Is there anything i can do about weight?

[Bazleenus]

So firstly i just thought i'd give you a quick rundown on whats happened etc
Ive had sleeping issues for years, since about 17 years old.. And i never really understood why, and then they would go away and then they would come back, and anyway i started a new job last year at the start of the year and i was getting really anxious at work, and panic attacks blah blah blah. I had one of those samsung watches, i knew i was anxious, but i was unsure how extreme. The watch was telling me my watch was getting up to about 190bpm and i was like wow, i dealt with it for a while and then it started getting more panic wise and i would make mistakes at work and my throat was getting tight etc etc
Anyway, they tried to treat me with medication to help treat the anxiousness and the sleep and I literally put on 4kg in 1 week, my appetite when absolutely effing crazy, i could not stop eating. So i told the doctor no.. im not taking these (really self concious about weight)
And then they gave me this other one, did the same thing, helped with sleep for about 3 days, stopped working for sleep and made me super hungry. So i said no again... Then, i got put on another medication.. Well... Then we uncovered a bipolar disorder that i have, that i didnt really know was a thing. Since then, i have been taking some other medications instead, and i feel like i dont eat? Like i literally feel like i dont eat as much as i should. But i keep putting on weight? I dont drink much soft caloric softdrinks, mainly pepsi max if i do. When i can actually go to work, i walk like 5-6km in a night, but the weight around the stomach still keeps appearing. I literally feel if i eat one thing bad, or one thing too creamy, or too cheesy that i just chuck it straight on? The point of this post... If there is anybody out there with bipolar battling this same issue, is there something that will help my situation that i can speak to my doctor about? Now that i actually notice my super fast stupid cycling, and im down... It is literally hard to even think about cooking or being healthy, or even washing clothes, and when i go high... I feel like im on amphetamines? And i dont really eat too much at all, and i clench my jaw like no tomorrow till the point it gets so sore, go fully hyperfocus...
I have googled alternate medications for bipolar disorder, but EVERY single one says weight gain.. And im really honestly stuck between being unstable and manic, or being fat and even more depressed. Thanks

[Croix]

Dear Bazleenus~

Welcome here to the Forum where I think you will find you are one of many who have to try to battle this problem.

Actually I think you have two problems.

The first being that you have a mental condition that seriously affects your work, life and sleep. I would suspect that until this is stabilized you are not really going to be in a position to try to cope with the second, a side effect that affects appetite and weight.

It sounds as if your doctor is cooperating in trying different medications, and unfortunately this can take time and involve trial and error. I don't think Dr Google will provide all the answers. If you think your doctor is on the wrong track then ask for a second professional opinion, I suspect however there is no easy answer.

Can I suggest when you fine one that does stabilize how you feel, wiht anxiety and panic attacks, perhaps even sleep, under control you give it a go and then from a calmer perspective try to compensate for the appetite, maybe with professional help from a dietician?

Croix

[MsPurple]

Hi Bazleenus and welcome to the forums

I know how frustrating medication side effects can be. I was lucky and found one that only caused a 3kg weight gain then it settled down. But I know the frustration. You are already struggling with mental health issues and to add salt to the wound you feel less comfortable in your body. However because the medication helped with my depression I recently found triathlon so I have stablised and working on my self confidence. I am focusing more on performance then wait.

So I do not have bipolar. But my mum does. She struggles with weight gain especially in the abdominal area (she has tiny legs and arms, but a big waist in proportion). However she tried many other medication options, but none were as successful as the one that caused the weight gain. She has stablised now. But she did the trade off. Her bipolar was getting out of control and financially she was getting worse off after each high, so she knows the medication side effects allow her to live a happy healthy life, just a little bit heavier then she would like. I know how frustration it is from personal experience and from seeing my mums experience. Be honest with your doctors. Trust your doctors. See if you can work together to get the right medication strategy for you with the most benefits and least side effects. I find doctor google is not handy in this area because google doesn't know other personal factors like your doctor does.

I have some ideas on what you can do about your weight and self confidence

• Ask your GP for a referal to a dietitian They can suggestion some dietary changes that may help. They are certified and must complete clinical training. I find the food advice online is terrible and not nutritionally adequate
• You can ask your doctor to complete a 'chronic disease management plan' so you can see a dietitian or other allied health (e.g physio) with medicare rebate (note not all allied health professionals can bulk bill ask your doctor for more info). This allows you 5 subserdised sessions to allied health which can be helpful. I was eligible for this because of my anxiety
• Work on self confidence. I do this through meditation
• I have been watching queer eye. They look at dressing to your body and it gives the individual so much confidence. Maybe look into dressing for your body type (my mums body shape changed and new close helped her)

Hope some this was helpful. You are not alone