What is your experience with taking mood stabilizers?

Question

I was recently diagnosed with being bipolar and I wanted to know what are the risks of taking a mood stabilizer? I researched them and found that most of them make you gain weight. Is that true? What is your experience with taking them? Is it worth the risk? I don't want to get fat because it will make me even more depressed but I do need help.

Answer 1

I've been taking Valproic Acid (mood stabilizer) for about 5 years, and for me, it changed my life for the better. I can't speak for everyone, of course, as all our brains are so different and react differently to all meds. I did not gain weight with this drug at all, but again, everyone is different. You may be able to combat the weight gain if you DO get it because if you are feeling better you could excercise to make up for it. As for Lithium, I was only on it for a couple of months, and I didn't gain weight, but two months isn't a very long time.

Answer 2

Hi. I am on Lithium and Tegretol. They have really helped me live a "normal" life.

Chances are you might gain some weight. I did. And it is hard to lose it. Some doctors say that the weight gain is because Lithium makes you thirsty and then people drink sugary drinks and gain weight. But there are no real studies saying either yes or no to that. I know that I CRAVE juice.

It you are prescribed Lithium, you might also eventually need to take thyroid medicine, because Lithium makes you hypothyroid. When you first start taking Lithium, you might be thirsty and have to goto the bathroom ALOT. But that will stop after the first couple of weeks.

With Lithium, Tegretol and Depekote, you have to have blood tests to make sure that you are in the right range. If you have too much of these drugs in your system, it can be bad. Normally you have blood tests every 3 months. In the beginnning, you might have them every month.

If you are Bipolar 2, you might be prescribed Lamictal. Supposedly that works for depression and it is supposed to be weight neutral, so you won't gain any weight. But you have to be careful of a rash, so your doctor will go VERY slowly when increasing doses.

Overall, mood stabilizers really do help. I feel SO MUCH better being on them. I feel in control.

It might take a while to find the right one, but they will help you.

Answer 3

Well, I have found that yes, they can make you gain weight, but you need to make a decision as to which is more important to you, your well-being, or your vanity. While you may gain a little bit of weight by taking modd stabalizers, you have to consider the downsides of not taking them. You could be hospitalized, you could go into an uncontrolable manic phase and wind up in jail or worse, maybe even dead, or you could go the exact oppposite way and end up in a drastc depressed stage where you don't come out of your house or room, you don't bath, you don't take care of yourself, maybe even so drastic as to commit suicide. This is really something that is serious, and vanity is not something that you really need to be worrying about at this point. Gaining weight happens to everyone regardless. Think about the extra stress that you might have to deal with if you aren't taking your medication? Extra stress can also cause you to pack on the pounds as well. What does it take to lose weight, extra excersie and better eating habits...if you are disciplined enough, I think you can handle it. You really do need to sit down and think about what is really more important here your looks or your health.

Answer 4

The thing w/alot of mood stabilizers,ect. is that u'll b like kinda doped up or whatever.When u wake up,u may want 2 eat.I take alot of pills 2 help me sleep.& they're the same way.I ussually eat Special K 4 breakfast.So,I've tried 2 get in the habit of if I want a snack,I'll grab some cereal.Fruit & yogert Special K works really great when u get a sweet craving.I also exersize almost everyday.I'd say that if u have a chance 2 get on something 2 help u,then go 4 it.I stay depressed.&,I have no insurance.Or else I wuld.U better believe it.

Answer 5

Hi, I would give a try, sometimes they have to change your medications until they get them right. Deal with getting the mood in control first. Then if there is any weight gain you can deal with that a lot easier. I know I was diagnosed 5 years ago. Hang in there it will get better it just takes time and patience.

Answer 6

Gaining weight is insignificant compared to your mental health. First things first. No one wants to get fat, but using that as an excuse to not take medication is just that, an excuse.
Bipolar people tend to make all kinds of excuses as to why they do not need their meds. Keeping a patient on meds is the hardest part of treating a bipolar patient, as when they are in the "high" phase, they often decide they no longer need the meds.
I have taken Klonopin for years with no weight gain. My antidpressent did increase my hunger, but compared to life w/o it, I can live with the extra pounds.
It can take a long time to find the right cocktail of medication and then it will need to be tweeked from time to time. Hang in there for all you are worth! Remember: not all people react to meds in the same way. Most negative reactions are in the 1 in 1,000 range.

Answer 7

I don't think modd stabilizers should make you gain weight. Controlling your bipolar disorder is far more important that the risk of weight gain.

Answer 8

I take Paxil and Clonazepam for depression and they honestly have saved my life.I did not gain a pound and I know lots of people on these drugs and they haven't gained weight.

Answer 9

I'm sure it is better than being unstable.