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Bipolar meds and weight gain

Hello Everyone,

I'm very new community.  My new dr. just recently told me that me that I'm bipolar.  I had been on lamictal for about two years for depression and anxiety, but weaned myself off of it, as I was convinced that it was making me gain weight.  When I weaned myself off, I fell into a deep depression and had to find myself a new dr. I started Topamax and Wellbutrin, but the Wellbutrin is making my thoughts and heart race.  So I have to go off.  The Topamax is making me foggy, so I'll have to lower my dose.  The dr. is recommending that I go on Abilify, but I'm terrified of weight gain.  (I'm bulimic).  I did take the 2 mg. that she gave me last night, and I couldn't sleep, and my heart was racing more than ever (not sure if anxiety can be a side effect of Abilify).

I know that there aren't many options for mood stablizers that don't cause weight gain.  So I'm looking for your experiences.  Also, I'm curious about hair loss.  I did have hair loss on lamictal, and more now with Topamax.

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15242955 tn?1534438461
I was on genereric Ability some years ago for depression.  I don't recall gaining weight.  However my blood sugar soared up to on an average to over 30o fasting blood sugar.  I am diagnosed with diabetes type2.  I strongly recommend to at least be cautious of you're diabetic.  Plus discuss with your prescribing doctor if  you're diagnosed with diabetes, especially type2.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
I have recently been reading about the blood sugar issue.  My son is taking seroquel now but as he is not diabetic, I have no idea what it is doing to his blood sugar.  He's also currently on a very low dose of 12.5.  I guess it mostly makes him sleepy and unfortunately, too sleepy as he doesn't like it.  I like it because it gets him to stay asleep all night but with severe depression, I know it's probably not doing anything for mood at that dose.  Abilify was activating for him, he only took it for two days.  I'm wondering if side effects for abilify could be transient and some would go away?  
Avatar universal
Ive been on abilify for abit now, and I have tried all of what you have. I havent gained weight from it. My son and my brother are on the same medications.  We all take abilify before bedtime. It makes us tired if taken during the day. Also wellbutron, and other anti depression meds dont mix well for people with bipolar. I had a few friends on it that had really bad reactions from it. It didnt do well with me either, I gained weight from that when I used it. And had weird effects afterwards. I can only describe it like a random brain shock. I had that with a loy of the anti depression medications.  I did gain a loy of weight when on serequil.
The lamictal weight gain for all 3 of us. Expecially my son. It didnt do well with me so I quit that. So now for mood  I just take abilify. along with adhd med, trazodone, and clonazapam when needed. Ive been able to almost stop with the anxiety meds. Topamax didnt work for me, I was so dizzy I could see straight.
I hope this helps someone. Take care and ALWAYS read studies about your medications before you take them. Its helped me since i had a dr put me on 2 of the same class drugs at once and made me.....well not me.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Good information.  My son has started an atypical, seroquel. He's got quite an appetite. He has not gained more as of yet but will say that he is highly interested in food and not always the 'right' food.  Monitoring that. Do all of these meds cause weight gain?  Abilify was very activating for my son and caused insomnia.  Did you have side effects initially that went away?  It would likely be a better choice as seroquel is making him tired.
447130 tn?1225470866
Just google some of the mood stabelizers and you'll find a ton of info, Try some of the other forums too because they use Abilify for depression as well as bipolar. You might get more answers if you put your question in a couple other forums. I wouldn't worry about my water retention, Abilify is not supposed to cause it so the doc is not 100% certain the water is from the Abilify. The older mood stabelizers almost always have weight gain as a side effect, however, not everyone gains weight on the drugs.
You really won't know until you try and if you see 5 pounds come on, then you can ask your doc to change your meds before you have 20 or 30 pounds to loose. 5 is easy. Good luck, I hope you find the right med the first try!!
Erin
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you so much for your reply.  I'm so overwhelmed that I dont' know what to do.  I've never been diagnosed with bipolar, and I've been to many dr's.  This dr. is basing the diagnosis on the fact that I had alot of energy after I had my kids.  (instead of post-partum depression, I had post-partum mania).  No other manic episodes besides that, unless you count going on wellbutrin. (gave me way too much energy).

I'm terrified of going on a mood stablizer.  Water retention will freak me out.  I'm having some water retention with the 25mg of Topamax that I'm on (I was on 75 but cut back to 25), and I feel crummy.  The thought of being on anything that has the slightest possiblity of making me gain weight is just too overwhelming.  

I'd love to hear from others experiences.  Anybody else out there?
Helpful - 0
447130 tn?1225470866
When I looked up weight gain and bipolar medications, Abilify was at the bottom of the list for weight gain, Geodon people gained the least then Abilify. I'm on 2mg. of Abilify and in the begining you tend to feel sleepy, that's why they start you on it at bedtime. I would be surprised if Abilify caused a racing heart but you definately have to tell your doc about that. I was also on Wellbutrin and had to come off because it caused to much anxiety.
I think either Abilify or Geodon are your 2 best bets in regards to a mood stabelizer and weight gain, or lack there of. I couldn't tolerate Geodon, it made me worse but 2mg of Abilify saved my life! I also now take it with 100mg of Seroquel at night and I feel better than I have in years. I also take lasix because Abilify caused me to retain water but the lasix does the job and I'm still loosing some weight I was trying to get off anyway. If you do notice weight gain, actual pounds, not feeling bigger, talk to your doc about a diuretic and see if that helps but a highly doubt you'll gain on Abilfy. The data I read supports it.
Good Luck to you!!
Erin
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