[~Christina]

Yeah so that.

I’m stuck in the vicious mess. And pdocs wonder why we just toss our meds!!????!!!!!!!

Strict diets and up until this past week exercise in place. No help. At. All.

I’m certain if things don’t change I will restrict food to the max and honestly not sure how bad it will effect my whole body this time, last go around was just shy of a feeding tube. Getting to where that doesn’t matter

Gotta love psych meds

[Nammu]

Yeah, I pretty much gave up and just added more meds to counter the syndrome.

I'm sorry to read that you developed metabolic syndrome. I've been fighting it off for a while. I did manage to normalize my glucose levels from pre-diabetic to normal about 8 years ago, but I've still struggled with high cholesterol and high triglycerides. My blood pressure has always been normal, but I'm sure my propranolol helps with that to some degree. I don't take propranolol for blood pressure, I take it for tachycardia, but lowering blood pressure is another one of propralolol's many benefits. My waist size is bigger now than it was at my same weight 16 years ago, but my stomach isn't really big. My weight is sort of distributed evenly throughout my body.

I have a feeling I'll eventually need to take a statin. Both my GP and my nephrologist have talked about that, but they say they will likely wait a few years until I'm 50, if I still have the issues.

I was supposed to go to the phlebotomist yesterday or today, but I didn't. I have to go tomorrow morning (fasting test). Last time I got results my triglycerides were miraculously normal for the first time in years, but my cholesterol went even higher. I am pessimistic about my upcoming results. I haven't gained much weight, but my diet has nonetheless been very poor. Poorer than the last time I was tested.

About 8.5 years ago was when my blood tests were at their worst. I had been on Depakote and Invega for a long time and had been severely depressed for a while, too. At that time I was my highest weight ever. That was when I tested pre-diabetic. I was so afraid that my GP referred me to a dietician. With her help (and on a more weight friendly bipolar med mix) I lost 40 lbs in six months, reached a normal BMI, and all of my blood test results were normal again. The diet I followed was a fairly low carb diet. Not as low carb as Atkins or Keto, though. I also had maximum allowances of fat and saturated fat for each day. The dietician said my diet was somewhat high fat, but it was noticeably lower fat than I had been eating before.

I maintained my weight loss for a few years, but then Seroquel XR was added. I didn't gain very much, or that fast, at doses below 450 mg, but at 450 mg and up, I gradually gained even more weight and my blood test results worsened again, except the glucose and hemoglobin. After 8 years, I have regained about 20 of the 40 lbs I lost. I guess it could be worse! Actually, right now I only weigh about 4 to 5 lbs more than I weighed at my very highest 16 years ago BEFORE I was diagnosed bipolar and taking medications. Though I do blame Seroquel XR for some weight gain, I don't think the weight gain is bad at all considering I've aged and considering most people in my family are overweight. The thing is, I had perfect blood work at my current weight 16 years ago, while now it's bad. I wonder how much is to blame on aging and how much is to blame on Seroquel XR.

I need to watch my diet again (eat fewer carbs, less sugar, and less saturated fat). Even some exercise would help me.

[yellow_fleurs]

Ugh, it sucks how many terrible side effects psych meds have. We really need some improved ones, ASAP. Are you already on metformin? I am no expert on the topic, but heard of doctors prescribing it prophylactically for metabolic syndrome.

[Moose72]

Im in the same boat. Months of judo and have maybe lost 10 pounds. While Seroquel packs on the pounds. Feh, meh and all that.

[Pookyl]

I battle it with diet. I eat very little and even then I’m borderline with metabolic issues.
I’ve tried Metformin twice and both times the side effects were awful. When my GP suggested for a 3rd time that I try metformin I said if you’re going to make me take it I’m going to see a different dr.
What’s interesting is that the GP wanted to medicate me but my endocrinologist is happy to just monitor.

[Wild Coyote]

I had lost a lot of weight from prior meds. Then went on Abilify and rapidly gained back weight. How frustrating!

I am hoping to omit Abilify soon.

Metabolic Syndrome... yuck!


WC

[HALLIEBETH87]

I have gained SO much weight from meds. I mean, I know its not all from meds but most of it is! Especially anti-ps!
I really wish your work could help you lose the weight you wish to lose without restricting meals. I worry about you a lot about that. I just don't really say it. I love you so much friend! Its my hope that things will look up for you soon.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

Yeah so that.

I’m stuck in the vicious mess. And pdocs wonder why we just toss our meds!!????!!!!!!!

Strict diets and up until this past week exercise in place. No help. At. All.

I’m certain if things don’t change I will restrict food to the max and honestly not sure how bad it will effect my whole body this time, last go around was just shy of a feeding tube. Getting to where that doesn’t matter

Gotta love psych meds

(((((( ~Christina ))))))

You are loved!


WC

[~Christina]

Thanks everyone !

We tried Metforum twice but caused major GI problems so that’s a no go.

I’m just so frustrated and depressed.... not all over this weight problem but it’s certainly not helping.

I’m sorry for anyone suffering this hell also

[TheSeaCat]

I'm sorry that you are going through this. I think the list is longer for tossing medication than staying on some of these medications. It feels like no matter how good we diet or exercise our medication is going to do something and what most pdocs fail to realize is we don't want our wait to play a role because it does in fact lead to depression.

[pirilin]

I'm gonna tell you a story that probably doesn't have anything to do with what you're going thru.

Here it goes anyway.

I'm in the waiting room of my GP's office, and out comes a man maybe in his 70s.
He was a a dynamo full of energy. Strong and well built.

I was feeling "weak". (That was depression, but nobody ever told me. Depression was for women only at the time.)

Anyway, when the man leaves, I tell the doctor I need to eat what's he's eating.
"All he eats is fried pork from his farm".
"He has a wood barrel full of pork lard, and fries the pork in chunks and keeps it in there."
"That's his fridge".

"How bout high cholesterol doc?".

"That animal doesn't know what cholesterol is". "How can he have it".

"He comes here every year for a check up. Forced by his wife".
"Every year he is as healthy as a working ox".

"Sometimes is better not to know much, hey doc".
He nodded.

I hope everything goes better for you. All my love.

Cheers.

[Blueberrybook]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

Yeah so that.

I’m stuck in the vicious mess. And pdocs wonder why we just toss our meds!!????!!!!!!!

Strict diets and up until this past week exercise in place. No help. At. All.

I’m certain if things don’t change I will restrict food to the max and honestly not sure how bad it will effect my whole body this time, last go around was just shy of a feeding tube. Getting to where that doesn’t matter

Gotta love psych meds

You've got to take care of yourself and not go back to restricting food as it does recur for me worse and worse with time (more the overexercise in my case), and if you almost needed a feeding tube, that is bad. That's where I was my first time around, probably did need a tube, I was just not in a hospital. I pulled out on my own, and it is still the hardest thing I have done in my life.

The pdoc wasn't happy with my weight a couple weeks ago, gave my the options to gain weight over the next 2 weeks, take Remeron, or go to the psych hospital. I stopped the exercise, started gaining again as hard as it is. I have flat out told my pdocs they can prescribe me meds that cause me to gain weight (so far it's only been Remeron that affects me that way), but they can be sure I will not take them. That stupid Remeron never made me fill full, a bad thing when trying to get over an eating disorder, and then it just turned me to bulimic tendencies before I just stopped taking it.

Can you can in to see your pdoc sooner by calling in saying you have an urgent matter? Or can you ask the staff to have your pdoc call you over an urgent issue? Then, maybe the pdoc will do an earlier appt., mine even makes slight med changes over the phone (sometimes lowering or upping a med he prescribed if I have enough, doing an insurance over-ride if I need more, and if it requires a different prescription, sends it in to my pharmacy. Getting depressed, worrying about food restriction, strict dieting, overexercising are not good. Maybe tell the staff you need to come in as you feel you badly need a meds adustment, I'd tell the pdoc more if you talk to him/her on the phone, all the issues you mention above. Or if the pdoc has an emergency number you can call, call it. Shifting to depressive or maybe mixed, exercise/diet that you are nearly certain will cause an ED relapse, explaining how bad it was before. During an appointment, I'd also tell the pdoc which med/meds you feel are causing weight gain or the feeling to stop the psych meds altogether, and if the pdoc can try you on different meds. Sometimes even meds that didn't work for me in the past now do on this cocktail and probably hormonal changes getting older. Flat out tell the pdoc if you feel a med is making you gain weight, they can prescribe it, but they can be sure you will not take it. I have found this is quite effective with pdocs, even when I had to use the sucky state free to very small sliding scale when you could afford it (not the best of care but the pdocs listened to that) county system in grad school. I am not sure how you feel about your pdoc, how good the pdoc is, if they will do things like I wrote above.

My relapses have been less extreme than my first go-round, each not as bad as the one before, but still bad enough.

I really do urge you to get in ASAP with your pdoc, as you do not sound to be in a good place at all.

Maybe you could need a change of fibro meds from your rheumatologist as you also seem to be in bad physical pain too, which I am sure does not help bipolar at all, go see your PCP for a blood workup checking not just the normal thyroid stuff but everything with your thyroid (there are more tests than the standard they can run that can reveal thyroid issues the normal tests do not, maybe female hormone levels too, all your vitamins, electrolytes, especially B6 (not often tested for but I had B6 toxicity from too much in my system before pregnancy, and it really sucked bad and did not help my mental health situation either, causing weight gain, swelling, tingling in the extremities, fatigue worse than ever, severe Raynaud's phemonen). The cure was to stop taking B6 (had a women's multi-vitamin that amped it up, plus gym drinks pre-workout, maybe after too, that took ages to get over, even had it after my daughter was born for about another year; now I have it tested to be sure I'm OK; lately it has been fine with taking a normal women's one-a-day vitamin). H is low on B12, but I think that one they test; he has to have B12 injections now but feels they are helping. Try to get an EKG, just to be sure of your heart.

Hang in there

[*Laurie*]

Geez, Blueberry book...where do you get the energy to write all your posts? I think you're a candidate to write the Great American Novel.

Christina, that sounds terrible. Seriously, why, why don't pdocs understand? Maybe they're simply afraid of losing many of their patients.

[Blueberrybook]

Originally Posted by *Laurie*

Geez, Blueberry book...where do you get the energy to write all your posts? I think you're a candidate to write the Great American Novel.

Christina, that sounds terrible. Seriously, why, why don't pdocs understand? Maybe they're simply afraid of losing many of their patients.

I used to write a lot of short stories in high school all the time. I really wanted to major in English instead of Microbiology. I let my father push me into the microbiology major. I was smart, it was OK, but I really had wanted to study English, perhaps teach as an adjunct later. Now the meds have zapped my creativity in the area of writing short stories and poetry.

Although the long writing can be a sign of hypomania too. Once I had it so bad, it was the automatic writing thing, hours & hours nonstop, and I couldn't quit. But this I can stop.

Originally Posted by Blueberrybook

I used to write a lot of short stories in high school all the time. I really wanted to major in English instead of Microbiology. I let my father push me into the microbiology major. I was smart, it was OK, but I really had wanted to study English, perhaps teach as an adjunct later. Now the meds have zapped my creativity in the area of writing short stories and poetry.

Although the long writing can be a sign of hypomania too. Once I had it so bad, it was the automatic writing thing, hours & hours nonstop, and I couldn't quit. But this I can stop.

Writing is wonderful and therapeutic! I write a lot, too. Many of my posts are also long, and they are numerous. My post count here at PC is not that high, but on another bipolar support forum site they number almost 13,000 and I've also posted thousands of posts on other forums, too. When I couldn't get enough writing at those, I started a blog where I've since posted almost 300 posts that average between 500 and 1,200 words. And those are articles, poetic prose, and other types of writing.

I sometimes have hypergraphia from hypomania and mania. Sometimes it's just a release. I call it the "dance and flight of my fingers on my keyboard".

I wrote a bit about hypergraphia and my love of talking and writing in my blog post Writing and/or Talking A Lot! Hypergraphia or Pressured Speech? – Bird Flight

[liveforsummer]

Hugs ~Christina

[Blueberrybook]

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

Writing is wonderful and therapeutic! I write a lot, too. Many of my posts are also long, and they are numerous. My post count here at PC is not that high, but on another bipolar support forum site they number almost 13,000 and I've also posted thousands of posts on other forums, too. When I couldn't get enough writing at those, I started a blog where I've since posted almost 300 posts that average between 500 and 1,200 words. And those are articles, poetic prose, and other types of writing.

I sometimes have hypergraphia from hypomania and mania. Sometimes it's just a release. I call it the "dance and flight of my fingers on my keyboard".

I wrote a bit about hypergraphia and my love of talking and writing in my blog post Writing and/or Talking A Lot! Hypergraphia or Pressured Speech? – Bird Flight

Yeah, and I tend to delete a lot from an even longer post before I submit my posts. That deleted stuff never gets seen. That would give me posts close to an essay, depending.

[~Christina]

Sorry Blueberry I just can’t read all your long posts , depression is in full force.

Have you thought about a blog ?

[Blueberrybook]

I did a blog once, it was too much pressure.

My advice to you was to see if you can get an appointment with your pdoc ASAP for a meds overhaul.

Since I have a history of EDs, I flat out tell every pdoc they can prescribe me stuff, but if I feel the med is making me gain weight, they can be sure I will not take it and/or go back to ED habits if I have complained about it with relation to weight gain. Most pdocs have respected this.

[Unrigged64072835]

Ugh, been dealing with that even before I went on meds. My new GP raised Lipitor trying to get the triglycerides down. GI doc wants me back on PPIs and an anti-reflux diet, not mentioning my elevated liver enzyme levels. I'm not on APs anymore and still dealing with the effects.

[*Laurie*]

This is off topic, but I'll mention it, anyway. I have a hard time reading the really long posts. Honestly, it takes an exceptionally gifted writer to pull them off. A true storyteller. As in, "I'd check this book out of the library" entertaining and insightful.

I think a blog is a great idea for many people. Putting a link to your blog in your sig is nice.

[~Christina]

Originally Posted by Fharraige

Ugh, been dealing with that even before I went on meds. My new GP raised Lipitor trying to get the triglycerides down. GI doc wants me back on PPIs and an anti-reflux diet, not mentioning my elevated liver enzyme levels. I'm not on APs anymore and still dealing with the effects.

Sorry that you are also dealing with problems too even after you stopped the AP’s

I get lab work every 6 weeks for taking Enbrel shots. So there is a close watch on my liver and kidneys.

Life shouldn’t be so hard.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by Fharraige

Ugh, been dealing with that even before I went on meds. My new GP raised Lipitor trying to get the triglycerides down. GI doc wants me back on PPIs and an anti-reflux diet, not mentioning my elevated liver enzyme levels. I'm not on APs anymore and still dealing with the effects.

My heart goes out to you.

WC

[Blueberrybook]

Originally Posted by Fharraige

Ugh, been dealing with that even before I went on meds. My new GP raised Lipitor trying to get the triglycerides down. GI doc wants me back on PPIs and an anti-reflux diet, not mentioning my elevated liver enzyme levels. I'm not on APs anymore and still dealing with the effects.

My husband (eats healthy most of the time and is thin has cholesterol problems, had them start in his 30s, but his dad got cholesterol issues young too). I think he may take generic Crestor, not sure of the brand.

A lot of cholesterol medications will decrease your cholesterol but make your triglycerides higher. H's doc told him to take fish oil pills daily, and that has put his triglycerides in the normal range. She did not up his cholesterol med. He takes 2 fish oil pills of 1000 mg each, each with 300 Omega-3s; he uses NatureMade brand, the burpless variety. Has your GP even suggested the fish oil route? There are articles about this on the internet if you do searches for statins, triglycerides, fish oil/omega-3, cholesterol; you have to search the terms in different combos, but the fish oil/omega 3 has a role in triglycerides, maybe even bad cholesterol. You should do some searches on this.