Lamictal - any experience?

My LLMD's NP wants me to start taking Lamictal for intermittent but significant nerve pain that has intensified since I began a new protocol about a month and a half ago.

Reading about Lamictal online has me spooked. Apparently you can die or get disfiguring rashes from it, and the drug is for bipolar and seizures...so this would be an off-label use I guess. How are we supposed to make a truly informed decision when it ultimately feels like we are just gambling? Does anyone have experience with this drug?

And just to vent a bit about this nerve pain...the soles of my feet burn as if they're on fire, and I have burning, sharp, and spasming pain across my lower back and hip area, including my rear end, and then down my left leg to meet up with the burning soles... Recently it has hurt my sleep. It usually occurs on my treatment days -- which are MWF, two weeks on, two weeks off...The pain gets worse as the day progresses, and at night it can be quite bad, just can't get comfortable. They told me to up my Lyrica as well (right now I'm on 25mg 2x/day), so my inclination is to up that first and use a patch they are prescribing that supposedly works for 12 hours...wish I could remember the name, but would also appreciate any input if this sounds like something you've had experience with.

Thanks for any insight and for letting me vent (and ramble). This is month 4 of treatment, and some of my other symptoms have improved, but this one is emerging as a doozy. Ugh.