I am looking for medication for Bipolar / manic depression that does not cause weight gain. I have been on several different medications and they have caused weight gain...I have gone from 125lbs to 205lbs in 1 year. Some please help!!
2007-06-04 01:53:30 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
I am looking for ideas to discuss with my doctor to see what he recommends. I don't know much about the medications and am hoping that someone that is actually on the medication could give me some recommendations to look at.
2007-06-04 02:08:00 · update #1
Also, I don't eat a lot and what I do it is not high in calories. I watch my diet very closely because of my concern of gaining the weight.
2007-06-04 02:09:04 · update #2
Hi, there are unfortunately very few medications that do not cause weight gain. I can understand your situation. I gained 40lbs in 6months on Lithium, while eating the same, and exercising more than i had before i went on lithium, so it is possible if your body reacted that way. Also, you want to make sure the medications you consider actually TREAT bi-polar. One option that is sopposed to have a weight loss effect, although not significant, should prevent you from gaining weight on it, is Topamax, which IS used for bi-polar. Thats really the only one im aware of that does not have weight gain as a side effect. Talk to your Dr about it and see if it would be a good fit for you. It works out well for me personally.
2007-06-04 04:37:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The kind of weight gain you mention is totally out of the range of any Bipolar med; could it be that there was some issue in your life that you tried to self medicate with food at the same time you were dealing with you Bipolar disorder?
"A new retrospective study has found that the correlation between newer antipsychotic medications and weight gain can be attributed to an increased caloric intake, rather than a change in metabolic rate.."
See much more about weight gain, normal weight gain on meds, and how to reduce it at the site below.
2007-06-04 02:01:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
A new anti-psychotic medication that works similarly to Zyprexa called Geodon. Unlike Zyprexa, there is little to no weight gain with Geodon. Geodon also is not very sedating nor does it decrease mental acuity. It may be worth asking your doctor about it. Preliminary trials suggest it is effective in manic depression, too.
2007-06-04 02:01:15 · answer #3 · answered by Megan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps you should also discuss with your doctor about your weight gain at the same time. Tell him that this is also your concern and see if he can help you in totality - both with bipolar and weight issues.
To learn more about your condition and appropriate medications, here is a reference category section of bipolar research that you can refer to
http://www.healthandwellnesscentral.com/Category/Bipolar-Disorder/121
2007-06-04 02:18:43 · answer #4 · answered by mindalchemy 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
See http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris on page 2: I'd try Lithium carbonate, or citrate, as the mood stabiliser, and practise the treatments for depression, as shown above bipolar disorder, since they involve no psychopharmaceuticals. Taper off current medications gradually!
2007-06-04 02:02:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you haven't already been on this ask your doctor about Wellbutrin. I was 310. I am down to 220. But, it's not the medicine alone, of coarse you need to eat right and exercise. Feel free to email if you want any tips. Good Luck
2007-06-04 02:04:18 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would think your physician could help you find a medicine that wouln't make you gain weight and really, I would trust a doctor's opinion over any advice you'd get on these forums.
2007-06-04 01:58:25 · answer #7 · answered by Dr_M_VanNostrand 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋