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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jerrympls on June 2, 2004, at 21:59:30
My pdoc has decided to augment my Effexor with Lithium before trying Mirapex. I've been on Lithium before when I weighed 135lbs. Now - due to Seroquel and other meds I'm at 280 and am not looking forward to gaining anymore weight.
So - is it inevitable that I'll become bloated and gain weight on the lithium?
thanks
Jerry
Posted by CareBear04 on June 2, 2004, at 22:41:26
In reply to I'm gonna get FAT on lithium aren't I?, posted by jerrympls on June 2, 2004, at 21:59:30
hi jerry,
just wanted to let you know that weight gain doesn't happen to everyone. i've been on lithium for over a year, on doses between 900 and 1800mgs, and i don't think i've gained any weight. i've heard that it's hard to lose weight on lithium, and that may be true, but i don't think the weight gain is inevitable. don't be discouraged! you may be ok.
good luck, cb
Posted by Caper on June 2, 2004, at 23:54:44
In reply to Re: I'm gonna get FAT on lithium aren't I? » jerrympls, posted by CareBear04 on June 2, 2004, at 22:41:26
Hi Jerry,
Regarding weight gain, it's not necessarily true that you'll gain weight. I was on it for about two years and didn't gain any. What I did notice was incredible _thirst_. Could not get enough liquid in me. And I've heard that sometimes people mistakenly believe they need food when they really just need more water or whatever. So I'd suggest drinking a low cal beverage if you feel you're hungry at odd times, see if that helps. It did me. Drinking water or some other clear liquid relieved the "hunger" so I didn't want to eat. (You will need to have a restroom close at first though- lithium really has a diuretic effect).
Good luck.
Caper
Posted by rainbowlight on June 3, 2004, at 1:25:07
In reply to I'm gonna get FAT on lithium aren't I?, posted by jerrympls on June 2, 2004, at 21:59:30
I never gained any weight on Lithium (now Remeron is another story!)
Posted by ramsea on June 3, 2004, at 10:30:43
In reply to Re: I'm gonna get FAT on lithium aren't I?, posted by rainbowlight on June 3, 2004, at 1:25:07
Yeah, well, I have ballooned from them all--first the TCAs, the antipsychs, then the benzo belly, then the SSRIs and SNRIs, and finally lithium--lastly. On Lithium I have gained a lot of water weight, but have otherwise been losing weight, substancial. I expect I won't get down to my so-called ideal, but heavens above, I do believe | can manage some more. Try to see what your own reacion is mostly by trusting yourself, and then compare and check with pdoc. Good luck. I am chubby now, but the lithium has given me back a lot of peace of mind, which helps me deal with this terribly triggering subject--my weight. I go psycho on the subject of my weight and that ain't blowing up big, it's true. I can no longer weigh myself and keep stable. So hope for the best, do all they say to do, and maybe it will be your turn to be one of the non-gaining lithium users. Oh--one ting--just about everyone gains 4-8 lbds due to water retention. For some folks that will be all. Write me anytime, I love HEARING EXPERIENCES.
Posted by jaby on June 3, 2004, at 12:38:21
In reply to I'm gonna get FAT on lithium aren't I?, posted by jerrympls on June 2, 2004, at 21:59:30
not me 900mg lithobid
Posted by starlight on June 7, 2004, at 11:39:13
In reply to I'm gonna get FAT on lithium aren't I?, posted by jerrympls on June 2, 2004, at 21:59:30
I'm a recovered eating disorder person. When my Pdoc tried to perscribe me lithium and depakote. , I said 'absolutely not to lithium' to start with and told him why, which he wasn't very sympathetic to. And I tried Depakote for about two weeks, started gaining weight and generally felt like my body was polluted so I stopped. Next appt I came in loaded with research and he couldn't argue with the current research that recommends newer anticonvulsants. A lot of old Pdocs want to keep people on the older drugs (watch out for HMO docs since they're supposed to go with cheap formulary drugs) but I was so well armed with information about Trileptal, Lamictal and Topomax that he surrendered and wrote the scrip for Trileptal. Later we added Lamictal which I like even better. So if you're feeling the negative side effects like weight gain - which to me is a great way to keep a woman depressed Isn't it Topomax that can counter the weight gain?
starlight
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