[Moose72]

That about sums it up. Ive gained so much weight in a week and can't stand being exhausted. Pdoc hasn't returned my calls and primary shrugged me off yesterday.

[grandmaof3]

I'm sorry you are having a rough time. I take zyprexa only when I have psychotic symptoms because of the weight gain problem. I hope your pdoc calls you back soon.

[Moose72]

It was upped b/c of hypomania. I can't stand this! I look huge. This is the most I've weighed ever.

[Moose72]

So that and maybe lithium. ever since I started on Bp meds I've gotten very very fat.

[grandmaof3]

I know what you are saying. When I was first disgnosed I was on depakote, it worked well enough but I gained 80 lbs ! I 've since lost some of the weight but I can't seem to get rid of all of it.

[Moose72]

So day 1 quit. We'll see what pdic says.

[BuggsBunny]

Moose, don't quit your Lithium. That's what is keeping you stable, remember? Call your pdoc and leave a message that says you have gone off your zyprexa due to large weight gain, and need a prescription for something weight neutral. You are more likely to get a pdoc to return your call, or even just call in an RX, if you leave a calm, informative message.

[Moose72]

I left a calm message today.

[grendell]

I've had a script for Zyprexa for over a week, just been looking at not that keen on filling it. It was prescribed to help with the lows but I am worried about the weight gain and any more side effects. I've had a hard time with a recent lithium increase (getting better I think) and just want a rest from all that.

[argv]

Originally Posted by Moose72

That about sums it up. Ive gained so much weight in a week and can't stand being exhausted. Pdoc hasn't returned my calls and primary shrugged me off yesterday.

I don't know what it is, or I'd say something more useful.

[charo224488]

Originally Posted by Moose72

That about sums it up. Ive gained so much weight in a week and can't stand being exhausted. Pdoc hasn't returned my calls and primary shrugged me off yesterday.

It's a horrible drug. I gained 40 lbs on it despite exercising and dieting, and I couldn't stay awake! My friend became diabetic while taking it and died a year later from pancreatic cancer. Don't take it! Best of luck to you!

I too gained a lot on zyprexa very quickly, I told my pdoc that I was not going to continue with it, I did have to be quite blunt with him, however he did end up working with me to find something more weight neutral. Zyprexa does have such a bad rap for this. I hope your pdoc gets back to you soon Moose!

[roads]

Originally Posted by Moose72

That about sums it up. Ive gained so much weight in a week and can't stand being exhausted. Pdoc hasn't returned my calls and primary shrugged me off yesterday.

huge weight gain in a week ... pdoc doesn't return calls, primary gives a "shrug off" ...

Moose, see, this is the stuff about bipolar that is totally a nonbipolar aspect of our disorder that isn't respected by the doctors. They dismiss it and our concerns about it as if it were some hallucination they need not acknowledge. Do they have any idea how stupid they reveal themselves being in these moments? Of course not. Joke's on them, but I'm not laughing.

Roadie

[Moose72]

The funny thing is, my primary cared years ago when I lost a lot of weight. I Think she thought I was bullemic.

[LiteraryLark]

Well...zyprexa causes you to gain weight, but not because it is a bad-rep weight-gaining drug. It causes you to eat more with a slower metabolism and thus gain weight.

If you are shoveling food in your mouth all the time AND taking zyprexa, then yes, you are going to gain weight. Why you are gaining "so much weight" in "so little time" I do not understand. And how much is this amount of weight, 10 pounds, 20 pounds? How much would you have to be eating in order to gain 20 pounds in one week? You did not mention any exercise at all.

I've been on zyprexa for a year and only gained 40 pounds. Yes, I said only, because I've been eating roughly the same amount of food and it only took one year to gain the weight.

Yes, zyprexa causes weight gain, but to be honest, how much you gain depends on YOU. You can't blame everything but yourself for your weight gain. You knew it would cause you weight gain, so you need to monitor your eating habits, drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water every day and EXERCISE to put the weight off. That's just the minimum if you want to lose the weight and keep the weight off.

And yes, you are going to be exhausted when you take the medication. That's the other half of why you are gaining weight because you literally are too lazy to want to do anything. Generally, when I started feeling that way, it was time to change the dosage. But that is not your case. Changing meds because you don't like the side effects is a really lame excuse, to be perfectly frank. If it's working for you and keeping your symptoms under control, then weight gain is just a bump in the road and not a good reason to complain to your doc. Your primary will shrug it off because most people who take zyprexa will experience weight gain. In fact most psychiatric meds WILL cause weight gain. But it's up to you to put off the weight and control how much you gain.

Dr Skipper, that is just not always the case. I am an active anorexic, talking 500 calories a day. After three weeks on zyprexa I had gained 20lbs. My calorie intake did not change. I also have a very active lifestyle, snowboarding yoga, biking, and rollerblading, not to mention I don't drive and I walk everywhere. Antipsychotics can cause metabolism disturbances, this is well documented. And the OP Moose does exercise, she does Judo. I'm not saying eating isn't the issue, but gaining weight from antipsychotics without a change in diet is extremely common.

Just being frank like you said. Read up before you assume.

[LiteraryLark]

Not assuming, just sharing my experiences and my doctors recommendations.

I am not going to look up every single one of these members here.

I am talking aboubt assuming that antipsychotics only cause weight gain because you are stuffing your face and are lazy. Your post came across pretty critical and harsh. What I am saying is read up on drugs before you conclude that something must be x. Or just don't be so judgemental.

Zyprexa is also noted to be one of the worst offenders for weight gain. Yes is does have a bad rap for this.

[venusss]

If it messes with your metabolism, it is not a "lame excuse". Yes, for some it may be reasonable trade-off, but for some it is not.

It's not just weighting more. Feeling exhausted will not help one's well being, especially if their lifestyle is somehow active normally. Feeling constantly hungry will not contribute to one's well being... and if you are eating balanced and feel starving, then it is pretty much signal from the body that something ain't right.

Can you call this state of mind, when person is exhausted, feels like they are starving and feel bad about their body image... that it is well? ****, the stupid "fat and happy or skinny and sad" dichotomy.

And just because doctors shrug off one's complains out of their laziness and incompetence does not mean we all should follow that advice....

[Trippin2.0]

^^^

[~Christina]

(((((((((((((((((((Hugs))))))))))))))))))))))))

I so Understand how your feeling .. I came down with metabolic syndrome from Seroquel SO weight gain can and does happen regardless of your eating exercise .. I'm sorry someone felt the need to leave a rude comment .. IGNORE IT ...... And MAKE your Pdoc address this issue .. Personally I dont blame you one bit for wanting off the medication .. Ive been there done that !!!

((((( Hugs and Love)))))))

[Moose72]

I got a call from my pdoc's nurse a bit ago. I told her my grievances and that I'd like a new med that won't do this and she said shed pass along the message.

That'd good Moose, a step in the right direction. Lets hope your pdoc gets back to you on this sooner than later!! It is important not to settle for less than what is acceptable for your treatment. We all know that the right gain causes more bad feelings, it's a bad circle to be in. Not to mention that it isn't good for your overall health either.

There is a form of Zyprexa that I hear over and over again that it's weight neutral called Zydis. From what I do know is that it is really expensive. I was on it at one time and it did work really good. Maybe ask about that.

[Moose72]

I talked to pdoc's nurse again who said the pdoc said to down Zyprexa to 2.5 again and wait till she sees me to discuss other options. Ugh. I feel great off it completely!

[Moose72]

Pdoc seemed to want to wait to discuss it for two more weeks. She doesn't understand that yes the weight sucks but I have no life sleeping all day and night.