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Member Since Feb 2008
Posts: 3
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Feb 12, 2008 at 05:46 PM
#1
Hi. I'm 44 and have been diagnosed with just depression most of my life. Now my new doc says I am Bipolar II and just started me on Lithium. I have been reading about weight gain as a side effect and that worries me. Anybody have any experience with lithium and weight gain??
Oh I also take Lamictal which I have been on for several years with no side effects. |
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 DaveyJones
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Member Since Jan 2008
Location: WA, USA
Posts: 219
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Feb 12, 2008 at 09:53 PM
#2
I've tried Lithium in the past and never gained weight and I'm the type of person that if the side effect is to gain weight I always gain weight. I have tried both Lithium Citrate and Lithium Carbonate and had side effects other than weight gain on both. On Lithium Citrate I got really bad hives, while Lithium Carbonate sent me into a hypo-manic episode. I'm on Lamictal too and apart from the really dry skin and fear of rash I really enjoy the way I feel. Good luck with the new meds!
__________________  "Just living is not enough," said the butterfly. "One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower." - Hans Christian Andersen |
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Poohbah
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Feb 13, 2008 at 09:29 AM
#3
I'm on lithium carbonate, have been since August 2007 and have not gained weight. It's been very helpful for me, balancing out my moods. Hope it works for you too!
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Member
Member Since Dec 2007
Location: Las Vegas, NV
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Feb 14, 2008 at 12:43 AM
#4
I take lithium carbonate, no weight gain here either.
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New Member
Member Since Feb 2008
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Feb 15, 2008 at 03:06 PM
#5
You don't know how good it is to hear that you guys haven't gained weight because if I did I would get depresed which would defeat the whole purpose!!!
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Member
Member Since Jan 2008
Location: WA, USA
Posts: 219
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Feb 15, 2008 at 03:44 PM
#6
Just a heads up, if you are looking to avoid weight gain, think twice if you are recommended Zyprexa. I gained 20 pounds in 5 days on that stuff and bloated something awful (I could barely get my feet in my shoes - I actually couldn't tie them).
__________________ "Just living is not enough," said the butterfly. "One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower." - Hans Christian Andersen |
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Member
Member Since Jan 2008
Location: TX,USA
Posts: 27
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Feb 15, 2008 at 09:55 PM
#7
i have had no problem with weight gain!!
__________________ Bri-14 i'm bipolar 1 w/ sicotic tenities. i have been in 6 hospitals and 2 rtc. i live w/ my brother and parents. i have a past of self harm and suiside attempts. doing better dealling with a seperation of a close boy friend. |
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who reads this, anyway?
Member Since Oct 2006
Location: Appalachia
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Feb 16, 2008 at 02:08 AM
#8
I took Lithium a couple of times. Both times I got toxic. The worst part of the toxemia was the itching. Every inch of my body itched.
Be sure your doctor is checking your levels every so often. Talk to him/her about the frequency when it should be checked. It seems to be a good drug for many but not for me personally. __________________ The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well. anonymous |
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Junior Member
Member Since Feb 2008
Location: tennessee
Posts: 16
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Feb 18, 2008 at 11:19 AM
#9
i am on lithium carb 450 mg 2 times a day and a few other meds i have put on almost 50 pounds since november when i started it and my moods cycle worse then ever cause of the weight gain
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Grand Member
Member Since Feb 2005
Posts: 769
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Feb 20, 2008 at 05:13 PM
#10
No weight gain (other than from aging and alcohol) in 25 years of use. I have started to have a little tremmor in my hands but it may be nerves cause it goes away. Here is my worst side effect, dry mouth which can cause, you guessed it, bad breath. Bummer. Maybe this is not a problem for everyone. But I have to be vigilant at drinking fluids, taking mints etc to manage this. Kind of embarassing, but this is not an uncommon problem for anyone having to take medications. Then again, I would be in the hospital without lithium.
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New Member
Member Since Feb 2008
Posts: 2
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Feb 21, 2008 at 02:28 PM
#11
<font color="#880000"> Lets see i take it about 1500mg everyday. Weight gain is big, acne can start back up and need for water. i just had to be drinking all the time. Have the doctor check your thyroid before and after. And your kindeys too as it can play with that. just keep an eye on some stuff.
 </font>
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New Member
Member Since Feb 2008
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Feb 23, 2008 at 11:55 AM
#12
not everyone gains weight on lithium. the very first time i was on it, i actually lost weight
it can increase your thirst, so you want to be careful what you drink- if you end up drinking high calorie sodas and juices, you will probably gain wt. i ended up gaining wt later on, because lithium made me thirsty and only milk seemed to quench my thirst. even though i only drank skim milk, i drank a LOT and put on about 15 to 20lbs (which i have since lost) lithium will increase your blood volume initially and this can make you feel bloated. but the wt gain from this should not be more than 8 lbs or so. good luck! i think lithium saved my life, and i am looking forward to being on it again sometime soon |
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New Member
Member Since May 2012
Posts: 1
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May 28, 2012 at 12:51 PM
#13
Quote:
Re: Schatje's comment, I totally agree, if you want to avoid weight gain stay away from Zyprexa. I have been on it for over a year, and I have gain about 35 lbs. I haven't stopped taking either of them though, anything is better than being locked in the hospital. |
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Member Since May 2012
Location: Florida
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May 28, 2012 at 03:03 PM
#14
Quote:
__________________ ________________ lemictal cymbalta trazedone bipolar I |
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May 29, 2012 at 10:36 AM
#15
I didn't gain any weight on lithium either, I've been on it for seven years.
I do get hand tremors often, and deal with acne which cropped up shortly after I started taking it. I haven't had a lit of side effects from lithium tho. The biggest thing for me is that I did with chronic pain and inflammation and you cannot take NSAID's with lithium as it raises lithium levels. |
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Magnate
Member Since Feb 2011
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May 29, 2012 at 10:58 AM
#16
I have ance from lithium. Havent gained weight, though. If regular lithium makes you sick, ask for extended release. I got sick in regular and had a metallic taste in my mouth, but dont with extended release. It isnt very expensive either. (Maybe 20 dollars for 90 300mg)
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Elder
Member Since Nov 2011
Location: I live in my head. :P
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May 29, 2012 at 01:42 PM
#17
I didn't gain weight on lithium. I was just tremors, thirsty, and having to use the bathroom a lot as a result. I was on it for a year, from 300 mg to 1200 mg.
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Legendary
Member Since May 2010
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May 29, 2012 at 01:57 PM
#18
No weight gain here either. Excessive thirst, that lasted a few weeks. Pimples and omw for the 1st time in my life, BACKNE. Tremors became unbearable, seriously, I couldn't even pour coffee without spilling and nearly burning, my spelling was suddenly atrocious, I had hectic memory loss, couldn't remember 3 items to get at the shop, and would lose well known words... Everything's back to normal now tho
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Member
Member Since Apr 2012
Location: Albany, NY
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May 30, 2012 at 06:48 PM
#19
I had little bit of weight gain on lithium. I also get very thirsty and have acne from it. So far I have been on it for a year and the weight gain was not severe.
__________________ Bipolar I dx May 23, 2011 Lithium ER -450 am, 450pm Tegretol XR -400 am, 400 pm Ativan- 1mg PRN, anxiety/sleep New.. Lamictal for migraines Fioricet for migraines |
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Member
Member Since Apr 2012
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 59
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May 30, 2012 at 07:23 PM
#20
No weight gain here on my lithium and seroquel although I can't lose weight and I also can get the tremors
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