Bipolar Type II Support Group

Hi everyone. I'm new here and have a question about weight and meds. Here's some background info. A little over a year ago, I was given Paxil for severe depression. All Paxil did was give me 30lbs in three months and a deeper interest in suicide.The Paxil was replaced with Cymbalta 90mg. I got better with that but not better enough. Here comes the Seroquel and a Bipolar II diagnosis. The weight gain kept going too. The Seroquel helped a lot even though I was a zombie. Wellbutrin was introduced at 300mg to combat the zombie state and to help with the weight issue. It did neither one but I'm still on it. Finally, I was taken off the Seroquel and given Abilify 10mg. I've still been gaining weight. I'm stable now. Yesterday, my pdoc addressed my ADD. She gave me Concerta 36mg daily. If all this confused you, I aplogize. I'm confused too. I'm currently on Cymbalta 90mg, Abilify 10mg, Welbutrin 300mg, and Concerta 36mg.

I suppose the point is, will the weight gain ever stop? I'm trying so hard to loose it but its going no where. Which one of these meds are doing this? I have diabetes running so thick in my family that without the meds, I would end up with it. But I had controlled my weight for many years and now I'm scared I'll come down with it too. I've gone from 120lbs to 185lbs. I don't know what to do or what to think. Any Advice?

Do you have an exercise program? I think that and seeing a dietician would be very helpful. You should also get your thyroid checked too--that can play a big role.

I do have an exercise program. Well, I walk a mile three times a week. It's hard to do even that but I make myself. Maybe I should increase it. I did have my thyroid checked but the tests came back fine. I think I'll see about that dietician. It sure couldn't hurt. Thank you!

I'm sorry you have gained so much weight. I've gained weight too, but I need to exercise and I'm sure it will come off. I would do a little more exercise like Pilates or something easy to do. It's worked for me in the past a lot. Also, try to eat healthy things rather than junk. There are a lot of calories out there that you just don't think about when you eat something. I'm glad you joined. It's a great group to belong to. I hope you love it as much as I do. Welcome to the group!

Studies show that loss of appetite does not really take into effect until you're taking 450 mg of Wellbutrin. I could tell a difference between 300 and 450 regarding my appetite. That in combination with the abilify 7.5 mg I'm taking seems to cut my appetite. I don't take a stimulant for ADHD, but that should help, too. It did when I took one anyway. The rest is exercise and being careful about what I eat.