I had my surgery about 2 years ago in May. diagnosed with bipolar disorder

I have been diagnosed with manic depression ( bipolar disorder) and put on meds for the this. Since then I have gained about 25 pound and I'm miserable. I know the meds are the biggest cause of the weight gain but I don't know how to fix this. I exercise everyday walking up to 5 miles and adding in strength training and  aerobics.  Has anybody else gone thru this and what have you done?  Please help, I'm miserable and feeling depressed!

I have clinical depression that I manage with medication. My meds do not result in weight gain. I still track my food and measure everything. Good luck.

I started on Abilify and now I'm on Seroquel.  What do you take?

 

Abilify was not compatible with my system. Haven't tried Seroquel. I take Effexor, Xanax and geodon. Works great for me.

Talk to your doctor. Maybe you can try a different medication or combination of medication. I have moderate anxiety and depression and switching from Celexa to Wellbutrin had me lose 8 lbs with no change to my diet or exercise. I have a bit more anxiety on this one but I have much more energy and don't want to sleep all day. And my sex life is better (sorry if that's TMI). But it took me a long to realize I should change it. Be sure you are getting vitamins and sunshine!

I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder since 2005. The medications are definitely a game changer when it comes down to weight. Before being diagnosed I weighed 170, now I have ballooned up to over 250. The problem is they need to find the right medications that are going to help with your condition. I have tried them all. I am presently on Colanzapam, Tegratol, and Paliperdone. (not sure I spelled them right) Between the Colanzapam which keeps me sleepy, and the Pali, which I need for the disorder, it's been a constant struggle. However, the combination of these three meds, have been better for me in terms of weight gain as opposed to the other combinations I have been on before.

No matter what you need the meds, DO NOT stop taking them. Work with your doctor, as I did, Pali, doesn't help you gain weight as much as Risperidone. Not quite sure why but that's what the doctor told me and for me, it's gotten me stable at around 250. Now I am obese, but am looking forward to getting my surgery soon. So keep your head up and just let your doctor know that you need another medication that whatever your taking is not helping with your weight, and that is causing you depression. It is imperative that you talk to your doctor, because before you know it you will stay in a funk for weeks and end up not doing anything physical and end up sitting around eating and defeating the purpose of your surgery. I have faith you will be fine, I'm an old Marine, if I can do it I know you can!

 

-Semper Fi

gyrene2083

Thank you so much for the information, I have written down the names of these so I can take them to my Dr. I'm already doing the colanzapam for my severe anxiety.  I won't stop taking them, I just hate feeling frustrated!!

 Thank you again for the information!

Good luck with the surgery.......it's an amazing life changer!

I have had bipolar for 20 years i'm 39. You have to try different meds most phych meds are weight gainers. Tell your doc that you need something different I take Geodon and I don't gain weight.

Thank you for the information. I've written all of these suggestions down and am going to take them to my DR.