Hi,
I went to see my doctor last week,mainly because I don't feel well,but also I am getting palpatations.My hair is also falling out.
I have autoimune problems as well as epilepsy,so I had a blood test,and ecg.My blood test came back o.k,my ecg was o.k,there are antibodies in my thyroid,my blood pressure is way up,and there is blood in my urine.
My doc say's she thinks Lamictal is to blame for my hair,and my not feeling well.I have been on Lamictal for about 4 years now,and am wondering why;after 4 years would my medication do this?,and why is it not nescessary to have blood tests,when taking Lamictal.
Obviously the blood in my urine is another story!,but I wondered if anyone has ever had the same problems as in hair and feeling unwell?.
Garry

Hi Garry,
I don't have the same side effects as you, although I take Lamictal. My first thought was your thyroid. Have they investigated further? I agree that it would seem wierd to have a drug cause problems after being on it for so long. But, that's why Doc's go to school for so long and get the big bucks....I think! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif I hope you get the answers before you have further problems. Kathy

Hello! Don't know if it will help or not, but I went over the side effects of Lamictal with my doctor and he said that most of them don't happen until after long term use, so that might be part of it???

Hope it helps a little!

Hugs,
Amy

i dont know what autoimune problems is. i hope u feel better. are they going to put u on a new med??? i hope u feel better soon.

Thanks everyone,
Yes Kathy,they have investigated my thyroid,and am now on synthroid,but they just keep saying,I'm on the right doseage...which will increase as my thyroid is slowly destroyed by antibodies.
Yes Amy,it may be true that the side effects get worse,after long term use,and that's what worries me,because Lamictal is a nineties drug,and so hasn't been around as long as other conventional drugs,so we probably won't know for years yet,what long term use does.
Thanks robin,basically
autoimune desease,is where,your imune system decides it's going to attack your body instead of foriegn invader's.

Garry

Hi Garry,

I just thought about another thing that may help. I was having really bad palpitations some time ago and I found out that my potassium level was real low. After eating lots of bananas, spinach and potatoes, and drinking OJ and veggie juice it increased my levels and, sure enough my palpitations disappeared. Maybe you should try doing the same....couldn't hurt could it?

I am so sorry about all the autoimmune problems. Like "E" alone isn't bad enough! I'll send good vibes your way. Be well, Kathy