These DAMN meds! (weight gain)

z7z wrote:I've lost a lot of weight this year with the Keto diet (250>220). Meat, cheese, green veggies, nuts. Less than 20g carbs daily. You should exercise but weight loss is mostly diet. The worst is guzzling pop, bread, pastries, cake, cookies, chips, candy, beer. If you can avoid this completely, that is a good start.

I'm interested! I've done nothing but gain weight. I went pescatarian, then vegetarian, and still, weight gain...

I can empathize about the weight gain. I refuse to take any med that makes me gain weight. I saw you take vraylar. I just started that, 1.5 mg. 3 weeks in and no weight gain and I do not feel hungry or anything, it seems to be helping me.
I gained weight on abilify. Although it is supposed to be weight neutral. Lithium and Depakote never made me gain weight. Neither did Latuda (although I know people that it caused major weight gain for). Seroquel also made me gain weight but not as much as abilify.
I haven't tried Geodon, but I did read it causes the least weight gain.
I understand about being hesitant to switch meds and yes, I 100% understand needing antipsychotics.
I have ADHD also. I take adderall for it. Some people that are bipolar can tolerate ADHD meds. Some can't. They can cause a worsening of psychosis for some people. But not everyone.
Insofar as the weight gain, maybe the keto diet? (I eat that way basically as I have celiac's and can not eat gluten). Could you try to exercise a little bit? Just 10 mins a day and slowly increase. You don't have to run or go all out, maybe you could just walk a bit first and slowly increase? Could you pick an activity to do that involves walking? I don't know where you live but maybe it's possible to walk somewhere you might normally drive or take public transit? A food diary sounds like a good idea also. I don't know if you tend to eat junk food, or snack a lot, but maybe you could switch up something unhealthy that you might eat for a healthier, lower calorie version?
And if my suggestions suck, I apologize. Just trying to brainstorm & think of things that might help. It sucks the sacrifices people like us have to make for "sanity." Being bipolar isn't easy.
Sending my love & support & hope you get it figured out.

Thank you goaskmyalias, for your understanding words and good advice. It is nice to be acknowledged that taking meds everyday is not so easy, but at least for me, I must do it for my own good. I have so much at stake. Like many of us here do too.

I do take vraylar. I'll post some more in your thread.