It is a rare but life threatening side effect. SJS can be very serious. But yes this is pretty much the appropriate incremental dosing Jim... Sky is on it has been for 14 months. She has to take it at night because it knocks her on her butt if she doesn't she is tired all day if she takes it in the morning. She was up to 200mg but is now only on 100mg once a day, then her Lithium twice a day and Adderall in the morning.
It took a while for her to get to a therapeutic dose but it definitely helps her.
Amy
From someone who's had good results, you are on the right slow titration of the drug. My pdoc that started me was a resident, and has had specific training on bipolar folks and psychopharmaceuticals, she's planning on working only with BP folks once she has finished her Residency. You are on a very slow titration, slower then mine, but in your case I think, and of course only my opinion, your GP is doing it appropriately in your case. The slower you go, the less risk you will have. I hope it helps you, don't expect immediate results, this is a slow acting drug, but for me a life saver. from what I have read it's 2-4/10,000 new users from an extremely up to date source. The info can be a bit overwhelming, but if you want to know everything about the drug, this would be the place. The man who has created the site uses reputable sources that are backed up with recent indepth studies.
http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/meds/LamRash.htm
I broke out in the rash -- it was HELL for two weeks. And it really surprised me because I'm not allergic to anything! It can be a very big deal if you break out in the rash.
Because of the 1 in a thousand risk of a rare rash Lamictal has to be started at 25 mg. and cannot be raised more than 25 mg. a week. That is a FDA regulation. The rare rash (Stephen's Johnson Syndrome) is nothing to be concerned about. As I remember when I started Lamictal if I had any signs of a rash I had to inform my doctor. However, because of this extremely rare side effect by FDA regulations it can only be raised at this rate. I remember starting Lamictal it was frustrating as well but I had to follow my psychiatrist's instructions. If you start to get manic in the meantime perhaps he can add something temporarily.