Is weight gain with Depakote inevitable?!
Question: I am a 22 yr old F just diagnosed with Bipolar1, am now taking 500 mg Depakote ( 1/2 the recommended doasge based on my weight to give it time to set in). I am 130 bs, and 5'4, after having 2 babies, ones about to turn 2 and my other daughter is 2.5 months. Ive heard all these horror stories of people gaining 50 lbs + on Depakote. Why is this? Does this drug slow down your metabolism? or it just increases your appetite or what? Ive always had good metabolism and very proportionate, perfect measurements, 36-26-34.. Is it just an inevitable fact that I will put on weight while using this mood stablalizer? Or does it depend on the person and their body/ metabolism/ eating habits? Im not one who will sit there and indulge in food, yet on the other hand I never counted calories, didnt need to excercise and enjoyed eating lots of junk food. So, do I now have to cut back, is my body going to store this fat/ sugar differently then it used to?? If so, are there any other mood stabalizers.....
Answers: I am a 22 yr old F just diagnosed with Bipolar1, am now taking 500 mg Depakote ( 1/2 the recommended doasge based on my weight to give it time to set in). I am 130 bs, and 5'4, after having 2 babies, ones about to turn 2 and my other daughter is 2.5 months. Ive heard all these horror stories of people gaining 50 lbs + on Depakote. Why is this? Does this drug slow down your metabolism? or it just increases your appetite or what? Ive always had good metabolism and very proportionate, perfect measurements, 36-26-34.. Is it just an inevitable fact that I will put on weight while using this mood stablalizer? Or does it depend on the person and their body/ metabolism/ eating habits? Im not one who will sit there and indulge in food, yet on the other hand I never counted calories, didnt need to excercise and enjoyed eating lots of junk food. So, do I now have to cut back, is my body going to store this fat/ sugar differently then it used to?? If so, are there any other mood stabalizers.....
It depends on the person. You should have an idea within a month if it's going to be a problem. As with ALL stabilizers, it's smart to start off planning to be on a somewhat of a diet and bump up the exercise a bit since many can add pounds if you aren't conscious of the potential.
Personally, Depakote gave me a very, very big appetite at first. I have gained weight, but nowhere near 50 lbs. I'm on 1000mg and am planning to talk to my doc next week about seeing if I can stay stable on a somewhat lower dose. That's me. It doesn't mean it's you. I also take a bunch of other meds. Lithium is to deal with the manic stuff. I really like it! It did put around 8 lbs on me in the first few weeks but it was water weight and came off over the next couple months. Lamictal is to deal with depression. No side effects except that I get stupid over 200mg. The Dep was added to deal with rapid cycling and it's done it's job. I could raise to replace Lithium, but no way! Anyway, give Depakote a fair trial (few months at least). If it not for you, my suggestion is Lithium. It is the most neuroprotective (protects your brain) of all the stabilizers. That counts for a lot. If it works for you, it's really good stuff.
Forgot to say, Topamax works better for migraines than Depakote for me. To bad it's not a stabilizer, too.
you might ask the doctor for a med change it cant be good for your health to gain alot of wt
it does slow a person down and up there hunger
everyone ive ever know on it gained
check with your doctor and www.webmd.com
or webmd message board
I was on Depakote for awhile and it never made me gain any weight. I had heard stories about people, but I think as long as you are aware it is a possible side effect-just monitor your cravings and food intake a little bit more. Most side effects happen to such a small percentage of people, I think it is hardly something to worry about. Good Luck with the new Meds..I hope they work for you. :)
Common Side Effects:
Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
Abdominal or stomach cramps (mild); change in menstrual periods; diarrhea; hair loss; indigestion; loss of appetite; nausea and vomiting; trembling of hands and arms; unusual weight loss or gain
Less Common Side Effects:
Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
Clumsiness or unsteadiness; constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; headache; skin rash; unusual excitement, restlessness, or irritability
Always Notify Doctor:
Less Common: Abdominal or stomach cramps (severe); behavioral, mood, or mental changes; continuous, uncontrolled back-and-forth and/or rolling eye movements; double vision; increase in seizures; loss of appetite; nausea or vomiting (continuing); spots before eyes; swelling of face; tiredness and weakness; unusual bleeding or bruising; yellow eyes or skin
Well I will tell you my own personal experience I was diagnosed with Bipolar last May 2007 and one of the medications I take is Depakote but I take 1,500mg per day. I have gained 60 lbs since being on this medication. At least this is one of the ones doing it I am on 5 different things. I was never a person who liked sweets(once a month only) but the medications kill my taste buds and I crave sweets like no tomorrow now. I have tried so many things to loose the weight, I can't go off the meds they help me with anger issues mental health wise it is a benefit, it is the weight gain that is terrible. If you read any of the medication they will prescribe you for Bipolar you will find that 9 out of 10 will list weight gain as one of the first side effects. It sucks!!!!!!!!!!!
you could try something else, but alot of psych meds will cause weight gain, but i think it can also be avoided by making healthy food choices and exercising regularly.
Well, it may not be typical, but my mother recently lost 30 lbs (!) after starting it. She looks so good and is 5'4" and 115 now-age 50. All medications are different for everyone. Lamictal is a stabilizer that is weight neutral, but it made me a zombie and I stopped.
For me personally, I gained a bit on Wellbutrin (skinny to start) which is a med that usually causes loss. I think it all depends on the person's new state of mind. Just bump up the exercise and eat well--good for you anyways!!
It all depends on how you recover--my mom discovered working out and I discovered cooking for fun :/ - so all you can do is try.
Good luck!