on lithium cant lose weight

Daughter (16) has same issues. Gained 40lbs in 1 year from lithium. In addition she has horrible cystic acne. This beautiful girl had clear skin and was normal weight. Self esteem low. Sucks to see her like this when she should be enjoying her junior year! Asking to try lyrica she had bipolar nos and is on a slew of other meds. Sees a nutritionist exercises sees a dermatologist.., my poor little girl needs help! Anyone have success with lyrica?

I too gained quite a bit of weight with Lithium. It wasn't until the doctor decided to also have my thyroid checked when I was experiencing nausea on a daily basis that we discoved that I had hypothyroidism. It was then that I discovered that Lithium is usually a big contributor to hypothyroidism and that it is very difficult to lose weight when you have hypothyroidism. When I told my psychiatrist that I had this, he naturally suggested to take me off my lithium and try something else. When I told him that I had never felt as good (or went back to the hospital) since I've been on Lithium, he then put me on thyroid medication. I would strongly suggest you have your thyroid checked as this could be why you are having trouble losing weight.

As for me, I actually weaned myself off Lithium and am trying a ketogenic diet as it has helped a lot of bipolar people feel better and even come off their medication. This "discovery" was discovered years ago when epileptic children ceased having seizures (or at least had less) when following a ketogenic diet (to this day this is still practiced). Since a lot of bipolar people react well to seizure medication, this is why many reason that is can be successful at helping bipolar disorder. My results have been great so far---I completely stopped taking my lithium last week, but am still taking seroquel (I want to take it slow and make sure that it wouldn't be lithium that would be causing any possible "bad" effects). My weight is coming down well too. I am being realistic though and have told my family what I am doing (so if they observe any obvious signs of a high or a low, they can tell me) and am keeping an eye out for this myself---but to tell you the truth, I feel calmer than I can ever remember and even calmer than when I am on Lithium (I will tell my psychiatrist of this at my next appointment). Anyways, if you ever decide to try this, I strongly suggest the Atkins Diet as I find it easier to follow than the other ketogenic diets I have read about. It really has been the easiest diet to follow as I don't hunger much and especially because I see the benefits it has on my mental well-being----not to mention the thought of maybe never having to take medication again would be a "dream come true".

I've been on lithium for about 8 years...as well as effexor. I did alot of research on this (i too have gained the weight and its extremely difficult to deal with). I'm bipolar as well. With my doctor's guidance, I have begun to wean myself off of the lithium, and I feel great. (Not manic, just great!)...Its a slow process, but I am patient and look forward to when I will be free of this drug and hopefully will lose some of this excess weight. Talk to your doctor...maybe its time for you too to wean off of it. Have your thyroid checked too.

I went from 48 to 62 kilo's in one years time. I really want to get off the medication because it feels so unhealthy. I'm a vegan and exercise 4 times a week yet i gain weight like crazy... something is wrong with this medication! I went out for dinner tonight and my trousers ripped. And to make matters even worse this is not the first time this happened in public. I keep having to buy clothes. I'm constantly paranoid when people look at me. I get extremely nervous when someone takes a picture. I even started to shower in the dark. I can't look at myself anymore. This medication had made things worse. Anyone stopped using this medication because of weight gain?

I'm with you!! I'm currently on a VERY high dosage of lithium (1,200 mg per day), and it's been a huge struggle. I can't stop myself from eating carbs (Which is directly related to the lithium). And I hated myself for it. My friend made me sign up for a half Marathon training group. The competition is on March 1st. I've run 35km this month alone, and it's not over yet. It feels AMAZING! I may not be able to control my food intake, but running has made me feel so so so much better!! I suggest, the you find an active outlet and stick to it 3-5 times a week. Get a physical goal and keep active. truth be told: if you do join a local exercise group, chances are they've all been in a similar situation and can be a great support system. It also definitely helps with the depression. Sending you all love, and wishing us all luck and happiness!

OMG!!! I feel your pain so much.I have gained 50 lb in 6 months. I am on Lithium and seroquel. everyone around me is happy becouse Im stable.but I have never been so unhappy and low selfstem in my life.I am bigger than when i was pragnant. and I think I look pragnant.On top of that I am now loosing HAIRS!!!!! All the things I too granet for in my life is going away. I know to be stable is more important than worrying about my looks...but I just cant help it and I am very scared to what other side effect is waitting for me next???

I have bounced back and fourth between Depakote and Lithium for years. I take wellbutrin in the am along with lamictal (both the generic version) and Lithium at night. I have been on this regimen for about a year and have put on 50lbs. I don't eat great, but I don't eat THIS bad. I never have energy, I have no desire to do the right thing, to make the effort to move my body, and feel as if I have no control. I gain at least another pound every time I step on the scale. It is starting to affect every part of my life.  For the first time in my 10yr marriage I am embarrassed to undress in front of my husband. I am heavier then I was when I delivered our son 9 years ago. All I want to do is sit. Which is also getting uncomfortable. I want to change my meds, but my clarity has never been so good. I am at a loss.

I'm in the same boat, but I'm only 22 years old. I recently asked my doctor to lower my dose of lithium and add topomax, an anti-seizure med that also helps with bipolar disorder and is known for having weight loss as a side effect some times...hopefully that helps counter act the lithium weight issue.

This is not going to be a welcome answer for you, but I took Lithium for Bipolar I for five years. Then all of a sudden, for no apparant reason after these 5 years it started putting weight on me (I eat healthy, am even a vegan, and work out three times a week). I was on monotherapy, so it wasn't any other drug. I went from 120 lbs to 160 lbs in just a few months. I was starving myself, and still going UP.

My doctor took me off lithium and put me on something else that was weight-neutral (Latuda), and then I had the difficult task of losing the 40 lbs just as if I had gained it the "normal" way. If lithium has started throwing you under the weight-gain bus, please talk to your doctor about switching you to something weight neutral. Even the people on this list who sought professional weight loss help admit that, while they may feel better, they simply COULD NOT lose the weight while on lithium.

When I went off of the lithium, I at least stopped going up. Now that I am off of it and have been working on the weight for a few months, I've already dropped half of it. It doesn't automatically come off once you stop the drug, however.

Ask your doctor about Latuda (Larasidone). It is weight-neutral without skin problems. Lyrica packs on the pounds as badly as lithium in my experience.

I am too busy to enroll myself to a gym, so a friend of mine recommended it to me. I found and bought that one from amazon, the Garcinia Cambogia PolarisBrand. I have lost 15 lbs since I used that. I am still using it, hoping to lose more weight. Good luck and don't lose hope!

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Started at 142, went up t0 245. What I ate made no difference at all. Eat little,or eat more. Nearly 4 years on that,now something else entirely for 26, no weight loss. Like,keep them quiet, no matter what happens to them physically. Just so they are not a bother to the rest of us.

Bro I know this was over a year ago but it’s the Remeron that’s f*****g you up!!!! I gained 10 lbs in a week on that

Sorry for your struggle! I am 40 pounds over weight. Don't give up on getting healthy even if the weight won't come off. Still exercise. Take healthy natural supplements like magnesium glycinate at night,ect. Only if your doctor approves. Get outside and get fresh air. Do things you enjoy! Your weight is not who you are. You are a beautiful and beloved daughter of God the Father! Hang in there! Prayers for you!

I've been taking olanzapine and lithium for the last 2 years. In that time I have gained over 20kgs. Will metformin help me lose the weight I have gained?