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Lamictal side effects/weight changes? Or Tegretol?

Mon, 08/13/2007 - 13:19
Hi everyone, For anyone who is or has been on lamictal, what has been your experience as far as weight changes or any other side effects with lamictal? I tend to gain weight very very easily and am looking for another med to try. I'm currently on Topamax and while it has been great as far as the weight loss, I just can't stand the side effects anymore. I'm constantly sick and cannot eat not anything. I'm also looking for a med that I can safely be on if I happen to become pregnant and this looks to be like one of them... Or how about Tegretol? Do any of you have favorable results with Tegretol as far as fewer side effects? Thanks :-) Elizabeth

Comments

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Lamictal side effects/weight changes? O

Submitted by pan06 on Tue, 2007-08-14 - 19:55
Hey, I am going to join in on ya'lls conversation. I am on lamictal and keppra. I have notice that I eat the same things I did before I started meds, but I gain weight in no time. I am 19 and I weighed 180 lbs (I know I am fat) before I started meds. I about five months, I have gained 20 lbs. The thing that gets me is that I still eat the same thing and the same portions. I would like to take a seizure med that makes me lose weight, but I am allergic to five meds: Depakote, Klonopin, Tegretol, Feblatol, and Topomax. All the meds gave me a rash, except for the topomax. It caused me to have a heart rate of 180 BPM. That really wore me out. I stay tired and worn out now. I am still having break-through seizures, but not near as bad as what they used to be. I have not talked to my neuro about this. I do not know if he will even say anything in regards to this. I just know that gaining weight is getting on my nerves!!!!! Thanks for your help though!

Re: Re: Lamictal side effects/weight changes? Or Tegretol?

Submitted by nameted on Fri, 2007-08-17 - 11:43
Hi there I am really new to this forum, actually just registered. I have been on lamictal for 4 years and it is doing good for me. I take 200mg X2. I have gained some weight but I don't think its because of lamictal. I am seizure free since I started taking lamictal. I have JME, I was having absent seizure in my childhood but didn't notice them, I got my first seizure where I fell and was jerking. At that time I was diagnosed with epilepsy and started taking lamictal. As far as pregnancy is concerned, my Dr. told me that lamictal is the best drug for child rearing women, it has very few side effects. Although he told me to inform him about 3 months before I am planning to have a baby. Folic acid is a must during pregnancy and he will increase my dose of folic acid when I am planning on having a baby. I am currently taking 1mg folic acid daily. Chand

Re: Lamictal side effects/weight changes? Or Tegretol?

Submitted by jacky99 on Wed, 2007-08-15 - 01:37
when i was taking valproic acid i gained weight like you wouldn't believe. then i had a crazy job where i lost 60lbs in 3 months and after that i started on tegretol. i've gained weight since that job but not to the extent with the valproic acid. i have other side effects from it but weight gain is not one of them. personally i think i gained the weight because i'm allergic to exercise :P

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