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Mood stabilizers and low blood sugar??
I started taking lamotrogine/lamictal on the 23rd of April and I barely upgraded to 100mg yesterday. Each time I eat I feel nauseated. This happened last time I took lamotrigine so I stopped taking it, and eventually had to take it again due to bipolar disorder. The nausea started the first week when I started taking it and lasted for nearly 2 weeks. It eventually subsided but now it seems it's coming back.
I am also eating about 50/60 carbs a day and I have been doing this for a week or so.
My blood sugar is now running in the low 100s or lower. I'm experiencing nausea and lack of appetite (which I suppose might be caused by the medication) Again, I've been eating low carb for a week or so and I've had no problems.
Could it be from the medication or from the diet?
(I am also not diabetic)
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This is actually a major side-effect of lamictal whe you first start on it and your body needs to adjust. It's normal to feel like you are going to toss your cookies at first. It will iron out and after 6 weeks the drug will have kicked in properly.
No doubt you are on some brand of lithium and an anti-psychotic medication for bipolar disorder. When all three are dialled in with dosage that is right for you you're going to find you can really function and be free for the most part of any negative affects of the disease.
How the hell do I know? I'm on lithium, I'm on lamictal and on an anti-psychotic. I'm fine and productive and you will be too.
It's actually dangerous and an all-around bad idea to take yourself off of lamictal or any of the other drugs yourself. It can land you in a hospital in a worst position having to start from scratch with treatment for bipolar disorder.
What you should do is write down how the medication is making you feel physically and mentally and call the psychiatrist and tell them you feel like puking all the time, have low blood sugar and just don't want to eat. They will have a solution for you. They could even change lamictal to a mood stabilizer that doesn't have those side-effects if they feel it will not agree with you long term.
You have to be bloody honest with them about everything and that you took yourself off of lamictal and back on and hadn't followed instructions because it may affect your stability over all. I'm pretty sure the appetite issue is related and a side-effect of these kind of meds going on or off is that it does affect desire for food and can. Like I said your must tell them this ASAP and get your medication and levels all checked and adjusted. Stay on the medication unless they move you off of something as it can affect your safety and well-being.
Your blood sugar level being down is likely because of not eating normally and you should point out to the doctor that it is down and you cannot eat. It's possible they could give you something like Ranitidine or stronger meant to wipe out feeling nauseated so the feelings will go away and you can have your meals. Point it out to them and get it seen to. I'm confident you will be fine and wouldn't say that without going through this nearly two decades ago.
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I can not be sure if you are having a drug interaction with something else you take or if it is simply the side effect your body has from it. I checked and its not a new drug, created in 1994. So most side effects would definitely be known by now. So check with your doctor. If its not good for you, then perhaps they can find an alternative drug. If there are any foods that you may be developing allergic reaction to, perhaps there is knowledge of that as well, problems combined with eating certain foods. We wouldn't know as we're not Drs. My only experience is with anxiety, not depression personally. I was cured of anxiety when I was a HS senior. But I have read about Drs. who will do lots of testing for what the underlying problems are contributing to depression or other mental disorders. I prefer naturopaths to integrated physicians who do a little of both. Some Drs. do much better in their field than others as its not just a job but they have passion for their work and helping people. So if at any point in time, you feel you are not getting help from current Dr. start looking for another. As a past caregiver, I remember taking a client to meet with lots of different Dr.s until she found one who didn't just toss statements like, theres nothing wrong or I can't give you pain meds but actually doing the investigating to ask questions and find out what may be the issue. So when you see your Dr. about this, Don't expect that they will know what questions to ask, just tell them anything and everything that you think might be affecting you. Try not to get stuck taking meds for the side effects and then getting side effects from the side effect medicine. I have a sister who over a decade has had one after another drug added to take care of side effects of side effects, etc til she has to take about a dozen or more pills a day. She's shown me the handful. If you want to treat the bipolar, you may have to invest time into finding a Dr. who doesn't keep pushing meds for side effects but will find you the one medication that takes care of your bi polar without any side effects. Good luck.
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Hiya! Dr.D here!
Let me see if I can help.
To me, it sounds like you get the lack of appetite and nausea every time you do take the lamotrogine. Its probably best you find a second option. Its really hard for me to really find out what the case is, because if your having a reaction to this, then there might be a physical reaction that can be seen. Its probably best if you go see your doctor, and get prescribed for a secondary medicine to take to better treat your symptoms. But what scares me most is your blood pressure. I mean yours seems healthy, but if it continues to drop you will also want to see your doctor about that. Now if you ever feel suddenly dizzy, light headed, or like your about to faint. There is a simple thing to do to help you. Mustard and Garlic. Its not the best taste but it will bring more control and get rid of them. Its been used thousands of times to help patience who are shock slowly work down to their regular selves. I hope I helped. You should really go see your doctor though. Best of luck.
-Dr.D
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