bcindyfree... taking them yet until my doctor sees that I no longer need the medicine. I am 5'5 and weight 225lb. Will joining a gym help me to lose weight and keep it off? A gym can be expensive. I do not want to pay too much. I do yoga at home and it helps with my back pain but does not burn off much weight yet. I have lost 6lbs in the past two months. Does anyone know another way I could lost weight while it is still winter?
Obesity - I have gained weight from taking psychiatric medicines. I am bipolar and can not stop?
- Posted:
- 17 Feb 2010 by bcindyfree
- Topics:
- bipolar disorder, obesity, psychiatric disorders, weight
Details:
Responses (7)
clm197017 Feb 2010
Hello, exercise is the best. However, another, but controversial intervention, to assist in the promotion of weight loss, while taking psychotropic medications, likely to gain weight with, is taking Amantadine, also known as Symmetrel, an antiviral. Amantadine, when given to persons, who are simultaneously taking the weight likely psychotropics, have proven to be beneficial to a few persons by decreasing the appetite, thus decreasing food intake, and lessened opportunities for weight gain. Other interventions being looked at in the psychiatric community for this, simulataneous begin the person on Topamax as, via a different mechanism, can dull the appetite, thus lessening food intake, and lowering risk of weight gain. The last intervention that I will mention here, and in my clnical opinion, is starting the client on the diabetes medication, Glucophage; again, via a different mechanism, intake of food is lessened, and opportunity of weight gain lessened. I hope that this is somehow beneficial to you, best of luck and wishes to you. Cindy
Anonymous 9 Mar 2010
The Wii exercise program!!! I also have gained lots of weight because of the same medications you are on. My daughter surprised me with the wii excersie program for christmas. It includes yoga, strength training, aerobics, and balance type games. I have severe panic and anxiety attacks so I don't leave the house unless I have too so this has worked for me. The thing that keeps you motivated is you get a score for each thing you do and you are constantly trying to beat your own score or someone else that has used it!! In the aerobics you do dances in which you step on and off of the foot board which really helps to strengthen your legs and build muscle.
Princess2...10 Mar 2010
I would agree with the Topamax. I have been on it for 3 months and have lost 25 pounds so far and that is the only reason that my doctor put me on it. I am so disgusted with myself because of the weight gain that it was affecting my overall feeling of depression. I would ask about this one and see what your doctor says.
missy210 Mar 2010
i'm going to throw a monkey wrench in here i have been on psh. meds for 25 years and gained from a size 3 in 1972 to a size 26 in 2007 i did everything under the sun my answer was a simple surgical proceduce called a lap-band and when i started i weighed 260 sept.7,2007 and june 13,2009 i weighed 160 i worn a size 14 formal gown to my sons wedding i am so proud of myself i'm not saying it's easy because it's a life style change but it was the easyist thing i've ever done in my life.
Anonymous 12 Mar 2010
Thank you missy2: The information you shared was very educating. I myself have gained lots of weight. I know from all the pych medications I'm on, weight gain is one of the side effects. I have this friend that is morbidly obese. I think she is now up to around 400 lbs. Trying to get through the day takes everything she has. She is a single mom with 2 chidren which or both diabetics. She has so much on her. I know she has been put on antipressants but she doesn't take them like she should or at all.The only thing the money. She is still trying to work. She has an office job and her employer lets her come in later in the mourning and work later as long as her work is done. She has been looking into some sugery information and I think that type is one she is interested in.She has been researching about getting the surgery in Mexico because it will cheaper. Any advice there? Thanks
missy2
12 Mar 2010
if she has insurance stay in the usa she will find it hard to get treatment from a usa doctor if she goes to mexico yes its cheaper but if she has health problems and is 400 lbs she should more than qualify for her insurance and if the children are over 16 here in jacksonville,fl there is a program for teens then you have the follow up care you so need to be a succuss the band needs to adjusted over a period of time not just one adjustment fits all i wish her all the luck and pray she finds a caring doctor in the usa that will help her it is such a simple procedure but if your body is not properly prepared you can die and when you have that close relationship with you doctor he can explain all that i'll go into more detail if ya'll want but it's not fair to scare anyone off because of a simple procedure done right not by a clinic where you meet a surgeon that speaks little english and you fly home the next day with NO home care. thanks for listening. missy
missy2
23 Mar 2010
i take topamax for migraine maintenance and it has never made or helped me lose weight. missy
21 Dec 2010
Have any stairs in your living space? Try running or walking around the house a while or really not a good idea to do so yet i know someone who did this and had very good results. She had gone outside without shoes and socks and in shorts. and the weight poured off. She had gained weight again and it is because of her boyfriend's cooking. So she eats little of it and more of the stuff she cooks yet that is that seems to me not that often. Yet first go and talk to your doctor first before starting any kinds of diets and see if he/she can give you some idea on what diet and what kinds of excerises are good for you. Also do some research and look up what excercise will burn more calories and fat and if your doctor approves of that certain one than by all means go for it. only if you are able to perform it without any lasting bad effects. While excercising play music or do whatever it is that will make it fun and more enjoyable and you will want to do it more often.
4 Dec 2011
If you are overweight normally two basic things could be causing it. Either it's low levels of Neurotransmitters which may include Dopamine, Norapinephrine, and Acetylcholine respectively in order of importance to weight management. This could be treated with either the Neurotransmitters precursors, or drugs that increase the levels of these Neurotransmitters in the brain. I would recommend drugs like Vyvanse, Adderall, Nuvigil or Bupropion XL to treat if this is the issue in order of desireability. Or it could be a thyroid issue which would require a lifetime of treatment. Or both to varying degrees. If you are taking an anti-psychotic or any prescription drug that decreases the level of any of the Neurotransmitters listed above then, in conjunction with your doctor, you should lower the dose or discontinue the medicine and/or start taking one of the medications above or their equivalents.
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Thank you for your advice. My doctor recommended exercise and this week I joined and started working out a local gym. I feel most comfortable with this because it has gotten my weight down before. It is closer than the local mall in the next town. The gym is actually in my neighborhood. I do not eat much already as it is so the medicine that you suggested would probably not work for me. I eat only one medium to large meal a day. I eat small meals for breakfast or for lunch or dinner depending on what my husband and I decide to prepare that day. Thanks for the help. I will keep the medicine in mind if the gym isn't enough.
thank you, I also suffer from this problem. I have tried the excercise route, to the extent that I can living in Ohio, with 8 in. of snow already, and it is only Dec. 21st, with the worst ahead. I have a excercise bike tho. I will speak with my Dr. about the med's. you suggested and see what he says. Thank you very much.