Hey everyone, sorry if I'm supposed to start a new thread...
I tried this lamotrigine (GSK generic). I may try the brand name Lamictal later. Honestly, it was subtle - but I feel mostly calmer, less angry, more stable or "together" than probably in a long time. I have mired issues at school (with transferring, mismanagement of accommodations, and such). I completed 40/40 courses - so after dealing with some issues there - I'll have a 4-year degree at long last.
Anyways, I think this at night - and Dexedrine in the day makes me calm, focused, and able. I don't feel like I'm "on a drug". And definitely felt really screwed up on other meds (Zoloft, Seroquel, Effexor -- not exactly sure when each was, but when I was 19-21).
The thing is, I see that I'm bloated in my stomach. I am mostly in shape and thin, with okay muscle. I need to workout more. Now, however in the last 3 weeks (I am on 50mg for one more week, then soon 100mg if I continue)... even with losing some weight or staying the same, many times a day my stomach sticks out quite distended.
I want to be 178lb, and then bulk a bit, then cut. I am 188lb now. I maintained 175-190lb most of the last decade. I use intermittent fasting and lift most the time but I just completed 11 courses, and am in the midst of doing 3 petitions at school (or avoiding them ideally). My life feels more on track.
Dizziness, some headaches, and belatedness. Otherwise - I actually feel more "sane"/calm. Is this drug making me more insulin-resistant? Is it possible a higher dose will make my body more used to it, and my distended stomach will return to normal. It seems strange.... I'm mostly cutting out gluten. Anyways let me know if there's some solution besides quitting.
I cannot afford weight gain, nor medicine-caused weight gain. I've lost 100lb or so in my life, and may be getting an abdominoplasty. I want to be 12% body fat and look it (eventually). Something is doing something to my stomach, that with some excess skin and digestive issues - makes me look fatter in my stomach. I have had medicine weight gain before -- and it took years to fix. So I'm apprehensive.
Edit: My life feels more on track, mostly because I am done with my nightmare at school (except some conversations with admin), and I can apply to professional school, work, and possibly move. Making money and being in control will help. Nevertheless, the med does make me less prone to flying off the handle...
but focus, ADHD - wise is a bit worse. Meds there help less. And being fat is not worth being "calmer" to me.