ever since i've started taking lamacil, i've gained weight. i'm often hungry, and i'm often hungry, when i recognize, i shouldn't be. i've read posts that say it doesn't cause weight gain, but my weight gain started with taking lamactil, and i'm definitely searching for food at times that i shouldn't be.
I was diagnosed Bipolar II with minor depression and was put on Lamictal teetering up 25 mg every 2 weeks with 150mg Wellbutrin (Zyban) the aim was to reach 200mg and see how I feel, by the start of the seventh week, I got tiny itchy patches on my cheeks that flaired up after I took the Lamictal… so stopped lamictal, (remained on the wellbutrin) and went on an antihistamine (Atarax) for a 2 weeks 25/50mg, did some surface (72 hour skin contact) allergy tests and came negative for Lamictal so I w
t have to wait for an answer #2 they usually know more about things like dosing schedules than the pdoc. They are the medication experts.
I've been told to take lamictal 2 times a day so you may want to ask about that too.
There is no currently established therapeutic range for Lamictal. Reference ranges differ between labs and as more information is gathered that helps develop the range. The range was originally listed as 1-4 mcg/mL then changed to 2-20 mcg/mL then switched back to 1-4 mcg/mL and is now back at 2-20 mcg/mL. As with all medications this range exists because everyone is different. A level of 5.2 mcg/mL may be perfect for one person, too low for another and too high for someone else.
Just wondering if my T4's are 99 and range is (0.82-1.77 ) whats a good range ? where should i be ?
No there are many other mood stabilizers. Some are even in common use such as Lamictal. Wellbutrin being an anti-depressent can sometimes worsen mania in bipolar. Lithium is highly effective but for some people can cause cognitive blunting and sedation. With antipsychotics, the newest ones Abilify, Fanapt and Saphris have less of a potential of weight gain but as they can change heart rhythms you would have to ask your psychiatrist if they could be used safely if you have heart valve problems.
Hi,
Do you know what your TSH levels were? They should also test FT4 (not t4) and you need to post the reference range as well, becuase different labs have different values.
It is really difficult to know what a correct dose would be for you, and it varies for everyone.
However, based on what you're saying you may need to start on a much lower dose, and then titrate it up gradually over a period of months.
I've been on both Lamictal and Dep at the same time - my pdoc seemed to think it was just fine.
I know that when I am in a low or high mood my memory gets slurped down a tube. I have the memory of an elephant, or at least I had. I had my Lamictal upped and it has in general (when I'm not in pain) raised my mood and it's made me have clearer thinking.
s, and it looks like your thyroid replacement dosage is not keeping up with the destruction of your thyroid, since your FT levels changed considerably from August to September. In August, your FT4 was at 83% of the range and FT3 was at 75% of the range. In September, your FT4 had dropped down to only 30% and FT3 had dropped down to only 4%... that's quite a drop in a month. Recommended levels are FT4 to be about mid range and FT3 to be upper half to upper third of its range.
ok.
I was put on 200mg Lamictal 2 months ago, and my doc is upping my dose to 400mg. I have been extremely depressed the last few of weeks and can't get out of it, which is the reason she upped it, since it is supposed to help w/ depression also. What is the max therapeutic dose that anyone knows of? Has anyone ever taken that high of a dose and what were the effects? I'm also on Topamax for migraines. Those are the ONLY medications I am taking.
The Lamictal does seem to be working though.
my gpdoc prescribed lamictal today..cuz i told him i cant waite till the 23rd of this month to see the pdoc..
i knowing that it might take up to 4 weeks to feel this..depending on how fast my body metabolizes it..
is this the correct dosage starting out..hes got me taking 25 mgs 1 at bedtime for 2 weeks..then 50mgs at bedtime for 2 weeks..the 1 -- 100mg at bedtime then see were im at after a week on the 100mgs..
does this sound like the way that you were prescribed..
Lamictal is often more effective on depression than mania although each person responds differently to each medication. Also for some people mood stabilizers can become less effective over time. As I remember from taking Lamictal the specific dosage range can go above that amount but you'd have to ask your psychiatrist about this. The drinking can undermine the efficacy of any psychiatric medication.
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