Bipolar here!
I've had awful times with meds and mood swings. I was diagnosed with depression in my 20's, so I'd go on medication usually be overweight. Then I'd feel "super good", stop my medication, and usually drop some weight. Then I'd get depressed again, and so on. I was finally hospitalized for mania for the first time when I was 31 yrs old.
I haven't had a manic swing in a few years (maybe some hypomania), but I recently had a depressive swing.
One of the things I did at the end of the swing was stop eating sugar and white flour. It was suggested in
Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder as one of the lifestyle changes you could make to help with your moods. I found that this has curbed my appetite and stopped my binges. I am also involved in AA/OA.
I'm not on some of the medications with weight gain as a big side effect right now. Who knows later? I tend to be medication resistant and have breakthrough moods. I totally know about fighting med side effects and the paralyzing depressions where I don't even move.
I've actually lost weight due to my diet but I still don't have the energy to exercise. It's all I can do to go to work everyday or most everyday.
You are not alone. I know it is terribly difficult.
Thinking of you.
Amy