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Neurodivergent
Member Since Mar 2012
Location: Western US
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Apr 04, 2012 at 09:33 PM
#1
I thought lamotrigine wasn't supposed to make me gain weight.......well, I've been on it for a month and have already put back on almost 10 lbs. of the 30+ I lost when I was going through my mixed episode. I'm already over 300, so I can't afford to regain.......on the other hand, I'm tolerating the med really well and it's working. Guess I'd rather be fat than crazy!
Just wondering if anyone else has gained or is gaining weight on Lamictal. I don't plan to change meds just because I've put a few lbs. back on, but I wonder if it really is the drug, or if it's more because I've gotten my normal appetite back and am once again actually enjoying food. 
__________________ DX: Bipolar 1 Anxiety Tardive dyskinesia Mild cognitive impairment RX: Celexa 20 mg Gabapentin 1200 mg Geodon 40 mg AM, 60 mg PM Klonopin 0.5 mg PRN Lamictal 500 mg Levothyroxine 125 mcg (rx'd for depression) Trazodone 150 mg Zyprexa 7.5 mg Please come visit me @ http://bpnurse.com |
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Poohbah
Member Since Jan 2012
Posts: 1,122
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Apr 04, 2012 at 09:49 PM
#2
I lost weight when I added Wellbutrin and Seroquel but, otherwise no weight change with Lamictal. I was on Lamictal for at least a year before adding to it. It isn't suprising I lost weight with Wellbutrin, antidepressants always do that to me!
If your appetite has returned, it is likely just that especially if it is a mood equals appetite level situation. See what happens when you go back to your "normal" weight. |
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 BipolaRNurse
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Neurodivergent
Member Since Mar 2012
Location: Western US
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Apr 04, 2012 at 10:31 PM
#3
Good to hear. I wish I could take Wellbutrin, because I did lose weight during the brief times I was on it.....but it could just have been because the stuff made me manic! I could've threaded a sewing machine needle while it was running---I was that wired. No bueno.
I was also ready to tear someone a new butthole with any provocation, or NO provocation, which is why my pdoc put that on my allergies list, stating it made me 'manic and psychotic'. His words, not mine, but not very far from the truth. 
__________________ DX: Bipolar 1 Anxiety Tardive dyskinesia Mild cognitive impairment RX: Celexa 20 mg Gabapentin 1200 mg Geodon 40 mg AM, 60 mg PM Klonopin 0.5 mg PRN Lamictal 500 mg Levothyroxine 125 mcg (rx'd for depression) Trazodone 150 mg Zyprexa 7.5 mg Please come visit me @ http://bpnurse.com |
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Grand Member
Member Since Jan 2012
Location: Midwest USA
Posts: 814
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Apr 05, 2012 at 01:49 PM
#4
I had lost a few pounds last fall doing walking, and was staying fairly stable on the lamictal, but when my mood did a nose dive and we had to bump the lamictal up to 400, I gained about 10 pounds, maybe 15, in a short period of time. I was not a happy camper, as I am now at the 250 mark, which is my nightmare number. (I could live with 235, even 240, better fat than unstable. But 250 is IT.) For other reasons I'm getting off the lamictal, so hopefully some more walking will help me drop the extra weight.
But yes, I gained weight on it, too. 
__________________  That which does not kill me makes me stronger. |
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BipolaRNurse
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Grand Member
Member Since Dec 2011
Posts: 605
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Apr 05, 2012 at 01:55 PM
#5
stir fry vegetables and noodles, few days a week as main meal,
watch the weight drop of you, cant have big portions. |
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Member
Member Since Oct 2010
Location: South Africa
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Apr 05, 2012 at 04:09 PM
#6
i gained a lot of weight on lamictal, but it was worth it 'cause it works.
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BipolaRNurse
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Apr 05, 2012 at 05:25 PM
#7
I have not gained any weight from Lamictal. Shortly after starting it, I joined Weight Watchers and a gym which I go to 3x a week arriving there at 6AM. I was Very heavy when I started. .I do 45 minutes walking on the treadmill and weight training. I have lost 30 lbs in the last year. The Weight Watchers points plan is very easy to follow and effective.
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BipolaRNurse
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Neurodivergent
Member Since Mar 2012
Location: Western US
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Apr 06, 2012 at 12:08 AM
#8
Quote:
__________________ DX: Bipolar 1 Anxiety Tardive dyskinesia Mild cognitive impairment RX: Celexa 20 mg Gabapentin 1200 mg Geodon 40 mg AM, 60 mg PM Klonopin 0.5 mg PRN Lamictal 500 mg Levothyroxine 125 mcg (rx'd for depression) Trazodone 150 mg Zyprexa 7.5 mg Please come visit me @ http://bpnurse.com |
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Member
Member Since Jan 2012
Location: virginia
Posts: 285
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Apr 06, 2012 at 03:08 PM
#9
My daughtr just started lamictal and her pdoc said it would not cause weight gain.
__________________ Elizabeth Geodon 80 mg qid Zyprexa 5 mg daily Wellbutrin 450 mg daily Paxil 60 mg daily Ativan 1 mg tid Haldol 5 mg prn Fanapt 12 mg bid |
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Grand Poohbah
Member Since Nov 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,937
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Apr 06, 2012 at 03:26 PM
#10
I take wellbutrin and lamictal. I am not gaining or losing. Unfortunately, when I took cymbalta I gained 30 pounds and those pounds haven't gone anywhere since the drug changes.
Bluemountains |
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Junior Member
Member Since Oct 2011
Posts: 23
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Apr 06, 2012 at 08:20 PM
#11
i gained on lamictal
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Member
Member Since Jul 2011
Location: Ruston, La
Posts: 149
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Apr 06, 2012 at 09:00 PM
#12
I gained almost forty pounds when I first started taking lamictal; however at the same time I started taking Seroquel which is known for weight gain.
__________________ LunarPariah If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried. |
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BipolaRNurse
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Member
Member Since Jun 2009
Location: US
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Apr 06, 2012 at 09:39 PM
#13
I've taken Lamictal for six years, I gained weight when I started taking it. I noticed it made me crave carbs, so I started taking right before I went to bed and those cravings just seemed to go away, unless I end up staying awake then I am scrounging for anything with carbs. It was my only medication for months, so I am positive this medication caused those carb cravings.
Last edited by forever; Apr 06, 2012 at 09:40 PM.. Reason: Ps: I forgot to mention how much Lamictal helped me. |
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BipolaRNurse
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Neurodivergent
Member Since Mar 2012
Location: Western US
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Apr 06, 2012 at 10:16 PM
#14
That's me, too---I'm craving carbs! But I know how to deal with that, and I've got to get hold of myself and do it. I'm not going to stop taking the Lamictal just because I regained some of the weight I lost when I was in the middle of that mixed episode....it's giving me my life back.
__________________ DX: Bipolar 1 Anxiety Tardive dyskinesia Mild cognitive impairment RX: Celexa 20 mg Gabapentin 1200 mg Geodon 40 mg AM, 60 mg PM Klonopin 0.5 mg PRN Lamictal 500 mg Levothyroxine 125 mcg (rx'd for depression) Trazodone 150 mg Zyprexa 7.5 mg Please come visit me @ http://bpnurse.com |
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New Member
Member Since Apr 2015
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 2
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Apr 10, 2015 at 06:31 PM
#15
I started taking Prozac and Welbutrin. I noticed when mood stabilizers were added I gained weight. First it was Geodon and now Lamictal. I also feel like the mood stabilizers help stop the up feeling but do nothing for the lows. I am stopping the Lamictal. I can't stand the extra weight
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Grand Poohbah
Member Since Aug 2011
Location: Southeast US
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Apr 11, 2015 at 05:20 PM
#16
Been on Lamictal since Sept of 2000 & has been weight neutral for me.
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Insert Smiley Face
Member Since Mar 2015
Location: USA
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Apr 11, 2015 at 06:20 PM
#17
Didn't make me gain or lose. I've been on it for three years.
__________________ The darkest of nights is followed by the brightest of days. 
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Grand Magnate
Member Since Jul 2014
Location: Milky Way
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Apr 11, 2015 at 06:35 PM
#18
No weight gain here either. But everybody's body responds differently to meds.
__________________ Bipolar 1 with psychotic features PTSD  "Phew! For a minute there I lost myself." 'Karma Police' by Radiohead |
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Apr 11, 2015 at 06:41 PM
#19
Weight neutral for me also.
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