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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by yesac on June 22, 2003, at 11:44:29
It seems like a lot of people have said that they didn't gain any weight on Lamictal. So I don't know what my deal is, but I just seem to be putting on more and more pounds with each passing day. Since I started it 6.5 weeks ago I've gained about 10 pounds.
It could be that it might be increasing my craving for sweets. I'm not quite sure. I haven't really tried to change my diet or exercise or anything.
So, I am tempted to go off of it, but unfortunately that seems ridiculous because it is the first/only drug that's ever helped me even a little bit. I don't want to be shallow, but I really hate this weight gain. I am starting to feel chubby and I hate it.
I am thinking of trying a "test" of going off of it for a week or two. Would it be a bad idea to just stop cold turkey, just to see what happens? Also, would it be a bad idea to start up again at my current dose (150mg) after my week or two off of it? I just wouldn't want to have to go back to square one.
Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks.
Posted by Maxime on June 22, 2003, at 13:34:03
In reply to Lamictal dilemma, posted by yesac on June 22, 2003, at 11:44:29
If something is working for you it doesn't make sense to go off of it YET. Have you had your thyroid tested? Maybe you are hypothyroid.
If you go off any med cold turkey, you will experience withdrawal symptoms - usually dizziness, nausea etc. If you want to taper off it slowly, then that would be different and you could get a schedule from your doctor.
I would imagine that it would increase your likelyhood of getting a rash by starting off again at the 150mg after getting it out of your system.... you would probably want to do it gradually.
You were really unable to answer your question of is it making you crave carbs? Maybe you should keep a food diary and see what you are consuming. If it's different from what you normally would consume (pre-lamictal), then I guess the lamictal would be the culprite.
Hopefully others will have suggestions. There have been posts where people have experienced weight gain on Lamictal. I just started so it's too early for me to tell. But it is not making me crave carbs.
Keep us posted!
Maxime
> It seems like a lot of people have said that they didn't gain any weight on Lamictal. So I don't know what my deal is, but I just seem to be putting on more and more pounds with each passing day. Since I started it 6.5 weeks ago I've gained about 10 pounds.
>
> It could be that it might be increasing my craving for sweets. I'm not quite sure. I haven't really tried to change my diet or exercise or anything.
>
> So, I am tempted to go off of it, but unfortunately that seems ridiculous because it is the first/only drug that's ever helped me even a little bit. I don't want to be shallow, but I really hate this weight gain. I am starting to feel chubby and I hate it.
>
> I am thinking of trying a "test" of going off of it for a week or two. Would it be a bad idea to just stop cold turkey, just to see what happens? Also, would it be a bad idea to start up again at my current dose (150mg) after my week or two off of it? I just wouldn't want to have to go back to square one.
>
> Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks.
Posted by HenryO on June 22, 2003, at 16:54:22
In reply to Lamictal dilemma, posted by yesac on June 22, 2003, at 11:44:29
I would suggest making changes in your diet and exercise. Mild and simple changes in those two things can have a huge impact on feeling better, and of course on weight. Get a trainer/nutrition guide or some kind of semi-pro assistance. They can really help you with this sort of thing. Don't put up with the fitness nazi's. You don't have to get all "Susan Powder" and re-create your whole life. In fact that sort of thing in the long run is often counter productive. Small small things can realy help.
I think cold turkey is always a bad idea. If you do go off Lamictal, it would be a very bad idea and possibly dangerous to start back up at the dose you left off at, 150mg. I wonder if what you were on before this is giving you some sort of "rebound" effect. Here is my advice (for what its worth) keep increasing the Lamictal, maybe ad something known to help weight loss. The reason I say keep increasing the Lamictal is that for the first time in a decade I have the energy or the will (the lack of depression) needed to get up and do a little mild exercise. I hate the weight I've put on. It is depressing all by itself to see the extra thirty pounds I've let accumulate over the last ten years. But when shaving is too much to contemplate diet and exercise are out of the question. I hope I can take my own advice. Good luck.
Posted by ROO on June 23, 2003, at 9:03:39
In reply to Re: Lamictal dilemma, posted by HenryO on June 22, 2003, at 16:54:22
I gained weight on lamictal and couldn't lose it
despite vigorous exercise and eating less. It was
water weight gain. As soon as I went off the drug, the
weight came off quick. You definitely shouldn't
restart at that high of a dose--it's real important
with lamictal to start low and slow, or you get the rash.
I tried upping my dosage more than just the tiny bit you
are supposed to each week, and sure enough, I started getting
a skin reaction. I lowered it and went slow, and I didn't
have a problem.I don't know why some people gain weight on lamictal and
others don't.
Posted by yesac on June 24, 2003, at 14:59:00
In reply to Re: Lamictal dilemma, posted by ROO on June 23, 2003, at 9:03:39
I'm curious how long you were on lamictal and why you ended up going off of it?
Posted by yesac on June 24, 2003, at 15:01:35
In reply to Re: Lamictal dilemma » ROO, posted by yesac on June 24, 2003, at 14:59:00
I think that starting tomorrow or the next day, I will cut back to 75mg of lamictal for a week or two, just to see how it goes. The probably go back up to 150. Also, that way I don't have to refill my prescription as soon. I feel like I spend so much money on my mental health!
Posted by ROO on June 25, 2003, at 8:26:10
In reply to here's what I think I'm gonna do, posted by yesac on June 24, 2003, at 15:01:35
I was on Lamictal for 6 months...I went off it b/c
of weight gain and not being able to sleep on it (I had
horrible insomnia on the stuff). But I will say I miss it--
it's the best I've ever felt on a mood stabilizer. It doesn't
deaden you or flatten you like most of them do. And I felt very
energetic on it...I had some great workouts. I did find that the
weight gain occurred on it once I got past 75 mg's...at 75mg's I didn't
seem to gain.
This is the end of the thread.
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