I am Bipolar but am worried that the treatment meds will make me gain weight...y!
Question: There are 3-4 meds I can choose from: lithium, elanzapine (sp), and another one that starts with a....I forget lol. I am scared to take them because of the side effects...help
Answers: There are 3-4 meds I can choose from: lithium, elanzapine (sp), and another one that starts with a....I forget lol. I am scared to take them because of the side effects...help
I believe OLANZAPINE is the correct spelling and it is the generic for Zyprexa, one of the meds that can make you gain a lot of weight. Another med with lots of side effects and weight gain is Depakote (valproic acid). I am not sure why you are being started on these, as there are other meds with less side effects available. Lithium has different side effects, and does require regular blood work because if levels are too low it wont help, too high and it's toxic. However, many people are helped by Lithium. It can affect your thyroid function, so make sure you MD checks those levels or sends you to an endocrinologist for monitoring. I would talk to your MD about trying something besides Zyprexa to begin with. Abilify (aripriprazole) has been very good for my daughter and nephew, both of whom are Bipolar. They take it in combination with Lamictal (lamotrigine). My daughter also takes Seroquel (quetiapine). She has taken Geodon as well. The worst side effects were with Depakote--fast, serious weight gain (not just 2-3 lbs, we're talking 20 to 30 lbs in a short time). She has gained weight with Seroquel, too, as she is on a pretty high dose, but nothing like Depakote. Also, Depakote (and I believe Zyprexa) are associated with with something called polycystic ovarian syndrome, a serious metabolic (hormonal) disorder with lots of nasty repercussions like infertility, obesity, diabetes, etc. I would not prescribe either to a female patient until trying other options.
You need the meds; bipolar doesn't resolve on its own, believe me. We've been through this before. You may have to try many different combinations and dosages until you get it right, but don't give up. Therapy is important, too. Good luck to you.
Why don't you work really hard and past what they call you, bipolar? I did it, you can too. Sadly, the side effects are what they are. You can get over being bipolar without medicines.
well would you rather have wacky emotions or gain 2 or 3 pounds
my twin has bipolar and has not gained any weight but yet just kept at her sports and is still 120 pounds
everyone reacts to medications differently. Is Geodon the other medication you will take. That is generally the medication that makes most people with bipolar gain weight. Yet again. it could make you gain weight, it might mot. It is all how your body reacts to the medication. My suggestion, start the med and keep close watch to your weight. If it starts to rapidly increase, talk with your doctor about discontinuing it. Remember, you are the boss of your treatment program. If you dont want to take a med, its your call.
Hi,
I'm also bipolar with anxiety disorder. It took me a long time to find the right medication for me but now that I've found it, I'm finally able to live life.
None of the mood suppressants or anti-depressants made me gain weight, however, some seemed to effect my 'hunger messages'. Do you find when you're manic you forget to eat and when you're depressed sometimes you over-eat and sometimes you can't eat at all? I guess we're all different, but the drugs seemed to put my eating habits back to normal so I was more in control of when and what I ate and I didn't get the hunger pains or cravings anymore.
A friend of mine with schizophrenia has found that some anti-psychotic drugs made her gain weight and feel bloated. I've only tried lithium from your above list. It didn't work for me (I felt brain dead, couldn't connect ideas and was still v depressed) but it didn't make me gain weight and it may be perfect for you.
Hopefully, you'll find the right drug for you among the choices your doctor has offered you, if it takes time don't lose heart. Good luck :)
Bipolar has a 15-20% suicide rate.
It is a progressive illness (gets worse) if left untreated.
So, it goes like this:
Medicated = normal life
Unmedicated = periods of suicidal depression, periods of crazier than a mo'fer, decreasing periods of normal as you age, increasing mixed states (depressed and manic at the same time, also known as hell), and rapid cycling (up, mixed, down many times a year or month or even day). All that leads to A. medicated to the gills and still a little crazy w/some loss in cognitive functioning, B. crazy lady on the street, or C. dead. Unfortunately, this isn't an exaggeration.
If you want info about medication, this is a good website http://www.crazymeds.us
Zyprexa and Depakote for a small number can cause metabolic changes. For most, weight issues for these meds and all others can be managed with a little extra dieting and exercise. It isn't that big of a deal.
As for med to try, I'd go with Lithium. It is the most neuroprotective. That means it does the most to protect your brain and may even help repair some of the damage.
~bipolar
I've been bipolar for 5 yrs and have been on so many meds. The meds that Im on now is Lexapro. Alot of these meds do have some side effects but once the meds get in your system and start helping you then the side effects usually go away. If I where you I would speak with your doctor and tell him or her the reasons that you don't want to take meds and they can work with you and find something that you both can agree on, but when a person is bipolar it's very important to be on meds because if your not and you have a bad day anything can happen. Good luck to you. I've been where you are.
lamictal and welbutrin are the ones that make you gain the least i believe