Staying Fit While Medicated

I’m currently on Depakote and Wellbutrin. While I do find it helpful, I also find myself very tired and hungry most of the time. This has resulted in some unwanted weight gain.

I used to make an effort to work out regularly, but now all I want to do is sit around the house and watch TV. The house work has been falling behind because the mere idea of doing anything physical makes me feel exhausted. On top of that, I’ve been craving food like mad. As much as I try to ignore the “hunger”, I eventually give in and eat.

My Depakote was only recently increased from 500mg to 1,000mg. I’m hoping that the cravings and lethargy will subside, but what if they don’t? How do you keep fit and upbeat when the medication you’re on slows you down?

How many mg of Wellbutrin are you prescribed? I actually talked with my doctor about taking it FOR being tired and listless....I started at 150 which worked well for awhile, and then asked to have it raised to 300, as well as switching from Adderall 20mg to XL (I was experiencing a return of the lethargy and having trouble thinking clearly). I was getting really hungry all the time as well, especially in the winter months. The combination is working really well for me. My appetite isn't out of control like it was, and I still have energy when the work day is over. Typically, Wellbutrin has the effect of being an appetite reducer, and an energy increaser. Everyone's body responds different, though, so no two people will experience the same effect. I was lucky to respond to meds quickly with no side effects. I think because it in combination with the Adderall as well that is helpful to me....both act as stimulants which helps my concentration greatly. Your doctor may even have some suggestions on an adjustment, but if what you are taking now is helpful, like the old saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it! Hope this helps

Thanks for the input. I’m on 150mg of Wellbutrin, so maybe it’s just a matter of increasing it in order to counteract the effects of the Depakote. I have considered increasing the Wellbutrin to help with the Depression a little more.

I have to admit I feel weird suggesting how my medication should be adjusted. It’s one thing to discuss how the meds affect me, but it feels presumptuous to tell my doctor what I want. I worry that I could come across as someone who just wants to feel medicated and not someone who wants to feel normal.

I also feel guilty about changing up my meds so often. I wonder if I’m giving it enough of a chance or if I’m just being whiney. I feel like I should be able to put up with some extra weight gain and fatigue for the sake of being mentally well.

It’s interesting you mentioned adderall. This is something I’ve wanted to try for a while. I’ve always had great difficulty with energy and concentration. It’s been this way all my life. Several years ago I met briefly with a neuro-psychologist regarding ADHD, but I never pursued treatment.

I’m worried that because adderall is so well known for being abused by those who don’t need it, that it will come off as suspicious if I ask about it. Perhaps that’s my borderline paranoia coming out, though.

Hehe it's ok I get paranoid too. As far as the whole talking with your doc thing, I guess it depends on your doctor and how willing they are to work with you as a team. My doctor takes my input and works with me to find the right dosages. So far, she has been open to my ideas and gives me guidance as well. As soon as I would notice a symptom starting to increase, I would talk with her about what can be done to balance things, and usually ask about a dosage change. So far, so good! Adderall has many mixed opinions. Personally, I find it a lifesaver, and experience no side effects other than motivation and weight loss! It can be addicting for some ppl, but I haven't felt physically "dependent" on it in the 2 years or so I've been taking it. The decision to take it for me is conscious, because I know I will carry out my day better, not because my body is craving the chemicals. The Wellbutrin increase also helps ADHD as well, so the two together compliment each other. I take Zoloft too....that's the first pill I was prescribed, about 2 and a half-3 years ago. I found that to be nothing but effective as well. I see what you mean about pursuing a diagnosis; I wasn't officially diagnosed till I was 25, after looking into it after a life of being forgetful, easily sidetracked, getting things mixed up.....well you know the rest lol! Another thing that helps is to get a decent amount of sun. It's a natural serotonin booster, and fill you with energy

its a bummer trying to keep the weight off//i take ativan for acute anxierty ,but that dont put weight on but the 100mg of zoloft i take to keep depression off my back, sure does//most ad,s do but ssri,s are all as bad as each other/// i have $#%^ knee probs so i carnt run ,so i ride a mountain bike about 10 miles every other day// i think i have more weight with the muscle biuld in my legs//you carnt win,i keep saying i will go swimming but never do/// if i didnt take meds i would be thin but anxierty would nuke me// lifes a bummer

It's interesting how different meds affect everyone differently. For me, Zoloft actually helped me lose weight because it seemed to help things "go right through me." Hehe ....Wellbutrin and Adderall are really helpful too. The only problem is I have been quite lazy the past few months and need to get back in gear!

you right about zoloft an diarrhoea. 100mg is about the limit before arse nukes itself// its more of a problem on start up with zoloft it gets better ,but you remain loose for more of a better word///but that is better the the opposite constipation// with being on ssri,s for years, i once went on effexor// now this is painful just telling you about it//my arse must have been on the small side do to years of loose motion,s///suddenly i have constipation an i am stuck on the toilet trying to sqeeze out what seemed like a baby seal ///i suddenly felt this ######6 pain ????????? i had split the fishers in my arse ,thats the wall lineing//the pain was and i will argue this with any woman //worse than haveing twins an im a guy// i thought i would bleed to death out my arse//can you imagine how long that took to heal// so diarrhoea is a better option anyday