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Suggest Treatment For Weight Loss While On Antidepressants, Antipsychotics And Mood Stabilisers

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Posted on Thu, 4 Jun 2015
Question: Hi. Over the last two years, I have gained 70 pounds due to a mood disorder episode and the pyschiatric medications I was taking. I have stabilized recently and i am no longer taking any anti-depressant or anti-psychotic medications. However, I am still on anti-convulsants for moid stabiluzations.

I am concerned that I am 100 pounds overweight and I would like to know if changes in diet and moderate exercise could help me loose the 70 pounds I put on.

I had a consultation with a bariatric surgeon who said that 49 out of 50 people who loose 50 pounds or more regain the weight within a year.

I would like to have some feedback from you as to the probability of loosing 70 pounds and keeping it off.

I would also like to know how difficult it would be to adjust to life after Lap Band surgery.

Thank you.

XXXX.

PS. I have been to an Endocrinologist and she did not find any cause outside of the mood disorder and the medications that would explain my weight gain.

PPS. My Internist is in favor of the surgery since I am now pre-diabetic.
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Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Some medicines can help to loose weight

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic

I can understand your concern. A lot of individuals gain weight while on psychiatric medicines. You have been on antidepressants, antipsychotics and now you are on mood stabilisers. All these are known to result in weight gain. You have gained about 70 lbs and this is really distressing. In my opinion best way to reduce weight is by life style modifications.

Diets rich in proteins and complex carbs and low in fats and refined carbs helps to reduce weight. High proteins result in stimulation of satiety centre and thus reduce further calorie intake. Avoid alcohol, carbonated drinks, junk food completely. Such diet with help to improve serotonergic levels and thus will help in mood also. Daily exercise along with jogging or brisk walk also help to maintain weight and this also lifts the mood.

You have questioned about Lap Band Surgery. In this surgery a small band is applied over stomach areas which results in reduction of caloric intake and early fullness. There are a lot of complications in this surgery. Band dislocation, gastric dilation, esophageal dilation, fullness of abdomen etc are few of these. Nausea, vomiting, dizziness etc can also occur with this procedure. So in my opinion that would not help you much. The surgery would also increase stress in your day to day routine and it is not very easy to adjust following the lap band surgery. But consult your doctor for best management.

Some medicines especially like Topiramate can help in reduction of weight gained due to side effects of medicines. Topiramate is a mood stabiliser that causes loss of weight. You can discuss about this drug with your doctor. The drug will serve purpose of mood stabilisation and also will help to reduce weight.

Thanks, Hope this helps you, if you have more doubts you can ask again
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 5193 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Weight Loss While On Antidepressants, Antipsychotics And Mood Stabilisers

Brief Answer: Some medicines can help to loose weight Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic I can understand your concern. A lot of individuals gain weight while on psychiatric medicines. You have been on antidepressants, antipsychotics and now you are on mood stabilisers. All these are known to result in weight gain. You have gained about 70 lbs and this is really distressing. In my opinion best way to reduce weight is by life style modifications. Diets rich in proteins and complex carbs and low in fats and refined carbs helps to reduce weight. High proteins result in stimulation of satiety centre and thus reduce further calorie intake. Avoid alcohol, carbonated drinks, junk food completely. Such diet with help to improve serotonergic levels and thus will help in mood also. Daily exercise along with jogging or brisk walk also help to maintain weight and this also lifts the mood. You have questioned about Lap Band Surgery. In this surgery a small band is applied over stomach areas which results in reduction of caloric intake and early fullness. There are a lot of complications in this surgery. Band dislocation, gastric dilation, esophageal dilation, fullness of abdomen etc are few of these. Nausea, vomiting, dizziness etc can also occur with this procedure. So in my opinion that would not help you much. The surgery would also increase stress in your day to day routine and it is not very easy to adjust following the lap band surgery. But consult your doctor for best management. Some medicines especially like Topiramate can help in reduction of weight gained due to side effects of medicines. Topiramate is a mood stabiliser that causes loss of weight. You can discuss about this drug with your doctor. The drug will serve purpose of mood stabilisation and also will help to reduce weight. Thanks, Hope this helps you, if you have more doubts you can ask again