Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

If you go down below- you will see a blog about Seroquel and weight gain.  Here is an update from Stinker- a great name I must add.

Julie,

First, thank you for answering my question. I have spent two whole days just reading about the medications I am on, and what they are for. I also read chapter 1 of your book “Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder.” Then I went to Healthy Place and found the article “Psychiatric Medication: Medication for Mental Illness.”

I was able to talk with my doctor about my weight gain, and my desire to get off the Seroquel. I told him that my hunger was very intense, and I felt literally like someone who was denied food for a long time. He thought for a while and then decided to increase my intake of Ritalin. I felt very discouraged. I felt like he just wasn’t getting it or listening to me. I do want to give him credit because he is great. He pulled me out of a very dark place and an illness that placed me into hospitalization a lot.

I was able to read your article “Which Atypical Antipsychotics Carry the Highest Risk for Diabetes.” I had no idea that the drug Abilify is an Atypical Antipsychotic. I was put on Abilify over a year ago. It was a miracle. For eight months my life was finally worth living.

I now can ask my doctor about getting off the Seroquel and using the Abilify. I now have the ability to feel like I am in the drivers seat, and I can take responsibility for my own wellness.  

My deepest thanks to you again
Stinker

Hi Stinker,

What great news! It’s up to us to learn about our meds and ask for help- you did such a great job becuase you rationally looked at side effects and then decided to take charge.  I always encourage people to weigh out the benefits vs. the side effects. You have done that. Awesome! Julie

Here is a question about the antipsychotic Seroquel and weight gain.

Hi Julie,

I have been on Seroquel for over 5 years now. I have Bipolar with psychosis. I am tired of the weight gain fight. Seroquel has been very affective in controlling the psychosis which I have frequently. Is there anything that can replace the Seroquel in controlling the psychosis without the weight gain?

Stinker

Hi There Stinker,

Here is a short answer to your question:

Maybe.

Here is a longer one:

Everyone responds differently to antipsychotics.  Many gain wait on them, but some don’t. It’s very, very well documented for example that Zyprexa has an average 20 lb weight gain.  Seroquel, Risperdal, and the other atypical antipsychotics are known for weight gain around the stomach. This leads to a complication called Metabolic Syndrome- I wrote quite a great article on this last year for www.healthyplace.com if you want to read more about it. Just type in Julie Fast and Metabolic Syndrome and it will come up.

When the atypical antipsychotic Abilify came out, it was touted as an antipsychotic that didn’t cause weight gain. I have now heard from people that it definitely can. But, overall it’s considered to have the least weight gain, so talk to your doctor about it. The problem is that it’s not simply a replacement for Seroquel. They work differently.

It’s always personal. I know people on Zyprexa who have not gained weight at all and then there are those who gain weight up to a certain point and then the weight gain stops.

It is definitely something to discuss with your prescriber.  Just make sure you have a plan in place to get help if the psychosis comes back on a new med.

I am unable to take antipsychotics because the weight gain and hunger are so intense and the weight gain is so immediate, I can’t stay on them. I also have a lot of other side effects that compound things.

It’s a terrible trade off sometimes-   what is worse- the psychosis or the weight gain? I know that a lot of people say the weight gain.

I wish it were only about eating less and exercising more. That helps, but it doesn’t necessarily stop anti psychotic weight gain. For many, the goal is to minimize the weight gain by dealing with the hunger hallucinations in a different way than eating.  It also helps to have zero junk food in the house.  That helps the 2:AM hunger binges!

I wish I had the answer to this one so that we could get the anti psychotic benefits without gaining weight.

Thanks for your question,

Julie

Hi Julie,

I am going to court tomorrow, and I have been a mess, shakey, anxious, and frustrated at everybody around me.  I feel like everything someone says is just irritating and worthless to me.  I don’t’ want to around anybody, but I know that is not healthy for me. I have been getting worse all week leading up to this stressful situation.  I am worried that I am going to have a full blown depression episode.  I cannot concentrate and am having trouble sleeping.

Hi Colby,

Isn’t it amazing what stress can do to our bodies and minds… I would be stressed too. It hits us harder- that’s for sure.  It’s amazing that you are aware of your anger and frustration- this means you can keep it from ruining relationships and getting you into trouble. I was majorly irritated yesterday and even yelled at a friend- I felt terrible and then realized that is not the real me and I have to manage myself better. I suggest that you have a mantra to say the rest of the day. I am angry because I am stressed and I have bipolar disorder. I will NOT take this out on other people. They are not the problem. I will NOT ruin relationships. I have made it through many tough things and I will make it through this. I know when the court session is over I will feel differently. I can do this and I will. Now, what do I need to do right now to feel better.

I talk to myself like this constantly- even with the stress is overwhleming. The truth is that you can’t get out of the court situation, so you might as well use it as a learning experience to see how well you can manage the anger. If I can keep myself from punching a wall- you can too!!! 🙂

Julie