Hello Yolindi,

I reaqlize you might be frustrated because you're doing everything right and still might be gaining weight.

I understand what you're going through because most of the schizophrenia meds cause people to have an iincreased appetite, resulting in endless eating, which causes weight gain that could lead to diabetes and heart disease and metabolic syndrome.

Your primary care doctor should weigh you to get a baseline weight and monitor your weight and take your blood work routinely to stay on top of this situation.  I get fasting blood work taken every three months to monitor my sugar, thyroid, cholesterol, HDL and also hormones because I'm 45.

The drug that causes the least if not no weight gain is Geodon and next after that is Abilify.  As you've found out, all the other drugs cause weight gain to a greater degree, and Zyprexa is the biggest culprit among them.

Please continue to take your meds and work with your psychiatrist and your primary care doctor to come up with a solution.  You might also want to see a nutritionist who can give you ideas about healthful eating options and plans.

Drinking colas, sodas and soft drinks [even diet ones] is a no-win situation by the way.

Continue to stay on your medication while you and your doctors work to find a solution.  Stopping medication if you have schizophrenia will result in a return to having symptoms if not outright psychosis and loss of functionality.

So talk to your psychiatrist and be honest with him or her.

I know this side effect is not fair and that it's taking its toll on you in terms of how you feel and look.  I hope you are heartened by Janet's comment as well.

Please talk to your psychiatrist and primary care doctor.

Regards,

Christina