or lotions thinking it was contact dermititis. But it's obviously not...

[Pamster]

the latest is that the dermo can refuse to see us and then we're screwed. I don't know why they took a full on WEEK to tell me that the dr needed to fill out THEIR referal form but they finally did and so I asked them to fax my kid's doc and get that ball rolling. Apparently the medical director has to go over the referal and determine whether or not they will even see my kid! And they told me that can take up to a WEEK and then maybe we can get an appt. I am so upset....meanwhile this redness is slowly moving up his forearms...

[Johnfloyd6675]

If you are on Lamictal and you develop a risk you should not take it. If your kid has a rash and is taking Lamictal do not give him anymore. Have a doctor make damn sure its not Stevens-Johnson. If you don, he'll probably be fine- hell, it's probably just a rash- but if its not a rash and he keeps taking Lamictal, things become really bad.

[dahlek]

http://www.lamictal.com/

then web up 'full prescribing information'...where you will get that teeny print tissue paper info sheet not ever designed to actually be read by us 'humans', but MUST BE READ. In your case? I think NOW is just the rite time to read all the 'common and less common side effect sections' Then? The call your doctor rite away side effects portion [usually at the very end of the micro print].

Docs can't and don't always know all the intricacies of s/e's from the zillions of meds in their arsenals... but, THEY SHOULD BE AWARE of the dangerous biggies? If you've not gone to the ER yet? First print out then hi-lite the concering aspects of the med w/your son's problems? And then SEND a copy to your prescribing doctor.

I am sensitive and react badly to some types of meds, I'll ask for samples, take them and see IF I've something unpleasant happening while I web up the 'full pres. info.' before I order the med.. I don't want to waste my time and $, nor the insurance co's [and we all know they are getting tight-fisted even more of late] $ on something that's not 'good' one way or another. Never start a med on a Thurs or Friday either...if you do get bad effects? Of Course your doc isn't available! Then. Start on Mondays and go from there, when there IS a safety net inplace. Tho in your case? Seems like this can pop up after a couple of months - My heart is with you and for you and your son! I'll bet he's itching like crazy! Cool/cold compresses can help at times? They've helped me with hive-like reactions on occasion. Hope it helps.

Hugs 's and hope - j

[dahlek]

Doing now??? Know my heart is with you. - j

[coffeegirl]

Hi!

I took Lamictal for a few weeks. Then the rash set in. My doctor took me off of it immediately. A friend of mine who also took it became very sick and was in the hospital for 2 weeks due to an allergice reaction to this rash.

Stop the drug. Even though it is best to slowly withdrawl- if you have this type of symptom when it is highlighted on the med info box on the pamphlet that comes with it- do it.

This type of rash with Lamictal is not one to mess with. Even if the patient has taken it for years. Please contact your pharmacist/doctor by phone and continue to call the dermatologist- explaining to them why your son needs to be seen immediately. Be persistant- and be protective of your son. You are doing the right thing as a mom- just continue to push the envelope to make sure he gets help and put on a better medication- but mostly- gets some relief from the rash.

Please take care of you too. Moms need to do that and it is easy to forget that as a mom when caring for children who take meds like that. I too- take meds like that including one of my sons. it is not easy and difficult- hang in there!!

Hugs

Coffeegirl