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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by smith562 on June 27, 2005, at 5:45:28
Hey Everyone,
I am doing great on selegiline 10, zoloft 75, klonopin 1, lithium 450. Now that I am dating again, my 10 lbs weight gain from lithium is concerning me. I was thinking of switching low dose lithium to low dose trileptal which I here doesn't cause weight gain.
Can anyone tell me more about trileptal?
Thanks.
Smith
Panic disorder with atypical depression and a family history of BP II
Posted by Nickengland on June 27, 2005, at 6:17:52
In reply to Advise about Trileptal, posted by smith562 on June 27, 2005, at 5:45:28
Hi Smith :-)
I took Trileptal for bipolar at a low dose of 300mg a day and found it one of the best mood stabilisers i've taken for my mood - helped greatly for anxiety, sleep, depression and most importantly keeping my mood from going "up". Its pretty good stuff and i'm sure if you swithed the weightgain from lithium would drop in no time. I've taken lithium aswell in the past at a similar dose to you, 400mg and my weight shot up aswell so I know how you must feel..with the dating thing
Unfortnately I had to stop Trileptal as I got this really rare wierd side effect of kidney pains (nephritis) But i'm sure you won't get, i've not heard of anyone else here have this. The only thing people do warn about is to make sure you sometimes have a blood test to check your sodium levels...apart from that its pretty safe.
As you mention you want to switch because of dating again, its probably worth me mentioning this too. Do you have any sexual problems with lithium at the moment?....I have alot of praise for Trileptal for what it did for my mood, but i did find I had some slight decrease in sexual function :-(..Although for some people i think ive read this can be the oppisite or not at all but worth thinking about. Tegretol which is very similar has sexual side effects as well boardering on impotence, but strangely I found the sexual side effects less so on Tegretol..
Best way would be to try Trileptal and see what you think, but as from my personal experience of trying both I much prefer Trileptal out of the 2. For panic and anxiety and even depression I think Trileptal would be good for them too..your more likely to respond to it than it to do harm to you I would have of thought.
Bear in mind though that there could be a trade off - you would lose weight, but may get some sexual problems :-( Also if the lithium is working good now, you could run the risk of the Trileptal not working so good and then a return of your illness etc The old saying "if its not broke, why fix it?" But I completely understand the weightgain is a pain in the *ss!
Hope some of this helps and good luck :-)
Kind regards
Nick
Posted by woolav on June 27, 2005, at 9:42:22
In reply to Re: Advise about Trileptal » smith562, posted by Nickengland on June 27, 2005, at 6:17:52
Hi, I agree with Nick. I have BP2 and the lamictal I was taking wasnt doing the job as far as mood swings, hypmania/depression. But now I added 600mg daily of trileptal and have been feeling better. I am not perfect and will never be, but its alot better. (the only thing I noticed was its harder for me to wake up in the AM) and I know it has sexual side effects for women as well. I have no desire. But Im sure the prozac i take doesnt help either. But, you have to sacrifice something when trying to get better.
PS I have only been on trileptal for about 5-6 weeks now.
Good Luck,
S
Posted by ed_uk on June 27, 2005, at 11:55:43
In reply to Advise about Trileptal, posted by smith562 on June 27, 2005, at 5:45:28
Hi Smith :-)
Have you considered trying orlistat (Xenical) to help you loose some weight? You have to go on a low fat diet or else orlistat will cause liquid oily stools and other GI side effects. Also, you have to take a multivitamin containing fat-soluble vitamins because orlistat reduces their absorption.
Kind regards
~Ed
PS. Where is Ritch/Mitch? Shall we send out a search party?!
Posted by Phillipa on June 27, 2005, at 17:45:08
In reply to Re: Advise about Trileptal » smith562, posted by ed_uk on June 27, 2005, at 11:55:43
Woolav, Glad to hear it's working so well for you. How are you? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by smith562 on June 27, 2005, at 21:43:00
In reply to Advise about Trileptal, posted by smith562 on June 27, 2005, at 5:45:28
This is the end of the thread.
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