papertrees Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 1) I'm getting this pins and needles feeling. It's not like the numb, normal pins and needles you get from something like topamax. This one is more pins and needles. Is this bad? A precursor to a rash, maybe? 2) I've noticed an increase in appetite with lamictal, is this normal? I'm on 50 mg titrating up... 3) What's the normal dosage for mood stabilization? Thanks.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scatty Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 1. I've never heard of this SE. Maybe someone else has and will respond here. 2. I haven't noticed a change in my appetite, but everyone's different. 3. I think the dose for BP is from 100-300 mgs. Whenever you start to feel stable, that is your recommended dose. I was on less than 100 mgs at one time & it worked great. When lamictal is good, it's really good. I hope it works for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuchsia groan Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 I had a lot less appetite when I started it, but got back to normal after a while. Everyone's different, though. My pdoc considers 200 mg the minimum therapeutic dose. I don't know about the pins and needles, hope someone else can help with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debiz Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 I have not had the pins and needles thing either, but I definitely have an increased appetite. This is my second time on Lamictal and the over-eating thing didn't happen last time. Perhaps it's because I'm under a lot of stress right now. Last time I was on Lamictal my pdoc got me all the way up to 600mg before he gave up on it. I'm up to 400mg right now with no relief in sight so I'm assuming it won't help me this time either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Generica Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Hi Papertrees, no pins & needles from lamictal, but got it big time from Seroquel. OW! Are you on anything else? Your signature doesn't list your other meds. Hunger, no. Only Depakote had that effect on me. For me with lamictal, it kicked in at 150 & continues to be good at 200. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papertrees Posted February 26, 2009 Author Share Posted February 26, 2009 I'm on 20mg abilify, 50mg topamax and 50mg lamictal, 2mg biperiden (for EPS) and the occasional zolpidem for sleep. My doctor will switch me to benadryl for the EPS. As an aside, is this any good? Thanks for all your replies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meg Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 1) I'm getting this pins and needles feeling. It's not like the numb, normal pins and needles you get from something like topamax. This one is more pins and needles. Is this bad? A precursor to a rash, maybe? 2) I've noticed an increase in appetite with lamictal, is this normal? I'm on 50 mg titrating up... 3) What's the normal dosage for mood stabilization? I meant to respond to this yesterday, sorry, so as to your first questions: 1) I can't say that I've ever gotten this feeling from any med, and never noticed anything like that with Lamictal. Is it just the surface of your skin (like only as deep of a feeling as an itch, if you know what I mean?) or a deeper feeling pins and needles (like coming in from the cold?) I wouldn't worry about it being a (let alone 'the') rash unless it's just the surface and you see any skin changes or pain/itching. Keep in mind that if it does become a rash-- only a small percentage is 'the' rash and most go away and are harmless, but do check with a pdoc if you get one. 2) Lamictal seems to usually be pretty neutral in the eating/weight gain territory from what I've heard. I personally didn't notice any difference, but I am also taking stimulants (adderall) as well as wellbutrin xl, both of which keep a permanent damper on my appetite. Might it be stress related? Also keep in mind if it might be time-of-the-month related eating, just thought I'd throw that idea out there just in case it corresponds. I'd heard a vague rumor of Lamictal not being great for some people's skin (acne) so initially worried a LOT when I got some baad breakouts early on in titrating, but realized in retrospect that it was my regular hormonal acne (PMS zit. fun.) and not the Lamictal at all. Just a thought about the appetite thing. 3) BPers can speak better to this but I just wanted to mention again that Lamictal seems to be more personal in dosage (and dosage sometimes changes due to hormones and what meds you take with it) than some other meds, meaning some people are dandy at 100 while others find their good spot at 400. From what I've read, its anti-depressant properties only increase up to 125/150mg and its mood-stabilization properties tend to kick in for a lot of people at 200mg. But, as always, esp. with Lamictal, YMMV. I hope it works for you-- Lamictal is the med that changed my life and I'm always hopeful that it will be as wonderful for other people as it was/is for me. Just take your time with increasing the dosage, it's worth the wait. I also wanted to suggest that you mood-track/mood-chart if you don't already. I was when I started Lamictal and it helped me and my pdoc decide where to stop--my lines level out a LOT when I got to 100mg, but keep in mind I'm technically taking it for unipolar depression. Let us know how it goes for you, m ETA: you probably already know this, but moodtracker.com is great and free-- I was able to print a graph to bring to my pdoc appt and everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papertrees Posted February 27, 2009 Author Share Posted February 27, 2009 It's a surface kind of thing..It comes and goes.. maybe the appetite thing is hormonal.. I just got my period today... Oh well. Thanks for everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 I have been on 300 mg. of Lamictal for about three years now. I think it is weight neutral for me because I lost weight the first two years and have put on about 50 pounds this year. Maybe it is just confusing my appetite. Tommy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papertrees Posted February 27, 2009 Author Share Posted February 27, 2009 Really? That's interesting... Could be from your other meds too? But I see abilify in your sig and that weight neutral for me too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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