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Seroquel Weight Gain

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Bipolar Disorder
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Posted Yesterday 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
I am 42 years old and had been misdiagnosed with having ADHD/depression and then was diagnosed with having Bipolar Disorder in May 2007. My doctors initially put me on Geodon and I had horribble side effects - twitching and feeling horrible. My doctor put me on Seroquel at the beginning of June and I went from being 220 pounds to 240 pounds. I had really bad RLS when first going on it (300 mg per night). I was also extremely sleepy and had a hard time staying away during the day. My doctor put me at 150 mg per night but I continue to pack on the weight which is bothering me very very much.

I am contemplating weaning myself off of the seroquel and will be on nothing. I feel good now and think that I can use self control for my manic episodes (spending money - etc). I finally sleep great...but think i can just take beneydrl to help sleep.

I think my weight issues cause me more health risks than being bipolar and on no meds...Just thought I would vent and get others opinions and comments.

Mary
Posted Yesterday 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
I am 200mg of Seroquel and have also experienced weight gain; however, I have found that this can be mitigated with exercise and eating right.  I gained 25 pounds in 3 months; however some of this was due to being under weight because of opiate use.  I have now managed to lose 5 of these pounds while still taking Seroquel.  You definitely need to find the right dose which allows you to sleep but doesn't make you too tired the next day.  I would be leary of going of meds because you feel good now.  The reason you feel good could be the meds.

Posted Today 3:44 AM (GMT 0)

I take seroquel as needed.  Maybe once or twice a week.  I have no weight gain from this.  Although I only take 50 mg.

 

My only problem now is that the day after I take the seroquel I am tired in the morning maybe even a little agitated - but extremely energetic in the evening and I end up having to take a klonopin just to calm me down.

 

If you continue to pack on the pounds talk to your pdoc and I think there are things that can counteract that effect.

 

Unless you have certain dietary restrictions in the mean time, I would recommend looking into eating fewer carbohydrates.  I would cut out all refined carbohydrates and just eat protein and veggies / fruit.  This works extremely well for me.  I will not touch anything made from white flour, high fructose corn syrup, or hydrogenated soybean oils etc...  It might be a good idea to start walking as well. 

 

Maybe you can look into Atkins, or the South Beach Diet.  Just a thought.  Make sure to talk to your doctor first.

 

Posted Today 4:16 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Melkirk:

Welcome to the board! I hope you find the support you're looking for here!

You've stumbled onto the lifelong question, to medicate, or not to medicate. Boy have we ALL been here.

Well, for what it's worth, you say you're feeling better now, so you're ready to stop, but you're probably feeling better because of the meds. You stop, the symptoms come back. Now you're manic/depressed and eating badly.

Personally, I think there is a far simpler solution than just stopping your meds -- call your doctor. There are literally dozens of meds on the market, and some of them don't cause nearly as much weight gain. Some (like Topomax, for example -- although it's a totally different class of drug) even cause weight loss. So tell him your concern. I'm sure he doesn't want you gaining weight either, and he'll prescribe something else. It's worth a try and better than going it cold turkey.
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