Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 423578

Shown: posts 1 to 2 of 2. This is the beginning of the thread.

Depakote and weight gain, Help!

Posted by D minor on December 2, 2004, at 22:21:00

Since starting to see my new pdoc back in June or July, who took me off Topamax and recently put me on Depakote, I have gained 12 lbs! I gained 5 within the past month. I just have the constant urge to eat sweets. The Depakote is doing a good job at keeping my moods under control, but man! My weight shows no sign of flatening out.

My pdoc says to eat apples when I get the munchies, and to work out. If that doesn't work he says he may take me off the Depakote. But he really doesn't trust any other mood stabilizer.

What else can I do?
dm

Re: Depakote and weight gain, Help! » D minor

Posted by Ritch on December 2, 2004, at 23:42:21

In reply to Depakote and weight gain, Help!, posted by D minor on December 2, 2004, at 22:21:00

> Since starting to see my new pdoc back in June or July, who took me off Topamax and recently put me on Depakote, I have gained 12 lbs! I gained 5 within the past month. I just have the constant urge to eat sweets. The Depakote is doing a good job at keeping my moods under control, but man! My weight shows no sign of flatening out.
>
> My pdoc says to eat apples when I get the munchies, and to work out. If that doesn't work he says he may take me off the Depakote. But he really doesn't trust any other mood stabilizer.
>
> What else can I do?
> dm

I've had bad Depakote munchies and moderate weight gain in the past. What works best for me was to be on another added medication that helps my depression but also curbs appetite (Ritalin, WB, or Strattera, etc.). Your docs idea of apples is a good one. Low calorie density foods to fill you up. Another strategy I've found helpful is low-fat high protein snacks (a small grilled pork chop or chicken strip, i.e.). Also, some of your weight gain might be a rebound reaction from dropping the Topamax as much as starting up Depakote. Could you take Top and Depakote together?

This is the end of the thread.

Show another thread

Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ

Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD, bob@dr-bob.org

Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.