Depatoke causing weight gain?

[spencer1402@hotmail.com]

So I have been on Depatoke for about 5 months now. When I was first daignosed Bipolar. Also put on Serequel and lexapro. My pdoc is telling me that the depatoke has nothing to do with my 30 lb rapid weight gain, but my family doctor does. I've only been seeing my pdoc for the past 5 months and I don't know who to belive. I've been trying extra hard the past few weeks to be really good with food and I still keep gaining. I'm only 27 and have never had so much extra weight. Anyone else go through this too?

[francie]

I gained 65 lbs when i was taking depakote, and after i quit the medication the first time, i started walking for about an hour every day and lost the weight.  I went back on depakote (depakote ER), and continued the walking program... i did gain a little weight, but i watched what i ate.

i truly believe some of the meds we take interferes with our hunger centers in the brain and make us think we are hungry?  because i remember eating way too much when on depakote the first time.  The second time, i did much better because i stopped eating bread and pasta 95% of the time, and stuck to meats and veggies for the most part.

of coures, i'm the type of person who gains 10 pounds when i walk past a bakery.

[spencer1402@hotmail.com]

I forgot to add I have a IUD and I stopped getting my periods about the same time I startted taking depatoke. I saw my ob, everything is fine , not preo IUD is still in place and she said it's normal and that the IUD wouldn't cause weight gain.

[high maintenence]

Hello there, good to see 'ya! I take Seroquel and I can tell you for sure that I am 100% positive that the Seroquel draws you straight to the fridge! There's no stopping a woman on Seroquel. Not even Richard Simmons can acheive that one! I put on 75lbs. in 6 months...for real. I'm glad you have posted, Spencer, we need some new people to spice things up around here. I hope you stick around and put in your 2 cents!

[4tunate]

For sure it's the Depakote. I took Depakote when I was first diagnosed. I went from size 10-12 to size 18-20 in less than a year. I stopped the med and lsot the weight very quickly. If you research it online which I'm sure you are Dep has a very bad rep for weight gain. Unfortunately everything I'm reading seems to suggest that all BP meds have some association w/ weight gain except for Topomax which is what just started taking (2wks now 75mg) and I haven't noticed a difference in weight or mood yet....hope my experience may provide some insight for you...

[jtokc]

I took Depakote for six weeks and wanted to eat the refrigerator. I gained 10 lbs, and told the doc that this drug was not for me. I couldn't think about anything but food. It works fine for some people, but for most it causes tremendous weight gain. Shame on your doc for not telling you that.

Jane

[high maintenence]

For sure it's the Depakote. I took Depakote when I was first diagnosed. I went from size 10-12 to size 18-20 in less than a year. I stopped the med and lsot the weight very quickly. If you research it online which I'm sure you are Dep has a very bad rep for weight gain. Unfortunately everything I'm reading seems to suggest that all BP meds have some association w/ weight gain except for Topomax which is what just started taking (2wks now 75mg) and I haven't noticed a difference in weight or mood yet....hope my experience may provide some insight for you...

I also take Lamictal and it is a very effective drug that I don't feel adds any weight gain or triggers any hunger feelings.

[Phyllis]

ditto

[Cathy]

I was told that Depakote has also been associated with polycystic ovaries...so that's another good reason to switch to something else.

[elwood]

I forgot to add I have a IUD and I stopped getting my periods about the same time I startted taking depatoke. I saw my ob, everything is fine , not preo IUD is still in place and she said it's normal and that the IUD wouldn't cause weight gain.

My sister took Depakote for about eight months.  She started loosing her hair and didn't have a period.  She had been trying for 20 years to have a child and all it took was Depakote to get her pregnant.  My sister is 45 and raising a beautiful daughter.  I'm not sure I would have the energy.

Elwood