Despondent Over Medications and Weight Gain

I've always had a weight problem.  Last winter, before I had a terrible anxiety exacerbation that put me in the hospital and basically out of my mind for several weeks, I had lost 20 lbs.  I left the hospital on Depakote, Lamictal and Lexapro.  And Zyprexa as needed for anxiety.  I quickly gained back the 20 lbs plus four more pounds.  I felt the Depakote was making me terribly hungry and giving me liver pain so I stopped it, and my doctor approved the stopping after the fact.  I still take Lamictal, Lexapro, have added Wellbutrin, and take Zyprexa as needed.  I tried on some jeans tonight and I must have gained another 10 lbs.  I am just sick about this.  It is so unfair that the very medications we have to take to survive make it difficult for us to lose weight and sometimes even cause us to gain weight. 

Hello. I really feel for you. I personally believe nobody should ever have to be on TWO medications at the most. Unless one has been diagnosed with 5-6 disorders..maybe.

Lamictal does not make you gain weight...for most anyway.

Lexapro may be doing it. But Zyprexa is probably as I am sure you well know the worst for giving people weight gain.

Abilify is supposed to be for Bipolar and my doc says will help with stress and anxiety too. If it works..you can knock out both the Lam and the Lex.

I am not too familiar with Wellbutrin. We just have to make sure we exercise enough..the ones who gain weight. Hope that helps.

Thanks for all your kind words and support.  The Depakote was a killer as far as increased appetite.  One night I ate a hot dog BUN for goodness sake!  Not toasted, no butter, no hot dog, just a bun.  The Zyprexa is also bad for weight gain and increased appetite as others have stated but I only have to take one 10 mg pill about every 10 to 14 days and that was the only medication that stopped my terrible anxiety. Wellbutrin is supposed to be weight neutral to even causing a little bit of weight loss.  I do feel my appetite is much more under control now but the weight gain has happened and now must be dealt with.  Thanks again for your encouragement.  I will talk to the doc.  I have considered lap band surgery (I have always had a weight problem) but am not a good candidate due to mental health issues.