[Red_Cyclops]

Hi, all - I realize it's better than gaining weight excessively, but has anyone dropped a lot of weight over a short period of time while being stable? I lost about 40 lbs over 12 months, and I am thin to begin with. PCP and other specialists thought it may be due to a thyroid issue or gastrointestinal, but nothing has turned up. I know some of the meds I'm on can cause weight loss, but my understanding is that it typically is the result of a decreased appetite. My appetite is quite large and has not changed much at all over the time of the weight loss. Can some of these meds cause your metabolism to change? Dr.'s have said they would like to see me gain about 15 lbs or so to look healthy, but nothing is really working - just trying to eat as much protein and carbs as I can.

Thanks.

[jaxter23]

I've lost almost 20 lbs in 3 months. I lost most of it without trying to and now that I'm exercising more I'm losing more. I exercise to burn off the energy. Although I have seen that I'm eating more often, just lesser amounts of food. I know my thyroid is at a normal level and most of my meds say weight gain, so I don't have any answers lol. If they want you to gain weight then I would say just start enjoying more food lol

Well, I have but due to an eating disorder.

Unintentional weight loss I'm sure you know can be a sign of medical complications, cancer, aides, malabsorption problems, malnutrition ect. When your dr's checked you for gastrointestinal problems do you know specifically what they looked for, tests, or anything. Do you have any other symptoms?

If you do have any other symptoms I'd keep pushing my dr to look farther. Gastrointestinal problems are not always easy to figure out. I'd be a bit concerned since you say you have a large appetite, as for the meds, I really don't know, I've only taken 2 from your list, Prozac gave me loss of appetite and Lamictal had zero effect on my weight or appetite.

Along with my eating disorder which is relatively under control I have malabsorption problems, doesn't matter what or how much I put in, I'm not absorbing enough of it, which has led to deficiencies, basically making a mess of me.

[honeybee777]

Actually Ive lost over 50 pounds in 8 months, i was recently diagnosed Bipolar 1, do you think its due to the mania? I rarley get depressed, which i know is strange for Bipolar, but they said I execessive in my mania, starting meds tommorow, Im at the same wieght i was in high school which is cool!

[Red_Cyclops]

Originally Posted by Anika

Well, I have but due to an eating disorder.

Unintentional weight loss I'm sure you know can be a sign of medical complications, cancer, aides, malabsorption problems, malnutrition ect. When your dr's checked you for gastrointestinal problems do you know specifically what they looked for, tests, or anything. Do you have any other symptoms?

If you do have any other symptoms I'd keep pushing my dr to look farther. Gastrointestinal problems are not always easy to figure out. I'd be a bit concerned since you say you have a large appetite, as for the meds, I really don't know, I've only taken 2 from your list, Prozac gave me loss of appetite and Lamictal had zero effect on my weight or appetite.

Along with my eating disorder which is relatively under control I have malabsorption problems, doesn't matter what or how much I put in, I'm not absorbing enough of it, which has led to deficiencies, basically making a mess of me.

Thanks much, Anika. The gastro tests I underwent were both an upper endoscopy and a colonoscopy. They thought it originally was a malabsorption problem (Celiac Disease), but it isn't. Colonoscopy was normal as well. Also had full blood work done to rule out any signs of cancer, AIDS, and anything else they thought of. They seem to think that I'm just burning calories at a high rate, so that's why I was wondering if maybe my metabolism is affected in some way. I'm 6'4" and weigh about 170 lbs. I haven't been that slim since I was about 16. For years I was at about 205. I exercise regularly, but not nearly to the degree as I did when I was younger. I'm now 41.

Geodon can cause weight loss as well as the Vyvanse, so I'm guessing that has something to do with it.

Thanks!

HoneyBee...

I don't think it would be mania, unless you are not eating much when manic, and that happens a lot! Have you tried keeping track of what you ate, calorie count? Sometimes it seems like we are getting more in then we actually are.

I don't want to say o couldn't be mania at all, I did come across studies that showed that a high number of manic patients had elevated anti-gluten antibodies, when retested when the mania was stabilized the levels returned to normal. These anti-bodies are responsible for celiacs and gluten sensitivity, which do cause malabsorption problems. It's just that there isn't a lot of rreasearch available.

[Red_Cyclops]

Originally Posted by honeybee777

Actually Ive lost over 50 pounds in 8 months, i was recently diagnosed Bipolar 1, do you think its due to the mania? I rarley get depressed, which i know is strange for Bipolar, but they said I execessive in my mania, starting meds tommorow, Im at the same wieght i was in high school which is cool!

Hi, honeybee777. Thanks for your reply. I'm on the opposite side of your symptoms, it sounds like. I only have spikes of mania, and mostly depressive states. However, I've been stable for almost 2 years now, with just some minor ups and downs here and there.

Have you found you've been eating less? About 5 years ago I was on a roller coaster ride of highs and lows and seemed that i was burning energy constantly - but I think I was eating less at that time as well. I then leveled out, but for the past year now I'm at the same place you are with weight - I'm at the same weight I was at age 16, which was 25 years ago! Much better than being heavy, but everyone is constantly asking if I'm OK because I look like I've lost so much weight.

What meds are you starting tomorrow?

Ok, well that's great they are on top of the testing. One thing is that you can have gluten sensitivity and not celiacs, I'm sure you would have other symptoms that accompany this, same symptoms of celiac. Also while the small intestinal biopsy was the gold standard, they are moving towards gene testing because the biopsies are not 100%. For me I've had many tests for celiacs and my dr's are still convinced I have it regardless of the negative tests, there are false negatives. But I do think you'd have symptoms.

Geodon is an antipsychotic right? While I have never been on that one, antipsychotics can cause metabolic disturbances, it's pretty common. Usually I think it leans in the other direction, but who knows.. I'd definitely check that out.

I hope you find the source!

[Trippin2.0]

Idk if any of you besides Anika are female, but BC change made lose weight rapidly and it's N0T something I've ever been able to afford... Just putting it out there incase, we tend to overlook simple details.