Weight Gain

I'm guessing this has been addressed somewhere. After beginning my medications for bipolar about 6 years ago I've gained now a total of 50 lbs and before that I had maintained a nice weight of 130 lbs. for over 10 years (I'm 5'4). To be fair I haven't gotten really serious about losing the weight until now.

But I can't deny the direct correlation between the medication and the weight gain. So I just want to see who else has struggled with this and any advice you might have. Luckily I like to exercise so that part isn't too hard. It's the diet that's a bit of a struggle. But I've made it almost a week now cutting back on my calories drastically but replacing that with many healthy foods. I am on the weight watchers site but not paying for it.

I do fully believe the benefits of these medications outweigh the pain this weight gain has caused me. But it is ironic we are supposed to be fighting depression here and yet we have to face looking in the mirror and dealing with weight gain! Oh well like I said I'm trying to be positive about it. I do think my medicine has literally been a life saver.

Reason is the medicines you consume for BP increases the appetite and consumption gradually over the years and these medicines gist your body to collect and hold more fluid which also showing up in the appearance.

I use a calorie counting app called my fitness pal which is really good. Also I try to drink only water (and coffee!!!)

A lot of us suffer from the weight gain issue. Some of the meds slow your metabolism down, others increase your appetite, and one causes you to eat in your sleep! Weight gain is a common complaint around here, and so is the inability to take the weight off after stopping the medication causing it.

Just to let you know, you are definitely not alone in this one!

Cutting down on calories drastically is about the worst thing you can do to your weight and to your overall health now.

Really? What if you're eating 3000 or more/day? Wouldn't cutting that to a normal amount be good?

I suffer from the same problem. I too have not really tried losing weight til now. I am now exercising more and watching what I eat. Drinking mostly water and a little coffee. I'm just hoping that I can lose the weight and not be stuck at this weight because of the meds.

Not drastically but very gradually over time. Fluctuations in weight are worse than the weight itself. I am reading up on it now and will post a whole bunch of interesting article references but give me time.

The reason this doesn't work is because your body becomes used to needing so many calories and carbs every day. Although cutting down to a healthy amount is the goal, it's best to step down gradually. If you don't, your body thinks you're starving and holds on to your fat for storage in fear that it's a famine. It's a natural body response for survival. This is what messes up your metabolism really bad is going on fad diets that drop your calorie intake.

For example, if you're eating 3000 calories a day, then cut out 500 calories for 2 weeks. From 2500 cut down to 2000. Now, everyone should calculate their "ideal" calorie intake by body size. Men need more than women. That "2000" caloriie diet is too "general." A short woman doesn't require as much as a very tall man.

You should never drop under 1000 calories a day.

Also if you cut carbs too fast your brain will crave them. Carbs are the primary fuel source of the body and brain. They are not bad. You just need to learn to eat healthier carbs rather than over processed refined carbs. 45 carbs per meal is about right for a healthy diet. But, most people are used to eating way more than that. If you cut all of them out at once you go nuts. Yet another reason fad diets don't work.

The final stage is you have to add exercise. Think of your body as a bank in reverse. Instead of trying to "save" calories, you want to burn them. Getting up and moving around is the #1 way to increase weight loss and prevent type 2 diabetes. If you diet and don't exercise you won't see a big change. Movement is key!

Ah! Thanks!

Also remember that you should only lose about 1 pound a week. (Sorry, I don't know the conversion to metric. ) That sounds slow. But it adds up to 52 pounds in a year, which is a huge change. So, if you want to drop 50 pounds for "swimsuit season," you should start in June for the following year.

Also when you exercise do strength training as well as cardio, even if it is just isometric (like push ups or squats or sit ups.) Muscles require more energy so when you add muscle, you burn more calories even when you're just sitting.

Lastly, as you lose weight you hit a point where your body gets used to your new routine. So you need to add more exercise as you go until you reach your ideal weight. Once you reach that goal, you can't say "whew, I'm done!" Nope, you must stick to all the changes you make. So if you're walking an hour a day, you must continue. You can't go back to your old eating habbits. So when you make changes, make ones you can live with vs. doing ones you hate or can only do short-term.

Thanks, I think I've tried that site before but will try again (I'm more serious now/just have more will power I think to fight the cravings). As of right now my roommate has given me a pretty good idea what my serving amounts should be, etc.

Also, I did a big grocery shopping day yesterday. I got tons of fresh fruits and vegetables (well for me seems like a ton )!

I AM good about mostly just drinking water, THAT and the exercise I got down. So as of right now I'm at almost 2 weeks going strong on a good diet I feel.

Thanks! I had done some research and found out about most of what you shared. But it's a good reminder I must be patient and keep these techniques in mind. Patience is a quality I have when it comes to others but not always with myself!

In response to both of the comments on this subject; I do think I was taking in WAY too many calories. I have no idea how many. But we are talking about a decent amount of fast food trips, buffalo wings, ranch dressing and ketchup galore, plus frequent vending machine stops, etc.

BUT also thank you for the concern. I am trying to make sure I have more healthy snacks so I can take it in some more calories. But they are healthy calories and just not as much as I used to take in,. Again I don't think, I haven't counted calories in a long time just guessing.

I wanted to comment on my own comment about how many calories I was taking in. I think the large amount of food I was taking in then points to the medicine contributing to making people more hungry, maybe to giving into unhealthy cravings too?

I mean I suppose there's so much that goes into it. I mean I'm still a little depressed and impulsive at times. But I've just said enough is enough and I'm fighting my bipoloar symptoms and medication side effects

Luckily well as I mentioned I actually enjoy exercise. One favorite exercise I have is climbing. Also luckily I DO like healthy food, I just need it within easy reach and have to ward off getting sidetracked by other yummy looking unhealthy food.

ANYWAYS- Thanks to everyone that replied on this thread!

We can do it!
These are my meds-
Lithium- 300 mg. 3 at bedtime
Abilify-2mg One at bed time (THIS is the one my doc says contributes to weight gain)
Lamictal-200 mg at bedtime
Topimax- 25 mg

Raise your hand if swallowing all your meds, sucks! I know they are necessary though.

Very Informative, Thanks again!

For me it was lithium that put on the weight. I have lost 15kg since going on the abilify

I'm going through this exact same situation. Although with me I've been on Bipolar meds (Depakote, Lamictal, and Risperdol) for about 3 months. I have gained 40 or so pounds and I am NOT happy with that. My appetite has increased so much and it's hard to stop eating because I'm never full. ): I am slowly coming off my Depakote now, so I'm hoping that will help some. I was on 1,500mg and now I'm at 500mg and I've noticed a bit of a difference. I hope that I can lose the weight I gained from Depakote. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one experiencing this terrible weight gain. Best wishes!

Good luck with it realityperfection, weight loss is hard on meds. I still recommend myfitnesspal and regular exercise. Start small and easy and gradually build up. Do it regularly not seriously keep posting and let us know how you are going.

My Doctor who specialized in weight management put me on a 1200 calorie diet about two years ago straight away. Educated me on food choices. Basic nutrition, the weight loss was amazing. Sometimes it was hard.

He no where at all told me you have to cut calories gradually as if you were hooked on street drugs.

My choice with the 1200 calorie diet was better than choosing surgery for myself.

My doctor told me the losing is the easy part when you use the tools given to lose the weight. The hard part is always working to make sure you keep it off.

Everyone is different and finding the right way for their particular needs is important. Different ways of tackling a problem and making sure its a healthy way matters and of course achieving that goal.
I don't think less of those who use surgery, weight watchers or nutri system, etc. These are tools for you to use. If you get to your goal maintaining your health you are gold.

If one way doesnt work, then try another. Always research and having guidance from a medical professional who specializes in weight management would be a great way to start.

If you have insurance and you are over a certain BMI they usually pay for your weight management visits. They would rather pay for you to improve your health than to pay for the possibility of heart disease, diabetes and other health related illness due to being over weight.

There is so much out there that I dont know about and my doctor always surprises me with a new study that showed this and that.

It is a long confusing road and I wish you luck.

I just ate a huge pizza (yes, one whole pizza!) and I'm still hungry. Zyprexa is evil... and to think that a year ago I was losing weight involuntarily! (though that was due to depression suppressing my apetite and abilify making me vomit, so still not that fun. But at least I was thin then.)

I think the benefits of the meds outweigh the weight gain to a point. I can handle 10 or 15 pounds but any more and I start to feel so uncomfortable in my body it contributes to self esteem issues and depression. I really can't blame my meds for my weight gain as I have been up and down with my weight according to my activity and calorie intake. I like to eat especially in the winter when I can cover up with baggy clothes but I am now trying to shape up for the spring and summer on the beach. There is no covering up there!
I am on Lamictal 200 mg
Ativan 1 mg three times a day
Cymbalta 160 mg

When i was on depakote, i gained tons of weight. Stimulates appetite and slows metabolism. I eventually did shed the pounds, so there is hope. Just make sure you put your mental health first and choose a replacement for depakote that works for you.

That being said, i just recently got put on lithium since nothing else was working and this did. Though i'm grateful to feel stable again, i'm so dreading the weight gain. In fact, i'm hungry right now just talking about it...lol
I really need to get ahead of this thing before the weight gain happens. ugh... i really worked hard to take off the depakote lbs. and now i'm on another weight-gaining medication that's making me too tired to do anything to boot.

I know, Flame 78, the same thing happened to me. I tried it all (except diet pills which I think may be harmful).

It may be that I've finally found success after learning how seriously injurious grains which contain gluten are. So I've removed them from my diet; my appetite is becoming rapidly regulated so that I don't crave foods and I don't over eat at meal-time. It is primarily WHEAT that is the problem.

Wheat was re-engineered in the 2oth century to contain more gluten because it makes breads lighter. The side effects, however, are very serious. (Please read
the New York Best Seller recently called Wheat Belly by Dr. David Williams.)

Gluten contains a substance called exorphins which act on the opiate centers of the brain creating cravings for more (approximately every two hours). If one is sensitive to gluten, he or she is going to get a "snootful" of undesirable reactions, including
weight gain (and wheat has a higher glycemic index than sugar does! And it's just
as addictive, if not more so.)

I suggest trying it for 2 weeks and see how you feel and how your appetite is.
Dr. Williams says that it's 180 proof nonsense that we cannot live without grains.
All we need to do is substitute green vegetables, nuts, seeds, to get the amino acids contained in wheat.

I have found it to be remarkable in calming feeling tone, as well. The Omega 3 fatty acids are an excellent addition to the diet, and I wouldn't be without them for helping to keep things "cool and calm".

Good wishes.