I know that Lamictal is not supposed to cause weight gain but I am still curious to hear if anyone has anyone experienced weight gain with it?

This is my second week on it and I have gained 5 pounds. I have always kept a food diary and I have not changed my diet or exercise regime.

Also what dosage do you all take of Lamictal? I heard the working dosage is a minimum of 150 but I am only at 50 mg right now and I feel considerable better. Will I keep feeling better if I increase the dosage to 150 or is it better to stay at a lower dosage?


Thanks!

The idea of keeping the dose at 50mg might be better asked to the doctor because he/she can make a better determination than we can, but I'm glad you are feeling better. :)

I love Lamictal. Is it possible that you are feeling calmer, thus less fidgety? Fidgeting burns a lot of calories!

Hi Missgoldie!

I have been on Lamictal for almost 2 years now....I have had issues with weight since I had my 3 children, not a whole lot over....but enough. I have been on some meds that really cause an issue. This one has not caused any issue for me at all?

While I am not a doctor..and well anything is possible. the fact you just started and don't really have a full blood level makes me tend to think it's not related, the only thing I can think of is kind of what amie said about anxiousness etc.

I started out on the starter pack like you are supposed to , at 25mg. 3 wks, 50 2wks, 75 wk then up to 100. I am now up to 150mg.

I started "feeling" a little better by the end of the 50mgs. So it's possible that you are starting to have some of the "balanced" less aggitated feelings and this is helping increase your appetite. Not that it's making you gain weight, but that you are "feeling" better and eating more perhaps?

The "typical" dosage appears to top out 150-200mg. But there are a lot of people I know on higher.
I know my pdoc said he doesn't put anyone over 200mg, one because a lot of research shows it really doesn't do much more to help over that amount, like it levels and that is it, and for those BP's that have more of a struggle with the depression it can cause depression in higher doses? Now for me I topped out at 150 stopped the depression about 80% ...but then the mania was an issue so we added another drug Neurontin for that. I would talk to your doctor on your next visit? And keep in mind meds are sometimes a balanceing act to find the right combo. Some do fine on one, some need more. Try to be patient, it's hard sometimes!


Good luck!

Hope