Weight gain and lamotrigine

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gnault

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I don't know if this has been asked before but has anybody experienced increased appetite on LAMOTRIGINE?

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I feel as if I have increased appetite or perhaps cravings for salt, but it's hard to be sure. I've gained weight since going on Lamotrigine, but there may be other factors involved too (such as a slowing metabolism). I was able to lose weight a few years back, but it was not easy, and I've since gained it all back. Lamotrigine interacts with hormones, so it's not surprising that it might effect weight in different ways.

Some CWE threads you may be interested in:

http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/weight-gain-lamictal-7211/
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/gaining-weight-anti-seizure-meds-12496/
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f20/lamictal-weight-loss-help-please-11626/
 
I was on it for a while a few years ago, but eventually had to stop due to it aggravating my myoclonus. I got as high as 300 mg, and did not notice an appetite change at that dose. As for seeing weight gain for some other reason (such as fluid retention for ex.) I probably wasn't on it long enough to find out.
 
Interesting thread. I posted the same question but for weight loss.

I've been taking Lamictal now since late last year and somehow I've managed to lose nearly 20 pounds. Not sure if that's the meds or not.
 
Luckily I haven't gained weight. Maybe I should have actually labelled it Lamotrigine and increased appetite. Evenings are worse for me even to the point where my wife suggested to me to ask my neurologist if this is normal. Luckily I go to circuit training every lunch hour otherwise I would likely be a lot heavier than I am.
 
Lots of times people will get the munchies in the evenings, whether they are on medication or not. It is worse when we are sitting around more or less doing nothing, such as on the computer or watching tv, and this tends to be the evenings. If there is a way you can be more mentally or physically active for at least part of the evening my guess is you will find you think less about eating. Try things like playing a board or card game with a few people, playing a video game, going for a walk for at least 30 min, doing stretches for 30 min or more, etc.

As for suppressing the hunger feelings try drinking lots of fluid (low calorie and non-alcoholic), eating un-buttered popcorn, munching on a bunch of celery or lettuce (!). All of these things can give your stomach the sensation of fullness and may reduce the hunger pangs with very low calorie intake. The thing that's good about the celery, lettuce and popcorn is that chewing is involved and the act of doing a lot of chewing contributes to your brain thinking you have eaten something.

Good luck, and if you find something really works for you I hope you will let us know!
 
I don't know if this has been asked before but has anybody experienced increased appetite on LAMOTRIGINE?

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I actually lost between 30-35 pounds when I started taking it. I assume it was because of the lamictial because I didn't make any other changes. I have maintained the loss by working out and avoiding carbs as much as possible.
 
No weight gain after being on it almost two years, but I pay close attention to how much and what I eat.
 
My weight never been a problem only what I put in my mouth so gone veggie.I was unaware lamactcal could be weight issue with it..I know night hunger is side effect I get that alot
 
I have gained weight since being medicated, but assumed it was due to age... afraid I don't bounce back like I use to. I initially lost a heap though, went down to 48kilos, but it was due to stress. I lost a few friends and had issues with work and university not being particularly compassionate about things.
I definitely get munchies though...
I thought Lamictal, was one of the better medications for weight gain, but in saying that we are all different and we all react different ways to things.
 
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