Lamictal freak-out

I have my new perscription for this, one 25 mg pill twice/day. I want to only start 1 per day until I get used to it. This is for my severe eye pain. Also, want to get all of the Neurontin cleaned out of my system. Anyone have any bad side effects from Lamictal? I am freaked out about the fatal rash warning. My lymph nodes are shot (sore a lot) because of having inflammation for about a year (previously GI tract). Have noticed less light sensitivity and not as much stabbing, burning pain with cutting down Neurontin. Maybe my nerves just need to be left alone? Any ideas?

Sue,
I have been on Lamictal 3 times. Each time it helped but my hands would get cracked, dry and blistery. I went to a dermo and they said it was not SJS( the fatal rash you refer to) but it was unsafe, so I got off, but my pain is out of control so I am back on it. People say “wow your hands are dry” or “what happened?” Its so rude of them because they don’t know what life is like, but what else is new!

Let me know if you want more info!

Sue,
Do you think the Neurontin caused some of your TN pain? I haven’t tried Lamictal. I’m not sure why none of the neuros I’ve seen suggested it.
Liz

I loved Lamictal and read that there is little chance of the rash as long as ramping up is gradual enough. I switched to Lyrica for no good reason and, having gained lots of weight, want to switch back to Lamictal.

I have been on Lamictal for 3 months. I have had no rash but for the first 2 weeks headache. You have to start out with 25 mg for 1-2 weeks and the 50mg for 2 weeks and then 100mg for 2 weeks and then 200mg for as long as needed. It has worked woners for me. When I got to 100mg I had hardly any pain. I didnot go to 200mg but had Gamma Knife instead. My surgery was July 8 and last week my pain returned with a vengence. It is worse that it has ever been. I started back on Lamictal at 200mg and 3 days later 400mg and today 600mg. I haven’t had any side effected sine the first 2 weeks. I think it is the best drug for TN and I have tried just about all of them! Let me know how you do on it.
Sharon

I’ve been using lamictal for my offset of (SUNCT), and it has helped reduce the pain in that by 50% as well as the intensity. Unfortunately none of these drugs are super cures… I’ve also never had the rash, been on it for about 1 year now. Hope you feel better.