Has ANY one gotten overweight taking Lamictil only?

When you had mania and took lamictal did you put on weight after taking it? I did not get a rash but was very concerned about gaining back 60 pounds. I was 210 last june and was having breathing difficulties and my legs and arms swelled up. I was taking Depakote when that occured. I am wery of drugs for mental health.

I realize I need to takee the mania medicne but am very scared of not having my physical health. I have leg pain and hardness and stiffness from the lamictal. I have taken up smoking, for fear of gaining excess weight.

I know I am wearing out people with my concerns and worries. I am truly sorry for asking you over again. I am just so sick of my mental illness.

Please share about the drugs that don 't cause too many health problems

I've been on Lamictal a few years now, any of my weight gain has been due to being middle aged,less active, quitting smoking (cause I don't want to die like my dad did/emphysema) and not reducing calories to coincide with my amount of activity.
Lamictal did NOT make me gain weight, in fact in the begining Lamictal, I shed the pounds I had gained when I on Depakote.
When I was on Depakote, I put on 13 lbs in one month, and was chronically fatigued, plus other negatives.
Switching to Lamictal was a great alternative, I only take a total of 200 mgs per day, even dropping down to lowest therapeutic level, 150 mgs. That is the only mood stabilizer I'm on.
Everyone doesn't always have the same response to meds., so what works for one may not for another.
I personally prefer Lamictal,for the fact I'm not made drowsy by it.
Lots of luck with this, also note smoking is far more unhealthier than trying the mood stabilizer, so I wouldn't be so leerie of trying them.
Leg pain and stiffness can even come from peripheal vascular disease, which contributes to poor circulation, largely caused from smoking.
My mom now suffers with it due to not quitting smoking when she should have, when signs/symptoms were becoming apparent.
I know it is natural when we become disgusted/frustrated with meds. we automatically think what we are feeling is due to our meds and not looking at our lifestyles,poor health habits.
Again I wish you luck with this. Don't think your questions are wearing anyone out, it's good to ask rather than over worrying.
Take care,
DE

Hi razel, no you aren't wearing us out by questions in fact, if you post in various forums, like you do, only a group of ppl will read all of your posts.

Besides, that's what the forums are for! If you think your questions might have already been asked and answered in a forum, use the search/advanced search ooption up on the right of the page. Advanced search allows you to put in basic key word(s) and select only one forum if you wish. Maybe this will save you time and worry while waiting for someone to reply.

DE, I know a medical doctor that took depakote and gained... the doctor lost the weight by going on Atkins at first, then to a more balanced non glycemic loading diet or such.

TC

Sky,
Diet and exercise is key to so many problems, I will admit, for I have seen the negative difference, not only physically but mentally.
I also want to stress, that there are times many of us need meds in the mental area, and we shouldn't always be leerie.
In most cases, both together can have such positive results.
I'm open to both, and Lord knows I need a lot of better health habits, for I have become so deliquent in exercise and diet.
I'm sure if I do ALL the things I should do, and have in the past helped, I'll be better off as well as many others.
My main point is, "don't be afraid to try with pdoc suggestions as well as common sense good health habits.
Take care,
DE

BTW
Sky, you are awesome, you always have great points and advice.