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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 27. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Deb200 on March 23, 2005, at 15:54:53
I am at my wits end. I was on lamictal a year ago, and it was very effective for my depression. However, my appetite went through the roof, and I gained over 10 pounds. I stopped the drug because of this issue. After six months, I have gone on it again, as my depression worsened. Once again, I am obsessed with food, and the weight is piling on, despite lots of exercise and as much restraint as I can muster. Does anyone have any experience with this side effect abating after time?
Thanks
Posted by Spriggy on March 23, 2005, at 16:25:08
In reply to lamictal and weight gain, posted by Deb200 on March 23, 2005, at 15:54:53
What mg's were you on?
I am just starting it (low dose) and I wouldn't mind gaining 15 pounds but nothing more.
Posted by Deb200 on March 23, 2005, at 18:15:45
In reply to Re: lamictal and weight gain, posted by Spriggy on March 23, 2005, at 16:25:08
> What mg's were you on?
>
> I am just starting it (low dose) and I wouldn't mind gaining 15 pounds but nothing more.I am on 200 mg. With my appetite being as uncontrollable as it is, I think the weight gain is not going to plateau anytime soon.
Posted by Phillipa on March 23, 2005, at 19:01:06
In reply to Re: lamictal and weight gain, posted by Deb200 on March 23, 2005, at 18:15:45
Spriggy, So are you going to try it? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Spriggy on March 23, 2005, at 19:53:27
In reply to Re: lamictal and weight gain, posted by Phillipa on March 23, 2005, at 19:01:06
Yep.. I took my first pill this afternoon. So far I"m still alive and breathing. That's a good sign. LOL
Posted by lara53 on March 23, 2005, at 21:08:37
In reply to Re: lamictal and weight gain, posted by Deb200 on March 23, 2005, at 18:15:45
i would like to know also,gained 6 lbs in 5-6 weeks. always hungry for junk especially hershey almond bars,at work the other day went to pharmacy to get script and bought 3 and ate them right after the other,no wonder i keep gaining!
Posted by MoparFan91 on March 23, 2005, at 21:48:37
In reply to Re: lamictal and weight gain, posted by lara53 on March 23, 2005, at 21:08:37
Hmm....that's strange.
I'm on 200mg of Lamictal right now along with 20mg of Geodon, and I'm having no trouble at all sticking to a weight loss program (mainly to get the Depakote weight back off). I get hungry at times due to cutting back on calories, but I don't really have any cravings. I don't care too much about food, overall.
Posted by lara53 on March 24, 2005, at 2:14:16
In reply to Re: lamictal and weight gain, posted by MoparFan91 on March 23, 2005, at 21:48:37
well i admit i could have some more self control;i dont try. i was also "sick' for a month doc said depressive stage and could not eat so im probably making up for it now;but i think around 3-4 lbs is from meds. i am always bloated now,so i guess ill have to be more careful,people say im too thin anyway,but clothes hide alot!i have to wear my low rise jeans as i cant button other clothes that i used to need a belt. ugh!
Is lamictal working good for you,I have high hopes. up again at 2 after 3 hours=going to be a long day at work. i guess i should ask for something to sleep. my best laura
Posted by thankgodfornardil on March 24, 2005, at 11:02:37
In reply to Re: lamictal and weight gain » MoparFan91, posted by lara53 on March 24, 2005, at 2:14:16
I'm on Nardil and Lamictal (90mg and 200mg), and on them together I gained 30 lbs. in a year. BUT I'm still on them, joined Weight Watchers, and so far have lost 20. I'm losing more slowly than other WW people, but still, if you join a program and are disciplined about it you can lose the weight gain. Certainly not worth coming off and risking depression because of the weight gain.
Posted by Spriggy on March 24, 2005, at 11:24:19
In reply to Re: lamictal and weight gain, posted by thankgodfornardil on March 24, 2005, at 11:02:37
It really seems like we should get some sort of special service from God that if we have to be depressed, we could at least be thin and beautiful (and while He's at it, at least have lots of money too).
There is just no need for someone to be depressed and fat. And even worse, if you take Depakote.. you can be depressed, fat, and bald. Imagine?!?
Posted by Wildflower on March 24, 2005, at 12:17:09
In reply to lamictal and weight gain, posted by Deb200 on March 23, 2005, at 15:54:53
Isn't lamictal a mood stabilizer verses an AD? Have you tried an AD? If depression is causing stress eating, you may want to consider one.
I gained weight after I stopped taking meds (cold turkey) a few years ago. Turns out I was not fully "cured" of my depression so I self-medicated with food.
Not sure if this is your case or not but thought I'd check.
Posted by CareBear04 on March 24, 2005, at 12:55:54
In reply to Re: lamictal and weight gain » MoparFan91, posted by lara53 on March 24, 2005, at 2:14:16
hey lara53,
maybe it's not the lamictal. maybe, as you said, your body is making up for lost nutrition by eating more. it could be the lamictal, too, especially if you gained weight on it before. my experience with lamictal was that it was pretty weight-neutral, up to 200mg. it was a joke of a mood stabilizer but a good antidepressant, and if anything, it made me hyperactive. i lost weight involuntarily while i was in it, and i had trouble gaining weight back.
this is a hard question, but can you look at yourself objectively and see how, say, your doctor would see you? you said that people say that you're too thin, anyway. i don't think any person, women especially, want to see the scale numbers rise rapidly, no matter how much the weight gain might be needed. but maybe the weight gain might be good for you, even though it's annoying when it comes from a med. i'm trying to accept this idea, too. when i was sick in the fall, i lost 15 pounds. i've been a good, obedient patient and have eaten until i'm stuffed and drank all the horrible nutrition shakes, and i've gained most of the weight back. i started remeron recently and gained five pounds in about a month. i'm trying to get over being so disturbed about gaining weight so fast, and like you, i tried on a pair of jeans yesterday and felt like i would split the butt seams open! but my doctors and friends all tell me how much better i look-- still thin, but less skeletal, more healthy, and more like myself.
none of this is to say that weight gain is a good thing, but it's not always inherently bad, either. if you're concerned and especially if you're thinking of stopping the lamictal, can you talk to your doctor? maybe he or she can comment on whether your weight gain is healthy and, more importantly, whether it will stop with time or whether it's a side effect you'll have to deal with as long as you're on it. i think i could deal with a few pounds from a medication, but if it got to the point where i was gaining 3 pounds a month and would be on lamictal for months, i would probably stop it.
i hope this helps. i know what it's like.
Posted by Phillipa on March 24, 2005, at 14:58:14
In reply to Re: lamictal and weight gain » lara53, posted by CareBear04 on March 24, 2005, at 12:55:54
If I might ask, what dose of remeron are you taking? The reason I ask is that I am also on remeron for sleep, and seem to be gaining wt despite the gym 3-4times a week. I'm still confused as to whether low dose remeron causes sleep but wt gain, or whether higher dose remeron causes no wt gain and does not help sleep. Does this sound confusing? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by CareBear04 on March 24, 2005, at 15:28:25
In reply to Re: lamictal and weight gain » CareBear04, posted by Phillipa on March 24, 2005, at 14:58:14
hi phillipa! i'm on 15mg of remeron. did i read that you're on the same?
my dr says that remeron is one of those drugs where higher doses produce less side effects, so most people gain weight on doses like ours. since i have another antidepressant, i don't need remeron for that, so i don't need a higher dose. i think my dr said that some people take up to 60mg and avoid the weight gain and sleepiness.
at 15mg, have you noticed a change in your mood, too, or just help with your sleep? i switched to prozac at around the same time i started remeron, so i don't know what's doing what.
Posted by Phillipa on March 24, 2005, at 16:54:48
In reply to Re: lamictal and weight gain » Phillipa, posted by CareBear04 on March 24, 2005, at 15:28:25
Hi CareBear04, When I found that I was gaining wt, I cut my remeron down to 7.5mg. I thought that might help. Also with the valium my sleep is better. I'm supposed to be up to l00mg of zoloft by tomorrow when I see the pdoc. Well, I've stayed at 25mg and I don't feel depressed. I really think the valium is helping me the most. I guess I will tell a little white lie and say I'm taking 50mg. That way she'll think I'm following her instructions somewhat. I just believe in listening to my own body first. I really want to give up the remeron totally. I tried twice and both times got up and took it after about l5minutes. I also copied that Thread on rEEG that Dr Hoffman replied to and I'm going to give it to her to read. I want her to know that I'm aware of what science is accomplishing. Have you followed the Thread? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by CareBear04 on March 24, 2005, at 20:42:54
In reply to Re: lamictal and weight gain » CareBear04, posted by Phillipa on March 24, 2005, at 16:54:48
hey phillipa--
no i haven't followed the thread you mentioned, but i'll look for it.
did you find less weight gain on 7.5 and was it as good for sleep? i need a benzo to sleep, too. i usually take klonopin or sometimes klonopin and xanax. can you not get to sleep if you don't take the remeron? i don't notice it helping me fall asleep; it just helps me sleep better and longer.
i hope we can both get off the remeron and find a better way to get some sleep!
Posted by Phillipa on March 24, 2005, at 21:01:30
In reply to Re: lamictal and weight gain » Phillipa, posted by CareBear04 on March 24, 2005, at 20:42:54
I think it's psychological. I don't know if the remeron is helping. Before I was also taking klonopin and xanax, but after the 4 hours xanax lasts I would wake up. The valium is keeping me asleep longer and the other night I didn't wake up at all! That's major for me. Oh, and don't forget Lunesta is supposed to be out now. Longterm for sleep, with antidepressant properties. Don't I sound like a drug rep? I'm definitely not! Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by rachel sarah on March 26, 2005, at 15:01:37
In reply to lamictal and weight gain, posted by Deb200 on March 23, 2005, at 15:54:53
> I am at my wits end. I was on lamictal a year ago, and it was very effective for my depression. However, my appetite went through the roof, and I gained over 10 pounds. I stopped the drug because of this issue. After six months, I have gone on it again, as my depression worsened. Once again, I am obsessed with food, and the weight is piling on, despite lots of exercise and as much restraint as I can muster. Does anyone have any experience with this side effect abating after time?
> ThanksHi,
I know exactly how you feel. I went on Citalpram and put on 11 pounds. I was so annoyed as I had just got to my target weight. On that drug I craved carbohydrates and ate bags of crisps. Normally I eat healthily. When I came off the tablets the craving stopped and I felt a lot less hungry, but I just could not loose any of the weight. I could not understand why as I go to the gym 3 or 4 times a week and am back to eating healthily.
Now I am on Effexor, I have now put on in total 16 pounds. I hate it, I have really tried to loose the weight, but can not do any thing. I think quite a lot of people put weight on on medication, but also a lot of people don't seem to.
On Effexor I don't seem any more hungry, but still seem to put weight on. It is really frustrating, and the doctor I was seeing didn't believe AD make you put on weight.
It is good that your doing excercise, because it normally supresses your appetite a little and burns off lots of calories. If you get cravings for junk food, perhaps try not to keep them in the house, that is what I had to do.
Good luck, I know how frustrating it is. Also have you thought about trying a diff med, because the first one I was on actually decreased my appetite and I did not pur on any weight.
RS
Posted by Deb200 on March 28, 2005, at 8:53:56
In reply to Re: lamictal and weight gain, posted by rachel sarah on March 26, 2005, at 15:01:37
> > I am at my wits end. I was on lamictal a year ago, and it was very effective for my depression. However, my appetite went through the roof, and I gained over 10 pounds. I stopped the drug because of this issue. After six months, I have gone on it again, as my depression worsened. Once again, I am obsessed with food, and the weight is piling on, despite lots of exercise and as much restraint as I can muster. Does anyone have any experience with this side effect abating after time?
> > Thanks
>
> Hi,
>
> I know exactly how you feel. I went on Citalpram and put on 11 pounds. I was so annoyed as I had just got to my target weight. On that drug I craved carbohydrates and ate bags of crisps. Normally I eat healthily. When I came off the tablets the craving stopped and I felt a lot less hungry, but I just could not loose any of the weight. I could not understand why as I go to the gym 3 or 4 times a week and am back to eating healthily.
>
> Now I am on Effexor, I have now put on in total 16 pounds. I hate it, I have really tried to loose the weight, but can not do any thing. I think quite a lot of people put weight on on medication, but also a lot of people don't seem to.
>
> On Effexor I don't seem any more hungry, but still seem to put weight on. It is really frustrating, and the doctor I was seeing didn't believe AD make you put on weight.
>
> It is good that your doing excercise, because it normally supresses your appetite a little and burns off lots of calories. If you get cravings for junk food, perhaps try not to keep them in the house, that is what I had to do.
>
> Good luck, I know how frustrating it is. Also have you thought about trying a diff med, because the first one I was on actually decreased my appetite and I did not pur on any weight.
>
> RS
>
>Thanks for responding. You said the "first one" you were on decreased your appetite. What drug was that? And why did you stop taking it?
Posted by rachel sarah on March 29, 2005, at 8:43:37
In reply to Re: lamictal and weight gain, posted by Deb200 on March 28, 2005, at 8:53:56
Hi,
The first one I was on was called Zoloft. I stopped taking it because it made me feel more anxious and panicky. But I lost my appetite and food didn't seem to taste as good. It didnt work for me but it may work for you
Posted by Deb200 on March 29, 2005, at 15:03:13
In reply to Re: lamictal and weight gain, posted by rachel sarah on March 29, 2005, at 8:43:37
> Hi,
>
> The first one I was on was called Zoloft. I stopped taking it because it made me feel more anxious and panicky. But I lost my appetite and food didn't seem to taste as good. It didnt work for me but it may work for youThank you. I was on Zoloft also, and it didn't help me. I am going off the lamictal now. Thanks again for your responses.
Posted by lara53 on March 29, 2005, at 19:52:55
In reply to Re: lamictal and weight gain » lara53, posted by CareBear04 on March 24, 2005, at 12:55:54
Just wanted to say thanks for the reply; Appreciate it!
Posted by rhi on August 21, 2007, at 10:35:19
In reply to lamictal and weight gain, posted by Deb200 on March 23, 2005, at 15:54:53
Hello all,
I have been on Lamictal for about 3 years now and have no weight gain from the Lamictal. However, when my Lamictal was combined with other medications such as Risperdal I did gain weight. Once I was taken off of the Risperdal (no longer needed it) and kept only on Lamictal I lost weight and did not gain at all.One thing to consider is that if you are taking Lamictal in conjunction with another medication it is possible that the other medication may be the cause of the cravings, the increased appetite, and ultimately the weight gain. I've been there and it really stinks.
Another thing as with anything else is that everyone's bodies are different and what does not cause weight gain for one person may cause it for another.
I suggest (I did this) that if you are concerned that you are gaining weight talk to your doc. If you are taking more than one medication research them all to see if that is a side effect of them and then talk to your doc relating what you have found and if there are alternatives to that specific medication.
The worst thing is that when bipolar we get depressed and of course as i am sure some of you know weight gain can cause depression. So hang in there I went through this so I completely understand how hard it is.
Best wishes to all,
rhi
Posted by Rappy on August 31, 2007, at 9:24:20
In reply to Re: lamictal and weight gain, posted by Phillipa on March 23, 2005, at 19:01:06
i have gained about 40 pounds on lamictal, including while on phase 1 of the south beach diet, and while training for and completing a 40-mile breast cancer marathon. what makes me feel particularly crazy is that until my weight got this high my doctors would just look at their literature and say 'it's not known to cause weight gain'. the last time i saw my shrink i said 'well, look at me.' and he finally admitted that i was one of three of his patients who had gained a lot of weight on lamictal.
Posted by rina on September 4, 2007, at 14:48:19
In reply to Re: lamictal and weight gain, posted by Rappy on August 31, 2007, at 9:24:20
when i first started to take lamictal, I gained weight also but when the pdoc added topamax to my regimen to take at night with it, my weight begin to drop drastically and i felt more comfortable exercising daily. Good Luck!
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