My husbands neuro gave him this last week and his headaches are completely gone. This is a medicine made for seizures and bipolar and not FDA approved but has been known to help some headache sufferers.

Do you think the D3 regimen might have had something to do with it? Here's a list of potential side effects from Lamictal:


Quote:

Lamotrigine prescribing information has a black box warning about life-threatening skin reactions, including Stevens–Johnson syndrome, DRESS syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.[24] The manufacturer states that nearly all cases appear in the first 2 to 8 weeks of therapy and if medication is suddenly stopped then resumed at the normal dosage. Patients should seek medical attention for any unexpected skin rash, as its presence is an indication of a possible serious or even deadly side-effect of the drug. Not all rashes that occur while taking lamotrigine progress to SJS or TEN. Between 5 to 10% of patients will develop a rash, but only one in a thousand patients will develop a serious rash. It is thought that one in 50,000 exposed patients may die from the rash.[citation needed] Rash and other skin reactions are more common in children, so this medication is often reserved for adults. There is also an increased incidence of these eruptions in patients who are currently on, or recently discontinued a valproate-type anticonvulsant drug, as these medications interact in such a way that the clearance of both is decreased and the effective dose of lamotrigine is increased. As of December 2010, lamotrigine carries an FDA black box warning for aseptic meningitis.[25] Side-effects such as rash, fever, and fatigue are very serious, as they may indicate incipient Stevens–Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, DRESS syndrome or aseptic meningitis.[25] Other side-effects include loss of balance or coordination, double vision, crossed eyes, pupil constriction, blurred vision, dizziness and lack of coordination, drowsiness, insomnia, anxiety, vivid dreams or nightmares, dry mouth, mouth ulcers,[citation needed] memory and cognitive problems, mood changes, runny nose, cough, nausea, indigestion, abdominal pain, weight loss, missed or painful menstrual periods, and vaginitis. The side-effect profile is different for different patient populations.[25] Lamotrigine has been associated with a decrease in white blood cell count (leukopenia).[26] Lamotrigine does not prolong QT/QTc in TQT studies in healthy subjects

I would strongly encourage your husband to try one thing at a time. If it were me, I wouldn't be toying around with an off-label application of something that carries a black-box side effect warning.

The only side effect of a properly dosed vitamin D3 regimen is that he'll end up feeling better.

Thanks, he is still taking the d3. He does NOT have cluster headache. He now dx with hemacrania continua instead. If he even stops taking the lamictal one day, he gets KIP 10 at night. Its the lamictal helping him. He even misses one dose(to see) and he gets them back. He also went up on verampimil to 360 a day, instead of 200.

We are aware of the rashes, etc. So far, he doesnt have anything but the neuro said if he got them to stop taking it(obviously lol) but so far, it has saved our and his life. He is normal again. He can sleep 10 hours at night and not wake once with a headache. He can lie flat and not get a headache. He went from taking two sumavel shots and 3 imitrexes a day to nothing. We are very very grateful for the medicine so far.

Well, then I hope his good fortune continues.

While the list of side effects you have received is interesting they only serve to arouse anxiety and encourage rejection of the med.

What is missing are any data about the rates which any of these effects occur. Without them, you can't make an intelligent decision about the benefit vs. side effects equation. (See START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE for detailed information, including % of side effects  [under the sections for professionals], on this and any med.)

By all means, bring the issue up to your doc. But, in general, your best defense is to know about these possibilities, watch for them, and stay in contact with your doc at the first sign.

Strong Mama wrote on Mar 2^nd, 2013 at 2:17pm:

My husbands neuro gave him this last week and his headaches are completely gone. This is a medicine made for seizures and bipolar and not FDA approved but has been known to help some headache sufferers.

This is great news...i am elated for your hubby...my doc and i were talking a few months ago in regard of this medication...he mentioned to me that he has a few patients that suffer from sunct (sp) and this has stopped their attacks 100%...he also has 2-cch where this has helped them out big time (they still get attacks) but nothing like before...i was supposed to start this in the beginning of feb...i balked after reading up of what it can cause,etc...even though it is a very small % (i have that type of luck :D :D :D)...just so you know,this is FDA approved...that's great to hear of how its working its magic for your hubby and may it continue FOREVER  :) :) :).....Lenny

Thanks Lenny,he is still headache free, no side effects but a happy family!

I had a neighbor who got steven johnsons syndrome a few yrs back,  it was completely awful.  Damn near killed him,  I dont think I would risk any drug that had that as a possibility as   a side effect.  BE careful.  PFDAN   :)