I have learned to accept some weight gain because I never want to go back to the awful life I had without lithium. Hey All.... How is everyone doing? We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information - I gained 80 Lb's on Lithium, in about 3 months time. Thanks for the responses. I have started to do the P90 series, but I am on day 35 and the scale isn't budging at all. since. Type of MS and year of DX, (or no dx)B.) By following a simple eating plan that incorporates the recommendations of the USDA and avoiding excessive amounts of sugar and salt, you can reduce your daily calorie intake and lose weight.Increase your activity level. While lithium is effective when taken as prescribed, all too often weight gain is a side effect. Content should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. I'm a long-term lithium user and have never had weight gain. Thank you. I've been on lithium for a month now, and wow does it make me want to eat. I was put on Trileptal and started gaining even more weight with it. Taken instead of lithium and combined with a healthy diet and exercise program, the drug may provide relief for bipolar patients who need to lose weight, according to the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. Side effects can be serious especially if you have weight issues and are trying to lose weight. The only thing Ive never been on is depakote. Remember if you are dieting if you aren't geting enough calories you will NOT loose weight. I did gain another 5-7 pounds. In a 1976 study conducted by P.B. I’m on seroquel and lithium and cannot seems to lose the weight. The USDA MyPlate graphic is a good example of a healthy diet plan. I'm only on 600mg though. Yes, I've gained 30lbs on lithium, but since it's the ONLY medication that's worked for me I accept the weight gain happily for the sake of my My issue is that I'm not ok with the gaining, it depresses me a great deal.

FIFTY POUNDS. My hair shed a lot. Weight gain is nearly always a challenging issue. It has to be closely monitored. EVERYONE is different...... so, with that being said, just be patient, make sure your caloric intake is less ..... keep on exercising and hopefully, something will happen, thats all you can do... don't beat yourself up over it. My dr prescribed metformin, but so far it’s not working either. I have taken topomax in the past with good results, but I didn't want to trade one drug for another. Additionally, excessive weight gain can lead to type 2 diabetes and heart disease.In addition to weight gain, other side effects of lithium may include hand tremors, acne, memory problems and water retention. If that's not the case then maybe your weight gain has another source. Lithium makes you gain weight, right? Drink water or sugar-free beverages and use sugar substitutes to decrease the number of calories in your coffee, tea or other drinks.Change your eating habits. Let your doctor know if you continue to gain weight despite your efforts to follow a weight-loss diet.A drug called topiramate can alleviate bipolar symptoms while helping patients to lose weight. Classic lithium side effect. I snack on popsicles and eat a fair amount of watermelon. Vendsborg and reported in "Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica," patients taking lithium reported increased thirst. Reply. And are you taking lithium with the mood stabilizer? products, or services. As you lose weight, your medication may need adjustment so the lithium levels in your bloodstream remain at a consistent level. Have it checked, it's treatable In the early 90s I gained quite a bit of weight on lith but it had crashed my thyroid functioning. Side effects can be serious especially if you have weight issues and are trying to lose weight.Weight gain is a significant side effect of lithium and other drugs used to treat bipolar disorder, according to the National Association on Mental Illness. I've been on others that help just as much. However, while the drug's side effects may be difficult to tolerate, lithium is one of the most effective drugs used to treat bipolar disorder.By experimenting with the dosage, the weight gain, water retention and gastrointestinal difficulties that sometimes occur can be reduced. According to the National Association on Mental Illness, doctors should monitor patents' weight weekly to prevent excessive weight gain.