[staylor33823]

I was diagnosed bi-bolar three weeks ago and the medication I was taking for my earlier dignose (depression) was Paxil CR. I gained 40 pounds taking the Paxil and I have looked at all the different meds I could possible end up on now and they all include weight gain as a side effect. If anyone knows about this disease can they please tell me that just because I have bi-polar I have to be fat. That will cause me to be depressed. Doctors don't seem to understand when you tell them that you are concerned with weight gain. I get so tired of hearing about not looking fat. Well, they don't realize what you looked like a year ago and the difference in what you look like now. Anyway, anyone? Help?

[miley85]

I know exactly how you feel, I was dignosed with Bi-polar 1 almost a year ago. I was taking Zyprexa and I gained 40 pounds, and its hard trying to get it back off. The anti-depressant that works for me, that you might want to talk to your doctor about is Wellbutrin XL. Side effects are normal head aches, constipation,ect. but instead of weight gain, its weight loss as a side effect. What kind of mood stabilizer are you taking? I take Lithium, and it has risk of gaining weight, but I haven't gained any. I have tried a lot of different kinds of medication, so if you have a question maybe I can tell you how it effected me. One thing you should do with all medications, is do lots of research on them. I learned that the hard way. Make sure you know the effects, how long you can take it for, etc. If you would like to talk more please e-mail me. emilyknight85@hotmail.com

[medik8]

Resources at Drugs.com

Bipolar disorder
http://www.drugs.com/enc/bipolar_disorder_.html