[lotusflames]

I'm sure in a week my pdoc and cpn are gonna tell me i need a mood stabiliser added to my mix.

i already take 45mg mirtazapine
200mg seroquel in the morning
300 mg seroquel in an evening

if she suggests a mood stabiliser then what? i dont wanna go on lithium or depakote. what's my options?

[awakeanddreaming]

Is there a particular reason you don't want to go on lithium or depakote? I've heard some people have good results on lamictal. Why do you think they're going to tell you you need a mood stabilizer. Do YOU think you need one?

[lotusflames]

i already have problems witgh my liver (due to overdosing and a gallstone) and i know both cause huge weight gain which i can't afford as i'm already obese.

i need something to stop the rapid swinging / cycling.

[owllover99]

I've heard stories about depakote and I couldn't take it. Seroquel makes you gain weight if I remember right. I had a bad experience with it. I've been on Lithium for quite a while and haven't gained a bunch of weight. Now I'm fat, but it's not because of my medicines. I was big ( size 18-20) before I took Lithium. And I'm still about the same size.

[Eliza Jane]

I agree w/ the above poster that said that Seroquel can be responsible for significant weight gain.

I too have taken Lithium w/o weight gain, but that still might not be an option due to your other concerns.

Some people find an antipsychotic, like Seroquel, adequate to control swinging and cycling. If that is not helping, maybe your pdoc can switch you to another AP rather than adding something new (lots of people like abilify). It doesn't work for everyone, but it works for some.

Good luck!
EJ

[netsavy006]

I've not had weight issues with Lithium and I've been on it for over a year and a half now. I've actually lost a few pounds in the period of time.

Plus Lithium doesn't is heavily worked though the kidneys.

Other mood stabilizer options are Lamictal, Tegratol, Trileptal, Neurontin, and Topamax.

I wish you luck.

[looking4polaris]

Trileptal works great for me and I have not gained any weight. I also take Geodon. Weight gain is a big issue for me because I am already obese from weight gain on previously tried meds and I will not take any meds that cause further weight gain. I haven't had any problems at all with Trileptal. I also take a low dose of Topamax for migraines and had no weight gain with that.

Good luck.

[Maxime]

Trileptal is usually weight gain free. I take that now. I was on Lithium for a month and I gained 20 pounds. It was awful. But I know that there are people who take Lithium and have no weight gain. I guess it depends on your body. Check out this site on mood stabilisers:
http://home.comcast.net/~pmbrig/BP_pharm.html I find it helpful.

It's funny, my doctor used Seroquel as a mood stabliser for me. Will you be coming off the Seroquel?