Posted by Barbaracat on November 9, 2004, at 0:09:25
In reply to scalp and meds, posted by terrics on November 7, 2004, at 8:55:42
Yes, yes, yes. As I ramped up with Lamictal (I was also on lithium) I started noticing my scalp feeling very prickly. I suspected I had some kind of mites or my 9 cats finally kicked in a latent allergy. It felt like being attacked by thousands of stinging mites that no scratching would alleviate.
I was naturally worried about the lamictal rash but since I didn't have any skin eruptions I never associated lamictal with the incessant itching that began to spread from my scalp to every square inch of my skin. I literally felt like a dog with fleas and spent hours in the bathtub trying to get relief. Mind you, this is weeks after the initial scalp discomfort began.
What finally happened down the line was that I started on a medication, sulfa based, that was meant to chelate high levels of mercury. I developed full-blown Stevens Johnson Syndrome, even though I had stopped taking Lamictal 2 months prior. I'd stopped taking it because I was no longer getting the antidepressant effect, feeling agitated, and I finally associated the intense itching with the lamicatl (when I reduced it, the scalp itching went away).
From this other medication, I developed bleeding blisters in every orifice, a chicken-pox like rash, a fever, was extremely sick and spent 2 nights in the the hospital. Exactly the symptoms to be wary of with lamictal, which was long out of my system. This is a weird case because I've never before in my life been sensitive to sulpha based meds (this was the best reason anyone could give me for my allergic reaction to the DMPS I took for mercury). The only common thread I can come up with was the lamictal and the ultra-sensitive skin reaction. I still don't understand it, but I think lamictal caused a severe inflammatory reaction and it didn't take much to push me over the edge, especially with something so hard on the body as a heavy-metal chelator which has 'skin rash' on it's own long list of side effects. It primed the pump, so to speak, and scalp discomfort was the first signal that something was wrong.
I've since learned that there are mast cells in the skin, or dermis, cells, allergic receptors, and anti-convulsants are notorious for causing them to detach from the skin matrix and shed. Hair follicles are loaded with these receptors, hence scalp discomfort is a good first warning. I believe the itching was my body warning me that I was becoming sensitive to lamictal. I since learned that these severe skin reactions are more common than most doctors are given to understand. Why? Follow the money. My pdoc very nonchalantly said 'oh, maybe it's the lamicatal. Just try reducing the it. As long as you don't have a rash no problem... blah blah'. I now know that he should have said 'cut way back! now! immediately!'
You don't have to have a full-blown rash to suspct that lamictal has become a problem for you. A prickly sensitive scalp is your first warning. It doesn't get any better, as is the case with most allergic reactions, unless you reduce the allergic load. Cut back and see what happens after a week or so. If it subsides, listen to your body. You do not want to go through what I went through. - Barbara
> Anyone have or had a problem with their scalp on lamictal and/or lithium or any other psychotropic? I have been to the dermotologist 4Xs and she said my scalp problem is either from thyroid or psychotropics. terrics
poster:Barbaracat
thread:412832
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041108/msgs/413598.html