Hi, This is only my opinion, but  I do emotional eating any way, but since being on Trileptal, which is supposed to be weight neutral. I've gained about 35 pounds. I have a harder time staying away from carbs, and sweets, and I have a harder time forcing myself to exersize!!!!! I've had to buy all new clothes!!!

                                    DC.

Hi, Susan. You answered your own question. Bipolar meds are notorious for causing weight gain. It doesn't really matter which ones, as we are all unique. Obviously, the Seroquel is having an adverse effect on you, and your pdoc needs to know this.

Excessive weight gain robs you of vitality, makes you sluggish, and causes loss of self-esteem. In short, it makes you feel worse, not better. Moreover it sets you up for diabetes and all manner of ills.

Many pdocs unconscionably assume that weight gain is a fair trade-off for mood stablization. If your pdoc feels this way, then find one who will listen to you.

In the meantime, you need to be proactive about your diet. Avoid fad diets, and work instead on modest goals based on eating sensibly. Often, you can satisfy your hunger pangs with low-fat, low-carb, healthy alternatives.

Dear Susan,

I think it can be both, but in my experience the Seroquel really accelerated my weight gain with binge eating, especially at night.  And it was with carbs/sugars that I wanted.  When I first began the drug I would wake from a sound sleep -- very thirsty -- and go for the easiest thing I could eat or drink: pancake or chocolate syrup from the bottle, jelly out of the jar with a spoon, half a box of fruity pebbles, etc.

As time went by, and 45# crept on me, I lost most of those early cravings.  But now I find myself ALWAYS needing something to drink at my side.  Usually water or decaf-unsweetened iced tea.  I avoid diet sodas due to bloating and side effects of artificial sweeteners.  And I had to re-train myself to like non-carb food again.

I haven't lost too much weight since then, but I'm not gaining any more now.  I was tested for diabetes, since these atypical antipsychotics are known to cause metabolism changes, and this may be something you should look out for.

A final note-- we always hear about exercising.  I agree 100%  And I would love to give all exercise trainers a bipolar cocktail and tell them to "get some exercise".

OK, so stretch several times a day.  Do it enough that it makes you feel warmer.  Practice good posture.  Rid your home of junk food.  Binge on scrambled eggs.  Drink a ton of fluid because SEROQUEL IS MAKING YOU THIRSTY!

Good luck.

Angie

I have been taking 300 mgs of Seroquel for nearly a year and yes, I totally agree with you.  I have gained a lot of weight and tend to eat a lot bigger portions.  I need to lose weight so I'm trying to eat better.  Try fruits, yogurt, nutrition bars and Lean Cuisine products.  I have just started and am going to buy a bike today for excercise.

Try whatever you can, but don't stop taking your medication!

Hope this helps.

I belive it is both.  My daughter was diagnosed with BiPolar I at 12 years old and put on Depakote.  She suffered her ups and down and stopped exercising, eating alot.  I contribute this to both depression and medication (Depakote).  She gained 70 pounds two years after being diagnosed and placed on this medication.

I am on lithium 450mg and it also has caused emotional and uncontrollable eating