Bipolar Disorder Forum - Wieght gain w/ BP meds


Wieght gain w/ BP meds

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CarolDiane

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Wieght gain w/ BP meds Posted: 02-17-08 18:06pm


Anyone here find they are gaining wieght since taking BP meds like Limectal? I have gained 4 lbs and only been on it a little over a week. My appitite has picked up too. Has anyone else had this problem?

antigone

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Posted: 02-18-08 01:46am


Lamictal can stimulate appetite in some people. My son was taking lamictal and zyprexa. He gain an extraordinary amount of weight. It started with the lamictal but zyprexa really packed it on. This should even out after a bit. If it continues let your doctor know. There may be something he/she can do.

myrmw120

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Posted: 02-25-08 11:46am


Have gained 20 lbs since starting seroquel. Now on invega and wt gain is still there even with fairly strict diet and exercise. Any help? Suggestions?

Georgia59

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Posted: 02-25-08 13:35pm


Medications can increase weight in a few different ways- you'll have to determine how it is working. If it is just increasing your appetite, making sure you are eating appropriate amounts will solve that. But it is hard, it sucks, because you'll be hungrier! Eating foods rich in protein and fiber will help you feel full, and drinking lots of water. If it is making you less active, either you feel worn down, lazy, or something like that, you probably aren't getting as much exercize as you used to. You might have to go out of your way to schedule more exercize (walking and stuff like that) to make up for the difference. This is hard too, because who wants to work out when they feel drowsy? i think some medications, though, actually mess with your metabolism. The only ways I know to boost your metabolism are making sure to eat a big breakfast and eat small frequent meals (which should also make you generally less hungry and give you more energy, so it's a good idea all around). In general, though, this is a really hard one to get around. Overall, if you have been on the medication for a while (a few months) and experience steady weight gain even after trying these things, switching medications might be your only option.

Nowhere Man

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Re: Wieght gain w/ BP meds
Posted: 02-25-08 14:18pm

MsCarrie wrote:

Anyone here find they are gaining wieght since taking BP meds like Limectal? I have gained 4 lbs and only been on it a little over a week. My appitite has picked up too.
Has anyone else had this problem?

My appetite has increased since I've been on Lamictal, but I haven't gained any weight. I can't seem to lose any weight, but I haven't gained any either, so it's not all bad. Lamictal is supposed to be one of the most weight-neutral meds out there.

The increased appetite can be a good thing, though. I think it has helped me eat more regularly instead of starving myself during the day and then eating one large meal just before bedtime. Of course, eating regularly is supposed to reduce the frequency and severity of mood swings. Maybe one reason why I haven't been able to lose weight is because I'm still in the habit of eating too much just before bed. Unfortunately, sleeping doesn't burn calories up very quickly...

I remember reading about one study that concluded that the average weight gain for these meds is very small; I think it was something like 5 or 6 pounds! Anyway, good luck with the Lamictal, and remember that a few extra pounds is a cheap price to pay for stability.

CarolDiane

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Posted: 02-25-08 14:38pm


I started out about three weeks ago at a whopping 106. I am not 114! Thing is, I have always been skinny and always a picky eater. I really don't eat alot now even. Hmmmm, beats me.

Nowhere Man

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Posted: 02-25-08 15:33pm

MsCarrie wrote:

I started out about three weeks ago at a whopping 106. I am not 114! Thing is, I have always been skinny and always a picky eater. I really don't eat alot now even. Hmmmm, beats me.

Here's a quick and easy online calculator that shows your ideal weight based on several methods, so it's probably very accurate:

http://www.halls.md/id eal-weight/body.htm

Maybe you need to gain weight.

Georgia59

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Posted: 02-25-08 15:49pm


Agreed- Carrie, maybe you need to gain weight! Plus, 4 pounds could just be water weight- and pills can cause water retention (which isn't permanent at all)

CarolDiane

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I meant to say
Posted: 02-26-08 02:29am

MsCarrie wrote:

I started out about three weeks ago at a whopping 106. I am not 114! Thing is, I have always been skinny and always a picky eater. I really don't eat alot now even. Hmmmm, beats me.

Typo: I meant to say that now I am up to 114 lbs. I agree with all the above. If this is not water, for a woman at 5'2" / 114 lbs was always about right. I also agree with Georgia, it might be water weight cause I gaining in all the wrong places. LOL

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i gained 40+ Posted: 03-06-08 22:22pm


on depakote abilify celexa and kolonapin

Seraph

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Picky eating... Posted: 03-07-08 04:24am


I am hugely picky when it comes to food...I get nautious and get a choke reflux with some tastes and/or textures. I also seem to be allergic to citric-acid, causing slimy - throught and palette irretation and flushed hot...almost feverish...feeling. Currently I am about 73-75 kg at around abouts 6'6" This is a depression factor as everyone keeps telling me that I just need to force my self to eat food that "i don't like" ... I also don't get hungry much...at times I have to force my self to eat...

CarolDiane

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Posted: 03-07-08 06:48am


I also am a very picky eater. But, even with saying that, the weight still comes on. I was surprised before my surgery last Monday, I had actually lost a pound. I am now 115. I start at 106. See, when I am home alone, I tend to eat more junk food. Now that my son is working full time again and my activities are limited for a few weeks, the goodies seem more and more tempting. Rather then make myself some lunch, I go for a Little Debbie or snack fruit bar instead. Carrie

antigone

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Posted: 03-08-08 22:54pm


Here is an interesting FYI. One of the symptoms of manic behavior, especially in children, is craving carbohydrates. The medications can exacerbate this. This is part of the weight gain. My son craved carbs on zyprexa. He would eat 3 helpings of mash potatoes in one sitting. He never seemed to be satiated and satisfied. When he came off the zyprexa he went back to his normal eating habits. He is pretty careful of what he eats. The weight gain and desire for carbs is part of what triggers diabetes in some people. Some of the mood stabilizers can counteract the appetite increase from the antipsychotics. If you really become concerned talk to the doctor. They can give you something to help. You are far from being overweight, MsCarrie. I know it is disconcerting to gain weight. This may level off.

CarolDiane

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Posted: 03-09-08 01:12am


I agree with all the above. Seems ever since I start on Lemictal is when I start gaining. I am only 5'2 and normally that is a good weight for a lady that tall. But, I am getting a real love handle here. My waist is getting it all. Can't fit into my good jeans. I have noticed too that my blouses are getting tighter also. A medium use to fit nice and loose (or just loose enough) to be comfortable. Not so now. Oh well, today I had a big piece of Sarah Lee strawberry whipped strawberry pie with real whipped cream on it. Carrie

lintek

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Posted: 03-19-08 09:38am


I know this post is a little old week wise, but maybe you'll happen to see it. I too have gained weight quickly since starting lamictal. I only started with 25 mg and goal is to reach 300 mg by April. the dr is worried that if you start this drug too quickly that you can get a very deadly rash that puts you in the hosptial. so we have to start off small. the good thing about his medication is that I have no side effects like all the other meds I've tried for my dx of bipolar. this medication is not supposed to cause weight gain, but people have actually lost weight on it. some get nausea while on it and anorexic too. I just did a search on this drug to see the drug interactions because when I started this drug, I started getting horrible heat flashes like I did right after having a total hysterctomy and I became surgically menopausal so HAD to go on estrogen so I can tolerate living with myself. LOL I was weepy all the time, gaining weight, had dry skin, moody and couldn't sleep at night. plus I had these horrible heat flashes that would come out of the blue at multiple times during the day and I'd be drenching at night in bed which would wake me up. I could only wear cotton night clothes and had to leave a window open even in the winter time. once I was put on the estrogen patch, my body went back to normal and I had no more of those horrible feelings. but now that I am on lamicatal, I now am getting very similar heat flushes like I did after my hysterectomy. I looked it up and guess what I found? It said that if you're on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that it can intervene with it and make it weaker. no wonder I started getting the flashes. it's making my estrogen weaker. and I"m gaining weight so quickly. I just quit smoking too which could be the sudden weight gain. I went from being 115 to a whopping 128 lbs all within a couple of weeks. All my pants are now tight, and yes, even my blouses. My hands,. fingers, eyelids are all swollen in the mornings which I think they call edema, don't they? I don't know if I'm having my kidney hydronephrosis again like I did a year ago when I had a kidney stone. I don't know if I should ask to be tested because when a patient tells a dr what to do, it kind of makes the dr insulted. after all, he or she should be recommending the test's, not the patient, right? are you taking any other medications and even suppliments and vitamins and over the counter products can all intervene with prescribed medications. it can be down right dangerous if we aren't told by anyone. I mentioned to my psychiatrist that the medicine is interacting with my estrogen but she didn't say anything. we just talked about other things that were going on. I never knew either that this medication is going to make me suffer horrible withdrawal symptoms when I stop taking it either. that's just great!!!! plus I have to worry when I come off my klonapin too. they tell you to do down off this drug very very slowly so you don't suffer. so I saw by your post that we have to go off lamictal slow too. I'm glad I read your post for this helpful information to warn me. thank you.

CarolDiane

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Posted: 03-19-08 10:48am


Well to date I am now 117. I would not mind if I craved some decent food. It's all the rice pudding and nutritional drinks. Not so much junk food anymore. I am totally addicted to rice pudding. Ahhhhh, but what a scumtuous thing to be addicted to.

dlobrie

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Posted: 04-03-08 14:26pm


My son is only 9 years old, he has gained an unbelievable amount of weight. How are you supposed to reason with a 9 year old that he can't eat even though he is hungry? The doctors have changed his meds 3 times now, still gaining. Anyone have any ideas?

CarolDiane

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dlobrie Posted: 04-03-08 14:36pm


Same here. I don't have the answer though. I am since off my Lemictal due to a localized rash that can go from serious to fatal. I have an appointment on Monday to see GP to evaluate my BP meds and what else is out there. On thing I am sure of is I am NOT going back on Lithium. BTW: I was able to clear up the rash with home remedies thank goodness. I know GP will be very happy to see the vertual change in the area on Monday.

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Re: Picky eating...
Posted: 04-04-08 01:31am

Seraph wrote:

This is a depression factor as everyone keeps telling me that I just need to force my self to eat food that "i don't like" ... I also don't get hungry much...at times I have to force my self to eat...

Just rectifying a prior post...now that I have been dx'd with Marfans, I don't have to worry about what others think...apparently mitral-valve prolapse/regurgetation can cause you to have a low BMI (Body Mass Index)...which makes me look as tho I don't eat enough.

I mast say tho, that not necissarily my appetite, but most definately my digestive system has been affected, for the better at this point, by the Beta-Blockers I am now having to take...Odd?