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Old Apr 05, 2011, 03:23 AM
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I'm here to raise the ever so troubling issue of weight gain due to meds.
I've been on Sodium Valpraote for a month now and I have already gained enough weight not to fit in my clothes...It's not that I think I'm fat, but I'm so used to being quite thin that I don't like the extra pounds (almost a stone!) Then I thought I shouldn't care as the med is working and this side effect is bound to wear off. But the only clothes I can fit in are flowy dresses! Even my jogging bottoms are getting uncomfortable. I'm trying to cut down on food but it's very hard. I don't eat junk but I always have a snack before going to bed, which I think is what's doing the most harm (cheese on toast) but I can't sleep without it. Any suggestions? I don't want to end up having to replace all of my clothes.....

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  #2  
Old Apr 05, 2011, 07:39 AM
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Sadrobot I had the same problem. Was thin, went on depakote, got hungry and easily gained quite a bt of weight quickly. It's why I went on lithium instead.
  #3  
Old Apr 05, 2011, 12:09 PM
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sadrobot.. i am having the same trouble with the side effects also. i am torn because my med is working for me but the added pounds really stink. it causes depression in itself but i am coming to the conclusion that a little extra weight is not all that bad best wishes
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Old Apr 05, 2011, 12:15 PM
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sad robot I can totally relate. Since they started me on prozac I gained 50+ pounds. Now I am struggling to get the weight off. It is slowly coming off, bit I have to watch how much I eat and cut out the evening snacks. I was walking daily, but I kind of let that go to the wayside. So yeah, the med is helping but I just wish there was no weight gain. Guess we got to take the good with the bad.
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  #5  
Old Apr 05, 2011, 04:09 PM
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Hi Sadrobot. I had the same thing from Seroquel....went up almost 2 clothing sizes... and still have that STARVING feeling before I go to bed. I've lost some of it...exercising a lot now and my before bed snack is a 100 calorie protien shake. It's hard because the med helps me more than anything else but the weight gain is tough.
  #6  
Old Apr 05, 2011, 10:29 PM
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I don't know how much a stone is as I use ounces and pounds... but it sure sounds like a lot more than a pebble....LOL
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Old Apr 06, 2011, 01:38 AM
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Thanks everyone Unfortunately there is no way of changing the med any time soon, I have two very stressful months ahead of me and I don't want to risk stability...

Moose - I might consider lithium after that, if I see this not getting any better. How different did you find it?

Jaded - I will try the protein shake before going to bed instead. Or teach myself it's ok to feel starved?! During the day it's easier in a way, but at night...I'm so glad the dress I got for my sister's wedding is slightly big..By June it will be well-fitted..Let us hope not too small..!
  #8  
Old Apr 06, 2011, 04:41 AM
kathleen slattery kathleen slattery is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SadRobot View Post
I'm here to raise the ever so troubling issue of weight gain due to meds.
I've been on Sodium Valpraote for a month now and I have already gained enough weight not to fit in my clothes...It's not that I think I'm fat, but I'm so used to being quite thin that I don't like the extra pounds (almost a stone!) Then I thought I shouldn't care as the med is working and this side effect is bound to wear off. But the only clothes I can fit in are flowy dresses! Even my jogging bottoms are getting uncomfortable. I'm trying to cut down on food but it's very hard. I don't eat junk but I always have a snack before going to bed, which I think is what's doing the most harm (cheese on toast) but I can't sleep without it. Any suggestions? I don't want to end up having to replace all of my clothes.....
///
I am on the same drug as you are, along with abilify. It used to be combined with zyprexa; which was a brutal cocktail for me. Shouldn't have done this as I paid a price, but I came off the drugs for a year, lost 97lbs, and am now a normal weight. I am not finding that the sodium valproate actually is causing me any weight issues, so I think maybe you can control the weight gain by a little diet and more exercise.
You are right - if you can avoid eating past 8:00AM, and be fussy about the diet, I don't see any reason why the weight won't come off.
  #9  
Old Apr 06, 2011, 08:32 AM
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What helps me is taking topomax 300mg as it curbs my appetite and I have no weight gain with meds like these.
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  #10  
Old Apr 07, 2011, 05:23 AM
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Thank you

I will see how it goes....And after I finally finish uni decide if I should try something different, and avoid mirrors until then..! (Or clothes for that matter )
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