Posted by Emme on June 22, 2003, at 16:48:52
In reply to Re: What's plumping me up? AD advice sought. » Emme, posted by wendy b. on June 21, 2003, at 21:29:36
Hi Wendy,
Thanks for the input. 18 lbs lost on provigil? Wow.
I'm somewhere in the bipolar spectrum. I seem to be in between major depression and Bipolar II. I've had very little hypomania, but many other soft signs of bipolarity.
I've used provigil in the past on a sporadic basis - a few days at a time because it seemed to wear me out. It does toggle me out of very sluggish depressed states - makes me more motivated and brightens my mood. But 25 mg made me too wired. I might try keeping it at 12.5 for a few days and see how I handle that. I'm starting to think Jemma was right about the water weight retention because I've had a full, bloated, sloshy feeling.
The Lamictal rash issue really freaks people out (not unreasonable), but it's a good drug and there is clinical precedence in the literature for backing down and carefully retrying it after a non-dangerous rash. I had rashes three times while titrating up on Lamictal. They were really mild and short-lived (24 hours) and I was seen by a dermatologist right away for the first one to make sure it wasn't dangerous. We backed off and then went ahead with an ultra slow titration and watched carefully. So...you might want to keep it as a consideration. If you do try it, be extra careful with sunscreen at first while you see how your skin handles it. I got a scorcher of a burn when I first started it, but have had *no* extra sun sensitivity since then.
Emme
> Hi Emme,
>
> I don't know your diagnosis, and what each of these meds is being prescribed for (i.e., which symptoms). But, if you want to contain your weight, you might seriously think of upping the Provigil. I lost 18 lbs. when I went on it 6 months ago, and I'm maintaining that. I don't think this is untypical. If you are sensitive to meds, that's ok, but at least 1/4 of a 100 mg tab would be interesting to try. You can always cut back. It has been a great drug for me in other ways, too, particularly for attentional problems, and for brightening my mood. I was always scared to try the Lamictal because I have very sensitive skin, and would probably experience the rash even at a low dose.
>
> I hope this helps a little,
> Wendy
poster:Emme
thread:235803
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030619/msgs/236077.html