Posted by Dalilah on January 22, 2004, at 21:20:04
In reply to Re: Lamictal side effects, weight gain?, posted by Tiss on January 22, 2004, at 11:48:39
Right on Sister!
I'm here to tell you no matter how good our doctor's are, they just don't know it like we know it (unless it's a bipolar doctor.) I've had to override my doctor, take myself off meds, and complain loudly. But nothing hurts more than when they don't believe you. And you're right, that's what these boards are for.As far as your dilemma, finding the right meds, good luck. I too found Lamictal causing major irritability (and mild hypomania) when my dose increased but it always went away after a week or so. Just ride it out if you can. In terms of sleep, I can't say. Doesn't matter what I'm on I always need my seroquel to put me down at night and allow me to sleep through the night.
KATIA,
Seroquel has not affected my weight at 50mg, but I know it did for some of my friends. My doc says it shouldn't at these low doses. I tend to think he's right, and it's just getting the other meds right. But who the hell knows? It's different for everyone.Dalilah
> > > Hello,
> > > I can honestly say that since Lamictal has began working (300mg) and therefore keeping me active, not in bed all day, I have lost weight! Really. I took off all the pounds put on at the hospital and then some.
> > >
> > > However, I know that seroquel can be a nasty weight gainer. I take only a small amount (50mg) for sleep and the mild psychosis. My sister takes a lot of seroquel and she's gained a lot, most to be blamed on depakote.
> > >
> >
> >
> > dalilah,
> >
> > thanx a lot for the insight, i have read many a success story about lamictal and believe i will probably give it a try... although, i am increasingly nervous about weight gain, anxiety and insomnia sometimes caused by its usage.
> >
> > at this point i have nothing to lose (except 60lbs.) and this trial holds a lot of promise ... because i take both a GABA drug and seroquel (famously sedative) i could use the "activating" effect of lamictal.
> >
> I am so glad to find this forum. I am 47 and have had trouble my whole life with mood instability. My mother was an alcoholic bi-polar, very suicidal for many years. No fun at all. Then I suffered a trauma when I was 15 that caused severe PTSD. So to make a long story short, I've suffered from depression, anxiety, and PTSD for a long time and have been on just about every medication that's been made. My dr. put me on Lamictal 3 months ago and initially I loved the great energy boost, but then, after a few hours-BAM- I felt horrible! I could not sleep either. So I started dividing it into small doses during the day which I thought would work. This is what I experienced-terrible agitation and irritability. I was screaming at my family for NO REASON! I felt out of control. I also felt somewhat hypomanic, which is what happens when I've taken SSRI's. As a last resort, my Dr. has put me on Xanax XR .5mg/day. My thoughts have calmed down, not angry anxious or irritable. I guess you could say I feel much more normal. THat being said, I do not like the idea of taking benzos long term, but I also want a life. What to do? THese are hard decisions to make. BTW, my Dr. did NOT believe me when he heard me say that I felt manicky, angry and irritable and couldn't sleep. Said he's never heard of lamictal doing that before. I told him he needs to get on the internet and look at forums and message boards that have REAL PEOPLE talking about their experiences! Thanks for listening, Tiss
poster:Dalilah
thread:238206
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040122/msgs/304406.html