Posted by kotsunega on November 19, 2004, at 9:13:44
In reply to Re: Freaked out on Geodon; went back to Zyprexa-Long, posted by DanielJ on November 19, 2004, at 7:19:33
Dear DanielJ:
Thanks for responding to my post. I don't have any blood sugar problems with Zyprexa; some do and some don't. I would keep a watch on this with your son, as elevated blood sugar problems on Zyprexa can lead to type 2 diabetes. You don't want that.
As for the weight gain: I topped out at 282 pounds by last Christmas, then in Febuary of 2004, I had gastric bypass surgery. I have ever-so-slowly lost to the point where, nine months following this surgery I am down to 208. Normally with this surgery I would have lost 30 to 40 more pounds by this point, but the Zyprexa slows the weight loss. That is why my pdoc wanted me to try Geodon; to try and get the remaining weight off quicker. My point is, weight loss is still possible on Zyprexa if food intake is reduced -- by whatever means; surgery or any other reduction in food intake method.
While I don't advocate an Atkin's like no carb diet, my sister, who does not have mental health problems, had type 2 diabetes until she switched to a meat, fruit, and vegetables diet only. The diabetes symptoms were eliminated in time, and she has lost a significant amount of weight on this regimen in the last two years (60 pounds).
I am an advocate of Zyprexa as, even with the weight gain, it has done me so much good mentally.
While there are other neuraleptic drugs you could try that might not raise your son's blood sugar (Risperdal or Abilify), I think if it were me I would first try a restrictive diet that is low in carbs, as simple carbohydrates are immediately converted to blood sugar (bread, pasta, sweets), while complex carbs (vegetables, fruits) take more time being converted to blood sugar.
Going low carb may assist in lowering your son's blood sugar so that a medication switch is not necessary. A body that is constantly assaulted with elevated blood sugar will eventually lead to poop out of the pancreas that produces insulin. Insulin counteracts elevated blood sugar but if the pancreas has to work overtime, this organ simply cannot compete with trying to balance out all of the blood sugar it is meant to normalize and it poops out -- hence, type 2 diabetes sets in. Thus, the lack of insulin no longer being produced by the body must be managed through diabetes diet and/or administered through diabetes drugs. I would talk to the doctor about all this, for sure.
Best of luck to you,
k.
poster:kotsunega
thread:417668
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041118/msgs/417852.html