I was diagnosed with Bipolar I last year after a scary bout with taking some antidepressants that made me manic. I'd definitely shown symptoms since high school, but this made it all the more apparent. At first, I was in total denial of it, but then, I had another bad manic episode without the meds present, and realized it couldn't be ignored anymore.

Before taking meds, I had no problems taking off weight. The antidepressants made me gain some weight, which I didn't take off immediately. I stayed relatively stable on Lamictal, but then my weight shot up on Seroquel, which I used in combination with the Lamictal. I was burning 1100 calories every day on the treadmill, eating no processed sugars, carbs, or saturated trans fat, but I had a voracious appetite just the same and would pile on weight. Finally, I told my doctor. I have also had a fascination/obsession with food since I was young, so I didn't want to create any more problems for myself.

Now, I'm just on the Lamictal, but I might have to take the Geodon soon. This is always the time of year with the mania kicks in and I've already noticed that there are some nights when I sleep considerably less. I've read that a few people love it. Are there any more success stories pertaining to weight loss? I've tried Abillify, which didn't work for me, Seroquel, and I am terrified of Zyprexa because of the metabolic/weight gain issues. Seroquel was great as a sedative, until it wasn't sedating me and I had the strong urge to crawl out to the kitchen and chow down! Geodon sounds really good though, so if anyone wants to share their stories, I'd greatly appreciate it!

Thanks!

My husband was just diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder by his new counselor, so I started doing research on the internet to find a way to help him. It was either that or we were going to get a divorce because there was no way I could put up with any more of that! So...I decided to help instead and found an ebook by Julie Fast that has really helped. The problem was, while reading it, I realized I WAS BIPOLAR, TOO!! No wonder we were having trouble getting along! LOL!

Anyway, I always wondered why the anti-depressents weren't helping enough and why, no matter how 'high' I got and how positive I became about losing weight, it would only last a little while and then I'd go 'down' again for even longer. It was so frustrating because I want more than anything to be thin again! Now that I have Julie Fast's Health Cards to help me I'm fighting it mentally and actually feel like I'm winning.

I can't take meds because I just found out I'm pregnant, so I'm doing all natural techniques, changing my eating habits and doing 'prego' exercises and yoga. I'm doing much better but hubby is still struggling. We'll get there.

And I recommend to anyone on here to look into the ebook and Health Cards because you can get there, too. It may not ever go away, but there is a way to fight it and have more control over it.

Take care!
Gayl

Hi Gayl,

Have you seen a professional about this? The only reason I ask is because it's easy to look at those self-report measures and think you have bipolar disorder. I think everyone definitely could check some of the items on the list, but it would take a psychiatrist or clinician to interpret such a list and make a diagnosis. You should do this especially if you're pregnant and believed to be bipolar. I am pretty sure that Lamictal has a very low record of birth complications and is highly recommended for women of child-bearing age.

Again, it might be worth looking into this if you're concerned because only a professional can really make a diagnosis. I think your highs and lows are normal for anyone dealing with weight loss problems. I'm on medication now and my mood still fluctuates when it comes to being under-motivated or over-motivated about getting in shape, so I think that's normal. I know from experience that anti-depressants made me manic, to the point of temporary hospitalization. I don't know if others have had similar experiences with such drugs if they weren't used in conjunction with another medication.

Unfortunately, there isn't a natural way to totally get rid of the sometimes devastating effects of bipolar disorder and if left untreated, it gets worse. I'm sure there are things out there that help (there is a huge study on omega-3s at Harvard), but medication is essential. I hate the stuff and once said that I'd rather be crazy and thin than heavy and medicated, but I can tell you that from the mistakes I've made in my past, I can't imagine living without something helping me.

Good luck to you!

Erin

Wow am I glad I stumbled upon this post!! I was diagnosed with bipolar when I was 13. I've been on SEVERAL different medications but was never really concerned about weight gain until now. I haven't been on any medications for over a year now because I wasn't under psychiatric care. I meet my new psychiatrist on the 16th. I'll know what to tell her now. I do NOT want to take anything that'll make me gain or crave food. I've been doing too well over the past week to take a step backwards!

I am new to 3FC. I saw this and thought that I would post. I was dx about 18 months ago with Bipolar 1, I also have OCD. Not the normal, Monk, OCD. I have to have odd numbers of everything, but everything has to be even. I know, it doesn't make any sense. Anyway, when I was 12 I was dx with severe depression for trying to commit suicide. I went to therapist after therapist, was on 7 different anti-depressants and nothing seemed to help. When my Doc dx me with Bipolar he told me that my mom just thought that I was a hyper teen when I was on my high's and when I was low she was worried about me.

So almost a year ago my only child, Lincoln Grace, died. She was 3 years old. I have been suffering from horrible depression since my little girl was taken away from me. I have just recently started taking Topamax and Prozac and they seem to be doing great for me, and helping me lose weight. I still have my high moments, but I am sure that we all do. I am glad to know that I am not alone and I hope that I have been some help. Love to all,

Rachel,

I'm SO sorry to hear about the passing of your daughter. My heart goes out to you.

I have the same type of OCD that you have. I hate odd number. The ONLY odd number I can accept is 25 and that's only because my son was born March 25th in room 225.

No, I love odd numbers. Three is my favorite, that way everything can go in a pyramid. I know I am weird. Thank you for mentioning my daughter. I <3 her!

not Bi-polar, but I am BPD and am on meds for depression/anxiety.

I think the most important thing is that you have someone to reach out to when you are "low" cycling, aka in a more depressive state. There are plenty of great people here who can support you, and in any case, if you want to reach out to me, please be certain you can PM me any time

My worst moments with food/drink (especially drink) are when I'm very low and only "into" myself. To be able to reach out means a lot!

Rachel, I am SO SO sorry for your loss

I'm new the the forums and so happy to see an area like this since I know my depression and bipolar play a part in my lack of diet success. So I'm happy to join the crazy club.

I was diagnosed as Bipolar II Rapid Cycling about 7 years ago after a suicide attempt. I took meds for a while (Depakote which made me worse and Lithium which I had to stop taking because it made me feel high and made me want to start doing other things that I was also working to get away from). I no longer take any meds but probably should be on something since my depression gets really out of hand (no more suicidal feelings, just can't get myself out of bed for days at a time). This all adds to my being an emotional/boredom eater as well. Joy.

^^..^^ jessica

Hi and thanks! Yeah, I've seen a therapist. My husband and I have been going together. The only difference is I've been doing the natural techniques she gave me (he hasn't), plus the Health Cards from the ebook, and since I'm pregnant I've changed my eating habits and have been doing well. He's not doing anything but taking meds and he suffers from frequent cycles that drive me nuts(er)!!

I still suffer from the 'voices' trying to talk me into doing things I don't want to do, or I know aren't right, making excuses to make it alright to cheat on my diet, or want to leave my husband because of some stupid little thing. I've had two really bad anger fits but I've gotten control of them better and quicker than ever before. I think it's because I know what is happening, so I can address the issue instead of going off on a tangent of guilt because 'something must be wrong with me' to act that way. Now I know it's just the bipolar, not me, so I can talk myself down off the ledge.

The pregnancy hormones have added to the problems but actively managing it has made all the difference. Plus, the doctor said to keep taking Prozac at the low dosage I'm on for now but I always felt it didn't help enough, but I guess it's better than nothing.

Rachel, I'm so sorry that you've had to go through that! We lost my niece several years ago and none of us have been the same, especially my sister-in-law. It's hard enough to deal with something like that but to have bipolar as well would be the hardest thing ever. Good job for working your way through it and carying on! Keep trying! Don't give up!

It's always so fascinating to read other people's experiences with bipolar disorder. I first was diagnosed at 14 and was put on anti-depressants instead of being properly treated. Now I am on abilify and lexapro, we are weaning me down off of the lexapro though. I have been on tons of meds... paxil, effexor, zoloft, lexapro, seroquel, topamax and abilify. I gained tons of weight on all of them except for the Abilify so far. It's very frustrating to know that I have all of these drugs working against me sometimes. I seem to lose weight SO very slowly, even when I am OP 100%.

I tend to be a rapid cycler. There are times where my mania will not even last a full 24 hours. Unfortunately most of the time it does and I do always seem to follow up mania with depression or depression with a bout of mania. It isn't fun and I am glad that none of us have to deal with this alone. I am fortunate in that I have a great doctor (ran a bipolar study for 20 years) and that all of my friends and family are very supportive.

Rachel - I am sorry to hear about your daughter. That must be devastating.

Hi all I am new to the site and was so excited when I saw this section, being bi-polar for me is so isolating, I don't know what I would do without my husband who makes me leave the house once in awhile when I am able. I have been on all different types of meds over the last few years, while they do help some nothing works that well for me. I also deal with a severe anxiety disorder called Social Anxiety Disorder which isolates me further.
I have been on a real low part in my life, my four daughters have all moved out and I feel it is because they can't deal with my situation and I don't blame them but miss them terribly. I worked for Ford Motor Company and been on medical restrictions that have left me laid off mostly for the last year and now due to downsizing have lost my job. I got a good buyout package and decided that I need to use some of this money to make improvements in myself and hopefully try to regain some of the old me. Due to the all drugs and lack of exercise have taken me from 120 pounds up to 190 which makes me feel even worse. I am unable to work anymore due to my illnesses so at 43 years old I am going on disablility benefits.
Enough of the depressing stuff this is my new life plan, I decided that my first step was to make a plan to get this weight off and my energy level built up, (hopefully some self-esteem with it). Therefore I have began an exercise program, spending some money on some home exercise equiptment and made myself go grocery shopping with my husband to buy more sensible food choices. I don't want to try any diet plans, I get to discouraged at the smallest failure. So have worked out my own plan that I can live with. On top of losing weight I have also decided to go for manicures and salon tanning again, those were always self esteem boosting for me before I became so house bound so I have made a pact with a good friend to help me stick to it (tanning sessions are also very relaxing).
I would really appreciate any support I can get from all the great people on site that I have been reading posts from, I feel like I have found a great site and thank you all for being here when I need the most help I can get.[/B]

hi there well done you at least you have faced some demons and found the power inside you to make the first step to a new part of your life
You ave made the decision and you can do it ! I suffer from depression and at times just want to die but I to just want my life back so I can move on and put it behind me. My first step to this is too loose weight after all the meds I have been on I have gained too much weight so once I loose more weight I will get more confidence to do the things I love like go horse riding again. I want to get to the point I feel confident enough to walk into a hair salon and get my hair done with out freaking out lol so stupid I know but I just cant do it!

good luck to you and I am sure you are going to get there real soon