Izzythekitty Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Okay I am at the "oh hell no point" I have been on lithium for about 5 weeks now. I look like I did when I was nine months pregnant. I am obviously retaining water. Now does this mean too much salt, not enough? Too Much water? Not enough? I am also on Lamitcal. I was reading alot about topamax. I am wondering if anyone is on this? Did you lose weight on it? Which of my meds would it replace? Okay I have another question. Is it necessary for me to be on both meds if I get only hypomanic? My depressions are really bad? Isnt Lithium better for manic episioides? Sorry for so many ????????????? Thanks for all the help. I don't know what I would do without this site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papertrees Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 I am on topamax and yes, I have lost weight on it. I was also on lithium before and gained water weight on it. watch out for that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Lithium is the prototype mood stabilizer. It addresses both ends of the spectrum. Topamax is not. Indeed, Topamax is something of a mood 'destabilizer' for some people. Ummehdi, for your doctor to start Topamax as a first- or even second-line mood stabilizer for you would be highly questionable... bordering on bad practice. Not everyone loses weight on Topamax; the majority of people do not, in fact. In addition, the side effect profile include profound stupidity (cognitive effects do hit the majority of folks taking it) and kidney stones. Is it sounding less attractive yet? Lest you read my sig and accuse me of being a hypocrite, I'm taking Topamax for neurologic reasons, not as a mood stabilizer. It's evidently destabilizing my mood, it's making me so stupid I've gone down to 1/5 time at work, and it is, quite literally, leaving me so spacey I forget to eat. Anyway. Keep drinking lots of water. Stay active. You're working towards long term goals here, remember. 9 months pregnant? 30 pounds in 5 weeks? That's worth a visit to your GP and your psych no matter what. Time for an exam and possibly a blood draw, hon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirMarshall Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Okay I am at the "oh hell no point" I have been on lithium for about 5 weeks now. I look like I did when I was nine months pregnant. I am obviously retaining water. Now does this mean too much salt, not enough? Too Much water? Not enough? I am also on Lamitcal. I was reading alot about topamax. I am wondering if anyone is on this? Did you lose weight on it? Which of my meds would it replace? Okay I have another question. Is it necessary for me to be on both meds if I get only hypomanic? My depressions are really bad? Isnt Lithium better for manic episioides? Sorry for so many ????????????? Thanks for all the help. I don't know what I would do without this site. yes, way too many questions. Lithium is NOT noted for marked water retention. You can check your meds at http://www.rxlist.com If you have developed a severely distended belly since starting your meds then you should contact your psychiatrist. Five weeks is not enough time for a good trial of a new medicine. Unless there are intolerable side effects 2 -3 months is more realistic. Yes, Lithium and Lamictal is an excellent combination. Lithium is the gold standard for treating mood disorders. It is effective for manias and is the only drug proven to decrease suicides. Lamictal is a subtle drug. It takes quite a while to slowly build up to effect. My experience is that it took about 3 months, with slight improvement each week. Best, a.m. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izzythekitty Posted September 23, 2008 Author Share Posted September 23, 2008 thanks for everyone's input. I think I figured it out. My doctor also perscribed prazosin for ptsd. Since it is just for sleep and I already tak seroquel for sleep I am going to stop taking it. I am sure that is what i causing the water retention. I agree I need to give the meds more time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Ummehdi, not to get too personal here, but Lamictal can be constipating for some folks. Also, if you've been fasting for Ramadan, that can change your gut rhythms a bit. My coworker was just complaining about this to me, which is why I thought of it... Could that be contributing to any abdominal distention? (actually, unrelated probably, she ends up gaining a bit of weight every year at Ramadan, because she really does need to stay on small frequent meals throughout the day, low-glycemic-index diet; she is at high risk for type 2 diabetes by family history, and is fighting it off with diet and exercise; the fasting schedule really throws her body for a loop) Papertrees, I'm confused. You're saying you had problems with water retention on lithium but you also said you'd lost weight on lithium. I mean, whatever, but it's kind of a mixed message. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papertrees Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 yeah, at first I retained water for the first 2 weeks, then I lost all the water weight, and then some actual weight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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