Meds for Bipolar I that don't cause weight gain and skinny wallet

[kgill78]

I am bipolar I with mixed episodes.  (Also with rapid cycling :) fun stuff...)  Has anyone tried any medicines that didn't cause weight gain and didn't cost a fortune.  I am on Abilify right now but I am very quickly going to have to change because my insurance isn't that great and it cost me $100.  I am on Neurontin and Celexa right now which is great but I can still feel myself going up and down all the time.  Or even if I have to go back on Zyprexa has anyone NOT gained weight on it?  People told me I would gain weigh on Celexa and I haven't.  

Thanks,
kgill78

[Venora Moonwind]

I am on zyprexa and celexa for my bi polar and they work great. I did gain in the beginning but I have lost it through exercise and 6 healthy meals a day. you can keep from gaining on  the zyprexa. Plus I decided that I would rather be stable  with the weight than skinny and in jail.
Love venora

[Crystlas]

I have the exact same diagnosis and they started me on Lithium because I did not have insurance.  It caused me to gain some, but then again I have been so deeply depressed until recently and they started me on Wellbutrin, the generic is $50 a month.  Lithium is only like $15   Hope this helps.  I am getting stable too!

[DLA]

Have you tried Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Costco. . .OH!. . . can't remember the name of the other one that does the $4 meds.  There are lots of generics at places for only $4.  Call around and comparison shop.

[maxbipolar]

try lamictal its one of the few mood stabilizers that doesnt cause weight gain. it also works quite well even though im only half way to my goal dosage. they have to increase the dose slowly or it could have a real bad reaction

[Tink70]

There are so many different combos out there.  Most of the Antipsychotics will make you gain weight and then there is Depakote (or Depabloat! LOL)  It will too.  Sometimes, its a matter of the cocktail - one anti with one kind of mood stabilizer will make you gain more.  It's a tricky thing...  I'm on Zoloft and Depakote - I still cycle but not as badly - I feel like a fat whale and have gained about 5 lbs (not that much really)
I really liked how Lexapro and Depakote improved my sleep and lowered my blood sugar readings (I am also diabetic) but one dosage of the Lexapro gave me dysphoric mania and that is not good and a higher dosage gave me "pure" mania and I couldn't sleep and was quite crude SO....
Hope all goes well...

[kgill78]

thanks for all the responses!  I saw my psychiatrist today and I asked for zyprexa (stupid me) my insurance barely covers it.  It still costs me $100 after insurance.  I don't think there is any way around the expensive part.  I am going to ask for Seroquel or Geodon next week when I see him.  I called my insurance and those are the cheapest ones for me.  I am just not going to worry about the weight gain and just eat well and exercise.  It's a lot better than me being all up and down all the time.  Thanks again everyone!

[triedeverymed]

Celexa is not known for causing weight gain so you should be fine in that dept. I'm on Abilify too and it is expensive but I gave up a few other extras to stay on it because it's so hard to find the right medication. Abilify is also not known for weight gain. If you are doing good, try to stay on it because changing meds can be absolute hell. I went off abilify and went through a few months of suffering on other drugs before I came right bck to it.
Good Luck
Erin