Hi, everyone. I'm still doing well, forgetting that I'm bipolar most days.

I am leaving for four months in Europe tomorrow, and I've been packing. To check whether my suitcase met the airline's 50 lb limit, I weighed myself, then myself holding the suitcase, and subtracted my weight. I've been avoiding weighting myself for awhile, because I've been gaining weight, and I don't want to think about it.

Five months ago, I weighed 104 lbs (I am 5'3'' tall). Now, I weigh 130. Surprisingly, most of my clothes still fit. But they won't for much longer if the weight gain continues.

I think that the Zyprexa in my Symbyax is what is causing me to gain so much weight. From what I've heard from others, once Zyprexa is stopped, the weight comes off. However, stopping the Zyprexa is not an option for me. It has literally been a miracle med for me, the magic pill we all hope for that actually gets our symptoms under control. I still have mood swings, but my baseline mood is happiness. I haven't felt this hopeful, energetic, and excited about life (without being hypo/manic) in years.

At the end of the day, I'd much rather be fat and happy than thin and miserable. However, if I could be thin and happy...then that would be great. So, does anyone know how to lose weight on Zyprexa? I'm willing to alter my diet and get more exercise. I am not willing to add another medication for weight loss (especially not topamax), and as I said earlier, I can't go off of the Zyprexa.

I'm on a really low dose as well, only 3 mg/day.

Thanks everyone!