[Sunshiney87]

I have bipolar type 2. I recently decided to stop taking all my medications cold turkey. My psychiatrist and psychologist do not know this yet. However I weighed myself for the first time and discovered that I gained approximately 15 or more pounds since I started taking the meds. Aside from the not so great side effects such as nausea - I do NOT like the weight gain part. I've never obsessed over my weight but exercise weekly and eat clean (most of the time) I guess I am a little vain and think appearance/weight is more important than stabalizing my moods. However being off the medications I have realized how unstable I really am. Last week I personally felt very good aside from having anxiety but now I'm in a deep depression and want to commit suicide. I feel bad that I put my husband through all of this but I seriously cannot help it.I've already been hospitalized several weeks ago because I was suicidal but felt like it didn't help much. So over being bipolar, it's mentally killing me.

[Nick1121]

Originally Posted by Sunshiney87

I have bipolar type 2. I recently decided to stop taking all my medications cold turkey. My psychiatrist and psychologist do not know this yet. However I weighed myself for the first time and discovered that I gained approximately 15 or more pounds since I started taking the meds. Aside from the not so great side effects such as nausea - I do NOT like the weight gain part. I've never obsessed over my weight but exercise weekly and eat clean (most of the time) I guess I am a little vain and think appearance/weight is more important than stabalizing my moods. However being off the medications I have realized how unstable I really am. Last week I personally felt very good aside from having anxiety but now I'm in a deep depression and want to commit suicide. I feel bad that I put my husband through all of this but I seriously cannot help it.I've already been hospitalized several weeks ago because I was suicidal but felt like it didn't help much. So over being bipolar, it's mentally killing me.

You should go to Dr ASAP or talk with your husband, but it sounds like you do already. As far as weight gain I suffered from that. I was on ability 20 mg Wellbutrin 450 mg and for anxiety I was taking Seroquel for anxiety 25mg sometimes twice a day (which did nothing for anxiety but I kept taking hoping it would eventually work. I was 24 when I was on all of them. I gained 45lbs in about 7 months. I got stretch marks, so red and bright it looked like wolverine or freddy Kruger attacked my stomach. It made me mad to no end since I am a guy. Once I stopped the medicne I worked my butt off and ate healthy and I lost it all. It was so hard but seeing stretch marks is even harder to deal with. I still have them slightly very faint, not red anymore of course. I refuse to ever go on those anti psychotic meds ever again. I am on Lamictal and Wellbutrin now and klonopin as needed. it is a blessing since it works pretty good for me. I keel active so I haven't gained any weight.

[Tucson]

Get to the doctor ASAP. I find that people place themselves (and their family) in bad places when they decide to play doctor. But then again I have been guilty of this too.

Hang in there!

Just quitting meds leaves your brain out of chemical balance. You'll always feel worse then when you first started taking meds. It can last up to months to fully recuperate, if at all. Some brains rely on the outside help that they just give up producing chemicals all together.

Best thing that you can do unless your gonna be stubborn about it and fight it is to slowly start retaking your meds and begin a new diet and exercise regimen to beat the weight gain.

Only you can do you. Good luck with that.

[gayleggg]

I, agree, see your doctor, now. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. I've learned to deal with a few extra pounds over being suicidal.

I hope you feel better soon.

[Victoria'smom]

What meds were you on?

Antipsycotic by weight gain from highest to lowest weight gain (7% weight gain): Zyprexa, Invega, Seroquil, Risperdal, Fanapt, Ziprasidone,, Saphris, latuda, Abilify,

I would suggest starting back on your meds. You can go off them but do it with a drs help. I understand the weight gain. It sucks.

As far as what can help right now, what helps me the most is dbt skills. Especially the distress tolerance skills. Also grounding techniques and guided meditations for anxiety.

I hope you find some peace tonight.

[Wander]

Putting on some extra weight is a small cost to pay for good health - assuming the meds were actually helping you. I put on over 20kg(44lb) after I started Lithium despite exercising and eating well. I went off the Lithium to see is I could drop the weight but my severe mixed episodes returned with a vengeance and I became acutely suicidal. This is how I was before I was on Lithium so I quickly resumed the Lithium and my symptoms stabilised. This would be a good thing to discuss with your pdoc. Maybe there are other, more weight neutral options for you.

[Victoria'smom]

I'm a believer of a side effect of weight gain is not okay! How long have you been on medication.

[prepsychmel]

i would definitely talk to your doc right away. There are meds out there that don't cause weight gain.