Mental Health Swapping meds

[Quickfixgrrl]

Just hoping that someone has had a similar experience....
I've been on Seroquel for about 10 months. I have debilitating depression and anxiety and I seem to have plateaued.
My biggest problem with Seroquel has been weight gain. So my doctor is switching me over to Lamictal. Apparently it acts the same as Seroquel, without the weight gain side effect! Joy!
However, I've read that it can cause insomnia.
I take 200-400mg Seroquel at night currently and I don't think I could sleep without it. The dose varies because some nights I'll take my 200mgs and still can't sleep. I'm building a tolerance.
So, do I get on Lamictal and hopefully lose the weight I gained from the Seroquel? But risk insomnia...?
I'm already on a 3x daily benzo and have cut my morning Seroquel dose out this week as part of my taper. I've been smoking a bit of weed to help me.
Lamictal... thoughts?

 

[Jabberwocky]

I've been on seroquel and am currently on lamictal.

No insomnia from lamictal IME - if anything it'll be just from the taper.

 

[Quickfixgrrl]

I've been on seroquel and am currently on lamictal.

No insomnia from lamictal IME - if anything it'll be just from the taper.

Oh cool, that's super reassuring, thanks! X

 

[Jabberwocky]

Also lamictal had no effect on my appetite.

YMMV.

 

[Quickfixgrrl]

@madness00 How does Lamictal compare to Seroquel?
Does it help in the same way or do you feel different?
Does it help with sleep like Seroquel does?

 

[Jabberwocky]

Lamictal basically gave me no side effects other than helping stabilize my mood - mostly the depression.

 

[AlphaMethylPhenyl]

Lamictal had a reputation for being better for depression than mania, contrary to basically all other mood-stabilizers, but I think most professionals aren't of that opinion anymore. But hey, what works, works.