[Fire_Star]

Seriously, how do you maintain your weight when taking an anti-psychotic?

I'm on Zyprexa and Lithium and I put on about a kg a week. Didn't have a weight gain problem when I was just on the Lithium. I go on the treadmill everyday and most weeks I eat fairly healthy, I'm vegetarian so that eliminates most take out food but I only lose weight when I think I'm under eating.

Sigh. People think I'm f***ing pregnant with the gut I have now! :'(

All my clothes don't fit. What's the best why to hide a gut. High waist skirts? I don't know how to dress anymore. I just look fricken fat. >>

So close to just having water and celery sticks everyday.

[Fresia]

I here you. I have no idea. I exercise. My caloric intake is low but not to low as the doc has warned. It has just slowed my metabolism so much. I am sorry I don't have an answer but will be looking forward to other's replies. Know you are not alone, not that that helps much.

[blueoctober]

Fire_Star; I was put on Zyprexa when I was first diagnosed and inpatient I gained weight very quickly as well and I never had a weight problem either. I gained 30lbs. in 2 months and was switched to another med that made me gain as well, but not as fast as zyprexa. I would suggest speaking to your pdoc about any other options. I know some will disagree, but all the weight I gained from the meds I was on (over 50lbs in total) was devastating for me and I wish I spoke up sooner about my concerns with the side effects.

Just as a note I know not everyone gains weight on these meds and every person is different, but for me I did. I also don't agree with not trying a med because of it's affect on others, since every person is different.

[Fire_Star]

I tried talking to my pdoc but he says I'm well so should focus on my diet and exercise more as he doesn't see a need to change.

I keep considering just stopping it altogether without telling my pdoc and see what happens though I guess I'll likely go manic if I did it now were I'm already starting too.

[blueoctober]

Firestar, I wouldn't suggest stopping any med without consulting your pdoc.

There are other med options out there and in the atypical antipsychotic class as well. There may be one that doesn't cause the same amount of weight gain that zyprexa does for you. I will also say if your pdoc won't listen to your concerns I suggest asking for a referral to a new pdoc.

I can truly relate to your frustration and it's offensive when a pdoc tells you to concentrate on diet and exercise especially when you already are.

[wing]

I always say if a doc won't work with you, find another doc. I insist on participating in my own health care. It may take a readjustment of all your meds, but I agree with blue...the effect of weight gain on self-esteem is major and has to be taken into consideration. It is a common factor in non-compliance.

[cybermember]

Have you tried Abilify or Geodon? Abilify and Geodon are touted to be weight neutral, although I have read some people have gained. For me, I haven't gained any weight while taking Geodon even though I've taken various dosages (max or less).

Zyprexa is known to be the biggest offender for weight gain among antipsychotics.

[Fire_Star]

Zyperxa is the only antipsychotic I've been on. I'll try asking my pdoc about the others when I see him next.

[blueoctober]

Originally Posted by Fire_Star

Zyperxa is the only antipsychotic I've been on. I'll try asking my pdoc about the others when I see him next.

Good luck Fire. Keep us posted.

[cybermember]

I hope your next appt. goes well. Let us know how it goes. Crossing fingers!

[CliveWild]

I may be the exception but I have lost 84 pounds while taking Seroquel. I follow the UK based Slimming World plan and I certainly don't go hungry. I used to take lithium but it was stopped before I started my "diet".

I am not exactly active but I am trying to be more active since I reached my target. My diet is basically a healthy low fat diet. I eat far less processed foods. I really cut back on bread and the associated spread or butter. I now use only skimmed milk. I eat lots of veggies.

[BlackPup]

I have a similar problem... it's really hard to stay the same weight let alone loose weight. My suggestion would be to get hormones and blood sugar tested, sometimes these drugs can cause problems such as hypothyroidism and type 2 diabetes. If so that would complicate your weight loss efforts...

[Fire_Star]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm having a very, 'I feel so fat' day today. Sigh. My next appointment with the pdoc is on the 15th Nov. Hopefully, I'll have the energy to be more assertive. Maybe. Grrr.

[Skully]

I don't know how it happened but I have lost 40lbs on Lamictal over the past 4 months. I am not complaining at all. To help maintain your weight try to exercise as much as you can. For about 30-45 mins a day.

[Mac Murphy]

Fire Star... I was on a cocktail of Celexa, Klonopin, and Trileptal and gained 45 lbs in 9 months and felt awful. Since starting on anti-psychotics I gained 80 lbs total even though I try to keep caloric and carb intake down.

My new p-doc put me on a combination of Geodon (ziprasidone HCl) and Lamotrigine and I have lost 22 lbs in 3 months. Maybe you could speak to your p-doc about a new cocktail.

Peace

[blueoctober]

Originally Posted by Skully

I don't know how it happened but I have lost 40lbs on Lamictal over the past 4 months. I am not complaining at all. To help maintain your weight try to exercise as much as you can. For about 30-45 mins a day.

Lamictal can have that effect. I have lost weight on it as well.

[blueoctober]

Originally Posted by Fire_Star

Sigh. My next appointment with the pdoc is on the 15th Nov. Hopefully, I'll have the energy to be more assertive. Maybe. Grrr.

Firestar you can do it. Before your appointment write down what you want to talk to him about. If he brings up that you need to exercise, watch what you eat more I would suggest telling him that it's offensive. All this does is place blame on you and in reality it's the med that's causing the issue. I highly doubt your pdoc has ever been on zyprexa and until he is, he has no right to question your body's response to the med. Yes this is a very sensitive topic for me.

[Fire_Star]

@Skully: I currently do 30-45mins of exercise a day and looking at pushing it up to 1hr/1.5hr. But it's hard due to some past injuries i have, it's causing too much pain. I need to get into swimming as it's the best opinion for my injuries but I really suck in water, haha. >>

@blueoctober: You make a good point, he doesn't know. I think one reason I have trouble with being assertive with my pdoc is he is really nice. I can't be demanding to nice folk. >>

[kitty004567]

My feeling is "it's my body...I'm in charge." My doctor is there to help me not to criticize. I gained more than 40 lbs in about a month on lithium...I was miserable. My doctor didn't want to change my meds so I fired him and got a new doc. Two years later I'm on Seroquil and have only lost 20 of the original 40 lbs. It makes me very angry because for 10 years I was the same size... all of my clothes are that size.

One thing that I think I should have done was instead of concentrating on "I'm going to loose the weight so I'll just wear jammies until then" was I should have gone out and bought new clothes that made me feel good. And just so you know... you're not alone on the people asking if you're pregnant. I was dating a guy when this weight gain happened and it literally took waiting 9 months to prove to his parents I wasn't pregnant.

[Fire_Star]

I wish I could afford new clothes. I have a friend that gives me some of her old stuff but it only half fits me so it's not the same.

And I had to take a test to prove to my mum I wasn't pregnant. Now instead of asking if I'm pregnant, she just keeps saying how fat I am now. GAH. F*** everything.

[kitty004567]

I'm sorry you can't afford new clothes and that your mom's not being very supportive right now. I hope things work out.

[RyuB]

yeah, i don't remember what med it was, but my doctor didn't take me off it and change it til i got up to 380 pounds and developed diabetes.

i can't get back under 180, i've been stuck here for 2 years.

[DancingAlone]

Dear Fire Star,
I was on zyprexa for about 5 years total (they kept trying other ones because of the weight gain but too many side effects so stayed on it). I gained over 85 friggin' pounds! My regular doc told me I now had high blood pressure, high cholesterol and borderline diabetes because of all the weight gain and to get off of it immediately! (please check with your own doctors, monitor your bloodwork)

So pdoc over 2 years ago put me on seroquel. I still have some weight gain but it's much slower. I can't fit in any of my clothes and don't eat much. I guess a tad of exercise would help but <sigh> not in the forseeable future. Omega 3 fish oil and a cholesterol pill (not taking it now) lowered cholesterol to 142, blood pressure meds still onboard, but diabetes under control.

I wish you well, these meds are a mixed blessing at best.

[Amazonmom]

I would say your Pdoc isn't very nice if he blew off your weight gain concerns with some smarmy comment about diet and exercise. You do more than the vast majority of people in this area. The effect has been so dramatic that your mother made you take a pregnancy test and you can't wear your clothes.

I vote for tying your Pdoc to a chair, making him take Zyprexa, then put all his favorite foods in front of him. When he reaches for the food say NO then whack his hand with a ruler. (Just kidding)

[Fire_Star]

Originally Posted by Amazonmom

I vote for tying your Pdoc to a chair, making him take Zyprexa, then put all his favorite foods in front of him. When he reaches for the food say NO then whack his hand with a ruler. (Just kidding)

LOL! The image of that in my head is hilarious.