intro

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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

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.

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!)