Side affects from taking Lamictal & dosage increase

[toria]

Hi
My son is now 9 years old, he has a neurological Degenerative Disorder of the Brian with no diagnosis. He is taking Lamictal med for about the last 9 months. He was taking 50mg twice daily, it has been increased now to 100mg twice daily. My problem is that he now has a constant twitching with his hand and leg on the right side of his body and I don't know why. He also had antibotics two weeks ago and his med was increased after that so I am not sure what is going on.
Can this be a side affect from the increase of med?

Also does anyone have any good advise for collection of mucus. I am not sure if it is part of his deterioration or if he has allergies but he has a constant collection of mucus. I was wondering if diet can also have anything to do with this.
Sorry I need help as I am from the Caribbean
Thanks Toria:

[peglem]

Was he on antibiotics for strep? Strep can cause motor problems-like twitching.

[Paul from Australia]

Hi Toria.

As your son has been on Lamictal for a while, he is hopefully tolerating the drug quite well.

Grant was on the Lamictal recently and had the most horrendous side effects that the drug was stopped.

Some of the rare side effects are

Here is part of the "boxed warning" for Lamictal:

"The WARNINGS section has been revised to include the following information regarding hypersensitivity reactions:

Hypersensitivity reactions: Hypersensitivity reactions, some fatal or life-threatening, have also occurred. Some of these reactions have included clinical features of multiorgan dysfunction such as hepatic abnormalities and evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation. It is important to note that early manifestations of hypersensitivity (e.g., fever, lymphadenopathy) may be present even though a rash is not evident. If such signs or symptoms are present, the patient should be evaluated immediately. LAMICTAL® should be discontinued if an alternative etiology for the signs or symptoms cannot be established.

Please don't be too alarmed though. These are rare side effects. I simply offer them for you to be aware.

With best wishes to you and your family.

Paul, Alison and Grant the champ.

[langansmom]

I had never heard of this twitching as a side effect until a son's friend went on lamictal and experienced it. He was taken off and the twitching subsided. So I do think there is a chance this could be caused by the med.

Sorry- no knowledge of the mucus problem.

(((hugs))) and welcome!

[mpalmer118]

Is the twitching like a myclonic jerk, or just a subtle twitch? I believe Lamictal can increase myclonic activity.

Is it possible the mucus is from a sinus infection?

[fireweed]

dear toria,

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/lamotrigine_ad.htm

search the page for tremor, myoclonus, and tics, among others.


see this paragraph:
Nervous System: Frequent: Confusion and paresthesia. Infrequent: Akathisia, apathy, aphasia, CNS depression, depersonalization, dysarthria, dyskinesia, euphoria, hallucinations, hostility, hyperkinesia, hypertonia, libido decreased, memory decrease, mind racing, movement disorder, myoclonus, panic attack, paranoid reaction, personality disorder, psychosis, sleep disorder, stupor, and suicidal ideation. Rare: Cerebellar syndrome, cerebrovascular accident, cerebral sinus thrombosis, choreoathetosis, CNS stimulation, delirium, delusions, dysphoria, dystonia, extrapyramidal syndrome, faintness, grand mal convulsions, hemiplegia, hyperalgesia, hyperesthesia, hypokinesia, hypotonia, manic depression reaction, muscle spasm, neuralgia, neurosis, paralysis, and peripheral neuritis.



If you go over to the epilepsy forum, this has been discussed several times. I'm sorry your child is having a problem with it. My child had a known movement disorder and lamictal was a near crisis for him because it exacerbated what was already there.


fireweed

[kathleenandjoe]

I believe those are from lamictal. We have had our own lamctal wonders this week as well. Everything was fine and dandy until a recent increase. See my post titled "The Latest. . . . advoce or experience anyone?"

Hope you get it all figured out soon.

Hugs,
Kathleen