Home Menu

Menu


Reply
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old Jun 02, 2010, 03:32 PM
W2BTN's Avatar
W2BTN W2BTN is offline
Member
 
Member Since: Jun 2010
Location: Nottingham, UK
Posts: 52
hey im new to this forum and thought that i would introduce myself in threads relevant to me as well as the general intro thread.

the main forum i am here to use is the ED one as i suffer from bulimia but i have been advised to go get a medical diagnosis as bipolar though i admit i am putting this off cos i have heard the pills can make me put on weight and i couldnt cope with that but yeh, here i am and i was hoping i could get opinions on my situation and yeh, basically i hope to understand mmyself better by chatting to people on here and i hope i will become a useful member of your community here and eventually be able to offer support to others in similar situations?
so yeh, hello everyone :P

advertisement
  #2  
Old Jun 02, 2010, 05:55 PM
Skully's Avatar
Skully Skully is offline
Skeleton Queen
Chat Leader
 
Member Since: Feb 2010
Location: Northeastern Pennsylvania
Posts: 8,040
Hi W2BTN, it is nice to meet you. Don't be afraid of the medication for bipolar, there are some that do not make you gain weight. But, with any medication, side effects differ from person to person. I have found that Abilify and Lamictal did not make me gain weight but actually lose weight. Both are good meds, with Lamictal being more effective for me.
__________________
Be who you are and say what you feel...
Because those who matter.. Don’t mind...
And those who mind.. Don’t matter."
(Dr. Seuss)
intro
  #3  
Old Jun 02, 2010, 06:18 PM
onlymedid's Avatar
onlymedid onlymedid is offline
Magnate
 
Member Since: Dec 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 2,856
I agree with Skully, some don't make you gain weight. Talk to your doc about it and make sure they are very aware of your concerns. I am on Lamictal, too...no weight gain from that for me.
__________________
"The mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work unless it’s open."

Don’t look where you fall, but where you slipped.
  #4  
Old Jun 02, 2010, 06:43 PM
W2BTN's Avatar
W2BTN W2BTN is offline
Member
 
Member Since: Jun 2010
Location: Nottingham, UK
Posts: 52
thanks for your advice i have noticed that neither of you live in the uk as i do and was wonderring if the lamictal is used worldwide or just in america? i have only ever been on meds for unipolar depression before now though i have been getting more manic type moods in the last few months, especially following my last run of bad depression which the councilor i speak to thinks means i should get checked out for bipolar II but the last lot i took (citalopram) made me put on weight but mostly because it stopped me feeling as bad about myself and i allowed myself more slack on eating without purging i think.
  #5  
Old Jun 02, 2010, 07:53 PM
W2BTN's Avatar
W2BTN W2BTN is offline
Member
 
Member Since: Jun 2010
Location: Nottingham, UK
Posts: 52
i know there are drugs out there that wont make me gain weight but im not ready to risk it, not yet, but then if i dont get help im afraid il want to self harm more than i do already as well as continue acting so out of control and totally irrationally whenever i have a manic type episode.
  #6  
Old Jun 03, 2010, 06:50 AM
sugahorse1's Avatar
sugahorse1 sugahorse1 is offline
Upwards and Onwards!
 
Member Since: Mar 2010
Location: Kent, UK
Posts: 7,878
HI and welcome!

Citalopram is the first anti-depressant often prescribed. I did not get on with it very well. From what I've gathered, with BP II especially, is that sometimes a mood stabiliser on its own can work wonders.
On my current meds I'm not putting on weight at all.
  #7  
Old Jun 03, 2010, 11:34 AM
greylove's Avatar
greylove greylove is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
 
Member Since: May 2010
Posts: 56,992
I'm on Lamictal and atouchof Abilify as well. I started off on a lower amount of Lamictal (which is not shown to cause weight gain) but I was switched to Lithium after my attempt to self-harm. Lithium did cause weight gain but I would have stayed with it had the side effects not been so intolerable......well beyond the range od what is consided "normal". My pschiatrist increased my Lamictal and eased me off of Lithium. That seems to have totally done the trick and I'm very happy that I am not experiencing any side effects that I know of. The Abilify quieted the tiny voices I was hearing whenever it was very still around me. Actually (and this will sound crazy......oh well.... .......I was hearing America the Beautiful, over and over again. Don't ask......I have no idea!! Love America, but I'm not that patriotic.....

all the best,
greylove
  #8  
Old Jun 03, 2010, 02:05 PM
kadesgirl09's Avatar
kadesgirl09 kadesgirl09 is offline
Veteran Member
 
Member Since: Mar 2010
Location: TEXAS
Posts: 305
W2BTN WELCOME to our forum. Im not in a very good place right now so I dont have much advise except I know there are meds out there that do not cause weight gain. Also if you eat healthy and exercise you should be able to maintain a healthy weight. I understand the ED and the meds but its still a good idea no matter the consequence to get on a good combo to help level you out. Thats what Im working on now. One I warn you about is zyprexa. It caused me to gain 60 pounds which im trying to shed now. Good luck and keep posting so we can get to know you!
  #9  
Old Jun 03, 2010, 06:32 PM
W2BTN's Avatar
W2BTN W2BTN is offline
Member
 
Member Since: Jun 2010
Location: Nottingham, UK
Posts: 52
thanks for that advice kadesgirl09, il remember that about zyprexa if i do decide to get help from the doctors i will definately keep posting
  #10  
Old Jun 03, 2010, 11:06 PM
Anneinside's Avatar
Anneinside Anneinside is offline
Poohbah
 
Member Since: Nov 2007
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,276
Lamictal is also sold as a generic - lamotrigine. I take it and have had no issues with weight gain from it. I did gain weight when put on another mood stabilizer, Depakote, and weight gain with it is common. I have had virtually no side effects from taking the lamotrigine.
  #11  
Old Jun 04, 2010, 03:55 AM
sugahorse1's Avatar
sugahorse1 sugahorse1 is offline
Upwards and Onwards!
 
Member Since: Mar 2010
Location: Kent, UK
Posts: 7,878
Please look after yourself and go get an opinion from a doctor. If you are truely BP, your standard of life is well below what it can be with correct treatment. Every step of the way we'll be here to assist and support you. (Trust me; there are enough people to back me up that the support here is immense!)
Reply
Views: 705

attentionThis is an old thread. You probably should not post your reply to it, as the original poster is unlikely to see it.




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:31 AM.
Powered by vBulletin® — Copyright © 2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.




 

My Support Forums

My Support Forums is the online community that was originally begun as the Psych Central Forums in 2001. It now runs as an independent self-help support group community for mental health, personality, and psychological issues and is overseen by a group of dedicated, caring volunteers from around the world.

 

Helplines and Lifelines

The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider.

Always consult your doctor or mental health professional before trying anything you read here.