[kj44]

Can I have some advice, First I was on Zyprexa, then Dr. put me on Latuda, then I asked for zyprexa back. I have gained 20lbs. Its awful, I wake up and eat in the middle of the night. Any advice?? None of my clothes fit, I want to stop taking it, and, do you think Lithium is contributing to this? I'm thinking of quitting all, I would rather be unstable.

[faerie_moon_x]

I've been on Lithium before and I didn't gain weight on it personally, I was thirsty all the time more than hungry. But I know meds can lead to weight gain and troubles. My pdoc had told me to keep a lot of healthy snacks, like raw veggies, around the house. And to try to avoid having less healthy options around so you aren't as tempted. Going on an eating binge of carrots is better than a bag of cheetos.

She also said that often when meds change your mood, it can also change your activity level, which effects your weight. For example, if you were primarily depressed you may start moving around more than before. But if you were manic you might start sitting down more. It is cliche but she said to start exercising. (Of course only if you're healthy for exercising.) And she said a balanced diet and exercise will also help improve mood.

That's all I know on the subject. I know weight gain is frustrating and doesn't help anyone feel better!

[Lauru]

let me just say......I am FAT. Soooooooooo FAT. Why? All these damn psych meds. I never had a weight problem, was always skinny until I started taking psych meds. I really gained weight when they put me on Depakote. It's been all downhill from there. I hate it. HATE IT.
But I was also actively suicidal off any meds. But I swear, I almost think it would be worth it to go off all my meds so I could be skinny again. I wish I were still me on the meds.

I think it should be a major priority for these drug companies to come up with psych meds that do not cause weight gain.We're already depressed! Maybe that's their plan, so that besides the meds for our disorders we also need anti-dep.! lol

[kaliope]

zyprexa and lithium are both known to cause you to gain weight. topomax is one that will help you lose weight.

[greylove]

You summed it up perfectly, Lauru. Seroquel caused my weight gain. I was always thin and toned; I won't go near a scale now. I can't work out or even take a decent walk because of the injuries I sustained while suicidal. And then there was my long wavy hair and beautiful fingernails......all lost to the ravages of my illness. I've lost me.....the outer trappings that made me, me. I still recognize parts of me inside, but that's small consolation for someone who spent her life taking care of her outer self.

[Lauru]

Originally Posted by greylove

You summed it up perfectly, Lauru. Seroquel caused my weight gain. I was always thin and toned; I won't go near a scale now. I can't work out or even take a decent walk because of the injuries I sustained while suicidal. And then there was my long wavy hair and beautiful fingernails......all lost to the ravages of my illness. I've lost me.....the outer trappings that made me, me. I still recognize parts of me inside, but that's small consolation for someone who spent her life taking care of her outer self.

Ah, Seroquel, I know her well. I am not the same person anymore. And it really pisses me off! And all the professionals say is, but it is worth it if you feel good. NO, it is not worth it. it is not ok. Why can't the drug manufacturers and the pdocs take our needs seriously??

[Secretum]

This is why I'm so scared to try most atypical antipsychotics. I've decided recently that I want off my tegretol, because it is causing memory problems (I'll want to listen to a certain song, but then I can't remember its name , or worse, I'll finally find the focus and motivation to read stuff for my classes, and then I'll forget 80% of what I've read) and hypersomnia (which paradoxically triggers an increase in depressive symptoms). Since I had an aversive reaction to lamictal, I think my pdoc will likely try either depakote or an atypical next. I'm so scared; my trim figure is one of the only things that I like about myself.

It's so unfair that so many people with MI have to choose between their mental and physical health. Also want to say that I think all of you are beautiful, regardless of weight. It's horribly cliché, but real beauty comes from within, and people like you who take time out of your day to log on here and support others who are struggling are very beautiful indeed.

[tattoogirl33]

Since going off the anti-d's and being put on and off of so many different psych meds I'm up over 30+ lbs from where I was 4 months ago.. I can't afford new clothes, but I can't afford to be "sick" either.. it seems to be lose lose and I hate it!! It makes me hate myself even more when my boyfriend says "I love you no matter what" I'm like, yeah right until little miss skinny steals you away from me! IDK, I just don't feel like "me" anymore, and I never even knew who "me" was to start with! Doesn't help that I'm dx'ed bipolar AND borderline

[~Christina]

I have gained 40lb since april of this year all due to psych meds .. I started flipping out after the first 15.. I was anorexic and could probably use a few lbs (so everyone tells me ) I am lucky that I have no problem being my own advocate .. I also REFUSE to become diabetic just to treat my Bipolar illness ... My Pdoc honestly understands how much weight gain can be horrible for anyone with MI issues let alone the health problems the pounds cause ... I literally went from 30 lbs to 40lbs with in 10 days !!!!!!
Seroquel XR was the biggest offender .. But I put on at least 10 lbs on Risperdal ..

Between the costs of medications and the sideeffects its no wonder medication compliance is such an issue ...

I personally cant just say "ill be heavier as long as im sane " I just Cant go there ..
Im probably wrong thinking this way but every lb I gain chips away at the tiny amount of self esteem I have left .

Just my opinion ~

[tattoogirl33]

Originally Posted by morethingswrong

I personally cant just say "ill be heavier as long as im sane " I just Cant go there ..
Im probably wrong thinking this way but every lb I gain chips away at the tiny amount of self esteem I have left .

Just my opinion ~

with you 100% on this one!!

[Tosspot]

Lithium only causes weight gain if it's affecting your thyroid - have your tsh levels checked. (mine shut down) but it also can affect the sodium in your blood, make sure you are drinking water- then you get water weight

I gained 30 on seroquel in two months. i went off seroquel and haven't lost much.
gained about 10 after starting risperdal in two months - went off that too
15 when i quit smoking...
lost a few pounds here and there. i go to the gym 4 times a week - eat fairly healthy

didn't gain on lamictal,
not sure about the trileptal...

i feel like once i gained the weight it just won't come off!! the seroquel was 2 and 1/2 years ago!

[faerie_moon_x]

Originally Posted by roxiesmom333

I think it should be a major priority for these drug companies to come up with psych meds that do not cause weight gain.We're already depressed! Maybe that's their plan, so that besides the meds for our disorders we also need anti-dep.! lol

This is exactly what my mother-in-law says. "You're already depressed, so they put you on a medication that makes you gain weight, which makes you depressed."

The worst thing is a lot of these meds also increases risk for diabetes. Not sure if it is due to the meds themselves elevating blood glucose, or because you gain weight... or both! It makes me mad. Diabetes is a serious issue. I don't think it is right to give you one med to heal one problem only to give you a new one.... That's like your mechanic fixing your breaks and then poking holes in your gas line....

[~Christina]

Dark heart ... thats my biggest issue ,, the weight gain will cause elevated blood suagr which I have gone thru .. I refuse to become diabetic to "maybe" become a little more stable with my bipolar.

Its really a Lousy situation for anyone needing psych meds and damn near every single one has the weight gain issue...

I see my Pdoc tomorrow and hes wanting me to try Fanapt .. my research says per the company its " weight neutral" ..I dont know Some days im ready to say " listen im 44 you just figured out im bipolar whats the mad dash to get my moods stable now ?

I have dealt with anorexia for years ..and taking psych meds is HORRID !

I hope one day that eventually the damn big Pharm's will come out with medications that dont cause this ridculous weightgain ..

[jdubsms]

I can relate to everyone in this post! Before my meds, I was a hot momma! I'd walk into a room and it was all eyes on me. Now, you can't tell that I was once that person. 10 years, 70 pounds. It would be nice to be cute again but I can't function without my meds. Exercise and eating right are laughable. I woke up at 3am the other night a took a huge piece of cornbread. I try my best to keep fruits and vegetables around BUT I love to bake!

[kj44]

Thanks so much for all your comments, I hesitate every time it's time to take my meds, but, I want to get through the holidays. I will look up that topomax, maybe that's an alternative.

[~Christina]

Kj IF I start on the new med " fanapt" I will let you know how the weight part goes ..

According to my pdoc ,, seroquel , zyprexa, abilify all are about the same with uncontrolled weight gain.

Im literally to the point IF I cant find a med that is weight neutral im going to look into someother ways to deal with my bipolar ... up to and including ECT.. I am going to speak to my doctor tomorrow ..

[tnlibrarian]

Ahhh--I was going off to DH about this earlier. I'm already overweight and at high risk for diabetes. Because of my weight my doc put me on Wellbutrin and Lamictal. As she put it, they are "BMI friendly." She just put me on Ativan, which is a total appetite killer for me. However, I know as soon as I tell her about the voices, the thoughts, the fact that I keep thinking I see things (post about that forthcoming--I'm trying to not hog the board, KWIM?) I'm in for another med being added on. Regardless of what it is it is probably something that's going to cause weight gain.

So as I told DH--you're a woman. You're bipolar. That alone is enough to trigger fears of your husband walking out on you and taking the kids because, well, you're bipolar. So let's add on weight gain! Okay--so not only are you worried that you're husband is going to leave you because you're mentally ill but now you get to worry that he's going to leave or cheat because you're getting fat. Yes, pharamaceutical industry, that makes sense. Let's give depressed, emotionally unstable women meds that will make them fat and therefore depressed and emotionally unstable because their self esteem is low. Brilliant!

[Travelinglady]

I agree with you all! Remeron was my worst cause of weight gain, but I have never been the same since I started taking these drugs eleven years ago. It is a horrible side effect. We suffer enough as it is!

[Tosspot]

yay for all fat bottomed girls who make the rockin world go round!!

[BlueInanna]

Hi Kj and all, thanks for having me here!
i'm not currently taking my meds: wellbutrin, adderall, ambien, klonopin (well i do take the klonopins sometimes) because of several reasons, like having 2 bipolar teenage kids, but mainly i'm wating for a new doctor through the county to help me with a good bipolar/adhd combo - i hated lamectal, prozac, cymbalta. But i realized today that i am fat fat fat! i dont fit in my clothes! i look pregnant! i've been doing so much self-soothing, nurturing, cuddling myself in my blankets, lazing around with my kitties, and eating everything in sight, starting to feel happy. i even thought i was getting better and can do this without meds. But today i'm fat and looking in the mirror, self-esteem so low, like what the heck happened. i did walk the treadmill for 2 10min sessions in the past week, but that was torturous to get myself that far. i know i will find a good doctor and get good help, but gosh, this is probably not ever going to be a smooth ride. Hugs and good luck to all.

[kj44]

Originally Posted by BlueInanna

Hi Kj and all, thanks for having me here!
i'm not currently taking my meds: wellbutrin, adderall, ambien, klonopin (well i do take the klonopins sometimes) because of several reasons, like having 2 bipolar teenage kids, but mainly i'm wating for a new doctor through the county to help me with a good bipolar/adhd combo - i hated lamectal, prozac, cymbalta. But i realized today that i am fat fat fat! i dont fit in my clothes! i look pregnant! i've been doing so much self-soothing, nurturing, cuddling myself in my blankets, lazing around with my kitties, and eating everything in sight, starting to feel happy. i even thought i was getting better and can do this without meds. But today i'm fat and looking in the mirror, self-esteem so low, like what the heck happened. i did walk the treadmill for 2 10min sessions in the past week, but that was torturous to get myself that far. i know i will find a good doctor and get good help, but gosh, this is probably not ever going to be a smooth ride. Hugs and good luck to all.

I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to make anyone feel bad! I just feel as if my meds aren't working right anyway. I quit smoking last Dec., and I have started up again. I am so agitated, I don't think they are working right anyway. So why bother taking them? Hope you find a GOOD Dr. soon, I see mine Thur.. Probably not soon enough!

[kj44]

Originally Posted by tattoogirl33

with you 100% on this one!!

I think I'm not sane yet, matter of fact I'm sure of that! Thanks for your input, and, I love your signature
kj

[BlueInanna]

Kj -

smiles, hugs!

you didnt make me feel bad at all. it's just coincidence that i read your post on the same day i realize i've gained idk how many pounds - maybe 30-40! i quit my wellbutrin and adderall cuz my teenage son would try to steal them - i flushed everything. and i'm pretty sure the adderall stimulant makes my mania worse.

i also quit smoking about 2 months ago and wow, it really affected my weight. i did buy some new pants yesterday, and a shirt that hides my belly. So that helps, but really i need to exercise, i just hate exercising. and eating yummy foods make me me feel happy lol, especially chocolate haha. i will be at the doctor soon - might be a couple weeks, but it is what it is, and i pray, and there will be some happy medium.

My daughter 17 and bipolar takes geodon and trileptal with no weight gain probs, she won't take seroquel because of the weight gain.

thanks everyone

[kj44]

Originally Posted by BlueInanna

Kj -

smiles, hugs!

you didnt make me feel bad at all. it's just coincidence that i read your post on the same day i realize i've gained idk how many pounds - maybe 30-40! i quit my wellbutrin and adderall cuz my teenage son would try to steal them - i flushed everything. and i'm pretty sure the adderall stimulant makes my mania worse.

i also quit smoking about 2 months ago and wow, it really affected my weight. i did buy some new pants yesterday, and a shirt that hides my belly. So that helps, but really i need to exercise, i just hate exercising. and eating yummy foods make me me feel happy lol, especially chocolate haha. i will be at the doctor soon - might be a couple weeks, but it is what it is, and i pray, and there will be some happy medium.

My daughter 17 and bipolar takes geodon and trileptal with no weight gain probs, she won't take seroquel because of the weight gain.

thanks everyone

Glad to hear I didn't make you feel bad! I quit smoking last Dec., just started again. I have been sooo agitated about this weight, 30lbs.. I know someone else who takes geodon and didn't gain weight, maybe I will mention that to the Dr.. I have 7 children, totally understand those issues. Fortunately only one is at home now. One of my kids is an addict, my oldest, one is probably bipolar, the rest are ok for now, thank goodness! Take care