Trileptal and itching

I have been taking Trileptal for about a month now. I started at 300mg and was instructed to increase my dose another 300mg weekly until I reached my "target", which the pdoc suggested would probably be 900mg. I have noticed that it really causes itching all over if I add 300mg to my dose each time. I have been adding 150mg weekly instead, and the itching isn't so bad. I will add that I don't have a rash. Is this a sign of allergy, or is this common? I have been waiting for my pdoc to call me back, which probably won't be until next Monday. I forgot to add that the itching does go away after a couple of days. I know that I am rambling so I will quit adding to my question. Thanks for any input!!
inthedark

I have talked about the itching w/ the doctor. It has now stopped, but I don't think this medication is really working.
I am having other side effects that aren't too pleasant, and have been having extreme anxiety.
What else can I try? I have tried lithium, and now trileptal.
I am really afraid to try depakote, due to the weight gain side effect. My pdoc suggested depakote and a small dose of topamax to counteract the weight gain, but I don't know. I have still been having hypomanic episodes (by the way, I am bipolar II). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have another appt with the pdoc this week.

I had been on Depakote, almost a year and asked to be put on Lithium instead, it was great, the Depakote I did not like,it made me get tired and fat.
Lithium, I had minimal weight gain cause it did slightly slow down my thyroid function which Synthroid addressed
I stopped with Lithium cause the type of Bipolar that I am is BP-II (mild) which for me, the severe depression has been the serious issue so my pdoc had suggested I try Lamictal, it is known for it's antidepressant qualities but yet is not an AD, but an anti-convulsant like Depakote, Tegretol, and damn, I can' remember how to spell the other one.
Keeping in mind meds affect everyone differently so what may work for some may not work for the other, but I would highly recommend Lamictal for Bipolar-II. If you tend to have more of a mania/hypomania issue, Lamictal is good, but I'd go back to Lithobid if mania becomes an issue again.
Lithium was better for me than Depakote cause I was never zonked out while on it and was alert to drive and operate machinery, so it was an excellent drug for the manic end of things. When on Depakote they also had me first on Remeron, it knocked me out and robbed me of emotion, that was short lived, then they used Celexa for about 2 years along with the Depakote and then the Lithium, the Celexa konked out and that is when the pdoc asked me if I'd try Lamictal, I di not need to us an AD either
It is now a year and 2 months with Lamictal alone and it has been great, for anxiety I recently developed I am allowed to use 2 Klnopin a day and Ativan if I have problems getting to sleep, all together it works out.
Topamax didn't do a thing for me, even the pdoc agrred with me that for me it wasn't worth taking anymore, it did not reduce any weight like I had been so excited hearing about the claims it helps you lose or keep weight off.
I've been on all the SSRI's AD's over 4-5 years, naturally not taking them all during the same time, but the present combo I have been on has worked great for me, but everyone is different as well as their illness, so it is a matter of giving ones a try till it "fits", almost like trying on shoes at a shoe
store. For mania, the best is Lithium, it is known to have the best and longest track record over several decades now, comes in different strengths and formulations, I was given Lithobid, had no side effects at all, if so they were so mild I hardly noticed them My brother takes Lithocarbonate (Cam, is that the right spelling?) it is in different dose mg size than what mine came in, but he has been on it for over 30 years and it has been a miracle drug for him, he is Bipolar-I tending to have more violent type manic episodes, the Lithium nixxed that Hope I was helpful towards your questions.
Lamictal has an extremely rare chances of rashing, but if your pdoc titrates you gradually and you keep him or her up to date with any changes I do not forsee any major problems, but then again we are all different, and yet very same ;0

Take care,
"darkeyes"

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON

ITD - The doc's choice of Depakote™ (divalproex - Epival™) with Topamax™ (topiramate) was one of thoughts that I had while reading the first part of your post. In my experience, about 60% (very approximate) of people gain weight when taking Depakote. This means that 40% do not. Perhaps ask the doc to start at a low dose of Depakote and keep a food diary.

Start the food diary at least a week or two before starting the Depakote, so that you have a baseline from which you should be able to see if your hunger is increasing while taking the Depakote. If you do start gaining weight, the Topamax can still be added fairly early.

I hope that this is of some help. - Cam

Hi dark eyes
When I was taking Lithium, it did help, but I started forgetting things, and it was really bothering me. I starting having to write things down, so I would remember. I guess it bothered me the most because I am always so detail oriented, and I started to feel "bland" and forgetful--basically scatter brained. I just could not handle that, so I tapered off of the drug on my own and stopped it. My pdoc was not very happy about that, either, but it is my body and my mind.
I will see what my dr has to say. She has mentioned Lamictal before, so maybe I will discuss that with her
Thanks again,
inthedark

Thanks Cam,
I will remember this if I do decide to try Depakote. I think that the food diary is a good idea! I think I try that now since I have a tendency to gain weight anyway. I think that I will wait on the depakote, I have heard so many negative things about that drug, I am afraid to take it. I guess that I will have to discuss all of my options with my pdoc. Thanks for the info!
inthedark