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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by noelle on February 7, 2008, at 13:00:45
I finally found the right cocktail and I feel good, I'm stabile but on a lot of meds, Lithium, risperdal, lamictal, effexor and now topamax to try for weight loss. I've gained 60 pounds and have been on Weight watchers a month and 1/2 w/ no weight loss. I eat healthier, and work out 4 times a week. I tip the scales at 217 for 5/8. Should I just except it or is there something else I can do, its been years of trying to find the right meds and I don't want to switch. What should I do
Posted by Maxime on February 7, 2008, at 13:27:28
In reply to Fat but happy f/m meds just accept it?, posted by noelle on February 7, 2008, at 13:00:45
It is great that you joined weight watchers and that you are doing something about your weight.
Lithium can kill off your thyroid so you should have your levels checked. Hypothyroidism causes weight gain.
Out of everything you are taking it is most likely the Risperdal that is causing the weight gain. It made me puffy and I gained 10 pounds in one week. What do you think the Risperdal does for you?
Since you are feeling better you should probably stay on your cocktail and stick to weight watchers.
On the flip side (devil's advocate) I wonder if you aren't being over medicated? You are on a lot. What is your diagnosis?
Maxime
Posted by Phillipa on February 7, 2008, at 16:27:17
In reply to Re: Fat but happy f/m meds just accept it? » noelle, posted by Maxime on February 7, 2008, at 13:27:28
Agree with Maxime do you excercise also? Phillipa
Posted by MidnightBlue on February 7, 2008, at 17:06:42
In reply to Fat but happy f/m meds just accept it?, posted by noelle on February 7, 2008, at 13:00:45
I've been there! Keep with the Weight Watchers, eating healthy and exercise. Write down everything you eat calorie wise. If still no weight loss after another month then talk to your doc. But honestly, I would not be quick to dump meds that were finally helping.
MB
Posted by B2chica on February 8, 2008, at 9:04:20
In reply to Fat but happy f/m meds just accept it?, posted by noelle on February 7, 2008, at 13:00:45
i'm in a similar position as you. and i've been both thin and miserable, suicidal and borderline psychotic and fat and happy. right now i'm chunky and mostly ok.
i'd go for fat and happy. cuz at least then you have the mindset to want to do something about your weight PLUS thin or big exercise is good for your mood and your more likely to do it if your feeling good.i wouldn't mess with a good thing for now. do like maxime says. keep up the good work with WW for now, if in a few months you are not noticing even a slight weight loss, it's time to talk with your doc.
GOOD GOING AND YOU CAN DO IT!
b2c.
Posted by noelle on February 8, 2008, at 15:01:32
In reply to Re: Fat but happy f/m meds just accept it? » noelle, posted by Maxime on February 7, 2008, at 13:27:28
I'm Bipolar 2 But and I have been through hell and back, I see docs through the university and they finally just started adding thinking they could take me off but no go I would flip out when they tried. I think the recent weight gain about 40 lbs is from reducing exercise I used to work out twice a day but I'm working and just can't do it anymore. I'll just keep trying I guess what else can I do. Thanks for the support
Posted by yxibow on February 14, 2008, at 17:20:33
In reply to Fat but happy f/m meds just accept it?, posted by noelle on February 7, 2008, at 13:00:45
If you have the right combination of medications at the moment and you aren't extremely body conscious, I would agree, to leave it for now. Certainly excercise, try to cut down on intake of food, include more fiber and things like that to make you feel fuller. Have physicals when you can, that's rational to see your glycemic indexes and all that but probably you're doing what you can do. It can take a while for excercise to kick in too.
-- tidings
Posted by Astounder on February 20, 2008, at 10:37:59
In reply to Fat but happy f/m meds just accept it?, posted by noelle on February 7, 2008, at 13:00:45
> I finally found the right cocktail and I feel good, I'm stabile but on a lot of meds, Lithium, risperdal, lamictal, effexor and now topamax to try for weight loss. I've gained 60 pounds and have been on Weight watchers a month and 1/2 w/ no weight loss. I eat healthier, and work out 4 times a week. I tip the scales at 217 for 5/8. Should I just except it or is there something else I can do, its been years of trying to find the right meds and I don't want to switch. What should I do
You shouldn't get rid of anything if the drugs are working, but obesity, especially from massive carbohydrate consumption, is a big health issue; you should at least talk to your GP about it and get a full work-up, because there could be problems unrelated to psychiatric issues.
Topamax can be a good diet drug, but stimulants (e.g., phentermine), serotonergics (sibutrimine or megadose 5-HTP), and orlistat shouldn't be excluded, and may work better in unison. Thermogenics work, but they're not prescription drugs or known by most doctors, so you'd have to do some self-research.
Finally, you might try switching to a ketogenic (high-protein, low-carbohydrate) diet if Weight Watchers is not doing anything for you.
Posted by clipper40 on February 20, 2008, at 17:07:02
In reply to Re: Fat but happy f/m meds just accept it?, posted by Astounder on February 20, 2008, at 10:37:59
Wouldn't megadose 5-HTP lead to serotonin syndrome as Noelle is already on Effexor?
Posted by Dopamine123 on February 21, 2008, at 19:38:48
In reply to Re: Fat but happy f/m meds just accept it? » Astounder, posted by clipper40 on February 20, 2008, at 17:07:02
Metformin might be able to reduce weight gain of antipsychotics/antidepressants.
http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/about/news/release/2006/12-diabetes-medicine-study.htm
"But a new study shows that metformin, an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels, not only reduces weight gain but decreases insulin sensitivity. The finding may "improve patient adherence to treatment and thus treatment outcome," according to David Klein, MD, PhD, an endocrinologist at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and lead author of the study."
Though, I don't know if you want to add another drug to the mix.
My neuroscience/neurotechnology blog.
http://brainstimulant.blogspot.com
Posted by noelle on March 10, 2008, at 11:52:02
In reply to Re: Fat but happy f/m meds just accept it?, posted by Dopamine123 on February 21, 2008, at 19:38:48
Thanks for all your emails. I went on Topamax and for a month and lost a couple pounds but starting to get major mood instabiity. NOt sure if it was the Topamax or changing diet which has happened before especially the low carb (they actually make me cycle). I'm off Topamax (boo hoo) BTW can't take stimulants make me very disphoric
This is the end of the thread.
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