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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by biovsenvio? on January 20, 2003, at 13:24:20
my doc wants me to try lithium now... its been 6 years since i've been diagnosed bipolar and ive tried everything "new" trying to avoid lithium due to the weight issue... i was wondering if anyone here has tried lithium short/ long term and not gained weight... i am a 21 female... and anymore weight gain would just crush my self esteem even more...please write me with your experiences with lithium... thanks -jodi
Posted by jodie on January 20, 2003, at 22:45:26
In reply to n e 1 here tried lithium not gained weight?, posted by biovsenvio? on January 20, 2003, at 13:24:20
> my doc wants me to try lithium now... its been 6 years since i've been diagnosed bipolar and ive tried everything "new" trying to avoid lithium due to the weight issue... i was wondering if anyone here has tried lithium short/ long term and not gained weight... i am a 21 female... and anymore weight gain would just crush my self esteem even more...please write me with your experiences with lithium... thanks -jodi
Hi Jodi!!!I was put on lithium once when I was told I was Bipolar. I honestly gained weight quick on it. I don't mean to scare you. I had tried depakote first, my hair started to fall out and I gained weight. My pdoc switched me to lithium. I was on it for a month. I have a new pdoc now, she believes I have Attention Deficit disorder, and not Bipolar. I just tried a new non-stimulant med called Strattera. I had an allergic reaction from it, so my pdoc is going to try me on a stimulant. I knew a few people who were on depakote, gained a lot of weight with it. They tried lithium and it worked great for them. So I guess it just depends on the person. So its worth trying, you may not gain any weight on it!!! Let us know how it works out!
By the way I am 26, female. I was diagnosed with bipolar about 1 1/2 yrs ago. My new diagnosis happened about 2 weeks ago!!
Jodie
Posted by lostsailor on January 21, 2003, at 9:57:32
In reply to Re: n e 1 here tried lithium not gained weight?, posted by jodie on January 20, 2003, at 22:45:26
Hi Bovsenvio,
I am a BP I too. I run and cycle to keep me balanced, as well. My issues with lithium were three: 1) weight gain 2) thyroid problems associated with lithium use 3) acne which sees to be very common and is not a problem with me so I figured why create one.
I don't know how open you are with your doc, but I tell mine all my med fears based on posts here and by asking for "package inserts" from my pharmacist. Do to my concerns I have now used three med for BP. The first, Depakote, which I may have gained a couple of pounds on but I’m not sure b/c I watched my diet a bit more closely and increased my work-out a bit. I hear about the hair loss with this but was lucky and asked doc to keep an eye on it at appointments and it never caused that side effect.
Neurontin was next, but not of any real help. Now I take Lamitcal, which is not really associated with weight gain and doc says that at three other meds are options: toprimax-which he does not really like for me b/c I am fairly thin and this at times creates weight loss---a good effect for some he says, Also a new form of an older med (tegrital) called Triliptal but with a MUCH better side effect profile, and I think the other is called Geoden which I see posted here a lot.
I guess what I’m getting at is work with your doc and don’t hide fears. I have a great doc who likes the feedback and actively asks for it. He realized long ago that giving meds that people don't mind taking would be taker more regularly. So just tell your doc your concerns, and his him/her to help you find the best med for you.
Hope this was of help.
~Tony
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