Posted by nancy on July 22, 1999, at 16:42:06
In reply to Re: mood disorders/klonopin,depakote,neurontin etc...., posted by Janet on July 20, 1999, at 21:28:56
I've tried strict (under doc-supervision)diet and exercise to combat weight gain from mood stabilizers and atypical antipsychotics. Never lost much, manybe a few pounds. Recently, however, I've been able to stop all meds, except, my much needed Effexor XR (300mg) and thyroid meds (taken because Litium messed up my thyroid and to alleviate treatment resistive bipolar depression). So far, so good. No mood switching going on. Also, I lost ten pounds within the first two weeks of discontinuation.
DO NOT STOP YOUR NECESSARY MEDS! But, you may get to a point, eventually, where those meds can either be reduced or removed. Be good to yourself. Don't get down on yourself about the weight problems. Just do the best that you can and be thankful that you've a combination of meds that stop the bipolar insanity. I'm very proud of all of us!
:) nancy
> I gained weight and retained water in my ankles and feet while on Depakote. The dr. prescribed water pills plus potassium that the water pills drain you of. But when Lithium was added, the water pills had to go because it messes with the salt level. So now I'm fat but mentally level headed which is just a trade off. I realize that if I starved myself it would take the weight off, but I'm not willing to do that yet.
> >
> > Kevin,
> > My sister took depakote and it did cause weight gain and also water retention. The weight gain is different for everyone. Not sure what can be done about the weight gain, except tell dr. and find a different medication.
poster:nancy
thread:1356
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990814/msgs/9096.html