[Chihuahua]

Recently diagnosed, I have already picked up weight! This throws me into a depression and all I think of is foooooood! Any advice?

[cocoabeans]

Different meds!

[Serotonin]

Don't eat.

[cocoabeans]

Originally Posted by Serotonin

Don't eat.

LOL eat less, excercise more!

[venusss]

Yeah, you don't have to. If your pdoc throws at you cutesy dismissal of fat and happy ask him if he'd like the carry around 50% weight. Or if he would be glad for his that she is happy.

THing is... gaining weight for no reason means something is wrong with your body. Being hungry all the time even if you eat... is not good for your well-being.

So yeah, look for other options.

[Serotonin]

My weight goes up and down like a yo-yo.

From the age of 20, my life has basically consisted of going on diets, losing weight, then gradually putting the weight back on again, then going on another diet ...ad infinitum.

Depression is very fattening.

[Trippin2.0]

Lithium had me in a state of perpetual hunger, I increased my water intake at times I felt hungry but knew I shouldn't be. You could try that... But if the weight gain is rapid, please speak to your pdoc about different meds.

[bipolarmedstudent]

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

Recently diagnosed, I have already picked up weight! This throws me into a depression and all I think of is foooooood! Any advice?

What meds are you on?

I'm trying to convince my pdoc to prescribe me topamax. So far he has said no, but I found studies that show topamax may work for tics, trichotillomania, and OCD, so I may be able to sway him!

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

Recently diagnosed, I have already picked up weight! This throws me into a depression and all I think of is foooooood! Any advice?

just know that when they reduce the meds the weight will come off naturally.

[~Christina]

Weight gained from medication doesnt just magically melt off as soon as the offending med is stopped ... why you ask? because usally they put you on yet another med that can cause weight gain and metabolic syndrome .. something im still fighting to get the weight off .Last year this time i was 119lbs and now im 165 no amount of dieting is helping Im limited by exercise due to my fibro but i eat less than ever before .. healthy food in small amounts yet I still cant make this scale move down .

Its beyond depressing !

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by DrSkipper

just know that when they reduce the meds the weight will come off naturally.

That has not been my experience with Zyprexa. Nothing came off naturally. Every pound off has to be fought.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

Recently diagnosed, I have already picked up weight! This throws me into a depression and all I think of is foooooood! Any advice?

In general, while you are figuring out the meds issue, it will not hurt to increase:

- fluids
- fiber
- protein

While monitoring the total calories.

[Chihuahua]

Thanks Am currently on Epillim 300 in the morning and 500 in the evening, great thing missed my appointment with the doc thought it was today, turns out it was yesterday! Now I probably have to wait another week or when I have to top up my meds. Trying more fibre and protein and cutting out starch a lot. Thing is my thyroid and liver etc. Was tested and I was supposed to get results from doc so now I have to wait. Not very happy!!

[moremi]

I cant get the scale to budge. Im dieting and exercising. Its so frustrating. Im trying so hard not to fall into ED again. So hard to fight. I think my motabolism is shot!!!

[LiteraryLark]

I guess I'm just different. I'm on lithium and zyprexa and I've lost five pounds without doing anything different. But I'm coming OFF my meds and I'm not switiching to any other meds so my weight would come off naturally.

[Trippin2.0]

You're still young, your metabolism is still working at full speed. As you get older it slows down naturally, and psych meds can accelerate this process.

[LiteraryLark]

Then there is nothing you can do about it so why even worry. Change your whole entire rx because you gain weight then wonder why your meds never work because you keep trying to lose weight with meds that make you gain weight. It doesn't take years of experience and wisdom to know that weight gain is just part of the process to get stable and if there is nothing you can do about it, then why feel guilty about something that is out of your control?

Because it's also bad for your overall health. Not all the meds come with weight gain either. And because realistically most people are mentally effected by their weight. It's easy to say not let it affect you, reality is much harder.

[Trippin2.0]

Uhm... It doesn't take years of wisdom and knowledge to know that unnatural rapid weight gain can cause medical complications. I don't think you'd just leave it and accept your fate if it was happening to you and diabetes is suddenly on your horizon BCOZ of meds. Have you taken into context how many MH patients are suffering from ED? There's alot of factors to take into concideration. I understand you're stating your opinion, and your views are valid, but how bout trying to put yourself in someone else's shoes before you form 1.

[venusss]

Yeah, this. Being fat is not good for you. Screwed up metabolism will directly screw up with your moods. If you have to carry around lot of weight, it will be harder to move. If you move less, you will feel worse.

Also. looks DO matter. People DO judge you by how you look. We have low self-confidence to begin with, so why throw extra 50 pounds in the equation?

[bluemountains]

First came the diagnosis, then the meds, then the weight gain, and now MORE meds for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and also monitoring of glucose levels and kidney functioning. Is it worth it to be stable? I don't know, but I sure am tired of fighting the weight with no success. Fighting the bipolar is a constant battle, too.
Sorry, no advice, your post just made me think of all the extras that come with the disease.
Bluemountains

[Chihuahua]

OMW this seems like such a BUM mer (pardon the pun) I lost weight after baby nr 1 went to a nice 59 kg which is perfect for my length after baby 2 I ended up on 72kg so I took some Duromine the doc gave me ( other doc ) this supressed my hunger but WOW was I grumpy so the Pdoc said it causes mania something about the two meds clashing. So I'm off the Duromine and thus the hunger!! Am I getting this right once u've achieved to stabilise u'll be taken off meds????? Cause my doc said I'll probably be on this FOREVER ... And right now that sounds like a loooooong time!I am starting to agree with the notion of is this worth it???? Feeling crap without meds, feeling great on meds but not enough confidence and your selfworth spiralling downwards because u feel like a fat slob!

[Trippin2.0]

People generally stick to meds once they start. It's a biatch getting off them, and I from what I've heard, I guess most go back after the 1st sign of trouble. I had a ****** time with withdrawls, and ultradian cycling, but glad I stuck it out. I don't plan on being medicated again, unless my dx changes from bp2 to bp1...
.
Ultimately, it's your choice, but you have to take lots of factors into account. Like support system, tools for handling symptoms, how your behaviour affects others, like are you a danger to anybody? Basically, it's the same things you take into account when being dxd, and getting medicated, but it must be fine-tuned in a sense. Being unmedicated doesn't mean shirking responsibility, at times you actually have to work harder coz you don't have a chemical safety net.
.
Only you can make the decision, only you know the extent of your struggle, and only you know if you are capable or not.

[Chihuahua]

Thanx, it's only been 2 months and a looong road ahead! Gonna do as doc says for now.

[BlackPup]

my rules for trying to lose weight are:
only drink water or diet drinks
limit my chocolate intake
eat "lean cuisine" frozen meals when I can't be bothered to cook.
avoid high carbohydrate foods.
I've managed to lose 10 kg but its been a long time in the process.
Good luck, being overweight sucks.