I just received the following comment from Suzanne:
Hi Julie,
Like everyone here who has responded I’ve gained weight on my meds–50 lbs. in about 12 yrs. & now am on meds for high blood pressure & high cholesterol & am testing in the diabetic range (both parents were diabetic). I actually had a very bad relapse 3 yrs. ago (suicide attempt) when husband told me he no longer found me sexually attractive due to weight gain (well, duh, it was pretty obvious & since my self-esteem has pretty much always been in the gutter, that remark put me into the sewer system w/the rats). Have been in individual therapy & DBT since then & husband didn’t know my reaction would be so dramatic & self-destructive (as he is “normal”) & he has much remorse & is being very supportive & helpful in repairing our relationship (just celebrated 36 yrs. of marriage). Weight gain is a HUGE (bad pun) issue for us w/bipolar as we usually feel so badly about ourselves anyway. Would like to learn more about any method to help w/weight loss. Suzanne
Hi Suzanne,
I gained 80 pounds between 1995 and 1998 when I tried every bipolar medication on the market. It was ridiculous my doctors allowed this- I didn’t get any help at all. I started to see a naturopath and that helped me lose the weight that was not medication related. I have lost 50 pounds of the weight- but the last thirty must just like me a lot- or I must like it because I keep it around! Your best option is to manage bipolar absolutely as best you can so that you can take the lowest possible doses of your meds. That is one thing that helped me. Also, there are meds you can change to such as Abilify instead of Zyprexa that have less weight gain- I am not saying to do this as the drugs work differently= but you can look into it! Some people also try metformin- a medication for blood sugar, but I have no idea if it works for most- it may work for some. No matter how you feel, you must exercise- I have two friends who use long distance bike riding and swimming to feel better- it helps. You can exercise when you’re depressed, you just have to force yourself to do it.
Next, no junk food. Hard I know! This adds weight on top of medication weight. So what it comes down to is that we have to do all we can to make sure we don’t add any weight on top of the weight gain caused by bipolar disorder medications. This is my challenge and has been since 1998- I tend to fluctuate by my mood- I am rarely hungry when hypo manic and only want sugar when I’m depressed! I’m working on it and will never give up!
I am so glad your husband is being understanding, but I know we would react the same way if we stayed the same weight and our partner gained 50 + pounds- so we hav eto understand them as well!
It’s great the therapy and DBT (Dialectal Behavior Therapy) are working!
Julie
wait. that’s a dramatic reaction, when the person you love the most tells you you’re no longer worthy of intimacy? the husband is a jerk.
I have always had a weight problem, I am very large, but I gained 40 pounds when I finally got diagnosed and put on meds, and played with them until they got it right. This year so far I have lost 30 pounds. I did just a few things differently and it seems to have had a ripple effect. I stopped buying sugar in bulk and changed to packets, and started using a sweetener. I add a small amount of sugar to the sweetner when I add it to something hot since heat makes the sweetner taste flat unless I do. This way I feel like my hot cocoa and homemade puddings are still tasty treats. I also stopped buying butter/margerine. I used this in baking and I did a lot of that, and now I can’t. I have found I eat less bread now, who knew I only like butter on my bread! The last change is I put my upbeat music in my MP-3 player and I move a bit faster, and sometimes even dance about. (upbeat music is very irritating when I am depressed but I do it anyway) I do not have rules like diets, I just changed the 2 things; not buying those two things has made a difference. No guilt, since no rules. Guilt kills self-esteem and promotes depression. I have slowly seen a change in my eating habits, portion sizes, and junk food purchases. My doctor wants me to loose 10 pounds a year, and no pressure. That really helps too, she accepts slow loss. And I always remember, you cannot lose weight if you do not eat. So even when I do not want to eat, I do.
Hi Lyn,
This is SUCH GREAT ADVICE I put your comment at the top of the blog. I really have not heard of something so simple and yet so powerful. My problem is fast food and sugar- I don’t cook at home much and wow, losing weight and fast food don’t go together! I have always been amazed that I have literally taught myself to manage this terrible illness and yet I still have the 30 pounds left from my 80 pound medication weight gain!! It is my challenge and always has been. My mother is very healthy and a great cook- I need to eat more of her food.
I know that having so many mood swings takes up a lot of my time and they often affect my ability to do certain things such as preparing a really healthy, natural and fresh meal. If a person has a partner or family it’s different- but many who are single aren’t in the kitchen much. I am looking for the happy medium. Thanks again for your comments. Julie
Julie: Just wanted to let you know I gained the weight on Abilify (as have most people in my support group on Abilify). When it was first prescribed it was considered “weight neutral.” Now you will see on the patient info. packet it warns of the same problems w/metabolic syndrome that many of the other anti-psychotics do (high blood pressure & cholesterol & insulin resistance) which I now have & am on meds for those conditions.
I did not & do not eat sugar (as in pastries & sweetened cereals & such; I am well aware sugar is in practically all prepared foods). I also don’t eat junk food or fast food, but my meds provider explained that Abilify can make it so you don’t feel “full.” In fact, it was easier for me to NOT eat when taking Abilify as when I started eating it would increase my appetite & I didn’t ever feel full w/normal portions so I ended up eating HIGH FAT things like salad dressing to get that full feeling.
As far as my saying to my husband that comment if he gained weight, there is NO WAY I would say something like that as I know how devastating it would be for him to have me tell him that. People who have gained weight KNOW IT & they are already feeling bad enough. I really didn’t need him to reaffirm my bad feelings about myself (as I stated about low self-esteem). I would NEVER say such a hurtful remark to ANYONE. I think people who have gained weight obviously already know it & are trying to figure out a way to deal w/it. I’m off Abilify now.