[ChaoticMind80]

I am so frustrated & depressed. After losing 90 pounds, I soon started on the meds for my bpd & bipolar. Now, Ive gained close to 40 pounds back. I feel disgusting, like severely bloated & I can tell my breathing has changed just from that 40 pound weight gain. blah!
Anyone have a large weight gain after starting meds, & have you lost any of that weight? If so, how did you do it while staying on the meds?
What meds made you gain the weight, & if youve had weight gain from any of the following meds, please let me know. Thanks!!
Risperdal
Lamictal
Prozac
Lithium

[lotusflames]

lithium causes water retention which might explain the bloated feeling

[ChaoticMind80]

Thanks, I didnt even know lithium caused water retention. Maybe an OTC water pill would help???

[lotusflames]

i wouldn't! Lots of things interact with lithium. if you want to try anything you need to see your gp / dr and ask before you take something.

did you know you can't take ibuprofen either?

[ChaoticMind80]

I had NO IDEA that I couldnt take ibuprofen!!!!!!! Why is that?????? and what else cant I take?????

[lotusflames]

i sent you a message. i've got some stuff i could send you but it wont let me do it on here

[anna342]

All the side effects should be on the paper info things you got given with the meds.

Risperadal is associated with weight gain, as is lithium.

Speak to your dr who prescribed them and try work something out with them. A lot of psych drugs can cause weight gain/appetite changes.

[Martina]

If your pdoc can get free samples for you, see about switching the Risperdal to Invega. Invega is a derivative of Risperdal (as in - very similar, just better) and it has a lower instance of weight gain. But it's new, not generic, and VERY expensive....so don't ask for this unless you can get samples (or you have very amazing insurance!).

I haven't really gained weight on the Lithium, but then I was taking Topamax for almost the entire time I was on the Lithium.

You could ask about switching the Lamictal to Topamax, but we recently found out that Topamax can interact with the Lithium and cause depression...so, maybe not a great idea.

Other than that, the best advice is to just watch what you eat even more closely, and exercise a heck of a lot more.

I gained 75+ pounds on Zyprexa, after losing 75 the year before, so I know what you are going through. I lost 50 pounds in 2010 and still have another 50 pounds to go.

Oh yeah, and don't let them put you on Zyprexa. It is the WORST one for weight gain, and blood sugar.