[henrydavidtherobot]

I've been on Lamictal for two weeks. My hair has been shedding a lot. I don't know if hair just does this sometimes or if I'm responding to emotional distress from a couple of months ago or what? I'm making sure I take my iron every day just in case. Also, my lower belly is bloated and feels hard! I don't know how a pregnancy could occur because I'm on BC and use condoms. It is the week before I'm supposed to get my period, but typically my bloated belly feels soft. Am I gaining weight?!

I'm afraid that I may have to go off this med if I'm going to gain weight and lose my hair, but I can't afford to keep seeing a Pdoc. Help!

[Morigan]

Hi

I have been taking 100mg of lamictal ( in conjuction with epilim, serdep and rivotril ) since July
My hair has been thinning out - but it is most probably stress and seasonal changes.
I am also on BC. Most of these meds are notorious for weight gain. I have been following a healty diet - nothing serious - basically just making sure I burn the calories I consume. I have actuallu lost 3 kgs. I am thirsty and drink a lot of ice cold water ( speeds up metabolism ) I also drink green tea, it helps with water retension. I hope this helps

Lamictal is generally weight neutral. Have you actually gained weight, or are you just bloated. Bloating could be a diet issue, a med issue, all sorts of things.

[henrydavidtherobot]

It might be a bloating thing. I don't respond well to dairy or junk food. I was just weird out because it felt hard. I'm mostly worried about my hair. I keep getting hyperthyroidism suggested for me but I have been tested 3 times and it never meets the qualifications. I'm not getting tested again because its too expensive. My dad started suffering from hair loss at a young age, but I have my mom's widow's peak and her family has no problems with hair loss.

[kaliope]

I have been on lamictal a couple different times and never had any side effects. I have lost tons of hair due to stress tho.

I have been on lamictal for a couple of months, and I have tons of hair coming out. More than ever before. Stress could be part of it, but it's never been this bad before. I have a lot of hair though, and I know lamictal is top tier for bp mood stabilizers. Moral of the story is I'm staying on lamictal.

[BipolaRNurse]

I've lost a ton of hair as well, but thankfully I can afford it.....it was way too thick before. LOL. But I've never been sure if it was the Lamictal or the Geodon, both of which can cause hair loss. My son-in-law, who colors and highlights mine, has been worried that I'm losing so much; I told him that if it's a choice between my hair and my sanity, the latter will win out every time.

[polesapart]

I started losing a lot of hair when I was titrating up on Lamictal. I completely freaked out as I had never had anything like it, but in hind sight it was probably stress related. The hair loss stopped, but recently with another increase in stress I've started having more fall out again. At least I now know it's not the meds.

[A Red Panda]

I don't know if I'd even notice if I lost more hair than normal! haha. I always have tons of it being brushed out - it tends to tangle so a lot of the hair that should fall out each day gets stuck in there until I brush it out I think.

I'd stick with the lamictal for longer - people get bloated for lots of weird reasons. And losing your hair more can easily be from the stress you're clearly feeling right now!