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The medical emergency saga.
Jun. 2nd, 2009 11:23 pmOkay, so around 11pm last night (Monday, June 1st), I started to have a very severe reaction to the full dose (100mg) of LAMICTAL. I had already decided I was going to stop it but had to wait until today (Tuesday, June 2nd) to do so with the go ahead from my doctor. So, last night I had the full gamut of serious side effects. If they're in bold, I had them.
So, I kinda hit the major worries. I went from 96.2 degrees (1am) and then shot up to 100.2 degrees (4am) and was in such pain that the only way I've been able to describe it is that it felt like my muscles were being ripped from my bones and my skin was being set on fire. I spent the entire night crying and occasionally screaming into a pillow because it hurt so badly, but since I was a child? I hate to wake up my parents or anyone if I'm sick or feel bad. I went into anaphylactic shock and I debated telling my parents. Last night was no different. I decided not to tell them and finally got about an hours worth of sleep around 5am but was awake by 615am since I had a dentists appointment at 7am.
Went to the dentist, found out an old filling is cracked and needs repairing (will be done on Monday) and then came home. I knew I had my appointment with Dr. Barchas (psychiatrist/prescriber of the LAMICTAL) at 1130, so I took some Aleve and tried to get some sleep. It didn't go so well because the pain was still around. I was also in a 68 degree home and I was sweating/overheated to the point where I was lightheaded. I, like the stubborn brat I am, drove myself to the doctor's appointment because I didn't want to cancel it or bother my Mom at work. I tell Dr. Barchas what's going on and she freaks out. Immediately, she's on the phone and calling my Doctor (who is out of the office until Thursday) and then calling my Mom. The reactions are enough of a threat that they could threaten organ systems and I needed to be tested to be sure things weren't that bad.
I did not like the idea of going to the Emergency Room then, but the doctor was insistent upon it and Mom agreed that it was a good idea so she met me at the office and drove me over. The entire time we were waiting (two hours mind you) I was fretting about how much this would cost because my insurance is absolutely terrible but no one will insure me because I'm bipolar. So much for the lack of discrimination, huh? Dad was so excited and happy that we had extra money, we could go on a vacation again finally for the first time in over five years, he was finally able to buy himself a new computer since the house computer is thoroughly dead, and that we were going to be able to relax a little with the budget over the summer.
I thoroughly fucked that up today and I knew it and I've felt terrible about it since I was told to go there.
On top of that, I had to miss an office/staff meeting at lunch and then I couldn't go into work at all this afternoon. I called them from the emergency room and told them what was up, but I felt bad about it and Dr. Barchas wanted me to stay home from work the rest of the week while I detox and go through another unmedicated period. I'm seriously not that stable because I've been flying into blind rages and hysterical sobbing with no provocation or warning all day. So, I come home from all of this and I wanted nothing more than a hug from my Dad and him to ask if I was okay. Instead, I get yelled at that the insurance was only going to pay half and that was going to be way too expensive as the end result still, that I risked getting fired cos we're in a right to work state and I'm in the probationary period, and that whether I feel bad tomorrow or not, I need to work and that I need to apologize to them for being sick today and causing a disruption in the office flow. I understand his point, but I wanted my Daddy at that point and I was just too exhausted for my own good.
Oh, right, important part. They took seven vials of blood (after blowing a vein in my right arm), also did an EKG. I waited for another hour while they ran the tests, found out that nothing was out of the normal parameters, but they wanted me to follow up with my Doctor in two days to double check that nothing has transpired since then. At least that appointment is in the early morning so no risk of it screwing up work. Hopefully it won't require another major hospital trip.
I brought up the fact that I wanted my Dad to be a Dad, that ended in a major screaming fight and me throwing things. Yeah, I throw things when mad. I don't hurt people but I'll destroy a room in no time and without qualms about it. Anyways, we've seemed to resolve that and I finally did get my hug. I've already sent my Mom an email to let her know things that I couldn't quite say without breaking into arguments so she'll find that tomorrow. I hope nothing bad comes from that but I needed it off of my chest.
Last night my pain level (from 1-10) was a 9/10. Earlier today it was a 7. Now it's around a 4. So there's progress as this works from my system, and I understand the concern over how serious the side effects/reactions could be. I just feel terrible for costing the family so much money and stress and wish I had just waited it out and kept my mouth shut like I normally do.
So there you have it. My wonderful ordeal.
Prescription LAMICTAL Tablets are not for everyone. Most people who take LAMICTAL tolerate it well. Common side effects with LAMICTAL include dizziness, headache, blurred or double vision, lack of coordination, sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, tremor, and rash. LAMICTAL may cause other side effects not listed here. If you develop any side effects or symptoms you are concerned about, or if you need more information, call your doctor.
If you experience any of the following with or without a skin rash, tell your doctor immediately: hives, fever, swollen lymph glands, painful sores in the mouth or around the eyes, or swelling of lips or tongue. These symptoms may be the first signs of a serious reaction. A doctor should evaluate your condition and decide if you should continue taking LAMICTAL.
Serious blood problems or liver problems have been reported with LAMICTAL, so tell your doctor if you develop symptoms such as unusual bruising or bleeding, severe muscle pain, weakness, fatigue, yellowing of the eyes or skin, and/or frequent infections.
So, I kinda hit the major worries. I went from 96.2 degrees (1am) and then shot up to 100.2 degrees (4am) and was in such pain that the only way I've been able to describe it is that it felt like my muscles were being ripped from my bones and my skin was being set on fire. I spent the entire night crying and occasionally screaming into a pillow because it hurt so badly, but since I was a child? I hate to wake up my parents or anyone if I'm sick or feel bad. I went into anaphylactic shock and I debated telling my parents. Last night was no different. I decided not to tell them and finally got about an hours worth of sleep around 5am but was awake by 615am since I had a dentists appointment at 7am.
Went to the dentist, found out an old filling is cracked and needs repairing (will be done on Monday) and then came home. I knew I had my appointment with Dr. Barchas (psychiatrist/prescriber of the LAMICTAL) at 1130, so I took some Aleve and tried to get some sleep. It didn't go so well because the pain was still around. I was also in a 68 degree home and I was sweating/overheated to the point where I was lightheaded. I, like the stubborn brat I am, drove myself to the doctor's appointment because I didn't want to cancel it or bother my Mom at work. I tell Dr. Barchas what's going on and she freaks out. Immediately, she's on the phone and calling my Doctor (who is out of the office until Thursday) and then calling my Mom. The reactions are enough of a threat that they could threaten organ systems and I needed to be tested to be sure things weren't that bad.
I did not like the idea of going to the Emergency Room then, but the doctor was insistent upon it and Mom agreed that it was a good idea so she met me at the office and drove me over. The entire time we were waiting (two hours mind you) I was fretting about how much this would cost because my insurance is absolutely terrible but no one will insure me because I'm bipolar. So much for the lack of discrimination, huh? Dad was so excited and happy that we had extra money, we could go on a vacation again finally for the first time in over five years, he was finally able to buy himself a new computer since the house computer is thoroughly dead, and that we were going to be able to relax a little with the budget over the summer.
I thoroughly fucked that up today and I knew it and I've felt terrible about it since I was told to go there.
On top of that, I had to miss an office/staff meeting at lunch and then I couldn't go into work at all this afternoon. I called them from the emergency room and told them what was up, but I felt bad about it and Dr. Barchas wanted me to stay home from work the rest of the week while I detox and go through another unmedicated period. I'm seriously not that stable because I've been flying into blind rages and hysterical sobbing with no provocation or warning all day. So, I come home from all of this and I wanted nothing more than a hug from my Dad and him to ask if I was okay. Instead, I get yelled at that the insurance was only going to pay half and that was going to be way too expensive as the end result still, that I risked getting fired cos we're in a right to work state and I'm in the probationary period, and that whether I feel bad tomorrow or not, I need to work and that I need to apologize to them for being sick today and causing a disruption in the office flow. I understand his point, but I wanted my Daddy at that point and I was just too exhausted for my own good.
Oh, right, important part. They took seven vials of blood (after blowing a vein in my right arm), also did an EKG. I waited for another hour while they ran the tests, found out that nothing was out of the normal parameters, but they wanted me to follow up with my Doctor in two days to double check that nothing has transpired since then. At least that appointment is in the early morning so no risk of it screwing up work. Hopefully it won't require another major hospital trip.
I brought up the fact that I wanted my Dad to be a Dad, that ended in a major screaming fight and me throwing things. Yeah, I throw things when mad. I don't hurt people but I'll destroy a room in no time and without qualms about it. Anyways, we've seemed to resolve that and I finally did get my hug. I've already sent my Mom an email to let her know things that I couldn't quite say without breaking into arguments so she'll find that tomorrow. I hope nothing bad comes from that but I needed it off of my chest.
Last night my pain level (from 1-10) was a 9/10. Earlier today it was a 7. Now it's around a 4. So there's progress as this works from my system, and I understand the concern over how serious the side effects/reactions could be. I just feel terrible for costing the family so much money and stress and wish I had just waited it out and kept my mouth shut like I normally do.
So there you have it. My wonderful ordeal.
