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Tegretol and Weight Gain
Tue, 06/27/2006 - 09:07Topic: Women With Epilepsy
I have been on tegratol for almost 1 year now and have put on about 15 pds, mostly in my mid-section. Very upsetting as i cannot seem to do anything to get it off. Has anyone had any success losing weight while on tegratol- how did you do it? I am about to get pregnant, so changing drugs is out of the question. Do not want to carry around excess weight during pregnancy. Also, does increased dose affect weight gain?
Comments
Re: Tegretol and Weight Gain
Submitted by Butterflygrl on Wed, 2006-06-28 - 12:43
Hello Donnajoy,
I am also on Tegretol CR 200mgs per day. I actually LOST weight. I find that in the first few hours after I take it, my appetite decreases. However, I also suffer from anxiety as well, so that could also play a factor in my loss of appetite. But recently, I have been free of anxiety, and my weight has still maintained to be on the lower scale.
I guess it's different for everyone.
I am on the same drug. My
Submitted by hklassen on Sun, 2006-07-23 - 14:29
I am on the same drug. My doctor said it doesn't cause you to gain weight, it causes your appetite to go up so you crave sweets more. That happened to me and I gained weight but then I took control and lost a bunch and now I am at normal weight. Just get used to the cravingS and don't give in. Drink lots of water, exercise frequently, and only eat when it's meal-time and your hungry. Hope this helps!
By the way....DO NOT GO LOW CARB! Carbs are brain food and if you are epileptic you NEED CARBS. Try low fat and eat high fiber foods. That worked for me and I've kept off 40 pounds for years. Weight watchers could help you too. It's the same idea.
Re: Re: Tegretol and Weight Gain
Submitted by starinajar on Wed, 2007-08-15 - 10:08
I was told my by my neurologist that Tegretol actually increases your metabolic rate to lose weight instead. It's the same reason why you can't take oral contraceptives and Tegretol at the same time... Tegretol speeds up your metabolic rate and so the oral contraceptives go through your system much faster and render them ineffective. I've gained weight while being on Tegretol, but that was purely by me eating whatever the heck I wanted, lol.