Reducing Lamictal and Seroquel - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

toomanymeds · 07-30-2005, 02:26 PM

I have recently gone off of Seroquel....slowly...but finally off
Also decreasing my Lamictal...hopefully to eliminate
The day after the first decrease of Lamictal and elimination of Seroquel....I started itching....and it's been four days and I have not stopped.
Spoke to my doctor and he says this is unusual in decreasing lamictal...(taking this drug can cause a serious rash..one of its worst side effects)..but he never heard of the itching from decreasing either drug.
I don't have a rash, just itching....and purple marks from scratching myself. He told me to take Benedryl and I have from that first day....it works, but eventually the itching comes back. I have had this problem for nearly five days.
Can anybody identify with this?
Has anybody had similar or same problems?

Toby706 · 08-01-2005, 12:13 PM

Hi-
I take Lamictal as part of my med combo, never had any itching-I used to take a very high dose of Seroquel-but that kept me asleep 10-14 hours. The Lamictal, my pdoc said can cause stevens-johnsons syndrome, I've never asked anymore about it because I have yet to have a problem with Lamcital. Fingers crossed.

princess72 · 08-02-2005, 07:11 AM

When i was on Lamictal, i itched too! I also didnt sleep for 3 months! I went off Lamictal about a month ago! I never felt better. My pdoc wouldnt listen to me, and how awful i was feeling, and told me to give it some more time (it had been 5 months) I listened to my own body and like i said i never felt better, being off it! The negative is, that i wont be going to back to any more phyciatrists or med's for a looooong time. This was one of the worst expereinces in my life----course you have to remember drugs and doc's are al trial and error. Good Luck to you----It does sound like the itching could be a side effect from Lamictal.......Benedryl did help....but just temporarily!

GentleLady · 08-02-2005, 08:56 AM

I can understand your disenchantment with pdocs. Many of us have been there. My son(bipolar) wouldnt go to a pdoc for years because his psychiatrist told him to 'find another doctor' when he complained about side effects of lithium.
That said, I would like to encourage you to try again with another pdoc. I have gone off meds for years at a time, and have done crazy and dangerous things, thinking that they were perfectly reasonable. Im usually driven back to meds by the deep depressions that follow, or mix in with my manic episodes. I am on a wonderful combination of meds right now and life is beautiful and balanced. I hope and pray they continue to work for me.
Try again, my friend!
Gentle Lady

princess72 · 08-03-2005, 11:47 AM

Thank you..........Every time i go off med's for a period of time, i end up back on something! So, i know for now this is definately temporary! I am just so frusterated!!! I moved across the US 1 year ago, and i have been to 4 different counselors/phyciatrists......and NO ONE can help me! I am sooo sick of being put on different meds, with the side effects being worse than my "mental" state! This last one being the worse one of all! To tell a doc that you feel suicidal and they ignore you....and keep you on this med.....is plain CRAZY!!!!! Thanxs again for your post------im gonna keep looking in this area for a good pdoc. Take care.........................