Anyone know how to control weight, taking Depakote?

I know Depakote is often called Depobloat. I had sworn NEVER to take Depakote, but now I'm on it because other meds were not working. 6 years ago, I took off 22 lbs, and it stayed off. I weigh myself every day, and if I gain even 2 lbs. I cut back on what I eat and how much. When I did that, and the 4-5 times in the past where I took off weight, I had a healthy diet I made for myself -- not any proscribed diet written by someone else. The plan I follewed was this: as many vegetables as I wanted. As much lean meat, fish, low fat cheeses, cottage cheese, fruits (not many bananas) and beans as I wanted. The only sugar I had was on my (cooked) breakfast cereal. No fried foods, no butter, no fat-gravy. Few starches. A baked potato with nothing on it was okay. I allowed my self 8 oz of ice cream on Saturdays.

From my biology classes I know that we all need starch, fat, and protein. Not sure how vegetables and fruit fit that equation, but we sure need them, too. I had all these things every day.

The problems now are I am a vegetarian and doc took me off lactose. No meat, almost no fish nor sea foods. Substitute soy products for milk, cheese. I do eat eggs. I need an appetizing diet with these restrictions. Any ideas? The test for gluten intolerance came back that I don't have this. No celiac disease.

I should know in about a month if cutting out lactose helps with my digestion. If it does, I'm lifetime off it. If I can get back on regular low fat cheese, etc, that will help.

Once I discover whether I can or cannot have milk products, I plan to go to a medical dietician. These professionals as NOT the same is nutritionists. I saw one years ago. She asked me what my favorite foods are, and then found ways for me to duplicate them, as much as possible, so the new combination tasted great.

Meanwhile, if anybody here has any ideas, please help me out. I've put on 4-5 lbs, and my jeans are getting too tight. I have no intention of buying a whole new wardrobe!

Did you try abilify and latuda before getting on the depakote? They didn't work for me, but they are in the same class and are much less likely to cause weight gain. I have been on depakote for almost 20 years now, and I have not been able to get off of it, which is extremely frustrating because they are withdrawal symptoms that have nothing to do with mood. So, if there is anything out there that you haven't tried, try it. The only things that have helped me manage weight gain have been more Meds - Wellbutrin and topomax, but they have side affects that I can't tolerate. One year, I somehow found the motivation to walk 6 miles every day, at fast speed. That worked. Really hard to find that kind of motivation, though. I hope that what has not helped for me, may help for you.

AMEN and AMEN!!! I had just lost 42 lbs on Seroquel and I can just feel the lbs packing

Thanks! I've tried all the ones you mention EXCEPT I have not tried Latuda. I'll check with my pdoc about that, when I see him in a week or 2. I do know I need more exercise. As for walking fast...that may not be posiblel, but I'll walk as fast as I can. I just ordered a "granny cart." (Hate that name...so degrading!) It means I won't have to carry a backpack anymore, and can carry any shopping in it, too. But as for walking fast....uh....

Sounds like you have a pretty good plan. Keeping on top of paying attention to how much you weigh is probably helpful, but it would stress me out.

Personally, I have a pair of pants I hate, but if I can fit into them I call it good. Since I do not like them I do not have to worry about stretching and washing since I only use them to gauge my weight.

I follow the Weston A. Price/GAPs diet. Unlike Paleo it includes dairy. But I aim for no sugar and especially no high fructose corn starch. I use maple syrup, honey or molasses sparingly.

No gluten. TONS of vegetables. Some fruits and berries. Lots of eggs and 1 serving of beef/pork/fish/chicken/shellfish or crabs (I am in Maryland on the water) each week.

For the milk thing, you can buy kefir grains or pre-made kefir. There is very little lactose in it, you can do a second ferment too and it will all be gone. Many cheeses, yogurt and other fermented dairy products are low in lactose as well. ( make all my own so I know what is in it.)

I have found my symptoms are much better if I enjoy fat in my diet. No PUFAs (corn, vegetable, canola, safflower, soybean, margarine, etc. type oils) though. Unlike butter or coconut oil, these vegetable oils can’t be extracted just by pressing or separating naturally. They must be chemically removed, deodorized, and altered. I can talk a lot more about this if you are interested. I have goats, so goat butter, cow butter, lard, suet, tallow, EVOO, cold pressed sesame, cold pressed coconut oil are my go to.

I make homemade broths (from bones) for the gelatin and stuff for soup and sauces. Which also helps my symptoms (nails, hair and skin too).

Do you eat chicken?

I recommend the book Veganomicon for vegetarian/vegan recipes.

Lots of calories hide in drinks, so check that! I drink seltzer water (no sweeteners, calorie free or otherwise), water (several times a day with raw apple cider vinegar), kefir (unsweetened), coffee (black), tea (unsweetened) and I make kombucha tea too.

I think I hit everything.

I am currently nursing my daughter so I am super conscious of my diet. I try to make everything from scratch. It is easier than you think when you make frittatas on Saturday or Sunday for the week or salads for breakfast and lunch and dinner are Meat and veggies. I rarely snack. I get organic/grass fed/grain free diet/wild caught/non-GMO/heirloom/local/hormone free/antibiotic free if possible and cost effective.

I am currently not really working out, I have a mini farm and we are producing right now. But, I like to swim, bike, run and weights during not production times.

Yeah, bummer. I hope you can find a way to stop the weight gain. Try my methods. They sure worked well for me!! It might take a while -- a lb here, a lb. there. It took a year for 22 lbs. Worth!!! It!!! And by the way, when I gave up sugar, a lot of other things tasted sweet. Is that odd, or what. I'm sure the way I did it was nutritionally healthy, but you might check with a nutritionist to verify that.

First of all, make sure you communicate your dietary choices with your doctor and psychiatrist. That will ensure your choices aren't interfering with your medications, they may have some recommendations that will fit within your desired plan.

Secondly, talk to them about Metformin. I'm not sure about this medication and Depakote but it is worth asking them. I am on Seroquel which tends to cause weight gain. While Metformin is in fact a diabetes medication more and more doctors are prescribing it off label for the management of weight gain owing to some psychiatric medications. Some complain about become far to 'regular' as a side effect but I've personally haven't experienced this. My weight is now under control, I've even lost a little. The important thing is that I am no longer gaining 3-5lbs per month anymore.

Water 15-20 mins before a meal , You wont eat as much.

Metforium is in fact a good question to ask your Pdoc... We are Psych People, the last thing we need is a med that we gain weight on and want to eat 24/7 eye balling our sofa

Any kind of exercise will be helpful. I need to get back to walking... its so hot so I need to walk after dark.

Psych meds suck

Lots of great responses. Not much to add. Will add eating 2-4 cups of low-carb veggies prior to each meal. Fill up on veggies!

WC

Do not try the HcG diet. It turned me into a raving lunatic for three weeks. 500 calories a day, and hormone injections. I would be sobbing my eyes out one second then I would be so high I thought that I was a god-entity.

Stay away from it. It is dangerous

I am so sorry you have so many restrictions on what you can eat. I wish I had suggestions but I'm in a similar boat with trying to find foods I can eat that don't hit me back in the azz or cause weight gain. The dietician sounds like a wonderful idea and something I myself should consider.