Hi all, I know I have posted in this board before, however I have entirely new issues now. I am on Risperdal and Lamictal, two kinds of atypical antipsycotics and both warn you of a high risk of developing diabetes while taking them. Well, I have just recently began experiencing some disconcerting symptoms such as:

sudden acne, which I have never had a problem with before
an extremely dry and itchy scalp, as well as dry skin elsewhere
more appetite
SUDDEN, SUDDEN weight gain - 20 lbs in about 1.5 weeks
fatigue
persistent cold-like symptoms


Please, if you would, tell me if this is something to be worried about...

The weight gain will probably preclude diabetes. Uncontrolled diabetes causes weight loss. If your blood sugar is high, that means the glucose is not getting into your cells. So for all practical purposes, your cells are starving. That is why you would lose weight if it was diabetes.

I can't really comment on the other symptoms.

Cora

Those symptoms don't suggest diabetes. If I remember correctly, long-term use of antipsychotic drugs are thought to cause insulin resistance. But you won't see a sudden change. You can test your blood glucose, but it will probably be normal. An insulin level test will show early on if you are becoming insulin resistant.

Mark

Hi all, I know I have posted in this board before, however I have entirely new issues now. I am on Risperdal and Lamictal, two kinds of atypical antipsycotics and both warn you of a high risk of developing diabetes while taking them. Well, I have just recently began experiencing some disconcerting symptoms such as:

sudden acne, which I have never had a problem with before
an extremely dry and itchy scalp, as well as dry skin elsewhere
more appetite
SUDDEN, SUDDEN weight gain - 20 lbs in about 1.5 weeks
fatigue
persistent cold-like symptoms


Please, if you would, tell me if this is something to be worried about...


OMG I have those exact symptoms. I keep thinking it must be diabetes but everything I've read today says weight loss not weight gain. I've heard it can be either/or but I haven't read that anywhere yet. I have been getting acne like crazy and I mean big mean ugly sore pimples, My scalp is so dry and flaky its not funny and I lotion all the time because all of my skin feels dry. I'm starving all the time even though I don't seem to be eating any more then before I've gained about 60 pounds in the last year. I'm exhausted all the time I feel like I could sleep for weeks. I don't sleep for long periods but when I do sleep I sleep hard if you know what I mean. The only thing I don't really have is the cold symptoms. I always seem to have a cough but I'm a smoker but I have had constant headaches and interferrence with my vision.

Did you get any answers on your symptoms? I have a doctors appointment for next monday. Hopefully I'll know something then or soon after.

Good Luck

About the weight gain, the majority of Diabetics lose weight and experience a increase in thirst and urinate more frequently. But my Grandmother who is on Insulin, didn't have any change to her weight. She's always been a big girl and was a big girl when she was diagnosed with Diabetes. The symptoms you mentioned don't sound like Diabetic symptoms.

You're experiencing symptoms for some reason though so I would personally see your doctor. It may be side effects of the medication you're currently taking.

Did you get any answers on your symptoms? I have a doctors appointment for next monday. Hopefully I'll know something then or soon after.

Good Luck

I have an appt. for Tuesday

This sounds like it could be related to your thyroid. Typical symptoms of an under-active thyroid are feeling tired, feeling cold (even when it is very hot weather) weight gain and various other symptoms including depression. Please ask your doctor to test your thyroid as well.