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

[LISSA6854]

IF YOU WANT ANYTHING OUT OF LIFE YOU HAVE TO BE A FIGHTER
(much more happened between all of this but here is the short version)

I am 24, have a 3 year old daughter and am dysphoric mania schizoaffective bipolar. It *****.  I ended up getting postpartum psychosis after I had my daughter and would stand over her crib all night so aliens wouldnt abduct her..not to mention the grusome thoughts that pop into your head when you have postpartum...I was a wreck but sought help for this, I refused to take any meds when I was Pregnant and while breastfeeding...if I was going to do something right this would be it! After she weaned herself I was put on setraline 100mg, seroquel 100mg, lithium 900mg, and ativan(I cant remember the dosage as it was PRN)...after 6 years, I ended up breaking up with my daughters father just after her 1st birthday...not that I wanted the unsupportive drunk anyway, but he ended up running out and getting another woman pregnant within a month, I had a breakdown...I left my daughter with my mom and dad and went on a binge, cocaine, acid, alcohol...Im sure I was trying to kill myself, and I stopped taking my meds I was usless for 8 months as a mother and a human being and lost 60lbs putting me at 220lbs...I ended up hopitalised for the 13th time in my life and decided I needed to be there for my daughter...It was very hard to bond with her as psychosis would take over and I wasnt sure if she exsisted or not...I wasnt sure if anyone actually exsisted...Now I am on 100mg of geodon spreadout throughout the day 900mg of lithium, 150mg of wellbutrin and 5mcg of cytomel(thyroid hormone)I ended up gaining my 60lbs back ....Now.I push through it and work casual as a care aid(and graduated college for this certificate) which works great for me because im busy and not left alone with my thoughts. I have always been a good worker and had a job(except when im in the hospital).My new boyffriend of a year and a half finds it hard when i call him at 3 am when hes out of town at work and I call him about aliens outside of the house or me running out to the sidewalk with a knife because they are trying to get in our house, or me seeing ghosts in the care home, or the many delusions of why he is out cheating on me in BC rather then at work for the week(we live in saskatchewan) I do find that I have aside from the distortions of perseption and parinoia a very hard time with empathy and sympathy. I had a very hard time connecting with others emotions. I am 5'10 and weight 245lbs...5 months ago I weighed 285...I find that exercising regularily and pushing myself to do it as the geodon makes me just as sleepy as seroquel or risperadol, and eating a high protien diet helps to make me feel full as well as keeps the weight coming off...its not easy, Ive struggled with weight my whole life and lithium makes it very hard to come off...I just beleive if u keep on it it will happen and watch what you eat because we crave carbs when we are on sedating meds...but sanity is much more important then immediate weight loss!

[StayOutOTrouble]

I am on Haldol and Topamax and I am losing weight. I have Bipolar 1 psychotic disorder and it helps me a lot. Haldol makes me lose my appetite and so does the topamax so I want to eat less. They both decrease my weight. It is another two to try. I lost 17, 18 lbs so far and I am working out at the gym.
I agree that exercising is a really good thing. I know to stay on meds because I have a similar disorder to you, but it is bipolar with psychotic features. I take 10mg of Haldol and 200mg of Topamax plus I do take xanax for anxiety but I am careful to only take that as needed because that is the one pill that makes me want to eat, but it does relieve anxiety and makes me feel euphoric.
PS I was on depakote but for some reason didn't get heavier. It was the strangest darn thing ever. In fact I lost my appetite on that one too. I guess everyone is different
Love,
Linda Marie Jourdain

[Force78]

Trileptal is another anti-convulsant that was popular back in the early 2000's for bi-polar.  That was when I was put on it and have been on it since.  It has not caused any weight gain for me whatsoever, and from my reading it appears to generally be weight neutral for everyone.

However, according to my doctor, it is not as popular for bi-polar anymore and is only a secondary option nowadays, but you can still ask about it.

[lindahand]

I take lamotrigine, trazodone, and abilify without any weight issues. I am a size 6.

[Anneinside]

I take lamictal and have had no weight gain or other side effects. It is a good mood stabilizer.

[blondie300]

hi there, i to was also on depakote and i put on heaps of weight. i also got bad fluid retention in the ankles and wrists. i went from being a trim size 12 to a huge size 26 within 6 months. i felt absolutely miserable . i took myelf of the drug and i got a new doctor who put me on lithicarb which seems to be ok so far. i am still trying to lose the weight from the depakote by walking everyday and haveing a restricted diet. i am bipolar type 2.