Lamictal and hives

I have been Lamictal for about two years now, for the help in controlling cluster headaches. I recently started breaking out in a rash, could this be because of the Lamictal? The rash or hives are in one area, which is on my neck and shoulder on the left side. I hate to call my doctor if it nothing. I haven't changed anything that I have been eating or using. Any help would be appreciated.

AThomas

Re my post #14305 on Nov. 15, 2005: SAW MY PSYCHIATRIST RIGHT AWAY ABOUT ALL MY SIDE EFFECTS. SHE CHANGED MY LAMICTAL DOSAGE TIMES TO 100 MG IN THE PM AND 100 MG IN THE PM, NOT ALL AT ONCE, AND TOLD ME TO TAKE CLONAZEPAM .5 MG THREE TIMES A DAY TO CALM ME DOWN. THIS WORKED! ALMOST ALL SIDE EFFECTS ARE GONE! EXCEPT THAT I STILL WAKE MYSELF BY YELLING. SHE THINKS I AM HAVING VIVID DREAMS I DON'T REMEMBER AND THAT THIS IS CAUSING THE YELLING WHILE I'M ASLEEP. I AM HOPING IT WILL SUBSIDE. OTHERWISE, I FEEL ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!!!!

FOR GOD'S SAKE, READ THE LITERATURE THAT COMES WITH LAMICTAL OR GET SOME LITERATURE FROM YOUR PHARMACIST IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT. THE RASHES SOME PEOPLE GET ARE REALLY TERRIBLY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE REPORTED TO THE DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY! THEY CAN BE FATAL! IF YOUR DOCTOR DISMISSES IT, FIND ANOTHER DOCTOR WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND GO IMMEDIATELY TO THE E.R. OR AN URGENT CARE CLINIC, AND MAKE SURE THE DR. YOU SEE KNOWS ABOUT LAMICTAL AND THE SIDE EFFECTS! THE MEDS SHOULD BE STOPPED IF YOU GET A RASH. NOT ACNE, BUT AN ACTUAL RASH, LIKE HIVES OR ANYTHING THAT APPEARS TO BE A RASH! BE SURE YOU SEE A DR. WHO KNOWS ALL ABOUT LAMICTAL OR WILL AT LEAST READ UP ON IT. I HAD ONE TRIP TO THE E.R. (BECAUSE MY DR. WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND HAD NO BACKUP) ABOUT TERRIBLE SEVERE SIDE EFFECTS OF LITHIUM I WAS ON AT THE TIME AND HE DIDN'T KNOW S--T ABOUT LITHIUM, I WAS TREATED TERRIBLE BY THE NURSES AND I JUST GOT UP AND WALKED OUT. THEY BILLED MEDICARE $958 FOR MY 2 MINUTES WITH THE DOCTOR. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE HOSPITAL AND GOT NO RESPONSE WHATSOEVER. IF THIS EVER HAPPENS AGAIN, I WILL NOT GO TO THE E.R., BUT TO AN URGENT CARE CLINIC. EDUCATE YOURSELF! DON'T JUST HANG OUT THERE IN THE WIND, WONDERING....

I started Lamicatal May 19th, 2005. I was warned by my doctor of dangerous rash and itching. If so, stop taking medication, call him if not too bad that I need to call 911 to go to the hospital. On my print out from the CVS pharmacy is clearly stated: Serious (sometimes fatal) skin rashes have occured while using this medicine. Immediately notify your doctor if you develop any type of rash. If this medicine is the cause of the rash, the medicine must be stopped. Even after stopping this medicine. It is still possible for the rash to cause permanent or life-threatening scarring along with other problems.

Possible Side Effects:
drowsiness, trouble sleeping, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, muscle aches, double vision, blurred vision, fatigue, weakness, headache, shakiness, or clumsiness.

Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction include:
rash, itching, hives, fever, swollen glands, swelling of the lips or tongue, painful sores in the mouth or around the eyes, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing.

Symptoms of Overdose:
may include unusual dizziness, serve headache, unusual sleepiness, involuntary eye movements, and loss of consciousness.

I starting itching really bad the second day on the medication. To the point I had huge bruises allover me. I got a spurt of energy that I have not had in several years the second night but not since then. I can't go to sleep at night. Even taking 6 Tylenol PM and a Klonapin I don't get sleepy until around 9 to 100am in the morning and then I sleep all day long. I have started to have frequent headaches, suspious bumps around my mouth area. My muscles ache, too. It is Memorial day weekend so I can't call my doctor but I am going to on Tuesday. I have (MDD) Major Depression Disorder, Manic Depression, (TRD) Treatment Resistent Disorder. Nothing I have taken thus far has helped me with my depression.

Does anyone have first hand knowledge on ECT treatment? I am seriouly considering this procedure. I am desperate but I have no insurance or money because I haven't be able to work for 9 years now. This is the only thing that has kept me from getting the ECT treatments, is money! I have contacted every Talk show, hospital, clinical trials and no luck in finding free help with ECT.

Any ideas, guidance or suggestions would be most appreciated, I am dire to get help soon or I won't make it.
Sincerely,
Lost Hope