zyprexa - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

bella01 · 10-15-2002, 02:43 PM

I am rapid cycling and had been on many meds which put me in a delusional state. Eventually I was just on Geodon, ativan and ambien (occassionally) for sleep. They now have me on Zyprexa, topomax, ativan and ambiem. How common is the weight gain on zyprexa if I workout 5 days a week and eat pretty well. I'm terrified off gaining weight. Is the weight gain attributed to increased hunger so you eat more? If not, why else would you gain weight? I'm freaking out, please help. I'm at my wits end with this illness. I don't know how much more I can take!!!

bev52 · 10-15-2002, 06:28 PM

Hi Bella,

So sorry to hear that you're having a rough time getting the right mix on your meds. I've been through lots of meds too....most of us have.

Each person's body chemistry is different so it's hard to say what might cause weight gain for one, and not for another. I've heard so many people say they gained on a particular drug and others didn't gain any. I believe your chances of keeping the weight off,(if you gained), are very good if you're eating pretty well and exercising.

Some of the most important things you can do is remember that your doctor can make revisions on your meds, if necessary, continue to eat well, keep up your exercising and drink LOTS of water. Many of us are Bi-Polar and we learn to cope - it's not a death sentence, so be kind to yourself and take each day as it comes.

It helps to come here and talk with others...it's been very therapeutic for me.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

With Kindness,
Bev

silverwill · 10-16-2002, 09:14 AM

More than likely, it's mostly going to be water weight. All the meds I've been on seem to make my mouth dry & I feel the need to drink stuff all day. I don't know about any other weight gain. I wasn't on it long enough to know if it makes you gain lots of weight by itself. (I took it for 3 days & I had a severe reaction to it. Anaphylaxis is NOT fun!) Sorry, that's all the advice I have. My suggestion is to ask your Dr. if it happens often that people gain weight & how much on avg.

bella01 · 10-17-2002, 02:37 PM

Thank you for your replies. Keep them coming. I've noticed the last couple of weeks that my stomach has gotten larger. My stomach has never been a problem even though I had a child. Maybe it's water weight? Maybe it's not? It's really making me depressed. I think about it constantly and I feel so uncomfortable in my clothes. It's bad enough that my mind is spinning out of control now body is too. This all sucks. I just want to feel happy. Thanks everyone.

P.S. Is there anything I can do for excess water weight?

bev52 · 10-17-2002, 05:21 PM

Hi Bella,

I'm not telling you this to put you off from taking Zyprexa, since we all have a different body chemistry, but I gained a substantial amount of weight on it, and I have never had a weight problem before. I've lost it but I'm not taking the Zyprexa anymore, and haven't for quite some time. I usually don't tell people that but since you mentioned that you're stomach feels larger - that was the first place I noticed the weight gain then I started to notice I was bloated in my face, hands, feet and ankles.

You might ask your doctor if he/she could prescribe a diuretic, or if it would be safe to get some Hydrangea (natural diuretic), from the health food store....the main concern being, that you don't take something that would go against the meds you're already on.

If your doc does okay a diuretic, and you decide to stay on the Zyprexa, be sure to eat lots of foods rich in potassium,(apricots, bananas, potatoes, etc), since the diuretic will deplete your body of it, and drink LOTS of water.

Best of luck to you and hope to hear good news from you soon.

With Kindness,
Bev