Bipolar Disorder and Weight Loss...Anyone?
 

Hello all! I've been struggling with weight loss for some time now, and although I'm not terribly overweight, I still feel unhealthy and out of shape.

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 11. My metabolism was great until about 16 and then the medication juggle caused all kinds of problems with weight fluctuation, not to mention the fact that some days I hate getting out of bed, let alone caring what I ate or if I was active.

Now I am 24 and about to graduate from college and although my bipolar is under control, finding motivation is still difficult for me many days. Anyone in a similar situation??? Any support or stories would be helpful!

On a medication side note, I've just switched from lithium to lamictal and I LOVE the change! I used to feel so dehydrated and shaky on lithium even though it helped my moods, and lamictal has virtually no side effects. Highly recommended!

I was on Zoloft for a while and managed to gain 60 pounds! Have you ever tried getting additional sunshine, regular and daily exercise and fish oil? It sounds simplistic I know. I don't mean to seem patronizing but it has really helped me.

My hubby is bipolar and was able to lose weight with the help of topamax. I have heard that lamitcal is a weight neutral drug.

I was diagnosed last January, and put on lithium and lamictal. I gained about 25 lbs right before the medication change, and it took me a few months to stabilize & a year to take action about my weight!

I started in Feb of this year and so far have lost 35 lbs, through smaller portions & almost daily exercise. Walking outside has been beneficial to my mood, with the sunshine and sounds of nature. Also, from the beginning I tracked my exercise, and now what I eat/calories... I feel more accountable and it's awesome to see my progress on paper as well as the scale!

My fear was if I tried to lose weight, it would be very frustrating because of the limitations of my meds. I found that it's not that hard at all. The thing that sucks (for me) about lithium is that I need to pee all the time! A few times I've even had to take a pit stop during my walks which is annoying. Good luck, you can do it! 3FC is an awesome place for support. You can even rant & vent your frustrations if need be, and you'll get lots of words of encouragement :)

Hello.

I was diagnosed with Bipolar 5 years ago. I am also on Lamictal. I've been struggling with my weight for a long time. There are days I still struggle to get out of bed or even care what I eat or if I exercise.

Finding the motivation is hard most of the time. You need to set up a plan that you know you can do and try to stick to it whether you have the motivation or not.

I found a website I go to all the time where I log what I eat and how much I exercise. It helps.

I was diagnosed bipolar in December 2007. The first drug I tried was Lamictal, and I was allergic. =(

I am now happy and stable on a mixture of Wellbutrin XL, Seroquel (insomnia/nightmares), and Mirapex (restless legs).

What has helped me is my husband. I was diagnosed bipolar when I was 9, back before they called it bipolar. Lordy I feel old! Anyway, he knows that some days even the THOUGHT of getting out of bed to work out is too much. He drags my butt out of bed, literally, and tells me that if I do 30DS (because it's short), then I can go back to bed and stay there all day. Now, he would never really let me stay in bed all day, and we both know it, but it works.

The funny thing is, by the time I'm done working out I'm sweaty and gross, so I have to shower. Once I shower, I have to put clothes on. Usually while I'm showering, he's getting work clothes for me, so I may as well put those on. Once they're on, I might as well do my hair and leave for work.

Luckily this doesn't happen very often anymore for me, but he really is a Godsend. He's watched me at my best and my worst, and has found what seems to work for me, with very little effort on his part.

Is there someone in your life that can help push you when you just can't push yourself? Someone that's willing to help you stay accountable?

Thanks for all of the responses!

Yes bacilli, there is someone like that. I'm in a serious relationship and my boyfriend has also seen me at my best and worst and has been completely and utterly supportive through it all. He knows just how to get on my case about keeping up with my meds and not letting me stay in bed all day. On top of it he's agreed to diet and exercise with me so we're going to try and motivate each other.

I've also heard about light boxes for the winter...has anyone tried them? Right now at summer motivation isn't TOO much of an issue, but winter is awful! Any ideas? Thanks!

I've owned a tanning bed for the winter for years, and it seems to help some. It could be all in my head, but that's where the rest of the issues are, right? :D

I feel for you. I was diagnosed at 16 and sometimes it's so difficult. Even on medication at times you don't feel great, and when you feel like crap there are lots of days when you don't feel like caring what you eat or what you do. I honestly just try to take things one day at a time and if nessecary one meal at a time, one activity at a time. Baby steps.

I was diagnosed bipolar 1 in '97. Tried lithium plus various antidepressants, but nothing kicked the depression very well. Started Lamictal in '03, dropped the other meds, and lost 10 lbs. per year over the next three years. I put it back on when I went off meds for pregnancy. I'm looking forward to going back on meds. Lots of people love Lamictal. I hope it works for you, too. :)

You sound like me, except you're much younger than i am. i just recently went off lithium. i love what it does for my moods except the side effects were quite awful. i put up with them for about 2 years before i tried Abilify. i've been on it a few weeks now and i feel like a new woman. i have been on just about anything med you can name, but the Abilify, Buspar, and Lexapro have been the best combo i've ever had.


my metabolism is crap, the only way i can lose any weight at all is exercising, i can't just watch what i eat. i have to exercise or i won't lose anything. :(

I am also bipolar, was diagnosed at 15 and I am now 23. I was super skinny until I turned 13 when my depression hit and I stopped being active and started eating.

I tried almost EVERY medication for bipolar they let me.. the only one that supplies even slight relief is lamictal. I was on lithium and seroquel for 2 1/2 years and gained almost 50 lbs. My weight has been pretty much what it is now for the past year. I cant seem to find motivation either.

I was dx with bipolar at the age of 28, I am almost 45 now. I had slight weight issues before I started to take meds. I am had problems with weight for over 16 years now. Depakote put on about 25, i gained another 25 from risperdal and another 25 over the course of the last ten years.

It was very challenging for me at first when I started what I call my weight loss journey. It gets easier and even though I am on lithium again now I have lost weight since being put back on it this summer. It is also hard at night because I a night snacker and have been for years due to getting the medication munchies. The meds also make me more sedate and that makes it hard to get up the motivation to exercise and most days I just force myself to walk or exercised at home.

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.)

Sorry for the long post. I ramble.

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.

I'm BiPolar and OCD. Lucky me.

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.

Kat

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'm kind of happy I found this thread....

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.

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.

I was diagnosed at 28 and am now 42. I weighed around 145-150 when I got diagnosed. I started out on lithium and gained about 70 lbs. It made me so thirsty and because I was so out of it I made the wrong choices for drinking. Juices, milk, sugar sodas, etc. I finally got off of that because it was not working for me. I tried a lot of medicines and finally got put on Depakote. I gained about 25 lbs. with it. I hated how it made me feel and was losing hair so I went off of that and tried some more drugs and finally settled on Seroquel, Tegretol and Wellbutrin. I gained another 20 or so pounds from the Seroquel. I came off of the Wellbutrin because it was making me go manic and am now on Lamictal, Seroquel, Tegretol and Trazadone. It seems to be a good mixture. To top it all off, I had a hysterectomy this past March and have gained weight from that. It never stops! lol It is very hard for me to lose weight and the pounds come off very slowly! This time so far I am totally dedicated to losing weight no matter how long it takes. I am doing JUDDD and find it to be pretty easy because of my lifestyle. My sister is bipolar and has lost about 50 lbs. She let me see that it can be done! Good luck to you all!