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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by LostBoyinNC45 on August 23, 2014, at 16:23:43
Having recently been referred into a medically supervised weight loss program and been approved for gastric bypass surgery. And after having suffered from numerous physical chronic diseases that are cardio or pulmonary...some of which negatively affect my mind and my thinking (sleep apnea), I have come to a conclusion. It is important for me to emphasize to my Pdoc to prescribe psych meds that DONT cause weight gain!
I realize that can be a hard thing to accomplish, as the majority of these psych meds cause weight gain. Some cause it severely, as many of you already know.
I have at some point in the past taken most of the psych meds, especially modern class ones, so I (unfortunately), have personal experience with this.
Here is my list of psych meds that in my experiences at least, did not cause weight gain:
anti-depressants- Zoloft, Prozac, Wellbutrin, MAOI Parnate
stimulants-Ritalin, caffeine, Provigil
anti-psychotics-Geodon was the only one Ive taken that does not cause weight gain, but I took it at lower doses and not for a long period once, as an "augmenting" drug for my AD. Pretty much all of the antipsychotics cause bad weight gain that I have either taken or am aware of.
mood stabilizers-topomax
benzos-klonopin and xanax, both of which Ive been prescribed neither I ever have noticed any weight gain from
Psych meds Ive been prescribed at some time in the past that CAUSED weight gain:Anti-depressants-Paxil...paxil causes pretty severe weight gain in my experience although it is a pretty effective SSRI for the mood part, Remeron...bad weight gain although again very effective anti-depressant...for me among the best for mood and few side effects besides BAD weight gain,
mood stabilizers-depakote...have taken the stuff in the past and is among the worst drug Ive ever taken for weight gain although VERY effective for headache prevention, lithium...for augmentation of my anti-depressant, Neurontin...about as severe weight gain as depakote in my experiences
anti-psychotics--all except Geodon, Ive only taken them in low doses and none for more than a two month period. But I found low dose risperdal to cause weight gain, zyprexa has a bad rep for weight gain as does clozaril although clozaril is considered very effective for its intended purposes
Stimulants-none that Ive ever been prescribed caused weight gain
hypnotics-ambien causes weight gain in me
Read the list and add in any opinions. One anti-depressant I never have taken but strongly suspect would not cause weight gain is the EMSAM patch, selegiline...as its so speedy and its similar to Parnate. Also, does lamictal cause weight gain? And anybody know of any of the newer atypical APs that dont cause the weight gain atypical APs are notorious for???
thanks,
Eric AKA "LostBoyinNC"
Posted by LostBoyinNC45 on August 23, 2014, at 16:30:15
In reply to Psych meds that DONT cause weight gain?, posted by LostBoyinNC45 on August 23, 2014, at 16:23:43
Oh yeah, one I forgot. A drug that is anti-anxiety drug in its own class. Buspar. It causes me severe weight gain.
Anti-depressant-tricyclic Pamelor...the only tricyclic Ive ever bothered with. I was not real impressed with either its antidepressant effect nor with its side effect profile, it caused weight gain in myself.
Is it possible to be pharmaceutically treated for severe mental illness, but WITHOUT ending up like 200 lbs of chewed bubble gum a year or two afterwards????? I think its entirely possible but you have to put some effort into it and choose your drugs more carefully....and your Pdoc has to be onboard with you as well...sometimes they are not on board with you on this issue.
Posted by willyee234 on August 23, 2014, at 16:36:09
In reply to Re: Psych meds that DONT cause weight gain?, posted by LostBoyinNC45 on August 23, 2014, at 16:30:15
Hey lost boy ive made some dramatic results with metaformin prescribed 2 a day 1000 mg.
Also took my training down from high weight low low reps which causes pressure but no burn or cardio affect or much sweat.
Now my weight is light enough for me to do at least 20 reps causing intense burn , sweat,and cardio.
Last i researched the hell out of clenbuterol and it seems to have a safe and effective profile
Posted by Christ_empowered on August 23, 2014, at 18:39:18
In reply to Psych meds that DONT cause weight gain?, posted by LostBoyinNC45 on August 23, 2014, at 16:23:43
lamictal, trileptal, wellbutrin.
Weight gain is common with most psych meds. I think most psych meds are designed to mellow people out and/or tranquilize people. Not surprisingly...WEIGHT GAIN!
Plus, we're just "mental patients," right? Who cares if we're fat?
I hear clozapine is dreadful. I read a study that seemed to show that high doses of olanzapine can be as effective as clozapine w/o the same side effects such as, you know, DEATH.
I take Abilify. I've gained a lot of weight. I'm more than a little upset, because Abilify is touted as the cleanest thing ever. Everybody and their mama has a prescription. Ridiculous.
Anyway, yeah...those are the only meds I can think of. Maybe Straterra?
Posted by Phillipa on August 23, 2014, at 21:30:41
In reply to Psych meds that DONT cause weight gain?, posted by LostBoyinNC45 on August 23, 2014, at 16:23:43
Benzos & mephrobamate, low dose lexapro, & low dose flumoxivine. What is your diagnosis? That's a lot of meds to me P
Posted by Phil on August 24, 2014, at 7:43:25
In reply to Psych meds that DONT cause weight gain?, posted by LostBoyinNC45 on August 23, 2014, at 16:23:43
I'm not sure how to recommend options but every time that you mention CPAP I get the feeling I need to do a test. I haven't been in a relationship for a long time but a few roommates in the psych ward said I go to sleep before you because the snoring is unreal.
I guess I'll have to see if Medicare can help me pay for one.
Thanks for the reminder.
Posted by herpills on August 24, 2014, at 10:59:25
In reply to Psych meds that DONT cause weight gain?, posted by LostBoyinNC45 on August 23, 2014, at 16:23:43
Lamictal doesn't seem to cause weight gain for most people. Also, I was on Lexapro for awhile and never gained weight.
Posted by Lamdage22 on August 24, 2014, at 13:20:56
In reply to Re: Psych meds that DONT cause weight gain? » LostBoyinNC45, posted by Phil on August 24, 2014, at 7:43:25
> I'm not sure how to recommend options but every time that you mention CPAP I get the feeling I need to do a test. I haven't been in a relationship for a long time but a few roommates in the psych ward said I go to sleep before you because the snoring is unreal.
> I guess I'll have to see if Medicare can help me pay for one.
> Thanks for the reminder.Same thing with me. But oxygen levels remain OK during test. So no CPAP.
Posted by LostBoyinNC45 on August 24, 2014, at 18:39:41
In reply to Re: Psych meds that DONT cause weight gain? » LostBoyinNC45, posted by herpills on August 24, 2014, at 10:59:25
Ive tried lamictal once. I did not stay on it long enough to give it a shot. My Pdoc shyed me away from it, he was leary about it years ago...said some patient he had developed that rash side effect and he had to hospitalize them because of it.
Lexapro...yeah I forgot about that SSRI. I took that about a month one time, kind of a "neutral" SSRI. I did not notice any weight gain, but a month on it is not really a real trial of a drug for me.
Yeah...Id add lexapro to my list of antidepressants that does not cause weight gain for me, I think.CPAP helps me lose weight. Its way easier to lose weight while using that machine than not using it.
High protein diet has helped me in the last several months...it really is true eating high protein makes you less hungry. The weight loss docs have me on 120 grams of lean protein a day and I actually like it.
Eric AKA "LostBoyinNC"
> Lamictal doesn't seem to cause weight gain for most people. Also, I was on Lexapro for awhile and never gained weight.
Posted by LostBoyinNC45 on August 24, 2014, at 18:44:01
In reply to Re: Psych meds that DONT cause weight gain? » LostBoyinNC45, posted by Phillipa on August 23, 2014, at 21:30:41
what is mephrobamate? never heard of it. Whats my diagnosis? Im legally insane in all fifty states. LMAO
No seriously, my diagnosis is chronic clinical depression, unipolar and chronic anxiety. If I go off my AD I get REAL REAL depressed. CPAP has helped my depression as much as psych drugs.
I also am formally dxed with low testosterone, which aint a psych diagnosis but contributes to chronic fatigue, low libido and depression-like symptoms.
Eric AKA "LostBoyinNC"
> Benzos & mephrobamate, low dose lexapro, & low dose flumoxivine. What is your diagnosis? That's a lot of meds to me P
Posted by Phillipa on August 24, 2014, at 20:13:01
In reply to Re: Psych meds that DONT cause weight gain?, posted by LostBoyinNC45 on August 24, 2014, at 18:44:01
Use to be known as Miltown. Soma the muscle relaxant is said to add somewhat like it also. See a bioidentical doctor for hormones. If you are in Nc anywhere near Charlotte let me know as know a great doc for hormones. Phillipa
Posted by Lamdage22 on August 26, 2014, at 5:30:46
In reply to Re: Psych meds that DONT cause weight gain? » LostBoyinNC45, posted by Phillipa on August 24, 2014, at 20:13:01
You could always add Metformin if you HAVE to take a weight gain med. Check for interactions though.
This is the end of the thread.
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