Weight Loss - When Do I Need to Worry?

[Guest ShakenNotStirred]

Hi all, 28 yr old epileptic female here. I switched over from Tegretol(1600mg) to Lamictal(275mg) + Clobazam (a mild benzo n/a in States - 20mg) about a year ago. Lamictal is supposed to be weight neutral but I went down from a size 14 to a 10 in the first 4 months I was on it without dieting. I didn't mind!

2 1/2 months ago I started Topamax as an adjunct therapy (now on 125mg, target dose 200mg). My neuro said I could expect 5-20 lb weight loss, but that he was sure it wouldn't be bad enough that I'd have to come off of it. I went down to a size 8 after a month. Just went out to buy shorts this weekend and I take a 6 now. Still haven't made any effort to lose weight, should I be worrying? I haven't weighed myself so I don't know how much I've lost in terms of pounds. And I don't know if Tegretol causes weight gain? That could have been part of it.

I've also just bought a mountain bike and signed up for martial arts again - have let both slip since graduating uni 5 years ago. Will this bring my appetite back or do I have to be really careful to keep from losing any more weight? I know I have to keep well hydrated. I don't at all miss being a size 12/14 but this is an awful lot of weight to lose in just a year especially without dieting. I feel OK, only other SEs have been fatigue and needing more sleep at night, tingling in extremities and muscle pain in neck and shoulders.

[Iona_Viona]

i'd get on the scales first thing and see how much weight u have actually lost in lbs, kgs (what ever measurement they use in your country) clothes sizes can be really really decieptive especially for women, clothes in one shop u might fit a size 8 in another a 12. so i'd get an actual weight in numbers, thats what u will need to have to take to the docs.

then once i have the numbers, no matter what they are i think it is important that u take this to your docs BEFORE u start any new exercising rountine. The y always say u should consult a doctor before starting any diet or new exercise program.

im surprised your doc hasnt been tracking your weight, maybe if u speak to him.her about it and get there opinion maybe they have been observing.

they will be able to give u better indication then anyone on here because obviously we havent seen the before/after pics!

just my opinion

[ehygon]

I agree with iona, you should bring this up with your doctor, with real numbers, rather than dress sizes.

on the other hand, I wouldn't get too worked up about it, if you're not experiencing any discomfort aside from some side effects. As long as you're not underweight for someone your height, I wouldn't worry.

[Guest ShakenNotStirred]

That's the trouble, is that I never thought to weigh myself in the first place. I'm a computer geek, is my excuse. I only ever get weighed at my physicals and I don't remember what the last 2 #s were.

I've lost 10" off my waistline since I last was fitted for a dress (Aug 2005). And 4" off the bust though unfortunately my cup size hasn't gone down (and it's bloody hard to find size 34DD too!).

I'm not going hardcore on either the mountain biking or the Aikido (gone back to beginner level classes even -- I think that I will be spending the first few weeks concentrating on just not falling on my face too much!). So it shouldn't accelerate the weight loss. And I'm hoping that it will help with the appetite suppression and fatigue. I'm going to take it easy for sure, I know I've been a long time away from sport and regular exercise.

Sorry, I know I'm a bit useless in that I've not been keeping track...just in a bit of a panic over the shorts sizes. I always go to the same shops (not too much choice for me as I'm quite short). Unless they've radically changed the fit of their clothes in the past few months.

I actually tried to get a refund on some jeans bc I thought they'd gotten stretched out (they're 2% spandex), couldn't believe I'd outgrown them so quickly - bought them only 2 weeks before. Very embarrassing, all the other customers laughed at me after the saleslady had me try on a smaller size to prove it was me and not the pants.

[Guest Guest]

Ooops, I don't know where I came up w/Aug2005....Dec2004, for an Xmas party.

Duh.

[Iona_Viona]

just because u dont have begining numbers doesnt mean u cant weigh yourself now and take that number to the doc so it can be monitored by professionals.

they will be able to tell u if u r in the healthy weight range for your height and weight and if your not they will help u fix that.

[Guest ShakenNotStirred]

I don't think I'm underweight, I'm just worried I'm going down too fast?

I only started the Lamictal last year March, that's when the weight loss started. I'd been relatively stable before then, at least since I graduated uni, got a desk job & got fat & lazy! I haven't made any effort to exercise or eat better is the trouble, makes me worry something's not right?

I know, I should probably just be counting blessings but it's beginning to get a bit worrisome...I will just have to start keeping a closer watch I guess. And buy a proper scale. I don't see the neuro again until Aug, but I'll drop in on the GP before then if I think I'm still losing.

[Penny Century]

i wouldn't avoid exercise because of this. building muscle is good for your body, just eat plenty of protien to help build those new muscles.

but you may want to start keeping a food journal. make sure you're eating enough. my house is stocked with protien bars and smoothies because i often loose my appetite, but i know my body needs food and that not eating can really mess up my metabolism and my health. make sure you're eating enough calories (and hopefully healthy ones) a day. sometimes loosing weight can get exciting, and even if it's med induced at first i know i have in the past unconsciously used my meds to help me not eat enough, and that was seriously a bad idea. so, make sure you are eating enough and eating right. maybe a nutritionist would even be a good idea, i don't know how you are with eating.

as always, when in doubt, ask your doctor. he will have your weight from your physicals.