Here is a question about the antipsychotic Seroquel and weight gain.
Hi Julie,
I have been on Seroquel for over 5 years now. I have Bipolar with psychosis. I am tired of the weight gain fight.
Seroquel has been very affective in controlling the psychosis which I have frequently. Is there anything that can replace the Seroquel in controlling the psychosis without the weight gain?
Stinker
Hi There Stinker,
Here is a short answer to your question:
Maybe.
Everyone responds differently to antipsychotics. Most gain wait on them, but some don’t. It’s very, very well documented for example that Zyprexa has an average 20 lb weight gain. Seroquel, Risperdal, and the other atypical antipsychotics are known for weight gain around the stomach. This leads to a complication called Metabolic Syndrome- I wrote quite a great article on this last year for www.healthyplace.com if you want to read more about it. Just type in Julie Fast and Metabolic Syndrome and it will come up.
When the atypical antipsychotic Abilify came out, it was touted as an antipsychotic that didn’t cause weight gain. I have now heard from people that it definitely can. But, overall it’s considered to have the least weight gain, so talk to your doctor about it. The problem is that it’s not simply a replacement for Seroquel. They work differently. I can say that Abilify is not known to cause the amount of weight gain that comes with Seroquel, Risperdal and Zyprexa, but the research is ongoing. On the other hand, I know people on Zyprexa who have gained no weight- [... Read More ...]
Bipolar Disorder and Work: Tips to get more done
- Turn off your computer and put it in a computer bag in the other room!
- Turn off the internet.
- Turn off the cell phone
- Put a sign on your door that says do not disturb.
- Find a CD that you play each time you work.
I am turning off my computer right now as I need to get some papers in order. This means I can’t check my darn OCD inducing, time sucking email.
julie
BipolarHappens.com NEWSLETTER
One Bipolar Drama After Another!
I used to have a lot of drama in my life. Much of it was due to my own choices, some of it was due to bipolar disorder causing me to make stupid choices, such as when I get manic.
I have changed completely in the past few years. I’m no longer willing to make decisions and then just hope they turn out ok.
I get too sick when I do this. I have goals in life that I want to reach- speaking to large groups on mental health, reducing the suicide rate in this country, financial stability, physical health, a great romantic relationship- big stuff for sure!
The only way I can accomplish my goals is to examine every potential decision for disaster (drama!) from sending an angry email to saying yes to a request when I definitely need to say no. I’ve learned to ask myself the following questions:
- Will it make me sick?
- Has it made me sick in the past?
- Am I manic?
- Is depression clouding my judgment?
- How will my decision make me feel tomorrow, next week and into the future?
I also have a lot of people in my life who will ask the questions for me and really make me mad! But I need their judgment in case I’m making a decision when I’m sick. My friend Karen says, “Julie, it’s always easy for me to see when you’re manic and tell you. I get really irritated with you and you drive me crazy! So I [... Read More ...]
Hi Julie,
I am going to court tomorrow, and I have been a mess, shakey, anxious, and frustrated at everybody around me. I feel like everything someone says is just irritating and worthless to me. I don’t’ want to around anybody, but I know that is not healthy for me. I have been getting worse all week leading up to this stressful situation. I am worried that I am going to have a full blown depression episode. I cannot concentrate and am having trouble sleeping.
Hi Colby,
Isn’t it amazing what stress can do to our bodies and minds… I would be stressed too. It hits us harder- that’s for sure. It’s amazing that you are aware of your anger and frustration- this means you can keep it from ruining relationships and getting you into trouble. I was majorly irritated yesterday and even yelled at a friend- I felt terrible and then realized that is not the real me and I have to manage myself better. I suggest that you have a mantra to say the rest of the day. I am angry because I am stressed and I have bipolar disorder. I will NOT take this out on other people. They are not the problem. I will NOT ruin relationships. I have made it through many tough things and I will make it through this. I know when the court session is over I will feel differently. I can do this and I will. Now, what do I need to do right now to feel better.
I [... Read More ...]
Lamictal (Lamotrigine): Anti-convulsant used as a mood stabilizer in Bipolar Disorder. Lamictal is a great drug for depression and rapid cycling. It’s not an anti-mania drug.
I have been on Lamictal for five years- with very few side effects. When I raised my dose I had an odd reaction. My eyes became dry and the area under my eyes became very puffy. I actually just did a few videos for my blog and I look ill! It’s a weird side effect. As I write this, I feel like I have been lightly punched in the eyes. I will have to put the videos here just so you can see what I mean.
Lithium: The only true ‘mood stabilizer.’ What many don’t know is that lithium is used to treat bipolar mania and not bipolar depression. It’s the same with Tegretol. Tegretol is an anticonvulsant like Lamictal, but it’s used to treat bipolar mania.
My friend Sherri just upped her lithium and definitely feels better. But.. .she just called and said, “Julie! My hair is falling out again!” Hair loss is a typical side effect for Tegretol- but I have not heard about it for lithium. She is also experiencing the very common lithium fog and I can hear that her talking is a bit slower. This is all sad because she feels better. It’s ALWAYS a trade off with medications. If my Lamictal works, can I live with dark and puffy eyes? Can Sherri deal with hair loss? What a choice. You would think that our mental health [... Read More ...]
I just received the following comment from Judi. Believe me, I understand her worries and frustrations, as I am sure many of you do as well.
Hi Julie,
I find it very hard to tell my son that I can’t take the mood swings that go with him. He has been unstable for years. Right now I am the only person he can talk to. If I turn my back on him now I’m sure he will commit suicide. There seems to be no way out for me. He needs to be hospitalized but that will NEVER happen. He told me that if I call 911 he will either kill himself or the person that shows up at his door. LOST
Judi
Hello Judi, ( I posted your comment on the blog as well- it’s such an important topic.)
It’s quite a coincidence I received your comment this morning. I recently wrote down a quote I heard from a football coach regarding a player he let go:
I don’t want to take on the headache that goes with you.
Then I thought of how I would put it:
I don’t want to take on the mood swing that goes with you.
** Here is the problem- when it’s a family member who is truly in crisis, the way you describe your son- we can’t say we are done and just move on. We know the consequences. It’s a very heavy, heavy burden. My books don’t address this situation directly- they are for management and tips on how to recognize the signs of bipolar [... Read More ...]
When things are tough, almost everything you have to do can seem impossible- especially the daily stuff like cleaning your house, making dinner, mowing the lawn, making work calls, etc, etc.
I have learned something- I don’t have to do all of something- I can vacuum half of the house, unload half of the dishwasher, cut half of the roses in my yard, make one call instead of all calls… (You can then go back and do the rest later.)
The problem with bipolar is that it makes us think in all or nothing- I must clean the whole house and if I don’t I’m a failure. Hmm, actually, there is nothing that says you can’t do half.
It’s better than doing nothing at all.
Julie
You can do it all! Actually, no you can't. Sometimes the bipolar just makes it too hard, but you can do half and go from there.
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Reader Comment: My son won't get help
I just received the following comment from Judi. Believe me, I understand her worries and frustrations, as I am sure many of you do as well.
Hi Julie,
I find it very hard to tell my son that I can’t take the mood swings that go with him. He has been unstable for years. Right now I am the only person he can talk to. If I turn my back on him now I’m sure he will commit suicide. There seems to be no way out for me. He needs to be hospitalized but that will NEVER happen. He told me that if I call 911 he will either kill himself or the person that shows up at his door. LOST
Judi
Hello Judi, ( I posted your comment on the blog as well- it’s such an important topic.)
It’s quite a coincidence I received your comment this morning. I recently wrote down a quote I heard from a football coach regarding a player he let go:
I don’t want to take on the headache that goes with you.
Then I thought of how I would put it:
I don’t want to take on the mood swing that goes with you.
** Here is the problem- when it’s a family member who is truly in crisis, the way you describe your son- we can’t say we are done and just move on. We know the consequences. It’s a very heavy, heavy burden. My books don’t address this situation directly- they are for management and tips on how to recognize the signs of bipolar [... Read More ...]