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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Steeler Tookahn on March 11, 2003, at 18:11:35
I'm taking Zyprexa for Bi-polar disorder and it has been incredibly effective. Unfortunately with each increase of the dosage I gain more weight. I can't really determine if it's because I'm hungry so I'm just eating more, or whether it is affecting my metabolism (or some other direct effect). Sometimes we lower the dose and I start to lose the weight immediately.
The doctor has told me I can start Topomax for the weight but I'd hate to add one more thing to the mix considering the billions of meds I'm taking now.
I guess I'm hoping to hear from somebody who has taken Zyprex and beaten the weight gain -I wouldn't mind hearing from those losing the weight gain fight either.Thanks,
Steeler
Posted by Krissy P on March 11, 2003, at 22:29:57
In reply to Zyprexa and dastardly weight, posted by Steeler Tookahn on March 11, 2003, at 18:11:35
Hi, I took Zyprexa and I gained weight. I took it when I got ECT because according to my pdoc at the time, I was not to be on any meds, so Zyprexa was one he said ok on. I also take Lamictal and have never had a problem with weight gain. I suffered for so long trying to find a med combo that wouldn't affect my weight (kinda hard), BUT, my med combo is pretty good, and I am actually losing weight since starting back on the Effexor and Lamictal nearly 2 weeks ago. I wish you all the best. My friend is BP, and Topomax helped her lose 100 Lbs. Yes, really. She was a cutter also, so it helped her BPD tendencies, from what she told me.
Best of luck and keep us posted please,
Kristen
==================================================================================================
> I'm taking Zyprexa for Bi-polar disorder and it has been incredibly effective. Unfortunately with each increase of the dosage I gain more weight. I can't really determine if it's because I'm hungry so I'm just eating more, or whether it is affecting my metabolism (or some other direct effect). Sometimes we lower the dose and I start to lose the weight immediately.
> The doctor has told me I can start Topomax for the weight but I'd hate to add one more thing to the mix considering the billions of meds I'm taking now.
> I guess I'm hoping to hear from somebody who has taken Zyprex and beaten the weight gain -I wouldn't mind hearing from those losing the weight gain fight either.
>
> Thanks,
> Steeler
Posted by kb on March 11, 2003, at 22:37:16
In reply to Zyprexa and dastardly weight, posted by Steeler Tookahn on March 11, 2003, at 18:11:35
I had to quit Zyprexa because of the weight gain - it just made me crave sweet stuff constantly. Sorry I don't have better news to offer.
Posted by Gabbix2 on March 12, 2003, at 0:44:42
In reply to Can I say all 3 :-( ?? » Steeler Tookahn, posted by Krissy P on March 11, 2003, at 22:29:57
Zyprexa does affect both appetite and metabolism.
A couple of recent studies have shown that Axid A.C can lessen the risk of weight gain, as it binds to the H2 receptors, Glucophage a medication for Type 2 diabetes, also has been thought to work, and some Dr's are prescribing it to prevent Zyprexa weight gain, or to help patients lose the weight.I recently started Zyprexa and after many years and many medications I'd have to say its been a miracle for me. I'm only taking a small dose, but I refuse to take risks with my weight.
I managed to get my Dr to prescribe Glucophage for me and I will let you know if it works.Also I will try and find the links to the studies
or you can just Google with Zyprexa and Glucophage in the search, and the article is in the top 3 results I think.Good luck.
Posted by Steeler Tookahn on March 12, 2003, at 6:27:05
In reply to Zyprexa, weight gain--Maybe hope., posted by Gabbix2 on March 12, 2003, at 0:44:42
Thanks to everybody for their responses. They are VERY helpful. I too have found Zyprexa to be a life saver as I have been feeling well on it for about a year.
I joked with my doc when we decided to raise the dosage. I told her "So I have a choice between biological depression or emotional depression (from gaining weight)."
Posted by Krissy P on March 12, 2003, at 7:55:59
In reply to Zyprexa, weight gain--Maybe hope., posted by Gabbix2 on March 12, 2003, at 0:44:42
Hi, I am very interested in how the Glucophage doesfor you. How did you manage to talk your doc into letting you go on it?
Please reply, Thanks:-)
Kristen
==================================================================================================> Zyprexa does affect both appetite and metabolism.
> A couple of recent studies have shown that Axid A.C can lessen the risk of weight gain, as it binds to the H2 receptors, Glucophage a medication for Type 2 diabetes, also has been thought to work, and some Dr's are prescribing it to prevent Zyprexa weight gain, or to help patients lose the weight.
>
> I recently started Zyprexa and after many years and many medications I'd have to say its been a miracle for me. I'm only taking a small dose, but I refuse to take risks with my weight.
> I managed to get my Dr to prescribe Glucophage for me and I will let you know if it works.
>
> Also I will try and find the links to the studies
> or you can just Google with Zyprexa and Glucophage in the search, and the article is in the top 3 results I think.
>
> Good luck.
Posted by Krissy P on March 12, 2003, at 9:00:26
In reply to Re: Zyprexa, weight gain--Maybe hope., posted by Steeler Tookahn on March 12, 2003, at 6:27:05
Posted by kb on March 12, 2003, at 10:31:38
In reply to Zyprexa, weight gain--Maybe hope., posted by Gabbix2 on March 12, 2003, at 0:44:42
I took Axid with Zyprexa and gained weight anyway - though maybe I would've gained more without it. Zyprexa was a good drug for me, but I weigh the most I've ever weighed now.
Posted by Gabbix2 on March 12, 2003, at 12:21:22
In reply to Re: Zyprexa, weight gain--Maybe hope. » Gabbix2, posted by Krissy P on March 12, 2003, at 7:55:59
I wish I had a more clear answer for you Krissy
But I'm a thorn in the side of my Dr. and he's all but given up disagreeing with me.
Knowledge is power.
I've found that you really have to be your own advocate, and being sick and tired of treatment that doesn't work, and unnacceptable medication side effects helps, it tends to make you a lot more bold.
I'm very forthright, and give him a verbal list of pro's and con's, and generally he ends up
agreeing with me. So far I've had good results so that helps too.Of course... you could always go to a drop in clinic, and say you ran out of your prescription.
I feel like I shouldn't be advising that, but really I've found those of us who research our illness know as much about what is good for us as the Dr's most of the time, many times more.
Just of course make sure you do a thorough investigation of its contraindications.Axid A.R, apparently works also, though not as
well as the glucophage, and it is available without prescription.
Posted by Gabbix2 on March 12, 2003, at 12:23:44
In reply to Re: Zyprexa, weight gain--Maybe hope. » Gabbix2, posted by kb on March 12, 2003, at 10:31:38
The study I looked at regarding the Axid, says it cuts the average weight gain in half.
I don't think Dr's quite understand the seriousness of weight gain as a side effect.
For me its just not acceptable, but they seem to just shrug and expect you to pick one or the other. It sucks.
Posted by Gabbix2 on March 12, 2003, at 12:36:33
In reply to Re: Zyprexa, weight gain--Maybe hope. » kb, posted by Gabbix2 on March 12, 2003, at 12:23:44
Keep up the fight.
Posted by JohnL on March 13, 2003, at 5:36:02
In reply to Zyprexa and dastardly weight, posted by Steeler Tookahn on March 11, 2003, at 18:11:35
I'm glad Zyprexa is working out for you. Don't stop! It is so hard to find a drug that helps. Your best bet, I think, would be to deal with the weight gain head-on. Realize and respect how much the drug has improved your life, and work with it.
I gained serious weight on Zyprexa when I started. It seemed to level off. After about three months, I started losing the weight without even trying. By month 5 I was back down to my beginning weight again. So the weight gain might stick with some people, but not all.
I got myself in a habit of eating smaller snacks and smaller meals and exerting more activity. I'm not sure if the weight subsiding was a natural process that took time or whether it was due to a change in habit, or both.
> I'm taking Zyprexa for Bi-polar disorder and it has been incredibly effective. Unfortunately with each increase of the dosage I gain more weight. I can't really determine if it's because I'm hungry so I'm just eating more, or whether it is affecting my metabolism (or some other direct effect). Sometimes we lower the dose and I start to lose the weight immediately.
> The doctor has told me I can start Topomax for the weight but I'd hate to add one more thing to the mix considering the billions of meds I'm taking now.
> I guess I'm hoping to hear from somebody who has taken Zyprex and beaten the weight gain -I wouldn't mind hearing from those losing the weight gain fight either.
>
> Thanks,
> Steeler
Posted by Steeler Tookahn on March 13, 2003, at 6:31:01
In reply to Re: Zyprexa and dastardly weight, posted by JohnL on March 13, 2003, at 5:36:02
> I'm glad Zyprexa is working out for you. Don't stop! It is so hard to find a drug that helps. Your best bet, I think, would be to deal with the weight gain head-on. Realize and respect how much the drug has improved your life, and work with it.
>
> I gained serious weight on Zyprexa when I started. It seemed to level off. After about three months, I started losing the weight without even trying. By month 5 I was back down to my beginning weight again. So the weight gain might stick with some people, but not all.
>
> I got myself in a habit of eating smaller snacks and smaller meals and exerting more activity. I'm not sure if the weight subsiding was a natural process that took time or whether it was due to a change in habit, or both.
>
Thanks for your advice which I'll take. Nothing is as bad as depression, even as upsetting as gaining weight is. It's a catch-22. If I'm well depression-wise, I can't stand the weight. If I'm depressed I don't care about the weight -i just want to get better.
I'm tryinmg to exercise every day and not do any binge eating. We'll have to see if that's good enough.
Posted by White Stone on March 14, 2003, at 0:27:58
In reply to Re: Zyprexa and dastardly weight, posted by JohnL on March 13, 2003, at 5:36:02
Hi John,
Thanks for sharing your experience about the weight gain leveling off after awhile and then even returning to your original weight. I have been obsessing all day today about my weight gain on Zyprexa and considering going off of it. My husband was appalled that I was even thinking about that option. Zyprexa has worked really well for me in cutting down the "chatter." Knowing that their may be hope really helped me tonight. I guess I will hang in there and try to go for more walks until it levels out.
-Kristina
Posted by SLS on March 14, 2003, at 18:53:01
In reply to Re: Zyprexa and dastardly weight, posted by White Stone on March 14, 2003, at 0:27:58
I tried Zyprexa recently and gained 20 lbs in three weeks.
Has anyone tried taking amantadine (Symmetrel) with Zyprexa to prevent weight gain. I know two people who have had success with this strategy.
- Scott
Posted by Krissy P on March 14, 2003, at 21:22:45
In reply to Re: Zyprexa and dastardly weight - amantadine ?, posted by SLS on March 14, 2003, at 18:53:01
Posted by Lisa P on March 16, 2003, at 9:10:27
In reply to Re: Zyprexa and dastardly weight - amantadine ?, posted by SLS on March 14, 2003, at 18:53:01
Scott,
Zyprexa made me gain 25lb in 8 weeks so I got off of it - I lost 5lb after discontinuing it but the rest of the weight just stuck around even though I was running just about every day. After being only on Lamictal, I had another manic episode 6 months later and started Geodon. I lost 18lb in 6 months being on the Geodon - so I was back to a more reasonable weight. Then I started Amantadine to counteract muscle problems I was having on the Geodon. Then in a month I lost 8 more lb's and ended up being at the weight that I was before starting mental drugs, which everyone thinks is too low. I think the Amantadine just speeded up my metabolism or something. However my hair has seemed to be thinning out more than usual, so I'm going to talk to my shrink about it, so I'm planning to get off of it soon. I think it's definitely worth a try though.
I'm just starting Serequel so I can switch off the Geodon - I haven't had any weight gain so far on 150 mg of it- but I have to get up to 300 mg so I guess I'll have to see if the Amantadine can hold off on the weight gain. But I'm also being very careful as to what I eat and how much of it - but I really went off my diet last nite though - but I guess I can't be perfect.
On the internet I read about a study where 12 people who had gained an average of 16lb on Zyprexa were put on a dose of Amantadine ranging from 100-300 mg and all had their Zyprexa weight gain stop and 11 of the 12 people lost an average of 8lb and one person got down to his pre-Zyprexa weight and stayed there after discontinuing the Amantadine.
http://alertpubs.com/Issues/2001/Sda92001.PDFI hope this helps.
Lisa> I tried Zyprexa recently and gained 20 lbs in three weeks.
>
> Has anyone tried taking amantadine (Symmetrel) with Zyprexa to prevent weight gain. I know two people who have had success with this strategy.
>
>
> - Scott
>
>
Posted by SLS on March 16, 2003, at 15:36:12
In reply to Re: Zyprexa and dastardly weight - amantadine ?, posted by Lisa P on March 16, 2003, at 9:10:27
This is the end of the thread.
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