[lenjan]

Are there any meds used for bipolar that *won't* make you gain weight? The second time around with Risperdal, I'm having that particularly unlovely side effect of wanting to eat everything, all the time -- and since I'm already at least 80 lbs. overweight, I don't need to add any more poundage. (Nor does my barely-extant self-esteem need the hit.)

Don't have a pdoc appt. till the 27th, but can call before then and ask to switch to something else. I can't take Lamictal anymore, Trileptal and Topamax didn't work, and I had every side effect under the sun with Depakote. What's left?!

thanks

CB

I'm on Abilify. It's supposed to be "weight neutral" but I & several people in my suppost group have put on weight with it--50 lbs. for me--but it's the only med that worked with the delusional thinking without the side effects of extreme dizziness & sleepiness (particularly Geodon) or kidney malfunction (Lithium).--Suzy

[psisci]

Abilify is the best...

[Pughead]

My pdoc put me on Wellbutrin and that has helped to counter the effects of depakote. I have actually lost a few pounds since being on it. But the "good" effects of wellbutrin seem to have diminished already (i.e. being alert, feeling upbeat, decrease in appetite).

[WinterRose]

Sorry you can't take Lamictal anymore. That one has been good for me. Abilify also doesn't seem to cause me any weight gain. I took Wellbutrin, but can't recall if it did or not.

[Zen888]

Hi candybear

Weight gain is common with most p.meds...even though many pdocs won't admit it.

Look into taking lamictal and celexa for your condition.

[lenjan]

Lamictal nearly killed me, so that's kind of out of the question, and Celexa is too wimpy for my depression!

[WinterRose]

Have you tried Adderall? It's supposed to work well - but I don't know about weight gain. I tried it, but for me I got more depressed. If you haven't tried that one, it's worth asking about.

[darkeyes]

Haven't gained weight from Lamictal, where Depakote was a nightmare, I love Lamictal for this reason and the fact it doesn't "zombify" me. But not all meds work for all people.
Keep the faith.

[Psychotic_Phil]

I had horrible side effects with Abilify. (I barely slept, I was nauseated, felt dizzy and drowsy.) I would not recommend it. And that was at 5 mg.

[Cheri]

What about Topamax? (oops, nevermind the Topamax, I just reread your post)

I take Abilify, and it has been weight-neutral (after gaining on both Zyprexa and Seroquel), but have to agree with Phil that some of the side-effects can be bothersome--at least for some of us. I've been on it about 8 months, but it took around 4 months to get past the insomnia to the point where I can sleep more than 2-3 hours at a time, and even now need Lunesta to supplement some nights. Other than that, it's been a great mood stabilizer for me.

[Psychotic_Phil]

I suppose Tegretol wouldn't work because Trileptal didn't.

[polarbear206]

Most of these meds are notorious for causing insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. One of the meds on the front burner they are using is Glucophage (diabetes med) to counteract the side effects of weight gain. You can gather some more info on this by going to Psycheducation.org. Topamax is your best bet, however it has been known to cause more cognitive side effects for some people.

Polarbear

Psychiatric nurse

[polarbear206]

Oops, you already tried Topamax. If the other suggustions don't work, you could try to reintroduce the topamax at a lower dose in conjunction with another mood stabilizer in hopes to cancel out the side effects of weight gain. Many have done this with success. Have you tried this in the past?

[psisci]

Polar bear, I heard about the glucophage thing, have you seen it work?

[lenjan]

I punted the Risperdal and got switched to Seroquel about 6 weeks ago and am eating normally again. It's even sort of working on my mood . But thank you all for the tips! Now that it's warm out, I'm hoping to start walking more and get rid of some of this weight.