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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sarita0001 on September 2, 2003, at 21:16:20
HI-
I was wondering if anyone has been to or has thoughts on seeking a nutritionist's advice for medication related weight gain. I'm on lithium and it's been an on again off again battle for me. I tried Topamax and had a bad experience so I am through with anticonvulsants.
Thanks.
Posted by jay on September 2, 2003, at 21:41:41
In reply to nutritionist for weight loss?, posted by sarita0001 on September 2, 2003, at 21:16:20
> HI-
>
> I was wondering if anyone has been to or has thoughts on seeking a nutritionist's advice for medication related weight gain. I'm on lithium and it's been an on again off again battle for me. I tried Topamax and had a bad experience so I am through with anticonvulsants.
>
> Thanks.Hi:
I know it is hard as heck to deal with med weight gain. I have honestly never found changing any meds, or adding any, helped. One thing that has helped more than any is to find a few really good books on weight, by guru's like Dr. Andrew Weil. I have found the help of a diet drink, which I take *in addition to* (not replace with) my regular meals. It is by Nu-Life, and called "To Diet For". It's a bit pricey, but is amazing because it not only contains a major amount of high protein in a substance called "whey" powder, it has a few other non-stimulating herbs in it. It also tastes excellent, and comes in many flavours. I mix mine with regular milk, for even more added protein. It helps keep us 'regular', flushes the body of retaining water, helps normalize metabolism, and keeps me from 'binging', which I have had problems with in the past, by giving you that 'full' feeling. 2-3 regular cup drinks a day are more than adequate.
Others may have recommendations for any of the other good protein drinks out there. Even an addition of small, but regular light exercise, is helpful. I try to go for a good 45 minute paced walk 3-4 times a week. The high protein, low carb drink should really help, though. Protein helps build and replenish the neurotransmitters our medications use and take advantage of, so another bonus is that you may feel your meds working better. Please hang around for support, because there are many of us going through very similar problems, and it feels very good when the 'plan' starts to work. It won't all be fast and simple, but just think of it as restoring all of your health, which includes mental health.Best wishes,
Jay
Posted by CamW. on September 3, 2003, at 1:48:08
In reply to nutritionist for weight loss?, posted by sarita0001 on September 2, 2003, at 21:16:20
Sarita - In a workshop att the 2001 Schizophrenia Conference in Edmonton, Dr. Pierre Chue showed some of his research into drug-induced weight gain. He believes that the weight gained by people taking Clozaril™ (clozaril), Zyprexa™ (olanzapine), Paxil™ (paroxetine), Zoloft™ (sertraline), etc., may very well be irreversible. Dr. Chue thinks that these drugs may be resetting the body's "homeostasis weight" (ie. the weight that your body normally wants you to be).
Mind you, Dr. Chue was being paid by Janssen-Ortho (makers of Risperidal [risperidone]), so the above is probably far from proven. Experience does tell me that very few people who do put on weight because of these drugs, will lose that weight.
I have found that if someone is diligent about eating a balanced diet (and feel starved all of the time) for the first 6 to 9 months of SSRI/TCA use and the first 12 to 14 months of Zyprexa™ use the cravings (esp. for carbohydrates) does ease (perhaps this phenomenon is just get use to feeling famished!). After this period of time the food cravings do abate in most people (yes, even with high dose TCAs).
One last thing; Clozaril™ is the only psychotropic where no one seems to lose any weight that is gained because of this drug. Figures, the best drug we have for psychoses is also the most toxic.
As a note: not everyone gains weight when taking these medications. Also, the amount of weight gained is not usually very significant (.... well, relatively so).
So, here's a question for you. Which is worse (ie. has a higher mortality rate), tardive dyskinesia, or the secondary effects of being overweight (ie. increased risk of hypertension. type-II diabetes, etc.)? Makes one think, huh?
- Cam
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