Posted by Squiggles on January 31, 2006, at 7:57:45
In reply to Re: Is this it? Blood Pressure meds and Bi-Polar » Squiggles, posted by jay on January 30, 2006, at 21:22:32
> > If you're taking lithium, as a salt, it
> > may raise your blood pressure. But the
> > real culprit is weight gain. Have you
> > seen a gradual weight gain over the years?
> >
> > Squiggles
>
> Oh yes..it has been *horrific*..the weight gain. It started with Depakote, through lithium ...
the antipsychotics.Someone posted the worst weight gain drugs,
but i think it was on a usenet group; anyway,
lithium, depakote especially, and the antipsychotics are notorious for gaining weight.It's interesting the the calcium channel blockers act some way in a similar fashion to lithium regarding discharges in cells and their communication.
What are these? Are they blood pressure pills?
But I have found a fairly clear line vetween drug intake = weight gain = metabolic problems (from thyroid to diabetes..the latter which I now have.) = heart/blood problems.
Well, it depends on the drug. With lithium at
least the metabolic problem can be controlled
with Synthroid supplmentation. I have skimmed
some articles on PubMed where I recall that ALL
psychoactive drugs have some effect metabolically.I have the family tree makeup for vulnerability for all of these. My Mom, Dad, and Sister are on blood pressure meds. My Dad has had atleast three heart attacks. My Uncle died last year of an aneurism, and had numerous heart attacks beforehand. My Dad is diabetic. (type 2).
>
> So, it's like, lets look at the link between metabolic, cardivascular, and mental illness symptoms. There is co-relation (with caution, I know) written all over the place. If I can get my blood pressure under control, and that provides me with enough mental stability...well, I am going to have a few questions to ask. So many questions..like how did I get from there to here. (I know..we all have these questions..but..)
>
> The other unfortunate thing is, as good as all these psych meds are, they are very unfriendly to the areas listed above..metabolic..cardiovascular (maybe less so).Picking the one (or combos) with the least effects mentioned
above, and exercising and dieting throughout might
be a good plan.Squiggles
>
> Jay
>
poster:Squiggles
thread:604595
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060129/msgs/604777.html