:(

[_sunshinegirl]

so i have just been informed after taking seroquel 1 1/2 years its 'killed' my metabolism.
i have gained significant weight of the past year, but didn't 'think' about it being caused by my medication, but it turns out .. it is.
why wasn't i informed of this earlier?
should i go ahead + switch medications?

 

[Alive again]

Depends on several things.

The most important is does seroquel work for you???

I have had friends who have had to make the difficult choice to stay on a med that works for them despite side effects. Mine causes a bleeding prob so I stay on it and watch it closely, as it is the only thing that has ever made a difference for me. If it works well, then what neurotransmitter/brain strucuture does it work on? Are there others that work in the same manner that might be an option if they do not have the same side effect?

And then the hardest part for me. Is your diet healthy and balanced? Can you increase your activity realistically-so can you change the metabolic rate or calorie intake without worsening your illness or damaging your body. When I was finally feeling some clearer in my thinking I was able to join a weight loss program and have lost 60 lbs so far (I've hit a plateau tho-It's discouraging)

I have had to try meds like seroquel that effect my weight but I was told upfront. I am sorry you weren't told. But I did choose to try them in a search for the med that finally worked for me.

I will pray with you as you face this challenging and difficult decision. But ask lots of questions before you make a med change, get the best info you can, and certainly don't dump it in frustration until you have something else lined up.

Blessings and Prayers!!!!

 

[Zita123]

I to have gained 45 lbs.!!! I have never been so big in all my life! That is a problem with me everyday, I always wear baggy clothes or sweatpants. I wasn't even this big when I had my children and the biggest baby was 8lbs. 11 oz.!!!!! I have been on serequolfor 2+ yrs. I was never told this info about the weight thing. I will go and ask my physc doctor and get changed right away!! The only thing is I use it for my bad nightmares and sometimes I hear things. That stuff really works on that!!
I have a whole lotta thinking to do.
Thanx for the info !!
GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS!!!
Zita

so i have just been informed after taking seroquel 1 1/2 years its 'killed' my metabolism.
i have gained significant weight of the past year, but didn't 'think' about it being caused by my medication, but it turns out .. it is.
why wasn't i informed of this earlier?
should i go ahead + switch medications?

 

[Jeshu]

so i have just been informed after taking seroquel 1 1/2 years its 'killed' my metabolism.
i have gained significant weight of the past year, but didn't 'think' about it being caused by my medication, but it turns out .. it is.
why wasn't i informed of this earlier?
should i go ahead + switch medications?

The problem with mood stabilizers and anti-psychotic medications is that many seem to have weight gain as a 'side 'effect' (other effect really.) So simply switching meds is not going to help. The question is; do the meds work for you? For if they do then don't switch to quickly as you may become sick again in the process.
I gained 40 kilos on my meds but for the first time in years I'm stable. A 'heavy' price but worth it.

All the Best with this.

 

[_sunshinegirl]

thanks for all of your input.
well the problem is , well the meds do work, but at the same time they don't because i have dropped in self esteem because of my weight. so its like 50/50, i am learning though that since sometimes i still have 'episodes' i might have to increase my dosage, which doesn't sit well with me.
i am going to my drs saturday, as she had said there are a few other medications we can try out. i know its going to be hard, but i think it is the right choice, since I have such huge self esteem problems.

 

[Zita123]

I have to agree with you. My self esteem is the lowest ever!!! I was always used to being a size 0 or 1..but now, I wear a size 8!!! That's a big difference!.I know people will say " oh you should be lucky to be in a size 8 but, not when you were always so small your whole life. I had pride in myself dressing up classy not trashy. but, I felt good!! Not because of the compliments everyday but because "I" felt good!! I haven't felt that in so long!!!I did stop my serequel when I read this.
Hope I'm ok.
Zita

thanks for all of your input.
well the problem is , well the meds do work, but at the same time they don't because i have dropped in self esteem because of my weight. so its like 50/50, i am learning though that since sometimes i still have 'episodes' i might have to increase my dosage, which doesn't sit well with me.
i am going to my drs saturday, as she had said there are a few other medications we can try out. i know its going to be hard, but i think it is the right choice, since I have such huge self esteem problems.

 

[_sunshinegirl]

I have to agree with you. My self esteem is the lowest ever!!! I was always used to being a size 0 or 1..but now, I wear a size 8!!! That's a big difference!.I know people will say " oh you should be lucky to be in a size 8 but, not when you were always so small your whole life. I had pride in myself dressing up classy not trashy. but, I felt good!! Not because of the compliments everyday but because "I" felt good!! I haven't felt that in so long!!!I did stop my serequel when I read this.
Hope I'm ok.
Zita

well i would recommend you taking something in its place, if you have severe bi-polar, or maybe until you switch take it every other day.

*hugs*

 

[Dawn Marie]

Wow. I'm on the same medication, and... it's probably why I'm having a hard time with this as well. I should get off it...

I don't know what to say, I hope you find something with less side-effects or something...

 

[Alive again]

I guess I have just been reminded what a wonderful pdoc I have. She ALWAYS goes over med side effects and has mentioned wt gain with any meds before trying them, and always discusses med options with me and let's me be very invovled in my care.

PLEASE NEVER BE AFRAID TO ASK YOUR DOCTOR QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUIR TREATMENT AND BE INVOVLED!!!!

 

[Zita123]

You know, your right, I should talk about this with my doctor. Actually, I think I'm going to be getting a new doc. Hope I'll be ok!!
Zita

I guess I have just been reminded what a wonderful pdoc I have. She ALWAYS goes over med side effects and has mentioned wt gain with any meds before trying them, and always discusses med options with me and let's me be very invovled in my care.

PLEASE NEVER BE AFRAID TO ASK YOUR DOCTOR QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUIR TREATMENT AND BE INVOVLED!!!!

 

[Shannonkish]

I wouldn't suggest getting a new doctor. Getting a new doctor means starting from scratch, basically.

While the meds you are on have caused you to gain weight, they work for stabilizing your moods. I would talk to you current doctor about this... perhaps there is a similar med that he can prescribe.

Just some thoughts.

 

[Zita123]

I have a problem because, I started about 15 yrs ago with a doc, since then, they have sent me to so many new docs, that I don't know if these docs are really reading my very big chart or just the last month of it?? I am going to look for a new doc then ask questions , if I like him/her then I will ask about the length of time I will be seeing him/her. I have excellent insurance , just picked the wrong place I guess. They keep saying that i'm too much for them??? what is that supposed to mean except to discourage me..
Well, that's where I'm at now.
GOD BLESS and thanks for caring.
Zita

I wouldn't suggest getting a new doctor. Getting a new doctor means starting from scratch, basically.

While the meds you are on have caused you to gain weight, they work for stabilizing your moods. I would talk to you current doctor about this... perhaps there is a similar med that he can prescribe.

Just some thoughts.

 

[Shannonkish]

Well.. Some psych. don't have much experience with abnormal disorders such as schizophrenia. I understand that it is discouraging, I would be discouraged as well. Have you tried http://locator.apahelpcenter.org. For me, I have knee problems. To find a doctor, this is what I do.. I call the office of several doctors, get their titles and certifications, ask if they have evr worked with a case like mine (if I have a diganosis, I state it)... if not, then I choose to go to another doctor. I keep calling until I find a doctor that has specialized or worked with my problem before.

My hearts breaks for you. I will be praying that you find a great doctor soon.

 

[I'ddie4him]

I recently moved to a different state so my wife could be near her family. I still haven't found a Doc yet.
As for the weight gain while on meds, I went thru it too. I have gained about 40 lbs from my Lithium over the past several years. Nothing I could do to get around it other than exercise and stay fit. I used to wear 34's and went about 205. I am now in 38's and go about 248. Being over 40 and disabled hurts the activities now too. I just try to control it best I can thru my diet. Maybe adjusting the meds can help a bit.

 

[Zita123]

I too have so many medical problems. I pray all the time. I try so hard not to complain about them everyday but, sometimes, it hurts so bad I can't help but say "this hurts!" But, the worst part is I'm 42 and I have to ask my husband or my 16 yr old daughter to lift me up out of bed or a chair. That breaks my heart. I have been thinking if I pray all day and have church and family pray for me, then maybe I can get off all my meds and get back the size I was or at least a size 5!!
Oh well, GOD BLESS!!!
Zita

I recently moved to a different state so my wife could be near her family. I still haven't found a Doc yet.
As for the weight gain while on meds, I went thru it too. I have gained about 40 lbs from my Lithium over the past several years. Nothing I could do to get around it other than exercise and stay fit. I used to wear 34's and went about 205. I am now in 38's and go about 248. Being over 40 and disabled hurts the activities now too. I just try to control it best I can thru my diet. Maybe adjusting the meds can help a bit.

 

[I'ddie4him]

I too have so many medical problems. I pray all the time. I try so hard not to complain about them everyday but, sometimes, it hurts so bad I can't help but say "this hurts!" But, the worst part is I'm 42 and I have to ask my husband or my 16 yr old daughter to lift me up out of bed or a chair. That breaks my heart. I have been thinking if I pray all day and have church and family pray for me, then maybe I can get off all my meds and get back the size I was or at least a size 5!!
Oh well, GOD BLESS!!!
Zita

I also know about the medical problems as well. I have had 4 major back surgeries in the last 2 years and I often need help getting up too. It is hard to not say anything about it. About the only thing that keeps me going most days is the little guy you see in my avatar. He needs his daddy and I am his buddy in every sense of the word even if I can't play ball with him like he wants. It breaks my heart to not be able to run and jump and romp with him the way I want to do. I try my best to be there for him in any other way I can. I will never be off my lithium, I am dependent on it to keep me stable. I would like to get my weight back down too, Oh well.
The side effects of meds are always a joy, Huh ??? Maybe they will find something that works as well and no side effects at all.

 

[NewCovenant]

Rut-roh. I've been on Seroquel for a couple of years now. When I first started taking it, I had lost a significant amount of weight (about 60 pounds) and was soooo happy. Well, now I've gained it back again (and then some). But I have to say, I'm more stable than I have been in years. So I'm weighing this (excuse the lousy pun)... I'm not 16 anymore (or even 32), I'm not husband shopping, I'm really not concerned about my weight, I don't really know if it's hurting me right now (I have to ask my doctor, I am significantly overweight, so I guess it's not exactly healthy), and to tell you the truth, my self-esteem is not suffering one bit. If my heart and lungs are doing okay and my health is not in jeapardy, I might reduce the dose a little to take some of the health risk away, but other than that, I feel pretty good. I feel so emotionally and psychologically strong, I really don't want to risk another setback right now to lose the weight. It bothers me, but not enough to risk my mental stability. I'm not saying this is the right choice for everyone, but for me--I've struggled for YEARS, and I mean many MANY years looking for the right combination of drugs to stabilize me, and I finally found it. This has literally been a Godsend. I can't give it up now.

 

[Zita123]

Your son is so adorable!!! He does need his daddy!!
I will pray for you .
GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!!

Zita

I also know about the medical problems as well. I have had 4 major back surgeries in the last 2 years and I often need help getting up too. It is hard to not say anything about it. About the only thing that keeps me going most days is the little guy you see in my avatar. He needs his daddy and I am his buddy in every sense of the word even if I can't play ball with him like he wants. It breaks my heart to not be able to run and jump and romp with him the way I want to do. I try my best to be there for him in any other way I can. I will never be off my lithium, I am dependent on it to keep me stable. I would like to get my weight back down too, Oh well.
The side effects of meds are always a joy, Huh ??? Maybe they will find something that works as well and no side effects at all.