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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 18 to 42 of 52. Go back in thread:
Posted by BarbaraCat on May 25, 2002, at 14:16:59
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal Soon Thanks to this Thread » BarbaraCat, posted by Leighwit on May 24, 2002, at 10:39:56
Good Morning, Laurie,
Yes, Remeron and Lithium can indded be taken together and work extremely well. Remeron is a SSNI, a little different from SSRI's in that it also affects Norepineprine. It's used for depression. Lithium is a natural salt that is most familiar for preventing the manic phases of manic depression, or Bipolar Disorder. But it also helps in lifting one out of and preventing the depression. It also seems to potentiate the action of antidepressants. It also has some neuro-protective abilities and seems to grow new dendrites and be a a good thing in general for brain health. How it works for me is that it smoothes out the wired storm in my brain when I'm in a hypomanic episode and makes the antidepressant Remeron just plain be able to do it's job. I tried one without the other and the Lithium isn't strong enough to handle the gawd awful depressions I was frequently getting and the Remeron alone just doesn't work. Remeron and all the other SSRI class of meds were always pooping out. Somehow the lithium acts syndergistically with them.I'm staying below the therapeutic range because I'm in a good place emotionally and have been stable there for a while now. More lithium can have uncomfortable side effects like tremors, constant pee-ing, blurred vision, nausea. At my curret 600 mgs it is very gentle and even sweet. Many people don't like it's supposed sedating qualities but I've never experienced sedation, just a feeling of kindness and blessing that's like a good friend. Am I anthropomorphizing? All the best to you and keep us posted. - Barbara
> > Laurie,
> > Agree totally with everything you said on your post. I get to see my pdoc once every 8 weeks for about 20 minutes and it's because of this board that I've challenged my original dx, rediagnosed myself and finally received appropriate medication. Now I'm considering adding lamictal to my Remeron and lithium brew, mainly because I don't want to increase the lithium (I'm not in the therapeutic range) and because of the purported AD effects. So keep us informed of how the lamictal trial goes for you. Without this board and the wonderful combined efforts of all, I'd still be gulping massive amounts of SSRI's and getting more and more depressed. - BarbaraCat
>
> BarbaraCat,
>
> What a great attitude!
>
> I'm curious: if Remeron and Lithium can be taken together, I'm presuming that they aren't very similar compounds (in the way that SSRIs, for example, are similar). I've used many different cocktail regimens, but typically they crossed categories (Wellbutrin with Serzone or Celexa for example.) Is taking them together why you're staying beneath the therapeutic range for the lithium?
>
> Thanks again for your message. The "tone" made my morning!
>
> Laurie
Posted by Cece on May 29, 2002, at 14:03:15
In reply to Starting Lamictal Soon Thanks to this Thread, posted by Leighwit on May 23, 2002, at 10:54:30
Hi-
I haven't followed this whole thread so may be repeating, but just wanted to put in one thing about my experience.
I take 300mg/Lamictal a day. It has helped me a lot and I consider it a permanent med for me.
I am very med sensitive so built up to the 300 much much slower than many people do- increases of only 12.5mg/every1-2 weeks. It took a long time to get to 300, but actually I began to feel some good effects pretty early. When I tried to go faster I would get flushed, anxious, and feel 'fluish'.
Just my experience, but don't dismiss this useful med if you feel too many side effects- just drop down and go slow.
Cece
Posted by Leighwit on May 29, 2002, at 15:38:27
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal Soon Thanks to this Thread » Leighwit, posted by Cece on May 29, 2002, at 14:03:15
Thank you, Cece,
That's good advice. I just started last night, taking 25 mg. at bedtime. My script is to take it that way for one week, and then increase to 25 mg. 2x/day. I'm going to keep your schedule in mind and remember that a slower ramp-up schedule is possible, perhaps preferable.
Thanks again,
Laurie> Hi-
>
> I haven't followed this whole thread so may be repeating, but just wanted to put in one thing about my experience.
>
> I take 300mg/Lamictal a day. It has helped me a lot and I consider it a permanent med for me.
>
> I am very med sensitive so built up to the 300 much much slower than many people do- increases of only 12.5mg/every1-2 weeks. It took a long time to get to 300, but actually I began to feel some good effects pretty early. When I tried to go faster I would get flushed, anxious, and feel 'fluish'.
>
> Just my experience, but don't dismiss this useful med if you feel too many side effects- just drop down and go slow.
>
> Cece
Posted by BarbaraCat on May 29, 2002, at 16:33:40
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal Soon Thanks to this Thread » Leighwit, posted by Cece on May 29, 2002, at 14:03:15
Thanks for the update, Cece. What is your dx again and other meds you're taking? - Barbara
> Hi-
>
> I haven't followed this whole thread so may be repeating, but just wanted to put in one thing about my experience.
>
> I take 300mg/Lamictal a day. It has helped me a lot and I consider it a permanent med for me.
>
> I am very med sensitive so built up to the 300 much much slower than many people do- increases of only 12.5mg/every1-2 weeks. It took a long time to get to 300, but actually I began to feel some good effects pretty early. When I tried to go faster I would get flushed, anxious, and feel 'fluish'.
>
> Just my experience, but don't dismiss this useful med if you feel too many side effects- just drop down and go slow.
>
> Cece
Posted by Peter S. on May 29, 2002, at 20:13:16
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal Soon Thanks to this Thread » Cece, posted by BarbaraCat on May 29, 2002, at 16:33:40
Hi,
Just to add my 2c: I've also had good experience with LAM- but I crashed and burned last weekend and have increased the dose up to 350mg. Anyone else reached this high of a dose? Anyone tried augmentation strategies like Neurontin?
Thanks!
> Thanks for the update, Cece. What is your dx again and other meds you're taking? - Barbara
>
> > Hi-
> >
> > I haven't followed this whole thread so may be repeating, but just wanted to put in one thing about my experience.
> >
> > I take 300mg/Lamictal a day. It has helped me a lot and I consider it a permanent med for me.
> >
> > I am very med sensitive so built up to the 300 much much slower than many people do- increases of only 12.5mg/every1-2 weeks. It took a long time to get to 300, but actually I began to feel some good effects pretty early. When I tried to go faster I would get flushed, anxious, and feel 'fluish'.
> >
> > Just my experience, but don't dismiss this useful med if you feel too many side effects- just drop down and go slow.
> >
> > Cece
Posted by Cece on May 30, 2002, at 2:15:12
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal Soon Thanks to this Thread, posted by Peter S. on May 29, 2002, at 20:13:16
Peter-
My pdoc sez that a number of his patients have found that Lamictal didn't really kick in for them until they hit around 600mg/day, and that some took more. These are still way below the dosages used for epileptics. 300 seems good for me now, but I would certainly continue on up if there were a reason. It has stabilized me beyond anything I've tried previously.
I take Neurontin too, and find it to be a good balancer to the Lamictal. I find it calming, but not dopey. When I first started taking it (before the Lamictal), it gave me a new sense of well-being. I take 300mg/3xday- it seems to be more effective in divided doses. I also use an additional 100-200mg/day if I start to get frantic or hyper and it recenters me. I used to use small doses of xanax or zyprexa this way, but like the Neurontin better.
I also take a small (250mg/day) amount of Depakote. It has a certain effect on me that none of the others do, but just a small dose gives me what I need. The effect is hard to describe, the best that I can do is to say that I feel like it takes some 'extra electrical charge' off of me, and makes me more comfortable in my own skin.Cece
> Hi,
>
> Just to add my 2c: I've also had good experience with LAM- but I crashed and burned last weekend and have increased the dose up to 350mg. Anyone else reached this high of a dose? Anyone tried augmentation strategies like Neurontin?
>
> Thanks!
Posted by Cece on May 30, 2002, at 2:42:26
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal Soon Thanks to this Thread » Cece, posted by BarbaraCat on May 29, 2002, at 16:33:40
Hi Barbara-
I think that there's another Cece on this board (or something similar). I've just started posting again after 'resting' for several months. It feels good to be back.
I'm BPII, with a long history of depression. I take:
Lamictal 300 mg in the morning, Neurontin 300mg/3xday, Trimipramine (TCA) 25mg at night, Depakote 250mg at night.
I'm weaning off of xanax- it was helpful to me for awhile, but I don't think that I need it anymore, and it seems to give me 'brain clog'. I wasn't on a real high dose- total 1.25mg/day, but feel better already now that I'm down to .75.I also take hormone replacement therapy which I started in peri-menopause (40's, I'm now early 50's). I got real unstable in my mid-40's and learned that for bi-polar women it is common for symptoms to flare at that time of life.
And, whew, I am also doing thyroid supplement therapy (Levothroid, same as Synthroid but cheaper)- pretty new. One approach to treating mood disorders (championed by Peter Whybrow at UCLA) is with thyroid supplement, even for people who don't test low. I always was borderline low, am supplementing now to reach high normal. I feel more alert and am not (so) slow to wake up in the morning- never was a morning person. My pdoc tells me that thyroid imbalance can mimic every psych disorder in the book!
My goal is to pare my meds, slowly over time, down to the bare essentials- which means finding out what is essential by trying phasing things out and seeing if I still need them. It is hard enough now to run my own personal pharmacy, and I can't imagine being able to do it when I am older.
Oh yeah, I've been trying out a special omega fatty acid formula developed by a Harvard pdoc especially to promote mood stability. My pdoc is impressed with it and suggested I try it. It's more subtle than a 'med', but I think it may be contributing to my growing stability. It's called Omega-Brite and is only available on the internet.
Thanks for your interest,
Cece
> Thanks for the update, Cece. What is your dx again and other meds you're taking? - Barbara
Posted by Emme on May 30, 2002, at 7:56:32
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal Soon Thanks to this Thread » BarbaraCat, posted by Cece on May 30, 2002, at 2:42:26
> It's called Omega-Brite and is only available on the internet.Not true. I buy it at a health food store that routinely stocks it and other stores are known to order it upon request. I am not spectacularly impressed with it so far, but YMMV and it is sometimes hard to separate out the effects of different drugs, so it may be helping and I'm not able to pinpoint it. It doesn't cause me side effects. I'd be interested to see if it is cheaper to buy via internet.
Emme
Posted by Leighwit on May 30, 2002, at 9:02:40
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal Soon Thanks to this Thread » BarbaraCat, posted by Cece on May 30, 2002, at 2:42:26
Cece,
can I have the web address for ordering OmegaBrite? Someone else (cmcdougall) wrote a detailed post about OmegaBrite (May 3) but I don't see where he/she listed any info on how to purchase (you mentioned it is only available on the internet.)Thanks,
Laurie>
> I think that there's another Cece on this board (or something similar). I've just started posting again after 'resting' for several months. It feels good to be back.
>
> I'm BPII, with a long history of depression. I take:
> Lamictal 300 mg in the morning, Neurontin 300mg/3xday, Trimipramine (TCA) 25mg at night, Depakote 250mg at night.
> I'm weaning off of xanax- it was helpful to me for awhile, but I don't think that I need it anymore, and it seems to give me 'brain clog'. I wasn't on a real high dose- total 1.25mg/day, but feel better already now that I'm down to .75.
>
> I also take hormone replacement therapy which I started in peri-menopause (40's, I'm now early 50's). I got real unstable in my mid-40's and learned that for bi-polar women it is common for symptoms to flare at that time of life.
>
> And, whew, I am also doing thyroid supplement therapy (Levothroid, same as Synthroid but cheaper)- pretty new. One approach to treating mood disorders (championed by Peter Whybrow at UCLA) is with thyroid supplement, even for people who don't test low. I always was borderline low, am supplementing now to reach high normal. I feel more alert and am not (so) slow to wake up in the morning- never was a morning person. My pdoc tells me that thyroid imbalance can mimic every psych disorder in the book!
>
> My goal is to pare my meds, slowly over time, down to the bare essentials- which means finding out what is essential by trying phasing things out and seeing if I still need them. It is hard enough now to run my own personal pharmacy, and I can't imagine being able to do it when I am older.
>
> Oh yeah, I've been trying out a special omega fatty acid formula developed by a Harvard pdoc especially to promote mood stability. My pdoc is impressed with it and suggested I try it. It's more subtle than a 'med', but I think it may be contributing to my growing stability. It's called Omega-Brite and is only available on the internet.
>
> Thanks for your interest,
> Cece
>
>
> > Thanks for the update, Cece. What is your dx again and other meds you're taking? - Barbara
Posted by Leighwit on May 30, 2002, at 9:09:06
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal Soon Thanks to this Thread » Cece, posted by Emme on May 30, 2002, at 7:56:32
That's unfortunate that it's not working for you Emme (or at least not in a way that you can recognize it.) And thanks for the information about OmegaBrite availability other than the internet.
I just found out my LDL (bad cholesterol) is high (common with Type 1 diabetics) and Omega-3 oils are thought to be helpful in lowering bad/raising good cholesterol, (I cannot recall which, perhaps it does both) so it seems to me that if it's also "possible" it can improve mood stability, I think it makes sense for me to try it. In fact, it seems like an oversight not to try it (at least in my case).
Laurie
> > It's called Omega-Brite and is only available on the internet.
>
> Not true. I buy it at a health food store that routinely stocks it and other stores are known to order it upon request. I am not spectacularly impressed with it so far, but YMMV and it is sometimes hard to separate out the effects of different drugs, so it may be helping and I'm not able to pinpoint it. It doesn't cause me side effects. I'd be interested to see if it is cheaper to buy via internet.
>
> Emme
Posted by Peter S. on May 30, 2002, at 11:27:15
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal Soon Thanks to this Thread, posted by Leighwit on May 30, 2002, at 9:09:06
Thanks Cece!
Posted by Chris A. on May 30, 2002, at 12:01:06
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal Soon Thanks to this Thread » Cece, posted by Leighwit on May 30, 2002, at 9:02:40
Laurie, it is www.omegabrite.com
> can I have the web address for ordering OmegaBrite? Someone else (cmcdougall) wrote a detailed post about OmegaBrite (May 3) but I don't see where he/she listed any info on how to purchase (you mentioned it is only available on the internet.)
Posted by polarbear206 on May 30, 2002, at 16:20:32
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal Soon Thanks to this Thread » BarbaraCat, posted by Cece on May 30, 2002, at 2:42:26
> Hi Barbara-
>
> I think that there's another Cece on this board (or something similar). I've just started posting again after 'resting' for several months. It feels good to be back.
>
> I'm BPII, with a long history of depression. I take:
> Lamictal 300 mg in the morning, Neurontin 300mg/3xday, Trimipramine (TCA) 25mg at night, Depakote 250mg at night.
> I'm weaning off of xanax- it was helpful to me for awhile, but I don't think that I need it anymore, and it seems to give me 'brain clog'. I wasn't on a real high dose- total 1.25mg/day, but feel better already now that I'm down to .75.
>
> I also take hormone replacement therapy which I started in peri-menopause (40's, I'm now early 50's). I got real unstable in my mid-40's and learned that for bi-polar women it is common for symptoms to flare at that time of life.
>
> And, whew, I am also doing thyroid supplement therapy (Levothroid, same as Synthroid but cheaper)- pretty new. One approach to treating mood disorders (championed by Peter Whybrow at UCLA) is with thyroid supplement, even for people who don't test low. I always was borderline low, am supplementing now to reach high normal. I feel more alert and am not (so) slow to wake up in the morning- never was a morning person. My pdoc tells me that thyroid imbalance can mimic every psych disorder in the book!
>
> My goal is to pare my meds, slowly over time, down to the bare essentials- which means finding out what is essential by trying phasing things out and seeing if I still need them. It is hard enough now to run my own personal pharmacy, and I can't imagine being able to do it when I am older.
>
> Oh yeah, I've been trying out a special omega fatty acid formula developed by a Harvard pdoc especially to promote mood stability. My pdoc is impressed with it and suggested I try it. It's more subtle than a 'med', but I think it may be contributing to my growing stability. It's called Omega-Brite and is only available on the internet.
>
> Thanks for your interest,
> Cece
>
>
> > Thanks for the update, Cece. What is your dx again and other meds you're taking? - Barbara
Cece,
Cese,
Tell me about your symptoms of perimenapause.
I swear I'm having this and I'm only 41. On day 3 of my cycle I get very fatiged and foggy. This is the time estrogen is at it's lowest. I gradually feel better as my levels rise. Is it the seretonin thing or estrogen??? Tried low dose birth control pills and that just exacerbated my depression pms.
I'm a soft cycling bipolar. Am on Lamictal and Imipramine. Thanks. Laura.
Posted by Cece on May 30, 2002, at 18:53:11
In reply to To Cese, posted by polarbear206 on May 30, 2002, at 16:20:32
Laura-
My perimenopausal syptoms were essentially that everything got worse, more exaggerated. I was more overtly desperate, felt hopeless, hyper, etc. to the point that when (in this period of time) I finally got a real diagnosis, it was initially 'mixed state'.
I have always been 'hormone sensitive', but I gather that a lot of women's underlying psych symptoms are increased by the big changes in progress. Perimenopause can begin as early as late 30's.
I started the low dose BCP's before real HRT and they did help me to even out. But we aren't all wired the same.Good luck,
Cece
Posted by polarbear206 on May 31, 2002, at 8:57:51
In reply to Re: To Cese » polarbear206, posted by Cece on May 30, 2002, at 18:53:11
> Laura-
> My perimenopausal syptoms were essentially that everything got worse, more exaggerated. I was more overtly desperate, felt hopeless, hyper, etc. to the point that when (in this period of time) I finally got a real diagnosis, it was initially 'mixed state'.
> I have always been 'hormone sensitive', but I gather that a lot of women's underlying psych symptoms are increased by the big changes in progress. Perimenopause can begin as early as late 30's.
> I started the low dose BCP's before real HRT and they did help me to even out. But we aren't all wired the same.
>
> Good luck,
> Cece
Cece,I know for a fact that Estrogen has powerful antidepresssant properties. I experimented about 5 years ago. I took half of my mother's premerin ( as I remember it was .625 mg) and I noticed a big difference 3 days later. This was in the winter time (not a good time for my BP) and from the boost I got from it, I was able to cut way back on my antidepressant. My bp is depression dominated, so it didn't exagerate my cycling. I felt great. My pdoc told me that he had other patients that responded well to estrogen in this way. My sex life was even better too! I think I'm going to beg for a tiny dose of premerin. I think the main reason the bc pills didn't work for me is that the estrogen dose is much higher in the bc pills verses the premerin. The mental depression before my period was pretty bad with the bc pills.
What's the difference using thyroid augmentation verses estrogen augmentation? Why are Doc's hesitant to try this?Thanks,
Laura
Posted by Leighwit on May 31, 2002, at 8:59:40
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal Soon Thanks to this Thread » Leighwit, posted by Chris A. on May 30, 2002, at 12:01:06
Posted by Leighwit on May 31, 2002, at 12:12:14
In reply to Re: Starting Lamictal Soon Thanks to this Thread » Leighwit, posted by BarbaraCat on May 25, 2002, at 14:16:59
I saw my regular internist this morning (I see him for general practioner stuff in addition to an endocrinologist and a pDoc) and learned that I have gained six pounds since weighing in at Weight Watchers ten days ago.
I started Lamictal six days ago and have been feeling very bloated and fat the past few days. I think it's the Lamictal. My diet has been better than ever for the past week. I had expected a loss.
I am so upset!
My internist is talking to my endocrinologist about taking yet another drug ~ this one to control the weight gain from the Lamictal. (Weight gain increases my insulin requirements, which is a big deal.)
I'm thinking I should forget the mood stabilizers (even though I think I've already started to respond a tiny bit to the Lamictal -- as implausible as that sounds after only six days) and try someting else (maybe Norpramin. SSRIs don't work. Neither do the NARIs. And WB is just making my anger/agitation worse.) I don't want to be taking stuff that messes with my diabetes (it just isn't normal for Type 1's to take oral glucose medications in addition to insulin!!) just "in case" the Lamictal might work.
I think the risk outweighs the potential reward.
Thanks for letting me vent. I'm really upset. I had my hopes up. Now I get to look forward to either getting fat in a hurry ~ taking more drugs I probably don't need ~ or stopping a start with mood stabilizers, which might have been a really good thing.
Laurie
PS If anyone reading this has ever gained and then lost weight while continuously taking Lamictal please let me know!
Posted by Roo on May 31, 2002, at 12:29:02
In reply to Gained SIX pounds in 1 week on Lamictal. Darn it., posted by Leighwit on May 31, 2002, at 12:12:14
Hey Laurie--Sorry to hear that. I, too, was one
of the unfortunate weight gainers. The good news
is that it comes off quick. I think a lot of it is
water weight. My weight started coming on after I
got past 75 mg's, I went up to 125-150...I've come
down to 100 mg's and have lost a couple of pounds a
week since then. I heard someone else on the board
say they gained 15 pounds while on it (I think I gained
10 or so), but that it all came off in 2 weeks for
them!
I"m hoping even more will come off once I wean off of
it completely. I too was really disappointed b/c it
was helping my mood, but it was just too depressing to
be eating not much and exercising like a mad woman and
to still be gaining.
Keep me updated on how whatever new AD you start taking
is working. I'm looking for a non-SSRI to try too--they
work okay for me, but the sexual side effects are really
bugging me. Wellbutrin made me really angry and irritable
too, and I'm scared to try Remeron since I've just started
losing some weight...
Posted by jazzdog on May 31, 2002, at 12:39:16
In reply to Gained SIX pounds in 1 week on Lamictal. Darn it., posted by Leighwit on May 31, 2002, at 12:12:14
I initially gained ten pounds on lamictal, but kept taking it. After about two months, the weight gain reversed itself, and now, three months later, I weigh less than when I started. The lamictal seems to reduce my obsession with food, and may even be lowering my appetite.
Have you considered titrating at a lower dose? It sounds like you're getting water retention, which might be eliminated by going up 12.5 mg every two weeks or so. It takes a long time, but for me it's been worth it.
The quick response actually seems pretty normal. Unfortunately, it usually fades then kicks in again at a more therapeutic dose.
Good luck, Jane
Posted by Leighwit on May 31, 2002, at 14:23:06
In reply to Re: Gained SIX pounds in 1 week on Lamictal. Darn it., posted by Roo on May 31, 2002, at 12:29:02
Thanks for your feedback, Roo. Your comments about Wellbutrin piqued my interest because I've been thinking that the irritability and sometimes "out of control" anger was part of my symptomology rather than entirely a side effect of WB.
Maybe getting off the WB should be my first consideration. I just don't want to end up "on the couch," so I'll need to have something else "on board" while I'm weaning off. I've been taking Wellbutrin for so long, it seems scary to discontinue it ~ although it could be the real culprit in this lousy of disposition of mine (according to my hubbie).
Thanks again,
Laurie
> Hey Laurie--Sorry to hear that. I, too, was one
> of the unfortunate weight gainers. The good news
> is that it comes off quick. I think a lot of it is
> water weight. My weight started coming on after I
> got past 75 mg's, I went up to 125-150...I've come
> down to 100 mg's and have lost a couple of pounds a
> week since then. I heard someone else on the board
> say they gained 15 pounds while on it (I think I gained
> 10 or so), but that it all came off in 2 weeks for
> them!
> I"m hoping even more will come off once I wean off of
> it completely. I too was really disappointed b/c it
> was helping my mood, but it was just too depressing to
> be eating not much and exercising like a mad woman and
> to still be gaining.
> Keep me updated on how whatever new AD you start taking
> is working. I'm looking for a non-SSRI to try too--they
> work okay for me, but the sexual side effects are really
> bugging me. Wellbutrin made me really angry and irritable
> too, and I'm scared to try Remeron since I've just started
> losing some weight...
Posted by Leighwit on May 31, 2002, at 14:28:51
In reply to Re: Gained SIX pounds in 1 week on Lamictal. Darn » Leighwit, posted by jazzdog on May 31, 2002, at 12:39:16
Jane,
What a fascinating profile ~ that you actually lost the weight you'd gained without discontinuing the Lamictal, and then lost even more. I thought I'd read that someone here had that very experience, which is why I asked about it. Guess it was you!
None of that, quite frankly, makes any sense to me. Why water weight would come on and then disappear with the drug still in the system. I had that experience with Celexa, but it didn't come off until I stopped it.
My first prescription was for 25 mg of Lamictal at bedtime. I haven't increased that yet. I see from the bottle stickers that it can be crushed. I guess I could bite it in half?
Laurie
> I initially gained ten pounds on lamictal, but kept taking it. After about two months, the weight gain reversed itself, and now, three months later, I weigh less than when I started. The lamictal seems to reduce my obsession with food, and may even be lowering my appetite.
>
> Have you considered titrating at a lower dose? It sounds like you're getting water retention, which might be eliminated by going up 12.5 mg every two weeks or so. It takes a long time, but for me it's been worth it.
>
> The quick response actually seems pretty normal. Unfortunately, it usually fades then kicks in again at a more therapeutic dose.
>
> Good luck, Jane
Posted by Leighwit on May 31, 2002, at 14:51:03
In reply to Re: Gained SIX pounds in 1 week on Lamictal. Darn » Leighwit, posted by jazzdog on May 31, 2002, at 12:39:16
Well, given what Jane said, and the fact that my husband (who quite frankly doesn't usually know what I'm taking from one med to the next) just called and said he'd noticed a positive difference in me this week, I'm thinking I might have to weather the weight gain storm.
Still thinking about it ~ but I haven't noticed a difference in anything for a long time. If Lamictal is helping even one little bit, I probably shouldn't bail out too soon. Although weight gain is depressing for most of us,
Laurie
Posted by jazzdog on May 31, 2002, at 15:44:06
In reply to Re: Gained SIX pounds in 1 week on Lamictal. Darn » jazzdog, posted by Leighwit on May 31, 2002, at 14:28:51
I don't think the ten pounds I gained was water weight - I think it was real weight, from increased appetite. At a certain point, this side effect went away and I found the drug was giving me more self-control. I also found lamictal activating at first, then it switched to being sedating. Go figure.
Posted by Cece on May 31, 2002, at 21:24:08
In reply to Re: Gained SIX pounds in 1 week on Lamictal. Darn » Leighwit, posted by jazzdog on May 31, 2002, at 15:44:06
Hi-
I've been slowly (re)gaining weight since I went off Topomax (cuz of really disruptive cognitive effects). I've taken Lamictal since, with very good stabilizing and AD effects.
I take other things, that even at the small doses I take cause weight gain (Depakote and Trimipramine and estrogen), so I haven't been seeing the Lamictal as the culprit. I had gained a lot of weight on these other meds several years before the Lamictal. I lost 40 pounds in about 9 months on Topomax and really wish that I could have continued it.
With Lamictal I find that I have to watch out for constipation, which I've never been prone to before. That makes be feel very bloated, and sometimes I don't really realize that I'm 'plugged up'. I've just found a oat bran and flax seed bread which works wonders. I'm trying to eat some every day.
I don't know about the rest of you but I have a very bad habit which I blame at least partially on my mood disorder (BPII). I don't do meal planning well, and I get so caught up in whatever I'm doing that I forget to eat until I'm starving and then grab whatever is closest at hand- doesn't make for good nutrition. I live alone so don't have any outside reminders to develop a more normal and sane eating schedule. I'm working at catching myself on this.
Cece
Posted by Leighwit on June 1, 2002, at 9:56:41
In reply to Re: Gained SIX pounds in 1 week on Lamictal. Darn » jazzdog, posted by Cece on May 31, 2002, at 21:24:08
I'm not sure what Topomax is, Cece. I would presume it's a mood-stabilizer also.
This morning, I feel so bloated it's uncomfortable. I went for a long walk with my husband and could barely stand it ~ I was just so puffed up and "tight" it was uncomfortable.
I know the six pounds had nothing to do whatsoever with my diet. Being a Type 1 (juvenile-onset, insulin-dependent) diabetic since childhood, I'm used to monitoring what I eat. In addition to not eating additional calories, I was monitoring fat grams because I'd just learned my LDL was too high. Plus, I'm in Weight Watchers.
This gain is without a doubt, due to the Lamictal. I guess this just happens to some people. Until this morning, I was thinking I might just "grin and bear it" because I think I'm getting some sort of a positive response from the Lamictal.
But quite frankly, it isn't worth it. It'll take weeks to get to a therapeutic range, and weeks more to know the real value. This bloating is is more a little bothersome ~ it's borderline intolerable.
I am so lucky (!) to have intelligent and compassionate people to talk to about it here on Babble. My husband just doesn't get it (try as he might!) nor should I expect him to be able to "connect" on this....
Laurie
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