Aa
Weight gain with Divalproex - Frustrating
I went on a diet for 2 weeks and I'm on Divalproex. I am NOT losing weight. If anything, I gained one kilo. I am really frustrated. What do I do? I am not going to change my medication coz it seems to work for me in other areas
Best Answer
Dude, do not change your meds around without talking to a psychiatrist about it. That is what is known as a really bad plan. I am not a clinician, and my info is from (admittedly) informed reading, but I do not have a medical license. How did you get your hands on oxcarbazepine without a prescription anyway?
I don't think I will be taking the Trileptal. I will however be talking to my doctor about a possible weight loss tablet.
I spoke to my doc and he has put me on Trileptal. He said that it does not lead to weight gain, but when I checked online, some sites say it leads to weight gain and others to weight loss. Could you tell me what it is actually? Is it weight loss or weight gain?
As far as I can tell, Trileptal is supposed to be weight-neutral, i.e. it shouldn't change anything. If the divalproex was making you gain, a weight neutral drug will probably let you lose the extra, so I would guess you'd see weight loss at first until you got down to what your body would normally be without the divalproex. But the thing about side effects is that you can never tell which ones you'll get before you take the drug, and some people just have weird reactions.
Also keep in mind that just because something happens after you start a med doesn't necessarily mean it's a side effect of that med. It might have happened anyway. Some of the people complaining of weight gain might have had this happen. And it's possible that if you were really manic and running around like crazy, a weight neutral drug would make you gain weight. It's hard to say.
Also keep in mind that just because something happens after you start a med doesn't necessarily mean it's a side effect of that med. It might have happened anyway. Some of the people complaining of weight gain might have had this happen. And it's possible that if you were really manic and running around like crazy, a weight neutral drug would make you gain weight. It's hard to say.
You said Geodon and Trileptal are weight neutral, but when I read about them online, people's posts say that both cause weight gain. Some say they lost weight. It's kinda confusing. I've been on Trileptal now for almost a week and I think I'm already gaining weight. I don't experience any mania but I definitely am packing on pounds. With the Trileptal, I am also taking Olanzapine 5 mg. Do you think this could be adding to the weight gain?
How is Topamax? I read about it online and it says it helps to lose weight and it is a mood stabilizer
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Bipolar Disorder Community
15 signs that it’s more than just the blues
Discover the common symptoms of and treatment options for depression.
We've got five strategies to foster happiness in your everyday life.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Your doctor will be able to tell you about a titration schedule for Trileptal. It might be made more complicated by the divalproex--Lamictal titration certainly depends on whether or not you're taking divalproex or carbamazapine.
Rashes are actually a rare side effect of a lot of medications (like some antibiotics). Lamictal tends to cause a benign rash in 1/10 people, but the incidence of SJS (the really bad rash) is around 1/3000, and the risk is higher in children and if you go up too fast. Some doctors are willing to retry it even if a rash developed the first time, taking it verrrrrry slowly (you can start in the pediatric range), especially if it was working really well for you before the rash appeared. Not all doctors (or patients) are willing to do this, though. Your mileage may vary. I've gone and developed acne with Lamictal, but not an actual rash.
Geodon is still an open option that you haven't tried. You should really discuss it with your doctor and see what he/she thinks. Bring up your concerns about weight gain and cognitive side effects, and ask about these drugs to see if they think it's a good idea.