Weight gain and/or no loss with Lamictal

I've been taking Lamictal 200 mg for a couple of years. I am also hypothyroid, taking 125 mcg of T4 and 25 mcg of T3. My doc wants me to taper off the Lamictal. Apparently I have a hard time losing weight with the combination of Lamictal and hypothyroidism. My doctor monitored a study in which the group gained a lot of weight on Lamictal. He is convinced without a doubt I am one of those people who gain weight and/or can't lose it.

I lost about 30 lbs from Jan. - May 2012 following Weight Watchers, and keeping an intense exercise regimen. I could not keep up the pace of the exercise I was doing. It was primarily aerobic and cardio (Body Pump, Boot Camp, TRX). I did little to none of my former weight training, power lifting style. So I lost a lot of muscle too.

However, after that I began packing on the weight again. It's possible that happened because I was out of commission with a "massive rotator cuff repair" (as the surgeon described it), and could not work out, and fell off WW. However, even when I picked up my workouts again (weights and cardio), and began WW again, from week to week, I had no weight loss.

Now, I'm not as concerned about the scale as I am about the tape measure around my waist... has not budged. Maybe my doctor is right in that I should begin tapering off the Lamictal. We didn't talk about a strategy but I've read it should be very slow, on the order of 25 mg every couple of weeks. For example 175 mg, 150 mg, 125 mg, 100 mg... each dosage for two weeks.

Has anyone else had any of these experiences?

I haven't had tried to lose wieght yet, but have gone up 2 pants sizes since starting Lamictal in May. Boooo! I'm trying not to stress about it as I need to focus on learning coping skills and staying stable, but I am concerned about what will happen when I do try. Interested to hear what others say and hear what happens along your journey. Thanks!

Yes, I hope others chime in with experiences with weight (loss, gain, neutral) and/or coming off Lamictal. In considering coming off it, my fear has been going back to what I was before, mostly experiencing rages. I don't know how much of my mood stability (I still get depressed, Wellbutrin 450 mg) wrt eliminating the rages is the medication, or resurfaced spiritual beliefs.

Tapering off Lamictal isn't very hard. I tapered off mine with a similar dose reducing schedule and no resulting problems.

I've been on Lamictal for three years with no appreciable weight gain. It's my understanding that Lamictal is supposed to be weight neutral. Might your weight loss be do to the other physical issues you've been having?

I've read that the weight issue can go either way or be neutral. The only loss I experienced was in those 6 months of intense exercise and dieting. In fact not only have I not met my weight loss goal (I have 25-30 lbs to lose), I gained back 12 lbs.

I gained 22 lbs I couldn't afford when I first started Lamictal and another 25 when I was on Zyprexa. But I lost all of that weight plus more after I went on Geodon (an antipsychotic that's more weight-neutral than most of the others), without really trying hard.

I was on Lamictal for 5 years and did not gain weight. I have a difficult time gaining weight so that might be something to consider.

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See, people do have different results! I guess like anything else, it's all highly individual.

I started my taper off today. I miscalculated by saying 25 mg/week. I can't get the pills to cut that small without crushing them. So I'll try 50 mg/week for 2 weeks.

Oh btw, another s.e. I've read of, which I have, is the feeling of light-headedness (more than I usually have because of the helium in my head ) and dizziness... sort of like getting off a merry-go-round or tilt-a-whirl. Not always, but occasionally.

I am going off 25 mg lamictal after just a few weeks. Made my head feel funny and made me feel fatigued. I could not take another day of feeling that way.

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I'm on Lamictal and have had trouble losing weight . I'm not sure if they are linked . I really really wish I could go back on topomax! I was like 20 lbs thinner when I was on that, and my moods were better . But, it interferes with my birth control .
I had to reduce my lamictal a few months ago and for me it was rough. I recommend tapering off really slowly if you're going to get off it.

Lamictal has been weight neutral for me.

Last year I lost 25 lbs while on Lamictal and Tegretol. Then I fell off the dieting band wagon and stayed at the same weight for 6 months. Then we started messing around with my AP in January and I gained 10 lbs back. Stupid Fanapt. Now I'm back on Geodon.

Lamictal actually made me lose a little weight, because I was less depressed and more active.

Then came Risperidone. Oh boy. Fat city!

I gained weight very very noticeable while on lithium. Then I started Lamictal too. I did not notice any additional weight. I then started taking Topamax and lost 25 pounds.

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I have only been on it a little under a month but find that it helps my food cravings so much. I have never had a weight issue (pretty average to fit) but I would have horrible sugar/carb cravings before starting the lamictal and they are just gone, as is my craving for alcohol, so I have actually lost 2-3 pounds since I started on it. Am interested to see if it continues...

I took Topamax for migraines. After a while I didn't seem to need it anymore. The neurologist said that could happen. However, not long after that I went on Lamictal. Because they are both anti-epileptics they control migraines. We'll see what happens with migraines when I'm off the Lamictal.

The problem with Topamax is that they don't call it Dopamax for nothing. It made me as dumb as a box of rocks... a Pop Tart (fruit filling for brains). I fumbled for words; I still do, which may be its after effects or the Lamictal. I'd stare off into space, couldn't make a $5 decision for 5 cents.

I thought I'd throw out a comment/update on my tapering off Lamictal. I don't know if it's such a good idea to get off it. I'm finding myself getting agitated and losing my temper more often, mostly on the road. I had a serious case of road rage before the Lamictal. I do not want to go back to that. When you drive a pickup truck, road rage is not a pretty thing. I may start tapering up again, weight issue be damned. I don't think my weight issue is the Lamictal, because I've been losing bit by bit by watching my diet and getting back to working out. Besides, fat guys are sexy (the late Billy Mays! ).

I've had no weight gain with Lamictal and I've been on 300 mg for quite awhile.

I've been on 300mg for a few years. No significant weight gain from it.