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What Causes Swelling In Ankle And Feet After Taking Lamotrigine For Depression?
Question: Hi, I was recently prescribed Lamotrigine for depression. I also take Mirtazapine and Abilify. Then my ankles and feet swelled up. My doctor told me to stop the Lamotrigine and double my dose of Abilify, which I did. That was a week ago and the swelling has not gone down at all. Mt ankles and feet are very warm to the touch and they throb and are kind of numb, it's hard to walk. Then I read all the side effects of all the medications I'm on and Abilify also lists swelling of the ankles and feet as a side effect. But now I'm worried that it might be diabetes or something else. Can you help?
Brief Answer:
get routine blood test to rule out other causes.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have read your question carefully and I think that you should get some basic tests to rule out other causes which can lead to swollen leg and feet. Get your complete blood counts, TSH, blood pressure, sugar levels, kidney and Liver tests. These will also help in ruling out cardiac/ kidney/ liver causes behind swollen feet.
Abilify can also lead to swollen legs, and the swelling is same even after stopping lamotrigine. So, I think if all your test come out normal, then you can take haloperidol 0.5-1mg instead of other antipsychotic. It is a safe molecule at almost all ages and free of metabolic side effects.
Mirtazapine is usually avoided in old patinets as it tends ro increase weight, cholesterol, and also leads to sedation. It can indirectly disturb other systems and increase weight. Its better to shift to sertraline or escitalopram to control depression. They are safe and effective.
Wish you good health.
Please ask more questions to clarify any doubts.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
get routine blood test to rule out other causes.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have read your question carefully and I think that you should get some basic tests to rule out other causes which can lead to swollen leg and feet. Get your complete blood counts, TSH, blood pressure, sugar levels, kidney and Liver tests. These will also help in ruling out cardiac/ kidney/ liver causes behind swollen feet.
Abilify can also lead to swollen legs, and the swelling is same even after stopping lamotrigine. So, I think if all your test come out normal, then you can take haloperidol 0.5-1mg instead of other antipsychotic. It is a safe molecule at almost all ages and free of metabolic side effects.
Mirtazapine is usually avoided in old patinets as it tends ro increase weight, cholesterol, and also leads to sedation. It can indirectly disturb other systems and increase weight. Its better to shift to sertraline or escitalopram to control depression. They are safe and effective.
Wish you good health.
Please ask more questions to clarify any doubts.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. So you mean take haloperidol instead of Abliify? I didn't realize Abilify was a antipsychotic.So I should take haloperidol instead of abilify? I didn't know abilify was an antipsychotic
Brief Answer:
either haloperidol or quetiapine can be taken
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I knew that you must not be aware of abilify being an antipsychotic. But it is OK, antipsychotics have a significant role to play even in depressive disorder. So, dont worry. But surely, if you can avoid abilify then you should.
You may also take quetiapine instead of haloperidol. Please talk to your doctor about these two choices- as he knows your case in detail (& also knows the reason behind starting antipsychotic in depressive disorder).
Do get the tests I mentioned earlier. One should not ignore swollen feet/legs in any age. It is a symptom which should be evaluated throughly.
Hope the reply is useful for you
Wish you speedy recovery.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
either haloperidol or quetiapine can be taken
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I knew that you must not be aware of abilify being an antipsychotic. But it is OK, antipsychotics have a significant role to play even in depressive disorder. So, dont worry. But surely, if you can avoid abilify then you should.
You may also take quetiapine instead of haloperidol. Please talk to your doctor about these two choices- as he knows your case in detail (& also knows the reason behind starting antipsychotic in depressive disorder).
Do get the tests I mentioned earlier. One should not ignore swollen feet/legs in any age. It is a symptom which should be evaluated throughly.
Hope the reply is useful for you
Wish you speedy recovery.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you very much, doctor.
Best Regards, XXXXXXX
Best Regards, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
You are welcome, and wish you good health
Detailed Answer:
hello XXXXXXX
Wish you luck!
Take care
Dr. Manisha Gopal
You are welcome, and wish you good health
Detailed Answer:
hello XXXXXXX
Wish you luck!
Take care
Dr. Manisha Gopal
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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