starpirate555 Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 what is the deal with lithium and why we gain so much weight on it. Can't they figure out how this drug works and get on with the weight loss already. how many diets does it take before we all give up and throw in the towel. i mean countless trial and error searching for the right diet that fits lithium is almost impossible to accomplish. do we really know thin people on lithium or is this just a myth. why don't the drug companies stop counting their billions of dollars and put out a cure for bipolar disorder, make lithium with no side effects or both. i have over 100 pounds to lose and im getting nowhere fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penny Century Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 i lost weight on it...drug companies don't work on lithium because it's an element and they can't patent it and well more complex than that, but... i don't mean to sound brusque. it's just that lithium is what it is, it makes some people gain, some loose, some nothing. if it's the wrong med, then talk to your doctor about it. it's hard to make a side-effect free element. if it doesn't work for you, talk to your doctor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Gained at least 40# off of lithium. Not sure. I don't keep precise track. Too much, though. Lots of people on here who stay at their normal weight. Some people who gain. So... figuring out how it works is quite the thing. Have fun looking up Dr. Manji's research, he's done a lot. I think the information on sleep deprivation and weight gain is quite fascinating; may explain some of the weight gain I experience off of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OscillateWildly Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Lithium really isn't a big weight gainer, not compared to your alternatives like depakote or antipsychotics (any of them, atypicals are worst). With lithium your big concern is hypothyroidism. It suppresses TSH. It competes for iodine uptake (which is needed for thyroid hormone). If you are gaining weight on lithium, especially if this is coupled with signs like diffuse hair loss, "puffiness" in face, coldness, general fatigue and depression, and the hunger is NOT related to a high/insatiable appetite (appetite is often lowered in hypothyroid) I would ask for a thyroid panel from doctor. Don't settle for TSH. Free T3 is all that really matters when it comes to actual symptoms of hypothyroid (it is entirely possible for TSH to be in range but free T3 to be in the crapper, and surprise, patient has hypothyroid symptoms, but doctor doesn't know this if they only do a TSH). I don't know why lithium has a reputation for weight gain. I mean compared to the alternatives it is better. It doesn't mess up your metabolism, just your thyroid, and that can be corrected. The other meds cause direct metabolic disorder which makes one required toe at like a diabetic (low carbohydrate) or else get fat (and even then still get fat, just LESS fat). Or so I've read. A good supplement for bipolar mania is choline. Some evidence suggests inositol/choline metabolism is implicated in certain mania and depression tendencies (with inositol weighting toward mania and choline toward depression). If the lithium is for mania, I strongly suggest choline. Some good research suggests patients on lithium had better outcomes with choline, doses were lower and such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witchywoman Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 I have gained some weight since I've been on it, but Im also on Seroquel XR. Also my thyroid took a hit so we're working on that. The only thing I've figured I can do is walk 30-60 mins a day and watch what I eat. I figure most of my weight gain is from the Seroquel, but some may be from the Lithium/thyroid. I don't know, Im doing what I can because the meds work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 I have lost weight on it, and have never been skinny. I think YMMV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scatty Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 I'm losing weight on lithium. It takes away my appetite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recoverymouse Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 gained 20 lbs on 600mg, cut back to 300mg and lost 15 lbs, then I had to go back to 600mgs and have been putting on weight again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starpirate555 Posted October 1, 2009 Author Share Posted October 1, 2009 I'm losing weight on lithium. It takes away my appetite. your on 1350 mg and are losing weight, that's incredible!me, im on 1200mg lithobid but i also drink coffee which lowers lithium levels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdbee Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 I'm losing weight on lithium. It takes away my appetite. your on 1350 mg and are losing weight, that's incredible!me, im on 1200mg lithobid but i also drink coffee which lowers lithium levels. This is my 2nd go with Lithium. First time around I was on 900 mg...didn't gain weight. Haven't this time either (granted I'm on a super low dose right now) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sorrel Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 I take 1800mg and have not gained weight. I've been on it for a few years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy10 Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 I've put on 14 pounds since I was put on it in February - it was added to the Seroquel and Lamotrigine, both of which I had lost weight on. I am back to my original size of 11st before Seroquel which is annoying... Does anyone have any answers? It seems to be an insatiable hunger problem with me that I never had on S'quel, ironically, considering an AAPs reputation on that front. For now, chewing gum, insane cycling everywhere for almost an hour a day, water plus food of course, keeps me stable but 14lb heavier nonetheless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy10 Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 I've put on 14 pounds since I was put on it in February - it was added to the Seroquel and Lamotrigine, both of which I had lost weight on. I am back to my original size of 11st before Seroquel which is annoying... Does anyone have any answers? It seems to be an insatiable hunger problem with me that I never had on S'quel, ironically, considering an AAPs reputation on that front. For now, chewing gum, insane cycling everywhere for almost an hour a day, water plus food of course, keeps me stable but 14lb heavier nonetheless. I know this is nothing and no cause for distress compared to higher amounts gained, but it does show it can be worse than an AAP in some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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