Help--major freak out going on - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

Catie · 07-19-2005, 12:24 PM

I just got back from the doc and I am freaking out big time. I'm bawling as I write this.

I'm already on 300 mgs of Lamictal a day, and I'm having bad anxiety. The doc told me to up the Lamictal to 400 mgs, and to add Lexapro to the mix.

I'm freaking out about possible weight gain--I've already gained 40 lbs (before I started the Lamictal), and I just can't gain any more. I just can't. I'm already at that point where I swore I'd never be....and I don't know what I'll do if it gets any worse. Please help--I don't know what to do. I'm so scared to take the Lexapro. I'm also scared of the sexual side effects.

I begged my doc to put me on something that wouldn't make me gain weight, but he insisted that this wouldn't--that it might make me have more appetite, but wouldn't in and of itself make me gain weight. That makes no sense to me--one is definitely related to the other.

So I'm sitting here crying my eyes out because I've looked it up, and ten billion sites on the Internet talk about how Lexapro is terrible for weight gain. Please help--I don't know what to do.

--Catie

Catie · 07-19-2005, 12:57 PM

Please, someone write back. I'm still crying and can't stop.

princess72 · 07-19-2005, 02:19 PM

Catie......I probably dont have very much helpful input for you-----but i can relate to you! I started taking Lamictal in February. I didnt feel the effects of it til about May. I was on 200mg. By July i was FREAKING OUT!!!! I wanted to cut the dose or go off it. My pdoc wouldnt do it, so i cut back myself and im going off it! When i was on Lamictal, i never felt so horrible in all my life. I havent slept in 2 months! I was aggitated, moody, mean, emotional, head spinning, blank....you name it! My husband and family were being effected. I have been diagnosed as bipolar, depression, OCD and on top of that im a recovering addict/alcoholic....so they cant put me on anything that is addicting! I also suffer from ED, so i CANT GAIN WEIGHT!!! Even though i have....over the years of all these med's. Everyone responds different to med's. I havent found a counselor or phyciatrist who can help me---they just want to jack me up on med's!!!! I have been depressed my entire life...im 33!!! Im as frusterated as you!!!! I will nt go back to my pdoc, i KNOW MY BODY.....and she didnt care!!! So, i guess i will continue to suffer....since i wont go on anything that will make me gain weight and or have sexual side effects! I recently quit smoking and put on some weight (even though i exersise 6-7 days a week) im thinking about starting again!!!! Im at a dead end-----i know how you feel. IF, i were you, i guess i would try this med, and if you see you are gaining, then go off. Im not sure what advise to give you???? Eventually i clean out my system of all med's, stop getting counseling, and then soon on down the road im back at it again....cuz, i feel so flippin awful!!!!!! I know i am a person that NEEDS to be on med's....but, i am so sick of the trial and error phase....and truly doc's just not knowing what to do with me! Good luck, and come to these boards there is all kind of support and helpful information......

goofyafter2 · 07-19-2005, 02:28 PM

Catie, I am so sorry you are feeling so badly. Everyone reacts differently. Maybe it won't make YOU gain weight. I am so the same way though. I freak out about every little lb even though its fluid. If you do start gaining, then I would make that dr take it away and replace it. I have a girlfriend who is on a low dose of lexapro and has not gained weight. I hope this is true for you too! BTW, I am on lamictal too and I will definitely start flipping out with weight gain.