Depression and Weight IssuesHave you been diagnosed with depression, are possibly on depression medication, and find it affects your weight loss efforts? Post here for support!
I was diagnosed 25 years ago when I was 18. I have been struggling through it since. Lots of med with lots of side effects. I have taken myself off meds 3 years or so now and struggling through it. It has been hellishly hard since I tend not to eat when depressed and still gain tons of weight.
I have been fighting a bout the last two weeks although I think this is medicine related
I am 29 and was dxed when I was 18. Weight has always been a struggle due to the meds. Some are worse than others -- the worst being Remeron and Zyprexa, which cause about a 10-lb a week weight gain for me.
I saw someone mention Topomax. I just wanted to say that it isnt really a wonder drug for weightloss. I know I've heard a lot of people say it is. The first time I went on it, I lost 55 pounds, got down to a size 2. The second time I went on it, it did NOTHING. NOT A THING. I take it daily now and the only thing it does is help me sleep and keep migraines at bay.
If you are looking for a psych drug that helps keep weight off, Wellbutrin is better at that than Topomax, and that is only because it quells carb cravings (I am quoting this directly from my old psychiatrist who had a degree in psychopharmocology). There is one thing to remember though when switching drugs because of weight gain or desire of weight loss, you always have to use what works for you. I personally have tried every drug in the book and despite bad side effects for me, I am unable to use anything but Wellbutrin and Topomax (and occasionally Lithium if there is a need).
I learned a long time ago and the hard way, that my mental sanity is more important than how thin I am. I think just reminding yourself of that fact is half the battle and maybe finding a happy medium with your pdoc -- you know, tell them what you are trying to lose weight and how it is working and if it is not working, see if they have any suggestions. Some doctors will help you along with meds (if it is in your best interest and something you desire.)
I totally have this problem.
I have found for night muncies though, drinking LOTS of hot tea seems to help. And celery.
Thanks, Allie. I have been drinking lots of herbal iced tea but never really thought about a few hot cups at night. With the cool weather coming up I think I would like that very much.
I calorie count and I try to save about 200 calories to have a nice snack at night when I take my bedtime meds. At first I was trying not to eat after 8pm but it is just too hard, the meds make me too hungry at night or nauseous if I take them on an empty stomach.
Does anyone else struggle with drinking enough water on your meds? It's a real challenge for me to drink the daily amount because I am constantly running to the bathroom to pee. I take Lithium and Lamictol. I get up 2-3 times at night to relieve myself. So of course drinking more water makes the problem worse!
Just wondering if it's just me, or if any advise is out there, thanks,,,
I was diagnosed with BiPolar in 2006. I gained a ton of weight on Depokote and Lithium. The good thing is that I am off those meds and have lost some od the weight and hopefully I will be able to lose more on the Invega. Although some people gain weight on it. So far so good. I wish you the best. Although it is hard we can lose this weight even if we are on meds. It's just a little harder. It is hard to get motivated sometimes when you don't even feel like moving. I hope you start to feel better soon.
Me too, - between meds and depression I managed to pump my weight up over 300 lbs! for me the 10 mins trick works, I keep telling myself to exercise just 10 minutes, its no big deal, but often when I'm doing the 10 I want to do more, but if I don't, not the end of the world - and I sneak exercise in, (parking farther away, taking stairs, etc) Best for me I got a dog that hops into my bed and I definitely want his stinky breath out of my bed, so I walk him
I was diagnosed with bi polar at the age of 21 and I'm 31 now. The situation with finding the right meds and staying ON the meds when I had them ruined my marriage. I'm glad for those of you who have supportive partners. Unfortunately, I think my lack of responsibility for taking care of myself is what made my husband give up. He said he didn't want to be a caretaker anymore. Ouch. I think that will always hurt.
I'm finally on the right medications, (abilify and zoloft together) don't have any side effects and generally feel really good 99% of the time. That's why I'm here now and ready to tackle weight loss. I don't think my weight gain had anything to do with my medications (155ish to 270ish in 6 years) but it did have a lot to do with the symptoms of bi polar. Not caring, not getting out of bed, needing comfort foods.. etc.
Through all the difficulties and the divorce I still managed to get my degree in Social Work so I'm pretty proud of that.
I'm coming to this thread late, but I wish there was a forum for those of us who have bipolar and take these meds that are pretty much guaranteed to make you gain weight! I just started Depakote today for my recently diagnosed DPII, and have heard nothing but horror stories about the weight gain it causes. Honestly, it's causing a lot of anxiety that I don't need! I'm already struggling with Compulsive Eating Disorder... it's almost starting to feel like it's not worth trying to stay on this journey if the meds meant to make me feel emotionally better are working against my physical health.
I'm on the waiting list for talk therapy -- psych help is SORELY lacking in my area, but I'm glad I can come here and talk about it from the weight loss POV!
Wow!! I had no idea there were so many of us. I too have bipolar, although it was never diagnosed until recently, because only the depression was every really apparent. But after being on every AD there is and not having any luck, I found a dr. who diagnosed BP and now I am on Lamictal and Seroquel. I just got up to 100mgs. of Lamictal, but so far no side effects and I do feel somewhat better. I see the dr. this week so I'll see if I keep increasing the dosage and how much. The Seroquel is great. I sleep really well but am not usually tired the next day. I'm not gaining weight now, but I'm not losing either. I'm having trouble with the motivation. I am thinking about joining a gym where I can get session with a personal trainer and I am hoping that it will make me more accountable. I know that when I'm working out on a regular basis, I automatically eat less, so maybe it would be a good thing.
Please don't take yourself off of your meds. If you are having difficulty with weight management and you believe it is related to the medication, talk to your Doctor. Losing weight and dealing with dieting and the emotional ups and downs involved in the journey is tough enough on its own. When you have no mood stabilization, as we BiPolar folks are when unmedicated, weight loss can be a nightmare. Make sure your head is as clear as possible before focusing on your body. I see you have made great strides so far..27 lbs is a fantastic amount of progress. Hang in there...even when medication makes it more difficult to lose weight, it is healthier to struggle a bit harder with your weight than to be absolutely out of control with the ups and downs of bipolar. Manic sessions can easily involve impulsive behaviors like binging...which takes you right back to square one. Just my opinion.
I myself was Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder at the age of 9, Im 21 now and have suffered since, with weight gain. From switching medications every other month to see what works, to sleeping pill hangovers and the depressed states, its been almost impossible to actually lose weight.
I started gaining weight because of the medication, then when i was 12, after being in track and basketball and losing a good amount of weight, i injured my knee in track and could no longer compete...when i was 14 i was in a car wreck that changed my life forever and i almost died because of it, so Ive been in and out of surgery and on and off every type of medication since then, and all i have done is gain, gain and gain some more.
At my lowest, when i was 12, i was at about 165 (i was 5'9" at 12...im tall i know, lol) now, I am at my highest, 285 at 5'11"...
I still suffer from bipolar disorder and can no longer afford 95% of the meds i should be on, so things are even more difficult.
So i know how it feels to deal with bipolar disorder for such a long time and still trying to find a balance which is even more difficult. One thing however that I have found that gives me motivation, is being on an exercise bike, or riding my bike...Riding my bike is peaceful and soothing, and a good exercise, and being on an exercise bike improves my mood. They say exercise releases endorphins which in turn cause a natural mood enhancer. So even though you may dread the idea of exercising or even getting out of bed in the morning, remember that getting exercise in will improve your mood and cause long term happiness by losing weight.
Its what keeps me going to the gym every day at least.
I was diagnosed like a month ago, and I started Lithium two weeks ago. My doctor told me a side effect might be weight gain, so that's why I starting trying to lose weight when I started the lithium, thinking maybe I could bite it in the butt before it became a problem.
BUT-reading all of these posts about gaining a lot of weight on the lithium scares me to death. So I see my doctor Tuesday and I'm going to talk to him about this and see if there is something else I could get on. I also need to talk to him about this- has anyone else that has been on lithium had a problem with nausea and vomiting? Almost every night I feel sick to my stomach and last Saturday I threw up.
I have schizo-affective disorder and I take lexapro, cogentin (for side effects), lithium and fluphe****ne (for hallucination). It's been tough for me, due to lack of support from family but I have a good support group now. Today is my third day of SBD (South Beach Diet) and I feel good. It took me 6mths to adjust to these meds. but they work for me. I wish all of us continued success in the battles against mental illness and fighting the bulge.
BUT-reading all of these posts about gaining a lot of weight on the lithium scares me to death. So I see my doctor Tuesday and I'm going to talk to him about this and see if there is something else I could get on. I also need to talk to him about this- has anyone else that has been on lithium had a problem with nausea and vomiting? Almost every night I feel sick to my stomach and last Saturday I threw up.
I am lucky to have never been on lithium, but i have been on every other sleeping pill known to man, so what are you gonna do...lol
My father however, also has bipolar disorder and has been on lithium for about 11 years now, its the only pill that works for him...and amazingly hes much more UNDERWEIGHT...hes 10lbs less then what he needs to be, and to be extremely healthy he needs to gain about 35 lbs...although he only has .5% body fat....He eats what he wants whenever he wants, and he just can not gain weight, i think it has to do with his metabolism being extremely fast, but he has never had the problem with gaining weight...and Lithium sure has not helped in that endeavor either...lol
So as for him, he doesn't gain weight with it, but for every person its different, So i wouldn't go and switch meds when they may actually work for you, until you know what they are going to do weight wise.
