A question for my fellow bi-polars...

DarkOctoberNight
DarkOctoberNight Posts: 111 Member
edited October 2 in Health and Weight Loss
I started my lamictal again for my bi-polar disorder . I'm on day two so obviously no real change yet, but I do have some side effects. What I am worried about is the possibility of weight gain/loss. In the studies it has shown to effect 5% of patience. I was on the same medication about 2 years ago and I had lost 25 lbs. I was also going through a really tough time and was starting to become anorexic due to stress and not eating. I can't say if the pills helped the weight loss along or if it kept me from losing even more or if it had no effect at all. I'm worried because obviously who the hell wants to gain weight and I DO NOT want to get back down to 128. I was disgustingly skinny. If it helps me lose a little...then great. No sure what I'm going to do If it makes me pack on the pounds. I'm trying not to stress it because I know if I think it is going to do that then it will. I just don't want it to hinder my progress.

Are any of you out there bipolar or have you been on Lamictal for seizures? What was your experience?

Replies

  • jpeterburs88
    jpeterburs88 Posts: 201 Member
    I am also on lamictal and I havent noticed any change in my weight due to the pills. I have been on them for about 3 years... I did notice weight loss when I starting taking concerta, but I think you should be fine! Just make sure not to let the stress get to you again! If you want to add me as a friend, I'd be happy to support you! (esp. since we have the same problem). :)
  • DarkOctoberNight
    DarkOctoberNight Posts: 111 Member
    That would be awesome! I'd be happy to add you. Im krista btw
  • p0pr0cksnc0ke
    p0pr0cksnc0ke Posts: 1,283 Member
    Has anyone been on seroqul before? I am reall battling gaining weight from it. Trying to eat healthy.. but if theres a medicine that will give me the same effects without this stupid side effect, (and cost. DAMN its expensive!) Id love to switch.
  • DarkOctoberNight
    DarkOctoberNight Posts: 111 Member
    Well so far the lamictal works. Very low weight gain in patience. Seriquil is known to cause ppl to pack on the pounds. One of my friends was on that and she blew up like a balloon. I'd talk to your doctor about Lamictal and possibly abilify or that one with the depressed little circle...the name escapes me atm. The reason im concerned is because I'm not sure what it did to me the last time because I was in such a deep depression back then. Best of luck to you!
  • DarkOctoberNight
    DarkOctoberNight Posts: 111 Member
    oh and 25mg lamictal with out insurance at walmart is just over 100$ It's still really expensive, but on the cheaper side of psych meds.
  • SusanMcAvoy
    SusanMcAvoy Posts: 445 Member
    I have Bi-Polar Disorder and would love to be in touch with others who are dealing with the same problem. I have been on MFP since March and have lost almost 29 pounds. The medications I take on a regular basis are Geodon and Buspar. It's harder to lose weight while on Geodon but I'm being patient and working it. It just takes a little longer. Please anyone with Bipolar Disorder, feel free to add me.
  • rainbowbrite98
    rainbowbrite98 Posts: 11
    I have bipolar disorder too, but right now I am not taking medication. I was on Abilify and I hated it. Tried Topamax next and stopped taking it as well. I hate the side effects.
  • April9393
    April9393 Posts: 33 Member
    I too am Bi-Polar and would love to have some friends with it too. I am on Abilify,Nefadone, Strattera, Wellbutrin, and Buspirone. I am also on Provigil but that is for a sleep disorder. Please add me. I would love to have a support group to talk to.
  • jpeterburs88
    jpeterburs88 Posts: 201 Member
    Has anyone been on seroqul before? I am reall battling gaining weight from it. Trying to eat healthy.. but if theres a medicine that will give me the same effects without this stupid side effect, (and cost. DAMN its expensive!) Id love to switch.

    I was on serequel for quite some time and gained about 20lbs. It was definetly helping with racing thoughts at night but the weight gain, the fatigue and other side effects werent worth it so I went off of it. My doctor never prescribed me to a different type so I am not sure if other brands would effect weight differently, sorry!
  • Beautifylgirl
    Beautifylgirl Posts: 55 Member
    Well nice to see I"m not the only one who's bipolar on here. So here's my story.
    I've been bipolar since 14. At that time I was just diagnosed with severe depression, the Dr. didn't take into account my massive twice yearly mood swings where I would be manic. Not manic to the point of going off the deep end and going crazy. But manic in the productive way where I would be amazing at work, have tons of energy, be super focused etc. Then 6 months later, I would be super depressed be SUPER *****y etc.
    I've been on an off meds since then since I never found anything that really worked well for me.
    Last year I went off the deep end. Troubled marriage, almost left my husband because I was so depressed and no one noticed. I was caught by my support group , my husband and mother in law, and put back on the right track with a great psychologist and psychiatrist. I was put back on Prozac, because it works for my depression and then started on Depakote ER. Great drug, as in it worked great was affordable since it was generic but HORRIBLE.. I mean HORRIBLE on my weight. I gained 40 pounds in a year on it! 10 of that in 2 days :(
    Turn the clock forward to about 4 months ago. I told my dr. I've had enough and I can't gain any more weight because that alone is making me super depressed. That quickly lead to the change to Saphris. A new bipolar med on the market that has a very low occurance of weight gain and the weight that would be gained is minimal. I mean like 2 pounds :)
    So that brings me to today. Back on the Must loose weight band wagon along with my Prozac Saphris combination which honestly works very well. Now cost wise is another story. Without insurance..... $600 for a 30 supply :(

    Oh and the Saphris is the sub lingual (under the tongue) tablet that comes in the foil pouch.
  • DarkOctoberNight
    DarkOctoberNight Posts: 111 Member
    600$$!!? And I though 110$ was bad. Geeze! I'm glad that you are back on track though. It's tough to get back on meds or change them. I'm just glad the first meds I was put on works for me. Depakote scares me because I hear it causes Seizures even though they use it to treat them, Also, the weight gain is terrible! I'll never understand my certain meds make you pack on the pounds. Is it because it makes you hungry or does it slow the metabolism down? All I know is...I'm in that stage right now where I'm hopeful that I get the lose weight side effect and not the pack on pounds side effect. As of right now...my *kitten* has reached maximum capacity! lol
  • gerink
    gerink Posts: 50
    I'm on seroquel, topomax, and lamactil. Didn't gain weight from them to begin with but the depression contributed to a lack of exercise on my part. I'm finding it very difficult to loss weight with being on these meds. And, of course, the weight is not helping the depression aspect. I just keep plugging away with the exercise and the whole lifestyle change.
  • calliope_music
    calliope_music Posts: 1,242 Member
    Seroquel is one of the meds that everyone i've known has gained a TON of weight on it. have you tried any others (Geodon or Abilify)? good luck!
  • calliope_music
    calliope_music Posts: 1,242 Member
    i'm not bipolar, but my husband is. he takes Lithium and he has not gained a single pound.


    i take antidepressants and also haven't gained weight from them.


    good luck to you all <3
  • bluevwgurl
    bluevwgurl Posts: 220 Member
    i was on lamictal, didnt notice any weight gain or loss. however had terrible (HORRIBLE) nightmares and hand and feet numbness so they took me off of it. I am currently on topamax, but am hoping to change soon (starting nursing school in 2 weeks and theres a reason its nicknamed dopamax....no clarity at all on this med)

    anyway, dr says after i get on a birthcontrol that i cant eff up (his actual words) then i can go on lithium. (due to birth defects and all that...)
  • Beautifylgirl
    Beautifylgirl Posts: 55 Member
    As for the weight gain, I don't know if it's because it slows down metabolism or if it just made me eat more. I honestly couldn't tell you all I know is my body now believes that I should weigh 160 :( I am bound and determined with the help of my psychologist and medication changes to get this weight off because it's making me more depressed.
  • jackibailey
    jackibailey Posts: 206 Member
    I was diagnosed as bipolar in 2001. I have been on so many med cocktails that I cant remember everything I took. I was on seroquel for years. Major weight gain. Also took lamicral for a long time, but it stopped working. I'm now on depakote er. The weight gain on that does not seem so bad. Right now I take cymbalta, adavant, geodon, depakote er, and trazadone. I've been on MFP since April and have lost 65 pounds. I think it's harder to lose the weight with all the meds but somehow I'm doing it. I would love to have friends who are struggling the same as me so please feel free to add me. We can use all the extra support we can get, I'm sure. Stay strong my friends. We can do this!!! Hugs to you all!
  • helenium
    helenium Posts: 546 Member
    I have bipolar disorder too, but right now I am not taking medication. I was on Abilify and I hated it. Tried Topamax next and stopped taking it as well. I hate the side effects.

    ABILIFY is CRAP and EVIL and I hate it with a vengeance for losing me a year of my life. RAGE!
  • gerink
    gerink Posts: 50
    I need a little help this morning. The last few weeks have been somewhat difficult. My ex fiance just got married a month ago and then tells me he thinks about me everyday and is crying on the phone to me that he feels guilty about how he broke up our relationship of 8 years. My son and daughter-in-law just had a premature baby who has been in the hospital for three weeks. Found out yesterday that my current "friend" has gone on Match.com - once confronted he finally admitted it and said he wasn't getting enough companionship from me. I stuffed last night and am somewhat depressed this morning without my usual run. The meds just aren't working right now and my stomach is a real mess. What have you all done it situations like this to get yourselves going again and especially to not stuff? :sad:
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