Weight loss help

[john1992]

Hi im a 30 year old male that currently weighs 16 stone 10lbs and im 5 ft 4 tall.

I was diagnosed with bipolar type 2 roughly 10 years ago and since then ive been on a list of medication and my weight has gone up from 9 stone 5lbs roughly to the weight i am today. I did a BMI calculator online and im roughly sitting at 40 BMI.

I dont eat alot i usually have 1 meal per day as im just not hungry in the mornings or afternoon i just get hungry around 5/6pm and then i dont eat the full meal i waste alot of it.

Ive tried asking my doctor / psychologist to change my medication but they just wont budge.

I currently take Lithium

Aripiprazole

Mirtazipine

Omeprazole

Atorvostatin

Can anyone help me with advice or something on the best way to lose weight, ive researched something called "Saxenda" i think its called that i would like to try. Im going to try and get an appointment to see my doctor this week again but was just wondering if anyone can give me some advice. thanks

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone]

Hello, john1992, and welcome to the forum

I don't know Saxenda but there was a post about it recently here healthunlocked.com/weight-l... It would be wise to discuss it with your doctor or a pharmacist, to make sure there are no contraindications with your current medication.

You will find all our forum activities by following this link healthunlocked.com/weight-l... to Pinned Posts. If you get involved with the daily diary, weigh in etc, you'll find plenty of encouragement and ideas

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Hi and welcome, john1992

Having Googled your medications, all but one lists weight gain as a side-effect and Lithium is a double whammy as it can make you thirsty - if you drink anything sugary, that will also have an effect on your weight.

I am not medically qualified, but have read a lot about the effect a ketogenic diet can have on bipolar disorder. I've given you a few things to have a look at, but there are many others if you search the internet.

dietdoctor.com/more-evidenc...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

youtu.be/kUW93OQIngA(Not working as expected?)

You could be heading for a hat trick with this diet:

1) Reduce the debilitating effects of the bipolar disorder

2) Reduce the need for the medications which cause weight gain

3) Lose weight

Having looked into Saxenda, I believe it works to reduce appetite, which you don't need and stabilize blood sugar levels, which the ketogenic diet will do anyway.

I hope this helps and wish you all the best of luck

[Kaleidoscope_Girl Visitor in reply to moreless]

Hi John1992,

I too have bipolar and am very overweight, although slowly losing it now. It's really hard with medication but from my experience the best thing isn't to come off medication as bipolar is a really difficult condition to live with even with medication, but it's better to be stable on medication and then go on to tackle weight. It's much easier to stick to eating more healthily when you feel better mentally so rather than looking to come off meds, and with all due respect i don't think the keto diet to come off medication and be wise, try working with your mental health professionals to recognise early warning signs, find healthy distraction techniques, learn to monitor your mood etc and then working on your weight will be easier than coming off meds.

Two things I can suggest for now, do you exercise much? 30 minutes of exercise releases endorphins which are the natural feel good chemicals that release from your brain when you exercise so does a double whammy of good. Secondly you could ask your GP to refer youto a dietitian for advice who will with with you, knowing your medication and with you with the bipolar.

All the best to you

[purplemisty 3 stone]

I have psychosis/depression, and take clozapine, mirtazapine and sertraline. I do strict calorie counting to lose weight, yes I feel hungry but it's worth it.