[MusicLover82]

Hi, Friends!

I recently moved from a small city in Alabama to a big city up north. BIG changes all around. Plus, my Lithium has started messing with my kidneys (I now have diabetes inspidus), so I'm getting off the Lithium (a gradual tapering by my psychiatrist). I was FREAKING OUT about this upcoming change, and my anxiety got very high. I lost about 10 lbs just from severe anxiety alone.

My psychiatrist has increased my Risperdal a little, and I've gained about 5-7 lbs. in a week (and I'm already obese), but some of that might be me bouncing back after extreme anxiety/loss of appetite. But now I feel such peace and calm. I want to stay on this amount of Risperdal and just fight with my weight. Is it possible? I've joined a gym and I start tomorrow. I could count calories or join WW. What do you guys think?

P.S. Are there other antipsychotics that might not be so much of weight-gainers that my doctor and I should consider when she needs to add more meds to replace the Lithium?

Hi MusicLover. I'm sorry that the Lithium affected your kidneys. I was eventually taken off because of kidney issues, too.

Only you'll figure out if the 5 lb gain is a foreshadowing of more weight gain to come. I will say this, I can easily lose and gain 3 lbs in one week (or even 1 day) only because of the time of month or other relatively innocent factors. Because of this, I try not to panic that quickly. I hope that over the next few weeks you'll see if such weight gain actually continues.If so, then I hope you can find a more weight friendly option.

What's weight friendly for some isn't for others. I think Geodon and Latuda tend to be weight friendly for most people. Abilify was weight friendly for me, but I read others say it wasn't for them. I'm not sure you'd want to try a 1st generation, or if they would even be useful for you. They are more for people where mania is the biggest problem.Some of those are weight friendly, but have other serious potential side effects. Geodon, Latuda, and Abilify are often good choices for either bp1 or bp2 and I believe have a comparatively friendlier side effect profile. But not perfect!

[bpforever1]

well, most antipsychotic medications cause weight gain. I have taken most of them and gained the most on risperdal and zyprexa. I'm now on abilify but am not skinny. I'm chubby and will focus on losing the excess weight. It takes a lot of will power to lose weight while on aps. So,you need to muster all of your motivation and stop eating more and eating healthier while exercising. Its sounds simple but it is really hard to adhere such a plan. I wish you the best and go to the gym and diet!

[~Christina]

Risperdal caused weight gain in the first 2 weeks and I started lactating LOL yeah I dumped it

Invega which is a refined version of Risperdal was weight neutral and no issues with prolactin levels.

Honestly it was one of the better Med combos I had found, you know how most all meds carry the side effect of dry mouth? Well not so much with Invega, it lists drooling as a possible side effect.

While I was thrilled my dry mouth and the constant pain wasn’t a problem o had to lay a towel over my pillow at night, eventually I got a rash all around my lips and skin just cracked and would bleed. Chelititis it’s caused by drooling. That happened about 9 months into taking it.

Now not everyone will drool as much and not everyone will get that awful rash.

I’ve never heard anyone complain of weight gain in it.

Might be worth asking your Doctor about. Some insurance companies require people try Risperdal first because Invega is expensive, it’s also available in a monthly shot which many people like.

Just something to think about.

[bpcyclist]

I have been mostly on Abilify for about 10 years or so. My weight has remained at 190 the entire time. I do exercise a fair bit.

[splitimage]

It is possible to lose weight while on Risperidone. I'm on it, and a bunch of other meds that have weight gain as a side effect.

I've been heavy all my adult weight and when I first went on meds, I gained weight but then eventually stabilized and stopped gaining.

About 18 months ago, I decided I wasn't happy with my weight and so went to a registered dietician. We put together a food plan for me, that really worked. I lost 30 lbs over about a 6 month period and kept the weight off.


Now I've decided that I want to lose more, so I'm going back to see her.

splitimage

[Mountaindewed]

Can you take the risperdal at like 1 in the morning while your sleeping? My birth control makes me eat everything the entire kitchen. Last night I decided to not take it with the rest of my meds. I only ate a can of soup and I was fine. I then took my birth control at 1AM while I was sleeping. Maybe if you do it that way the hunger affects won’t be that bad.

[sarahsweets]

I take Geodon which has been the most weight neutral for me and doesnt leave me feeling starving.