1.) Try to eat healthy foods and stay away from junk food as much as possible. That doesn't mean that once in awhile you can't have sweets but on a regular basis try to eat healthy.

2.) Exercise.

3.) Ask your doctor about different drugs with fewer side effects or about readjusting the dosage.

4.) Sometimes seeing a Bariatric doctor can help. They can put you on a special diet and or give you medicines.

5.) If worst comes to worst, and hopefully it won't; gastric bypass surgery can help. Lots of people who have been on these meds have had to have gastric bypass surgery later. There's no shame in it. I have a friend who had Bipolar II, took depokote and hit 298 pounds. She had to have gastric bypass surgery at 20 and now she's back to her normal weight and looks great and even down to a size six.

6.) Remember that gaining weight due to mood stabilizers isn't your fault, but it's your responsibility for dealing and trying to get rid of it. It's like a woman with breast cancer who had to have a mastectomy and lost her hair to chemo. Remember that true beauty is on the inside and when you feel insecure about your body image, remember that it can go away if you work at it. And remember it's mood stabilizer weight and and there is no shame in mood stabilizer weight, there's courage and that is beautiful.

This post has been edited by scrobin: Sep 14 2009, 01:56 PM

Way to go Scrobin

I like your list especially the exercise>>>> I can say for myself I believe the exercise must enhance our pmeds effect on us. Plus just making ourselves get up and get going has a large effect, at least it does on me. I was able to quit with the blood pressure pills and half the chloresterol med just from walking. Even though the med has made me still gain unneeded weight.
I have considered taking Little Debbie for a hostage. Just for the sweet cakes she makes------
Thanks

Great topic and done very well!! I too struggle with the weight but am now eating less junk food and am seeing some results!! Nice too that you mention getting gastric by-pass, etc is nothing to be ashamed of. Good encouragement for all of us!!!

Gentle Sun