weight gain?

[stellarlunacy]

i see weight gain is a common side effect of mood stabilizing medications; is this because the medication increases appetite, or is it simply something the medication itself does?

[KrustyBroccoli]

After gaining 60 lbs in one year while taking respiradone I found some fabulous research findings. Here is a link that will offer some great insight into weight gain associated with antipsychotics.


http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/Hopkins_Scientists_Uncover_Cause_Of_Antipsychotic_Drug_Weight_Gain

In short- some of them- in mice by the study- but also from my own experience and the experiences of others I know who have gain tremendous amounts of weight, (my husband- 40lbs, a friend 110 lbs- both were in one year) because of the increase in the AMPK enzyme, QUADTUPLED, which is involved with hunger/appetite, we are 4x as hungry as before. Not just a little hungry but ravenous. If we don't eat when we are revenous our bodies think we are starving- and thus retain practically every calorie we eat because it doesn't know if it'll ever eat again. That means wanting to eat about 12x a day. That's a LOT of food for a body the shuts it's metabolism down- similar to any crash dieting, the body slows the metabolism.

Read the article, and use that information as a guide to more personal research on the subject. Best wishes.

[looloo141]

I have taken quite a few different meds now and I tend to find that they mostly increase my appetite, and with some of them they increase your appetite and slow you down, and for me Lithium made me retain water, and put 4st on in 1 month! They aren't all that bad though, I am taking Depakote now and I put some weight on to start with but I've lost it again now..quite a few of the anti psychotics can cause weight gain especially the newer atypical ones..
At the end of the day we have to think of the benefits but weight gain is probably one of the main reasons why we stop taking meds so you should talk to your doctor and find what is best for you!

[ILADVOCATE]

  It depends on the medication. Some medications just increase appetite. Some make a person feel sluggish so they might not be as physically active which can cause weight gain. Some such as atypical antipsychotics (which can be used as mood stabilizers) and some other medications (how a person responds to this and in what rate varies from person to person) can cause metabolic changes that can lead to weight gain and in some situations diabetes so with medications like that its essential for a person to keep their psychiatrist updated on any sudden weight gain. This if caught early can be reversed in time. Also not all mood stabilizers have this potential as it varies from one medication to another. If you have any specific concerns about any medication the full information is on the medication website and the P.D.R. (Physicians Desk Reference) which you can then discuss with your psychiatrist as to which medication might be appropriate within their judgment.