A mood stabilizer that doesn't make you gain weight? Is there one?

[bernie40]

Is there such a thing as a mood stabilizer that doesn't increase your weight?  I am so fed up, I put on loads of weight with the depakote, since coming off it I have lost some of it and now they want me to go on zyprexa which is another one for gaining weight.

If any of you know of one please let me know so I can discuss it with the psych next time I go.

Cheers

Helen

[Robbi50n63]

May I get more info on Steven Johnson syndrome? I am new to lamictal and am watching the discussions on the severe rash that can be life threatening, how so? Thats awful scary, but I have only started the drug a week, so far so good. Thanks and best of health to you.

[Robbi50n63]

Yikes! Thats a first to see that about depakote ruining the thyroid! Oh brother! Its bad enough with all the stuff about it causing weight gain, my APN who specializes in mental health said nothing to me about that, I'll have to bring it up next time. Glad I am aware of that now. Best to you, Robbi

[lilia350]

I take Latuda, the newest mood stablizer for bipolar and borderline and you do not gain any weight

[kito51]

I've been on Lamictal for years 200 mg per day and have not had any side effects or weight gain.

Years ago I was on Zyprexa for one year and gained 60 lbs.  I then took Seroquel for several years and my weight stayed stable, but still overweight 60 lbs.  I then took Geodon (Zeldox) and within a year I had lost 30 lbs without changing anything in my diet or exercise.  For the first 10 months I felt great.  I had so much more energy, I felt like I was coming out of a long period of being a zombie.  Unfortunately I had to stop Geodon because it started causing anxiety.  So went back to Seroquel XR last year and have gained 20 lbs and back as a zombie.  Now I'm starting Latuda, which apparently does not make one gain weight.  I don't know whether it will make me feel anxious like Geodon did.  On Seroquel XR my anxiety was completely under control but I did feel like a zombie a lot of the time and needed at least 10 hour sleep.

I also take the anti-depressant Pristiq, anti-anxiety Rivotril, and those do not make me gain weight.

[suzim69]

Also regarding Lamictal it is very important to slowly titrate the dose up as directed. And if you go off the med for 5 days or more you can't just pick up where you left off. You have to start over the weeks long titration schedule. If not you run the risk of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. It starts as a rash but can be fatal.

[ILADVOCATE]

   Yes I experienced some side effects with some mood stabilizes and was unable to tolerate them. Other mood stabilizers didnt work. Its been a matter of trial and error but right now I am doing well on Lovaza which is used as a mood stabilizer in study that is prescribed off label. However each person responds differently to each medication. i found the thing that was most of help when known mood stabilizers didnt work was to see a psychopharmocologist who are medication specialists
    This has full information on known mood stabilizers (I believe some of the sites update themselves) that a person can read for informational purposes and discuss with their psychiatrist:
http://www.medhelp.org/tags/health_page/167/Depression/Useful-Bipolar--Depression-Webisites?hp_id=523