medicine/anxiety/help - Mental Health Message Board

coraldnz · 02-20-2003, 01:49 PM

HELP! I am 25, am married, with a 3and a half year old daughter. I have struggled with"mental issues" forever! Hospitolized first at 13 for anorexia, then subsequent hospital stays for depression, anxiety, ocd, drug addiction, etc... I also have been diagnosed with bipolar. I currently take 40 mg. Prozac, 200mg Topamax, and Synthroid. ( i have hypothyroidism due to lythium given to me when I was 16.) My anxiety/mania is out of control right now, and my doc wants me to take 25mg. of Seraquel. Anyone taken this? Did you gain weight? I will not take if I gain weight. I want to lose 18 lbs right now, actually. I am 5'7.5, and I weigh 148 lbs. I would like to weigh 130 again. I cannot take a med that will make me gain. I feel very anxious about playing "the medicine game" again. HELP!!!!!

carolynn · 02-21-2003, 10:08 AM

Dear Coral

i have bipolar disorder, too, along with anxiety and a form of DID.... and suffered with bulemia for a long time; however, i have beat the bulemia.

Coral, with a small child and the responsibilities you have taking care of your child, your first priority needs to be your emotional health. We all have concerns about our weight, because society tells us to..... it's not as important as making sure you take care of YOURSELF. If your doctor wants you to try a new medication which could be very beneficial, you may consider giving it a try.

In the meantime, do you have the opportunity to get out and walk a few times a week? Or, even an exercise program for yourself at home a few times a week? You could even involve your toddler, who would probably think it was a lot of fun!!! Exercising will help you to lift your metabolism. This is what i had to do in order to stop weight gain taking 1,500 mg of DepakoteER a day. It's really helped, and i've actually lost weight!

YOUR health is sooo important, and with a family, you have a lot on your plate. Remember, take time out for yourself and take care of yourself... emotionally and physically. BEST OF LUCK!!

xo carolynn

coraldnz · 02-21-2003, 02:44 PM

Carolyn,
Thank you for that responce! what you said makes a lot of sence, and i needed to hear that.

coral

02-23-2003, 07:52 PM

"My anxiety/mania is out of control right now, and my doc wants me to take 25mg. of Seraquel."

I know it is probably kind of scary to think about adding ANOTHER med and maybe having some side effects....but if your anxiety etc is "out of control", your quality of life is suffering and so is your family's.

If you can get the anxiety & mania managed, then you can focus attention on other issues which are important to you--whether that is getting back to a weight you are comfortable with, changing eating habits in your house to help with this etc.

BTW, I don't know what your body type is like, but 130 was an ideal weight for me....at 5'4". Since you have been hospitalized in the past for anorexia, please be careful that the aim for a certain dream weight is truly healthy for you. You may want to check that out with your doctor or another professional first. If you drop your weight too low, there may be other negative side effects as your metabolism changes.

Sharon