Hi

I am taking 2.5 mg of zyprexa, 300 mg of lithium, 300 mg of trazodone and .5 mg of clonopin.

I am feeling good mentally but I'm always constipated and I can't lose weight no matter how little I eat.

I take a laxative twice a week or I wouldn't ever go.

Any ideas on how I can lose weight. My doctor wasn't helpful on the subject.

Thanks, Pam

HI pam,
Are you able to get some sort of exercise? I know that will help speed up your metabolism and help with the constipation issues.
also drinking 8-10 glasses of water. Eating a high fiber diet helps keep you full.
zyprexa is notorious for causing weight gain....which can lead to diabetes.
I take geodon which is weight neutral, in fact I have been able to lose weight while taking large doses of geodon.
any way you can switch meds?
bizi

Hi

Thanks so much for your reply. Zyprexa controls my fibromyalgia as well as my mood so I'm not inclined to change it. I walk 2 miles per day and drink a ton of water. When I take fiber it just sits there until I take a laxative. Any other ideas?



Thanks, Pam

Hi Pam

when i was taking Zyprexa, my then-GP, who was a diabetologist explained how it triggered the gain and that she could not "intervene" unless i developed hyperglycemia/diabetes. dietwise she said keep a low-glycemic index (as few ready carbs as possible, or mixed with other foods).

this is still only ONE doc's opinion. also i do not live in the US ... maybe there are ways she does know know of...

since this med is important to you, and since weight gain is not the only issue, my thought would be to seek out a team of docs who understand the drug and could perhaps give you specific guidance nutrition/metabolism department...

my thoughts on specialists would be
- diabetologist
- nutritional medicine specialist
- internist (more general but they cover a lot of bases)

ideally a double specialty doc - diabetology + nutritional med.

because to me it sounds like you are on the right track, lifestyle-wise. oh... you do not drink (alcohol), right?

and do you eat enough fats? because fats are necessary for proper transit through the intestine. insufficient oils in diet = constipation.

~ waves ~

have you thought of trying the Ornish diet. it is a vegetarian diet with only 10 per cent fat allowed. It works. It gets boring though
bobby

Yes, some meds, can and do cause weight gain. I refused to allow that to happen to me. I drank water as if I were a fish. I gave up soda, made small changes in a permanent way. I had never accomplished this before in my life no matter what the diet was. Small meals, lots of available fruit and healthy snaks to nibble. I lived life obese until I made these changes. I lost 60 and continue to keep it off by dong these few things. I did not excersise, calories in, calories expended. I had to cut calories if I didn't excersice alot. removed all fats, except the real foods, I use real butter, milk, cheese, all in moderation even ice cream. That old saying of moderation is key. good luck to all of you who are wanting to change. I promise you, if you do those few things and stay with it, you will loose. ginnie

I appreciate the feedback.

Good luck Pam!

do please let me know if you find out anything helpful!

i have to take Zyprexa too from time to time... and it acts very quickly on me, as far as weight gain goes.

~ waves ~

I agree stay away from sugar as much as possible and find substitutes , exercise about 1hr 3xweekly. You need to start to sweat to know it's working.