[ktbtjmom]

HI I am new to this and I hope someone can help. I have a daughter who we adopted at 2 years old. She was diagnosed at age 6 with Bipolar. She is currently 11. She is on Lithium and Abilify and has gained a lot of weight. Although she is tall for her age 5'2 she is 230 pounds. I am very worried about her and would like a med change. Is there any meds that do not cause weight gain? I'm at a loss on how to help my little girl.

hi.

welcome.

i hope you find a lot of help here

[optimize990h]

which doc prescribed these medications? If you can't go back to that doc, then a psychiatrist or equivalent should do a med review and determine the alternatives for your daughter.

Just remember the med side effects and med efficacy varies from person to person.
Other PC members may be around to offer their suggestions.

[BlueInanna]

I'm so sorry you guys are struggling . I can't think of what to say but want to welcome you here I am a mom of bp kids too, it's so hard. But we do help each other here get through it.

[roads]

Your poor daughter! Has she gone through puberty yet? I'd get her adolescent psychiatrist who will be more acutely aware of all the issues besides bipolar disorder this eleven year old is going through.

Whether she's bipolar I or II will influence the range of drugs appropriate for her treatment. Some doctors refuse to even consider weight gain in selecting a drug, so you might have to be forceful about this. Each drug has its own properties, though--get your pdoc to consider each in this light as well as any other that's important.

roadie

[hamster-bamster]

[QUOTE=ktbtjmom;2927286] I am very worried about her and would like a med change.

Of course you are!!! Who would not be?

1) How often does she see a psychiatrist?

2) Does she have a pediatrician? If the answer is "yes", has the pediatrician checked her physical health parameters?

3) Do you have access to programs for overweight kids?

4) Both Lithium and Abilify can do that. However, they are not the worst offenders on the drug market, in that department. In other words, there are drugs that are even worse, so your options would be limited. Plus, not all the drugs on the market are specifically FDA-approved for pre-adolescents.