Hello all. So here's the dilemma. I gained 50lbs from seroquel and risperdal. I'm on latuda and have lost 20lbs of the seroquel and risperdal weight gain doing weight watchers.

Well on the latuda I have insomnia and anxiety, and it doesn't help much with my paranoia.

On the other hand risperdal helps tremendously. Helps with my paranoia and depression. But on risperdal I eat everything... which leads to weight gain.

I think I might go back on the risperdal. I'd really appreciate any feedback or ideas on how to manage weight while on it. It sucks, the one med that helps so much causes weight gain...Ugh!

I tried geodon but it didn't help with my symptoms and made me vomit.

I could still try invega or saphris...But I'm scared to. Seroquel is out of the question made me eat and I was completely numbed out. What to do...

[Standup2me]

Wow, if there is a solution to this - please share

Mine is just over 18kg (about 40 pounds).

It is so dishearting

So many times I've wanted to quit my meds for this reason

[thickntired]

Ugh!! I hear you loud and clear. I've gained 50lbs over the last 2 yrs. Right now I'm walking 5mi 5x a week. I wish I could tell you the pounds have melted off, but the fact is my diet needs to be more strict!! I'm planning to try cutting down on carbs. It'll suck bad bc I absolutely love carbs

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Originally Posted by Standup2me

Wow, if there is a solution to this - please share

Mine is just over 18kg (about 40 pounds).

It is so dishearting

So many times I've wanted to quit my meds for this reason

I know it absolutely sucks!

Originally Posted by thickntired

Ugh!! I hear you loud and clear. I've gained 50lbs over the last 2 yrs. Right now I'm walking 5mi 5x a week. I wish I could tell you the pounds have melted off, but the fact is my diet needs to be more strict!! I'm planning to try cutting down on carbs. It'll suck bad bc I absolutely love carbs

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Have u lost any weight from the walking? What med are u on that has the weight problem? It sucks doesn't it.

[thickntired]

Haven't lost weight yet, but my pdoc said exercise is very good for bipolar. I've gotten a lot faster though at under 15min miles. I use a pedometer and listen to music. It feels good from the endorphins. I was on Abilify and quit smoking then all drugs. Now I'm on seroquel and have not gained but I'm maintaining an unhealthy weight. I have a bipolar friend who lost weight from AP by walking. I'm trying to not be an emotional Eater or substitute drugs for food.

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Originally Posted by thickntired

Haven't lost weight yet, but my pdoc said exercise is very good for bipolar. I've gotten a lot faster though at under 15min miles. I use a pedometer and listen to music. It feels good from the endorphins. I was on Abilify and quit smoking then all drugs. Now I'm on seroquel and have not gained but I'm maintaining an unhealthy weight. I have a bipolar friend who lost weight from AP by walking. I'm trying to not be an emotional Eater or substitute drugs for food.

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Congratulations! I have a back injury so I can only walk like 5 min until pain but I need to start. Last summer I got up to walking 20 mins. I just have to start slow.

[thickntired]

Me too, Sunshine. I have 3 ruptured discs and sciatica damage. My Dr said swimming is best, but I can't afford a gym membership. I hope you're doing better soon ♥

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[thickntired]

Oh btw I take Neurontin for my back. Its a non narcotic. I'm a recovering addict, but pain pills can pull anyone under and the constipation was awful.

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[~Christina]

Invega has been weight neutral for me ..

Avoid sugars and cut way down or eliminate carbs. Increase physical activity . Try chia seeds they really make you feel full.

Good luck I know it sucks ..I gained 40 lbs on seroquel and it took me 5 months to lose it

Originally Posted by thickntired

Oh btw I take Neurontin for my back. Its a non narcotic. I'm a recovering addict, but pain pills can pull anyone under and the constipation was awful.

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Pain pills don't really help me. They helped when my disc ruptured and before surgery...But now what helps most is a high dose of ibuprofen. Even after my surgery they took me off the anti inflammatory meds in the hospital and I was in so much pain. They put me back on it and I calmed down. I was crying hysterically and the surgeon who is from India was like u are being hysterical. There's a whole story behind it....It's pretty funny. I loved that surgeon.

Neorontin seemed to make me break out but I suppose I can try it again bc I do think it helped.

[Curiosity77]

I take mirapex to prevent AP weight gain. That is an off label use of the drug, so there is not much research and most pdocs won't know about it. I started it when i was taking zyprexa, and i was also on seroquel and now saphris. I had no weight gain. I don't know if that was because the mirapex has been working, or if i wouldn't have gained weight anyway, and my pdoc isn't sure either. At any rate, it has no side effects, and i want to keep taking it as long as i'm on APs.

Just wanted to share in case it can help.

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[swheaton]

Carbs are a big deal with some of these meds. Your metabolism is messed up as well.

[BipolaRNurse]

I lost all the Zyprexa weight when I went on the Geodon. Now I'm on both APs and those pounds are coming back, and with MY luck they'll bring friends.

[swheaton]

Does Geodon work for you, BPnurse?

[thickntired]

I heard topomax to stop weight gain, but maybe that's another word for mirapex. I read that geodon was weight neutral but it was too expensive.

On back pain I also found celebrex was good. It sounds like your Dr was a little too conservative on meds! I also like biofreeze and a heating pad

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Originally Posted by Curiosity77

I take mirapex to prevent AP weight gain. That is an off label use of the drug, so there is not much research and most pdocs won't know about it. I started it when i was taking zyprexa, and i was also on seroquel and now saphris. I had no weight gain. I don't know if that was because the mirapex has been working, or if i wouldn't have gained weight anyway, and my pdoc isn't sure either. At any rate, it has no side effects, and i want to keep taking it as long as i'm on APs.

Just wanted to share in case it can help.

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Thank you curious. I see the psych nurse Monday and I will tell her about it. Really appreciate it.

Originally Posted by thickntired

I heard topomax to stop weight gain, but maybe that's another word for mirapex. I read that geodon was weight neutral but it was too expensive.

On back pain I also found celebrex was good. It sounds like your Dr was a little too conservative on meds! I also like biofreeze and a heating pad

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I was on Topamax and it did cause me to lose weight but it made food taste metallic and they have a nickname for it...dopemax or something like that. It made it hard for me to form sentences and things like that.

[QUOTE=BipolaRNurse;3664796]I lost all the Zyprexa weight when I went on the Geodon. Now I'm on both APs and those pounds are coming back, and with MY luck they'll bring friends. [/QUOTE

Geodon made me nauseous and it didn't really help with my paranoia. I'm happy it works for you though.

So I see my psych nurse Monday and I think it's invega I'm gonna try. I'm running out of options here...

Or may talk to her about the mirapex and stay on the risperdal, idk I need to write it all out.

[Curiosity77]

Topamax is different than Mirapex. Topamax works too, but can cause cognitive dulling. I don't want meds that do that.

[BipolaRNurse]

Originally Posted by swheaton

Does Geodon work for you, BPnurse?

To a degree. It's smoothed the way quite a bit. I used to go from mood episode to mood episode; now I get periods of remission in between. However, it's not as effective as Zyprexa, and I have breakthrough episodes.....in fact, I'm just coming out of a mixed state.....so there are times when I need the Z anyway. Currently I'm on both until further notice.

[Anouk]

Often the APs make you want to eat lots of carbs.

Try eating more protein because it keeps you fuller for longer. Have some good lean protein at every meal.

Calories still matter so choose well.

Learn to listen to your body's signals and work out if you are actually hungry or just 'mouth' hungry or 'med' hungry.

Have a list of non-food distractions ready to help. I find if you dont have to think up something to do in order to distract yourself, it helps.

Chew Sugar free gum -- keeps your mouth busy and reduces the cravings for me.

[r010159]

Originally Posted by Curiosity77

Topamax is different than Mirapex. Topamax works too, but can cause cognitive dulling. I don't want meds that do that.

I was on topomax for a year. At least for me there was no cognitive dulling at all. I was in the best shape, mood and mental acuity, I had been in many years. So just because it is has a possible side-effect does not mean it will happen to you. But then you already knew this. So I am sure you have your reasons. I just wanted others to know that I think this may still work for them.

No offense intended.

[Curiosity77]

Originally Posted by r010159

I was on topomax for a year. At least for me there was no cognitive dulling at all. I was in the best shape, mood and mental acuity, I had been in many years. So just because it is has a possible side-effect does not mean it will happen to you. But then you already knew this. So I am sure you have your reasons. I just wanted others to know that I think this may still work for them.

No offense intended.

Good point... I don't mean to deter anyone from something that may help. Sorry

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