[darkeyes]

Cam,
Just one last or 2,3, questions about Lamictal before I seriously think of going ahead with the doc's suggestion on switching from the Lithium to the Lamictal due to my extreme depressions vs. my "non" hypo-mania, 1) Is Lamictal as sedating as Depakote? 2) Doe's it cause weight gain? and doe's it cause hair loss like Depakote? I am just concerned before I set myself up for another disappointment, well not really it hasn't all been that bad but the side effects I could have done without, they have been a major part of my depression this year I have 2 weeks to make my decision to either go with the Lamictal or not, I have read other new stuff where doc's are using a thyroid med, Cytomel? I think that's how it was spelled, to help boost the effeciancy of a person's psyc.meds. is that a feasible alternative to discuss ith the doc? BTW Bp's a grandpa now!!! When you have a chance drop me a line, as always I appreciate your help.
Thanks,
"darkeyes"

[CamW]

Ebony Orbs - Smile .... you really have no worries or issues with Lamictal. The drug can cause a little drowsiness that will disappear with time. Actually, I can't remember any of the few people that I have had taking complain of this, though. I have heard that it did cause a couple of people insomnia, but this was relieved by having them take their initial dose in the morning and the second dose before supper.

Remember, with the titration it's "low and slow". Even if an eczema-like rash appears, you can just stop the drug for a week or two, and then rechallenge yourself with the drug at an even slower titration. In almost every case where we tried a rechallenge after the initial rash (6/7 that I distinctly remember) there was no return of the rash.

In other words, "GO FOR IT!!" - CAM

I have never seen weight gain, but I can see it happening if you are one of the unlucky ones that are said to contract hypothyroidism. This happened once in clinical trials, and I seriously doubt that this one incident has been directly related to the lamotrigine. Actually, one of the side effects (albeit minor) is anorexia or loss of appetite.

Also, no need to worry about your shaggy mane. I have heard of no incident of hair loss when taking the drug.

Do be aware of upset tummy &/or constipation. It might be wise to increase your fruit and liquid intake, though; just to avoid this. This might be caused by a minor overall dryness of tissues that can occasionally be caused by Lamictal. This can also manifest as double vision, sore eyes, a cough, or aches and pains. These also were no troublesome to the people that I treated, though.

<font color=blue>"The minute you or anybody else knows what you are you are not it, you are what you or anybody else knows you are and as everything in living is made up of finding out what you are it is extraordinarily difficult really not to know what you are and yet to be that thing." - Gertrude Stein, 1937</font color=blue>

[CamW]

Oh, and the thing with using Cytomel; it does seem to be a very good mood stabilizer in "some" people. I have a feeling that most of the people that it has helped have had some sort of thyroid system dysregulation. I would not just start taking the Cytomel without having thyroid function thoroughly checked. You don't want to end up looking like Don Knotts. - Cam

<font color=blue>"The minute you or anybody else knows what you are you are not it, you are what you or anybody else knows you are and as everything in living is made up of finding out what you are it is extraordinarily difficult really not to know what you are and yet to be that thing." - Gertrude Stein, 1937</font color=blue>

[darkeyes]

Thank you so much for setting my mind at ease about a near future decision, cause other wise I am ready to stop all meds and go natural the way I was before 2 yrs ago. Well we see what happens. Thanks again.
"darkeyes"