[Haleybabee]

I have ADD/ADHD, anxiety disorder and am also Bipolar. I am on 10 mgs of Abilify for the Bipolar. I used to weigh 110 lbs when I first started taking Abilify 3 yrs ago. I have gained 15 lbs since I've been on Abilify. Now I weigh 125 lbs. My self-esteem is low---I was a perfect, movie star Sz 2 all my life, and now I'm up to a SZ 8. This doesn't sound like a big deal, but to me it is, because I was super skinny all my life up until now. Abilify doesn't really even help me--I'm still non-functional at work. The only thing is I don't have manic episodes---Like road rage, for example, which I used to get often before beginning Abilify. I do not suffer from depression; however, I am beginning to feel really down about this continual weight gain. Can I just stop taking Abilify? What would happen to me if I went off of Abilify cold turkey?

[tryp]

Who do you get your Abilify from? I don't know anything about Abilify specifically, but going off psych meds cold turkey if you have another option isn't the best idea. Can you call your pdoc and talk about this? Can you hold off until your next appointment? If the meds aren't working the way you want them to, you should definitely let your provider know, and maybe they can help you come up with a solution.

This post has been edited by tryp: 30 November 2008 - 12:47 PM

[Haleybabee]

tryp, on Nov 30 2008, 04:46 PM, said:

Who do you get your Abilify from? I don't know anything about Abilify specifically, but going off psych meds cold turkey if you have another option isn't the best idea. Can you call your pdoc and talk about this? Can you hold off until your next appointment? If the meds aren't working the way you want them to, you should definitely let your provider know, and maybe they can help you come up with a solution.

I have talked to my psych doctor and expressed to her my disgust about the weight gain but she just tells me to change my diet--However---Eating is the problem--It seems like since I've been on the Abilify my appetite has increased---Its voracious, as a matter of fact. I can't stop eating.

[Stacia]

Well, it sounds like you were put on Abilify to stop you from going manic. You haven't gone manic since being on it. I'd venture to say the consequences of going off would be to go manic again.

Abilify is one of the more weight neutral stabilizers. You could work with your pdoc on trying other meds, but it's a crap shoot. Some can prove to be very fattening. Some not. Your mileage may vary.

How much dieting do you do? How much regular aerobic exercise? Part of what you are facing probably is related to aging, and yes, that starts in the mid/late twenties.

You can wait until you see your pdoc to sort this out. If you absolutely can't, then absolutely call your pdoc Monday morning. That would indicate disinhibition and possible hypomania.

[tryp]

Haleybabee, on Nov 30 2008, 05:53 PM, said:

tryp, on Nov 30 2008, 04:46 PM, said:

Who do you get your Abilify from? I don't know anything about Abilify specifically, but going off psych meds cold turkey if you have another option isn't the best idea. Can you call your pdoc and talk about this? Can you hold off until your next appointment? If the meds aren't working the way you want them to, you should definitely let your provider know, and maybe they can help you come up with a solution.

I have talked to my psych doctor and expressed to her my disgust about the weight gain but she just tells me to change my diet--However---Eating is the problem--It seems like since I've been on the Abilify my appetite has increased---Its voracious, as a matter of fact. I can't stop eating.

That sounds frustrating. Did you also tell her that you don't think the drug is controlling your symptoms as much as you'd like? If nothing else, you can always just tell her you are not willing to take that med anymore, and she will probably then work with you to change it or at least give you a good reason to keep taking it. Maybe she has some good reasons for you to be still taking it? As Stacia says, if it's controlling your mania, that's a powerful plus, and the benefits may end up being worth the weight gain.

This post has been edited by tryp: 30 November 2008 - 12:59 PM

[Haleybabee]

tryp, on Nov 30 2008, 04:58 PM, said:

Haleybabee, on Nov 30 2008, 05:53 PM, said:

tryp, on Nov 30 2008, 04:46 PM, said:

Who do you get your Abilify from? I don't know anything about Abilify specifically, but going off psych meds cold turkey if you have another option isn't the best idea. Can you call your pdoc and talk about this? Can you hold off until your next appointment? If the meds aren't working the way you want them to, you should definitely let your provider know, and maybe they can help you come up with a solution.

I have talked to my psych doctor and expressed to her my disgust about the weight gain but she just tells me to change my diet--However---Eating is the problem--It seems like since I've been on the Abilify my appetite has increased---Its voracious, as a matter of fact. I can't stop eating.

That sounds frustrating. Did you also tell her that you don't think the drug is controlling your symptoms as much as you'd like? If nothing else, you can always just tell her you are not willing to take that med anymore, and she will probably then work with you to change it or at least give you a good reason to keep taking it. Maybe she has some good reasons for you to be still taking it? As Stacia says, if it's controlling your mania, that's a powerful plus, and the benefits may end up being worth the weight gain.

I guess it is controlling the mania. I am 36 yrs old, so my metabolism is probably changing, which doesn't make things easier. I want to lose 15 lbs by X-Mas. I have just started working out again, but its frustrating--I hop on the scale and have actually gained weight. I guess there's no easy solution.

[Stacia]

Here are some things to consider when thinking about changing meds.

The one you have works. Five lbs a year is something that some extra work should curb. (I have gained nearly 40 lbs in less than a year due to a med, so I am sympathic even if it might not sound like it. I also am on a strict diet w/exercise to try to slowly knock it off. I may not succeed, but the med works in ways no others have so it stays.)

Start up may include nausea and/or the stupids. Both hopefully will go away after a few weeks/month, but maybe not. Then you may be off to trial the next med which repeats this fun.

The med may not work and you go manic, or the cross over may otherwise be rough.

It may take multiple meds to do what this one does.

The next med may be more fattening.

The next med might work right off the bat. (In my experience, the odds of this are not very high.)

I'm not trying to say stay on Abilify. Personally, I believe anticonvulsants and Lithium are better long-term treatment than antipsychotics. I'm just trying to convey the reality of the med-go-round. It is not fun.

PS - Yes, if you are 36, much if not most of it is your metabolism changing.

This post has been edited by Stacia: 30 November 2008 - 01:15 PM

[Petrucci914]

Abilify and Geodon are the only weight-neutral Antipsychotics.

My guess would be a change of metabolism or diet

[sylvan]

Abilify and Geodon might be weight-neutral for some people but they are not weight-neutral for all. My son and I both take Abilify and have each gained a significant amount of weight. Stop the Abilify and the weight starts dropping off. Start back on the Abilify again and the weight gain starts.

[null0trooper]

Haleybabee, on Nov 30 2008, 05:42 PM, said:

I was a perfect, movie star Sz 2 all my life, and now I'm up to a SZ 8.

From the wording choices there, I'd hazard a guess that it would be very much worth your while to work with a therapist on body image issues.

What's important is to have a functional mind in a healthy body, regardless of the official size of your dress.

[Haleybabee]

null0trooper, on Dec 1 2008, 08:19 PM, said:

Haleybabee, on Nov 30 2008, 05:42 PM, said:

I was a perfect, movie star Sz 2 all my life, and now I'm up to a SZ 8.

From the wording choices there, I'd hazard a guess that it would be very much worth your while to work with a therapist on body image issues.

What's important is to have a functional mind in a healthy body, regardless of the official size of your dress.

But I don't have body image issues...Its about control. I have ABSOLUTELY no control over anything in my life, even though I try to make changes and do the things I'm supposed to do. I try and eat sensibly and work out, but still gain weight, so I have no control over regulating the weight. My job sucks, and there's not a thing in the world I can do to make it better, (I've tried), so I have no control over happiness in the job setting---My bipolar/ADD/ADHD prevents me from functioning at work, despite being on meds. Finally, I never have any money--I am on a strict budget due to having to file Ch 13 Bankruptcy and being forced to pay back $1450.00 a month to the Bankruptcy Trustee---So I have no control over my money---Because I never have any money. These three issues--ie--weight, money/lack thereof and inability to perform at work because of ADD/Bipolar---are totally out of my control.

[Stacia]

All of what you mentioned in is prime therapy territory. Seriously. Many of the people here go to therapy, so please don't read more into it than meds and therapy are the best treatment for bipolar. There is a lot to deal with, accept, and learn to manage, including all that you mentioned.

I don't know whether you have an ED or not. This is only a point of info - EDs are steeped in control issues.

As with everyone who has bipolar, you may be forced to choose between sane and fully functional with some extra pounds or svelt with some level of crazy and limited to no functionality. Sorry. If nothing else, a lean diet and a lot of exercise can usually keep it under control.

PS - I think I said this on your other thread. Make your pdoc and meds a priority. As long as you are running in some sort of mood state, everything is difficult and priorities can get messed up. Once you are truly stable, then you can figure the best way out of your present situation, including dialing in the best meds. Really. It is much easier then.

This post has been edited by Stacia: 06 December 2008 - 10:16 AM

[Ashdene]

do you think that part of you mania is what lead you to be so thin in the first place (increased control)? i know that might sound odd but just throwing it out there. If you get controlled over your eating then, well maybe since you don't have mania you are allowing yourself or realising you appetite more? Hence reaching a healthy weight?

I'm totally guessing and throwing it around!!!

But i feel your pain. i used to be super skinny and now starting to look normal, and its killing me, not everybody understands that!

This post has been edited by Ashdene: 21 December 2008 - 11:46 AM

[danceintherain]

I hope this doesn't come across the wrong way--but 15 pounds over the course of 3 years may not be a side effect. It definitely could be, if all your eating, exercise, stress, living habits, work environment, etc was completely the same. But those sorts of things can have a huge impact as well. So I wouldn't discount them as an option. That said, the AAPs are known for weight gain, so it definitely could be a side effect. Or some combo thereof.

Not having manic episodes is pretty huge--and I'd suggest that it's a sign that it's working. Other drugs might work equally well--but going off something completely would presumably lead toward another episode, based on the nature of the illness. So it might be worth talking to a pdoc about the situation and seeing if there's a possible switch that could be made?

The other thing that might be worthwhile is some therapy work on the body image/self-esteem stuff. I don't know your situation, but it can be helpful for some people. I've found it helpful myself.

[dianthus]

Haleybabee, on 30 November 2008 - 02:06 PM, said:

I guess it is controlling the mania. I am 36 yrs old, so my metabolism is probably changing, which doesn't make things easier. I want to lose 15 lbs by X-Mas. I have just started working out again, but its frustrating--I hop on the scale and have actually gained weight. I guess there's no easy solution.

I'm quoting this part beacause I think it seems telling in terms of your expectations and probably why you're so stuck. That is an unrealistic goal. The problem with setting unrealistic goals is that when you fail to meet them, you get frustrated and give up. And so starts the cycle again.

You can control your eating. The first 1-2 weeks of changing your diet is hard. You'll always be hungry. After that, your body adjusts to what you're giving it and you don't feel so hungry all the time.

Go to a gym, see a nutritionist, and try to lose that 15 pounds by, say, April. Past 30-35 you're not going to have a ton of success losing weight without exercise, so try to find an activity you can sustain over time.

[OscillateWildly]

Abilify isn't a big weight gainer. Didn't affect me, and I have pretty incredible fatness tendency. I actually stopped sleeping and eating as consistently on it (but some days I would be ravenous so whatever).
Perhaps, this needs to be stated - a manic tendency will suppress body weight. Catecholamines (the neurotransmitters that make you wacked) make the body burn fat and suppress appetite. Loss of appetite & weight loss will happen for manic and psychotic people. Actually, drugs that make you stop throwing up can double as antipsychotics for that reason (because you become nauseated and lose your appetite when dopamine & serotonin is high, dopamine blockers prevent you from vomiting up your food). So it might be that your weight was low partly because of your MI problems.

But meds do cause abnormal weight gain and can promote metabolic diseases too, that is undoubtedly true... I always recommend a diabetic (low carb) diet for metabolic disease tendency. If the med is helping, don't stop it because of weight gain... try a weight / glucose/insulin control diet first. This will lower your appetite and improve your body fat burning much more easily than cutting calories, exercising, or any of the conventional advice.

[ooh_shiny!]

oh no. you sound just like me except for the fact I went manic, gained 15 pounds, now a size 5 instead of a size zero, and IM JUST gonna start abilify tomorrow. i hope i dont gain too much... :-(

[kdbeat]

Weight gain on meds is a HUGE issue for me...because I have a lifelong history of eating disorders. You mentioned that you don't have problems with your body image but also stated a few things that sound like something could be going on.

Loosing 15 lbs by christmas? TOTALLY unrealistic... that sounds like something I would say and have in the past. Loosing massive amounts of weight in a very short period of time. It's not rational. It can't happen if you're eating a healthy diet. You'd either have to have your leg chopped off or stop eating.

Control: One of the main reasons people suffer from eating disorders is control. We feel like everything else in our life is out of control and at least we can control just this one thing.

Perfect movie star body: Another unrealistic notion. It's a fantasy. Oftentimes when we do achieve this fantasy we do so at the cost of our health.

I don't know... I can't say whether you have an eating disorder or not. Only you know that. I hope that, if you do, you try to get yourself on track...it's so easy to get out of control.

This post has been edited by ksh: 16 December 2009 - 07:42 PM