My Medication

First of all I want to commend you on being able to work and also the fact you moved to a foreign country. As for not losing weight as hard as it may be you must be patient. Also you must make losing weight a priority in your life. I realize that you probably find it hard to find the time to exercise but may I also recommend exercising in your spare time while you watch t.v.

I am going to tell you what all I do for exercise and the reason I want to tell you my workout routine is to give you hope. Keep in mind while it took me over 2 years I have managed to lose over 50 pounds but it took time and also I made exercise a part of my life. You must also try not to over do your workouts or you may get injured.

As for my exercise routine I do the following at least 6 days a week. I walk anywhere from 45-60 minutes at a moderate pace. I also workout for at least 60 minutes a day doing various exercises and on two days a week I lift weights for 30 minutes. however I built up this rountine over time. it took me over a year to build up to this routine. I would like to close by saying you are doing great in your desire to lose weight and also because you are able to hold down a job. you have so very much to be proud of! as for the weight practice patience and i firmly believe you can and will be successful!

I too am battling weight gain from Zyprexa.  Unfortunately, it is the only antipsychotic (I have tried many) that works for me so I have no choice but to take it or be totally insane.  But on the other hand, fortunately it does work and takes away the positive symptoms.  I just hate the freakishly ravenous hunger 24x7.

Actually the only time I have lost weight since I started on Zyprexa was for a 2 yr span on Seroquel.  Then the Seroquel stopped working and I had to go back to the Zyprexa.  I gained 5 lbs last week and a total of 15 over the last couple of months.  And I already fall in the "obese" category.  I'm sorry I do not have an answer besides doing more exercise and less eating.  At least just eat things that are really healthy for you -- no fast or processed foods.  I am currently attending Weight Watchers, have been going for 4 months, and have managed somehow to gain 3 lbs overall.  But I am hoping that I can just stay at my present weight at least, and not continue to gain.

I asked my psychiatrist about taking Metformin with the Zyprexa, since I read there has been some weight loss success with that combination.  He said he had already tried it on several of his patients, and it didn't help any of them.  So much for that.  I also tried the weight loss medication Meridia and it didn't help, either.

I admit it is very, very difficult to lose the weight, whether or not a person still takes Zyprexa.  There is no easy answer.  I wish you the best.

Carolyn

Hello MyAnimus,

I have a friend who switched from Zyprexa to Abilify.  She lost weight by taking long walks three or four times a week.

Janet understands: start out slowly and increase your activity level over time.

Let us know how it's going.

Regards,

Chris