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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by spriggy on July 29, 2005, at 18:45:23
My grandmother was on Lithium (and my aunt) and both gained quite a bit of weight on it.
However, on Oprah a few weeks back, she had some celebrities that are bp and on Lithium, none of them were overweight.It just made me curious.
Anyone here on lithium and gained a lot of weight? or anyone here who has not gained a ton of weight?
Posted by Phillipa on July 29, 2005, at 22:01:42
In reply to Does Lithium make everyone gain weight?, posted by spriggy on July 29, 2005, at 18:45:23
Spriggy, my ex-father-in-law is bipolar. Each spring and fall he went off his lithium to lose wt. Wonder what those stars take to offset the wt gain? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Iansf on July 30, 2005, at 18:45:14
In reply to Does Lithium make everyone gain weight?, posted by spriggy on July 29, 2005, at 18:45:23
> My grandmother was on Lithium (and my aunt) and both gained quite a bit of weight on it.
>
> However, on Oprah a few weeks back, she had some celebrities that are bp and on Lithium, none of them were overweight.
>
> It just made me curious.
>
> Anyone here on lithium and gained a lot of weight? or anyone here who has not gained a ton of weight?I can't speak directly to lithium weight gain from experience, but I can point out that celebrities, by virtue of their greater wealth and, in most cases, greater time for working out, are better able than most people to stay slim. They hire trainers, nutritionists, etc. to help them maintain their shape and can afford to spend two hours a day exercising because they aren't busy in the same way most people are. In fact, many celebrities consider time spent at the gym part of their work. Some, particularly actresses (but certainly only actresses), also face extreme pressure to stay slim so will work extra hard at it. The time, energy and money they devote to fitness significantly exceeds what most of us can manage. So I wouldn't go by celebrities' experience.
Posted by Phillipa on July 30, 2005, at 20:36:33
In reply to Re: Does Lithium make everyone gain weight? » spriggy, posted by Iansf on July 30, 2005, at 18:45:14
Add to that liposuction, tummy tuck, etc. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on August 1, 2005, at 17:56:17
In reply to Re: Does Lithium make everyone gain weight? » Iansf, posted by Phillipa on July 30, 2005, at 20:36:33
I never gained any weight on lithium.
Linkadge
Posted by bipolarspectrum on August 3, 2005, at 3:42:05
In reply to Re: Does Lithium make everyone gain weight?, posted by linkadge on August 1, 2005, at 17:56:17
Hi,
I didnt think I've gained weight from Lithium either.. I've heard a theory that most of the weight gain comes from drinking high-calorie beverages... the solution to that = drink water!
bps
Posted by Sabino on August 4, 2005, at 8:49:02
In reply to Re: Does Lithium make everyone gain weight?, posted by bipolarspectrum on August 3, 2005, at 3:42:05
I haven't gained weight on Lithium either. I started Lithium a couple months after I started Effexor and Remeron. Coupled with being out of work (and close proximity to the refrigerator), I gained a wopping 15 lbs. I dropped the Effexor and Remeron about a week after starting Li, and I've since lost 10 lbs, so I am concluding that Lithium has not been a weight gainer for me.
Posted by platinumbride on August 4, 2005, at 14:39:57
In reply to Sabino, posted by Sabino on August 4, 2005, at 8:49:02
Posted by ramsea on August 5, 2005, at 5:44:03
In reply to Re: Does Lithium make everyone gain weight?, posted by bipolarspectrum on August 3, 2005, at 3:42:05
You know, I never drink sugary drinks. Never, and not fruit juices either. I have been forced to do some research into this matter, and can only say that the matter of weight gain and psych meds is very complicated, and can rarely be reduced to one factor. Heredity also come into it, and things like if you were overweight as a kid but lost that weight--if you take psych meds you may be more prone to weight gain. Every lithium study reveals weight gain as a side effect of ***some**people. People who don't have this side effect are lucky, that's all.
We are all unique creatures. I was told that everyone gains a few pounds water weight with lithium. Not everyone gains fat, but a substancial number do, regardless of their previously having been normal in weight with a healthy, non-obese diet, and lots of exercise.
I exercise 2 hrs daily (at the least--I do lots of walking too, love my stationary bike, weights and yoga). I am not a liar and not in denial. Most of us who gain a hefty amount of weight as a side effect end up looking pregnant--it really goes for the middle, females may get enlarged breasts, plus some puffy faces and other bits swell.
I still stick with lithium as it works so well for my dreaded manicmixedtype symptoms, but I do wish lithium-users and professionals, and friends/family too-- would realize that for some of us we are trapped in weight hell. I was bulimic and skinny as a teenager, due to being bullied as a child for chubbiness--it all made me quite suicidal at a young age (that and some other stuff too but the weight issue hit hard and became symbolic). So I get so frustrated, so alone, so furious even, when it is suggested to me that I am not working hard enough to be slim.
It's true--some folks get big and bigger through gluttony, some of us run endlessly on a treadmill getting nowhere and get tarred with the same brush as those who well-over eat and choose food that's junk and don't exercise. Please world, remember some of us are doing all the right things and this overweight (though not "grossly") shape is as good as it gets. I will still exercise daily and follow my healthy, controlled food regime. Even though few people credit me for all this hard work.
This is the end of the thread.
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