I HAVE BEEN ON THE LAMICTAL FOR 5 MONTHS NOW( FOR MINOR BI POLAR ...

Well I have been taking Lamictal now for over 5 years now. Over the past 2 years I have had painful periods ( lucky for me not long ones) and have EXTREME pain in my hands. I seeked help from my orthop. and he sent me to a Rhumat. I was then diagnosed with moderate RA! I swear that either the Lamictal or Trileptal is to blame. The meds for the RA isn't working after 4 months and I am trying my best not to let it get the best of me after all, isn't that why I'm an meds? I am in limbo on if I should try to eliminate the Trileptal and see if that helps w/ all of my joints and mabe the weight gain?

i was on depakote for about ten months and gained alot of weight, so i asked my dr. if i could try an alternative. she put me on lamictal and ive been on it for about 2-3 months now. i've gained even more weight, even though i excercise regularly and eat healthy, ive always had a high metabolism and ive NEVER weighed this much, or even close!!!!!!!! i've also noticed that my feet and ankles have been swollen and my knees and ankles are in excrutiating pain every morning and it takes me an hour to start walking normally. and my shoulders constantly ache. i had no idea this medication could be the cause. now that i know i am getting off it asap.

WOW. I have been taking Lamictal for about 4 months for my BP and up until now I have never known all the side effects. You see, I am uninsured and am forced to go through MHMR. They (at best) give you an idea of what the side effects are. It is very difficult to even get a one on one with an actual therapist. You sit in a chair for 2 minutes and walk out with a bad full of drugs. Needless to say, my mood hasn't been "stabilized", in fact, I think it's gotten worse. What's worse than that is that between the weight gain (a WHOPPING 25lb) and the loss of my short term memory I feel FAT and STUPID; causing me to be even more depressed. I too have experienced pain in my hip joints and swelling of my feet and ankles. I never even considered that my symptoms were related to the Lamictal; the weight gain, maybe.Today I thought, "OK that's it! Let me check this out." and I stumbled upon this blog. THANK GOD! I mean it's unfortunate that we are all suffering but I'm relieved to know that it's due to the meds and that it's NOT ME! I know this...IF YOU DON'T HAVE SEIZURES...GET OFF!! I know I am....I'll keep everyone posted on my progress.

UPDATE*** I HAVE SINCE STOPPED TAKING THE LAMICTAL AND I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER. I HAVE NO JOINT PAIN, MY MENSTRUAL CRAMPS HAVE BEEN ALLEVIATED, I HAVE ENERGY EVERYDAY NOW, AND I HAVE LOST ABOUT 7 LBS IN 3 WEEKS. THANKS FOR ALL OF THE REPLIES TO MY POSTING---I HOPE MY HONESTY HAS HELPED.