I promise, I'll stop writing about constipation soon. Because I think it's finally going away.
In a post last week, I wondered whether my GI problems might be caused by a minor electrolyte imbalance. Electrolyte imbalance isn't a common cause of constipation. Usually the culprit is a low-fiber diet. My diet includes enough fruits and veggies that this shouldn't be a problem. I tried eating prunes, and Cheerios, and and anything else that might have a laxative effect, but no luck.
I thought that perhaps the lamictal dry mouth is causing me to drink so much water that I'm pissing away electrolytes. Over the weekend, I started drinking Emergen-C, which in addition to crazy amounts of vitamin C (which I don't really care about) serves as an electrolyte replacement drink.
And I can report that it helped enormously. Can't say that I'm back to normal, but I'm feeling so much better. So if you're having GI issues with lamictal, try drinking gatorade or any other electrolyte replacement beverage. It might really help.
I've been horribly constipated recently and just titrated up to 100 mg. However, I had some major anxiety and PMS which always wreaks havoc on my bowels. I finally gave in to a stimulant laxative as I was so miserable. (I take fiber and stool softeners every day and eat lots of fruits and veggies.) Colon blow, baby. I feel lots better but I hope this crap or lack thereof isn't a perm side effect of the lamictal as its working well for me so far.
ReplyDeleteTry the electrolytes. I found them to be somewhat helpful. And maybe the side effect will disappear as you titrate up. Lamictal is really odd that way.
ReplyDeleteThis seems to be totally true... I'm currently taking 400 mg of lamictal a day, 200 in morning, 200 at night but not for depression, as a medicine to prevent possible seizures - I drank a bunch of gatorade today and feel a million times better; it's weird... anyway I just googled Lamictal + electrolytes and wound up here. :) Guess it's time to get lots more of them and Vitamin C. Very good information to know!
ReplyDeleteEven now that the constipation is better, I still find that electrolytes make me feel better physically and mentally in a way they never used to. Since I'm also still craving salt, I'm going out on a limb and saying that this med depletes them slightly.
ReplyDeleteHi, actually vitamin c has anti-constipation effects (google it) and when taking large amounts doctors will recommend taking it to "bowel tolerance." In other words, until loose stool or diarrhea. Magnesium supplements can also help with constipation. Thanks for sharing your experiences with lamictal.
DeleteThanks for sharing the tip about vitamin C. On these meds we need all the help we can get!
ReplyDeleteWow... Reading your post felt like deja vu! I'm Bipolar 1- comorbid with ADHD. Rapid cycling and mixed state. More mania than depression as I've aged. I too have been titrating up on Lamictal, and started on 100 mg about 4 days ago. HORRIBLE constipation, and I also eat fiber and take daily fiber pills. Finally took a laxative yesterday because my stomach was so distended I looked pregnant! (not a possibility!) Ironically, I bought Gatorade today (which I never do) because I wondered if yesterdays nearly "seismic explosion" had depleted me. Tonight, I search constipation and lamictol... and your story is so much like mine! Hoping the Lamictol works. The second week on it swung me into mania with mixed states of weird depression and bizarre dreams that were somewhat disturbing. I've heard that at lower doses it can have that effect. Was wondering what you take with it? I take Adderall (helps me with ADHD and has mild anti-depressant effect. Lorazapam too. Used to need Geodon but hope I can get by with this. Anti-depressants send me straight into mania. Great post and advice!
ReplyDeletePS: SORRY for such a long reply! Yikes. :(
DeleteWanted to say, I have psychotic episodes and delusions during maina. Not all the time. I'm definitely BD 1. BD 2 doesn't usually incluse psychosis..? Not sure about the other one you mentioned. Interesting :)
Is the electrolytes still working in helping with constipation? Or do you think it was the vitamin c? Im trying a powerade substitute to see how things go.
DeleteI just tapered up to 100mg of Lamotrigine by Unichem PA... worst constipation ever. Not having any bowel releases unless I drink a bottle or two of magnesium citrate... totally dehydrates me. My belly is totally distended... nothing works but the MC. Any opinion about the generic made by this producer?
ReplyDeleteLimictal DEFINITELY constipates me. I use Senna tea for immidiate relief. You can also buy Senna tabs. GREAT TIP ON USING GATORAID. Does anyone use Pedialyte?
ReplyDeleteconstipation, wow, understatement of the year. I'll do or try anything to get past this.
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