Bipolar and Weightloss

I am Bipolar although after 10 years of over medication I have decided not to take meds anymore and have been off them for over a year..I also quit smoking 10 years ago and that was hard on the body....if you ever wanna talk feel free to message me xxx

Sent you a friend request.

Hang tight.....you've made a great start! You might try researching foods that help the brain and help us feel good. For example, potassium-rich foods, omega-3s, and lots of water. You can see a potassium chart here: www.krispin.com/potassm.html

Every day I aim for at least 3500mg of potassium. Low-sodium V8, lots of veggies, sweet potatoes, fruits. And every day I have a few walnuts and some flaxseed to get my Omega-3s. Fish oil is great, too.

I never would have believed that food could have such an impact on my mood swings and depression, but now I know it's true. Cut out "empty" calories like white flour and sugar, cut back on salt, drink more water. These things along with potassium and Omega-3s have helped me gain control of myself for once!

Good book on nutrition: Eating Well for Optimum Health by Andrew Weil, M.D.

Like everyone else has said, STAY ON THE MEDS!!! I can't stress that enough...and like jb_2011 stated OMEGA-3's & potassium really play a big role on mood. I really noticed this with my daughters who both suffer from ADHD. Removing empty calories such as the white flours and things with high fructose corn syrup help too. Caffienated drinks can make the bipolar symptoms worse and are usually high in sodium which leads to water retention and weight gain since most are empty calories. If you mood is down and the meds alone aren't working trying adding a Vitamin D supplement. It helps to increase your seratonin levels which also play a role in your mood. If you have a MP3 player try putting some upbeat music on it and just hitting the pavement (running I mean) for a mile or so...it can really help get rid of the extra pounds and I know, for me at least, it really helps boost my mood because you can rock out to your music while burning some extra calories and clearing your head...also, when I am feeling blue a zumba class really helps boost my mood (the music is upbeat and the dancing involved is so much fun)...just some thoughts and tips. Good Luck!

You can do this. I suffered from bi polar disorder, that is until I stopped taking those medications. THis is me and in NO WAY meant for you to try, i'm just relating my experience.
It was horrible, I was always changing medications or increasing doses. I finally found meds that worked and evened out for about 1.5 years, then they just stopped working and it was back to the drawing board. I finally just said I can't do this anymore and quit with no real plan. ( not suggested EVER ) It's been 5-ish years since I quit and I am doing good. I have ups, and I have downs but I have learned to get the ups and downs a little closer on the graph. I quit smoking 3 months ago and doing good with that. Since i've been working out so much i've noticed that my moods are even more level. I've also noticed that I cry at everything though. Not a bad cry, you know that * happy emotional girl cry. It's not something I'm used to dealing with but I'm learning lol

You can do this. I know wellbutrin made me gain a lot of weight, so did lithium. The only meds I ever took that took off the weight was topomax. That is the one that just stopped working on me. I wish you the best, you will stuggle, but you will make it if you keep after it. I am proud of you and all the effort you are putting out there. Every day that you wake up and say i'm going to try something better for me is a good day!

I have a feeling that the more you work out the more your moods will level out also. Maybe not a drastic change, but when you are dealing with a disorder like that, even the smallest change is welcome.
Best of luck to you, so many of us are here if you need someone

It's not about loosing weight though girl, it's about feeling better. The more you work it the it feels. right? You are doing great, keep reaching out and we will keep replying!

Hi! I am bipolar also. I am very sensitive to medications and have never found a great combination for me. Right now I'm on the Wellbutrin only, but it has made a huge difference. I had taken it several years ago and had a really bad reaction to it right after the birth of my youngest son. I decided to give it another try after trying topomax among others and it helped a lot and worked this time... I have no idea why. It's really hard to lose weight on medication, so i really feel your pain. Wellbutrin seems to not have the same effect as other drugs as far as weight gain goes. The last time I was rapid cycling I forced myself to go to spinning classes at the Y several times a week. It really helped to elevate my mood and make me feel better. I tried to do as many drop in classes as I could for the mood boost and it sort of wore me out so that I didn't have a lot of time to think. I agree that what you eat is super important. It's not for everyone, but I am a vegetarian and that has been a really good choice for me. Fish oil, vitamin D and Super B complex help a lot. Do you go to regular counseling? I found that really helpful in sorting out what was happening, and learning how my mind works and how to dissect it if that makes sense. I am now pretty good at troubleshooting myself as I phase in and out of bouts of extreme ups and downs. Take care of yourself! You are definitely not alone.

Curves is a great place to work out and get support..I rapid cycle and am now sliding into depression ... I talked to the Curves manager and she so wants to help me..If I don't show for 2 days she is going to call my house and "encourage" me to get to curves...(Complain...nag..coerce even!!)..LOL..We CAN do this...but...because of bipolar..we can''t do it alone...we would like to think we are strong enough..but in reality..we are not when we are sliding ...Reach out..get support from those you trust!!!..lean on people .. til you are stronger again...they can always lean back when they need to!!!...

Hi everyone. This is an interesting topic to me also. There are lots of helpful posts here - thanks everyone.

I am bipolar type 1, mixed state, rapid cycling. I take my meds - Sodium valproate, cymbalta and edronax (this one helped me lose about 5 kg, then stalled). Sometimes I need to have a week of zyprexa if I am too high, and for sleep I have temazapan only 3 times a week.

Before I was diagnosed bipolar, I came off my antidepressants (for major depression) as I was feeling so good (probably a huge manic episode in hindsight). Within a few months I was hospitalised. I have never gone the self harm path for which I am thankful. But my bipolar swings do affect the state of and strain on family life. My marriage didn't survive.

My give-up habit was alcohol, even though I never drank much, even a little was not good for me, and was bad for bipolar. Haven't had any alcohol for 2 years, 4 months.

About 6months ago a GP told me I was obese - that shocked me into action to stop the weight gain. The first 5kg went off by starting Edronax (in my meds),, I joined mfp around that time and have not lost much weight since, but I also have not gained.

I have been through a difficult time mentally, with alot of depression, over the past few months. This involves lots of sleeping and binge eating. Not enough exercising. And not doing food or exercise diaries on this site.

I am having a couple of weeks of Lite n Easy meals at the moment, and exercising a bit more. Seems to be helping me towards my goal. Also, my kids are away on a vacation, so I have some precious me time. Its very good.

I babble on too, especially if I am a bit high!

I hope through mfp we can help each other through the tough times so each can stay on the path towards weight loss and health goals.

Eve

No one can complain until they have experienced rapid cycling or a mixed state! I have Bipolar II, and I understand how rough it is for us. The meds seem to work against us, and it is incredibly frustrating, especially because they are out of our control.

For me, it's all about focusing on what I have control of: making good use of my support system, watching what I eat, exercising, and keeping on a schedule as much as possible (especially when it comes to sleep!). When I do these things (I call it my Wellness Plan,) I like how I feel. My cycles seem less severe. I tend to be more confident (I also have Social Anxiety Disorder).

It's all about finding what works for you. My advice: Accept that you will stay on your meds.....but don't dwell on it! Look at how you are working on managing your Bipolar, and be proud that you are helping yourself. Hang in there! We are here for you!

Anyone feel free to add me. I'm always looking to give or get support.

Melissa, my name is Liz. I'm 21 and this past January I was hospitalized for 11 days after my normally slow-cycling bi-polar disorder (for years, misdiagnosed as depression) finally snapped under stress and I started the fast cycling. I'd have up to ten mood swings in an hour, was becoming violent and confrontational, then guilt ridden and distraught, then maniacally happy. I understand, I really do. For the last ten years of my life my family never knew which Liz they were going to meet when they walked into my room or how long she'd be there.

I'm also about 240 lbs and have been obese for the vast majority of my life. And I know how frustrating it is to want to loose the weight more than anything in the world and feel like nothing you do helps. Three years ago I quit my Zoloft-- then used to treat my depression and also known for inducing weight gain-- then hit a crazy manic wave that lasted for almost a solid year, and worked out for 60 minutes a day, every day, and ate just enough to get by. I dropped 80 lbs. It all sounds great, but every day I looked myself in the mirror and told myself that no one would ever love me if I was fat; it was the only way I could motivate myself. When I finally crashed, I crashed hard.

These days I'm on Wellbutrin, like you, and Lamictal ( aka: Lamotrigine). While in the hospital as I was getting diagnosed, I broke down in tears when the doctor started talking about what drugs to put me on. My family psychologist has prescribed Wellbutrin because it's both an anti-depressant and an appetite suppressant. In front of this new psychologist I sobbed as I explained that I didn't want to go on anything that might cause weight gain. The other patients had told me about how they'd packed on the pounds with their mood stabilizers and I told him that I really didn't think I could survive putting on any more weight. In my experience, the Lamictal has been great. Even without exercising or eating all that well, I lost about five pounds in two months. If I'm not loosing weight, it's at least stabilized and I don't gain any.

If a medicine switch is not an option for you (I know some people react better to Lithium and others just have side effects with certain meds) I'd suggest learning exercise related coping skills. I do yoga every day because it's calming and I can use the deep breathing exercises to help during stressful times later. Also, eating raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and food that isn't greasy tend to help with my mood. I might be able to afford the calories for a cheese burger, but I always. ALWAYS feel guilty about it later. Not to mention that my body doesn't react well to it.

If you find yourself in a manic, energetic, or angry mood, do some cardio. Every time I start feeling like that, especially when I'm angry or upset, I jump on my bike, turn up some music (usually System of a Down or something equally as energetic and angry-sounding as I am) and just go until I'm calmer. I've also done crunches and lifted weights. Anything to release that energy and hostility. Don't think of the workout as a punishment. Never punish yourself for your mood swings or anything else. Just use it to vent, like art or screaming into a pillow (one of my personal favorites as a kid). Then, when you've dealt with your mood swings in a productive manner, reward yourself with a little dark chocolate or a fruit smoothie. Or, if you're feeling extra proud, a scoop of vanilla frozen yogurt and some blueberries with a little skim milk in the blender. ^_^

just wanted to add..

that i have noticed I can somewhat ...alter some of my episodes. If i am feeling myself crash, I try to exercise a little bit more as to prevent such a bad crash into depression. If i am feeling myself going manic, I try to do more relaxing/calming exercises to just get me prepared for the episode and to prevent it from being as intense.

of course, sometimes you don't know when the episodes are coming haha. so that doesn't matter here LOL.

but definitely -

*exercising = natural mood booster
*and staying away from sugary foods helps me.
*also, absolutely no caffeine (except in chocolate cause i have to have chocolate haha) because of mania and insomnia