Bipolar and weight gain

[paperoceans]

Hello, I was prescribed risperidone and after some research--I realized that one of the side effects was weight gain. I did tell my doctor that was one of my concerns, but he quickly dismissed it and said that those who took it only gained maybe 5lbs (only some, apparently it doesn't happen to everyone). My research was correct and only 5% gained weight, but whenever I do a google search it seems like anyone who has taken risperidone has gained weight. It is possible that this is just a survey error since those who have something to complain about are more likely to go online and whine about whatever is bugging them. Nevertheless, I am quite concerned! Which then lead me to discover that antipsych. drugs increase appetite (so maybe I need to ignore what my tummy is telling me?)

Luckily, since I am now trying to tackle my mental illness "problem" I feel some inspired. I am now exercising along with trying to ease into a vegan lifestyle and then eventually try raw foodism. I realized that my health is very important and it never hurts to be healthy.

Any recommendations on how I can prevent weight gain?

[katchmoleen]

Eat Raw! And there are people who have been able to reduce/discontinue MH meds with raw foods. Search the threads here and you will find it. I work in a prison where lots of people are on MH meds and yes, it def does cause weight gain for whatever reason. Good luck to you.

[Vegansara]

I work with a number of clients who are on risperidone, and it is true that a percentage gain weight, but your hunch is correct - those that "whine" about it online are going to make it seem much more prevalent, because those that aren't gaining weight don't often feel the need to post about it online.

I second my friend above, eat plenty of raw foods. It is darn near impossible to overeat on fresh, raw produce. Nuts and oils, sure. But you just eat as many apples or pears or pomegranates as your heart desires :) And hopefully you'll find the medication useful :)

[rawmiss]

I work in a prison where lots of people are on MH meds and yes, it def does cause weight gain for whatever reason. Good luck to you.

I've always wondered what the prison food was like? DO they do gluten-free meals since gluten is such a cause of mental instability. How about the amount of fresh food available? Is it possible to make green smoothies, or even have green powdered supplement like Barleygreen or Alfalfa? Thanks! You are the perfect person to ask these questions to, a raw foodists who works in a prison.

It would be so cool to try increasing the amount of raw food in their diets and see what happens. If they are from poor families they might have grown up on school breakfasts and lunches and ramen-noodles and candy for supper. Even supplementing with something cheap like kelp would probably start building up trace minerals like lithium and help their brain function.

[ilsisspi]

I work with a number of clients who are on risperidone, and it is true that a percentage gain weight, but your hunch is correct - those that "whine" about it online are going to make it seem much more prevalent, because those that aren't gaining weight don't often feel the need to post about it online.

I second my friend above, eat plenty of raw foods. It is darn near impossible to overeat on fresh, raw produce. Nuts and oils, sure. But you just eat as many apples or pears or pomegranates as your heart desires :) And hopefully you'll find the medication useful :)


I’m not sure about how possible some of the things you mention would be, but there is one setting that may interest you, if you haven’t seen it already

[paperoceans]

Actually, I am finding out that the Risperidone is making me very, very, very hungry. What are some things that I can snack on throughout the day that will help with the hunger pains?

[Blazin'Jane]

I get hungry during the day so take extra fruit: oranges, bananas, apples.

[Green_Woman]

I have been "unofficially" diagnosed with Bipolar for several years now, and I have to say I am at my OPTIMUM BEST (and avoid medication) when I'm eating 100% RAW, living foods... I tend to naturally limit my nuts/seeds/oils intake to around 10% of my daily intake, if any!

I also drink GREEN SMOOTHIES (http://www.greenforlife.com) all the live-long day... without my Green Smoothies, I feel like a nutcase. :D With them, I feel much more calm, stable, relaxed, and capable of handling the many challenges that life throws at me!!!

You're in the right place - LIVING FOODS are the answer to healing our bodies of so many (I personally believe ALL) ailments and illnesses!!!

[margoss]

I’m not sure about how possible some of the things you mention would be, but there is one setting that may interest you, if you haven’t seen it already


HOw does this person get on if banned? I'll keep my many other comments to myself.

[paperoceans]

I have been "unofficially" diagnosed with Bipolar for several years now, and I have to say I am at my OPTIMUM BEST (and avoid medication) when I'm eating 100% RAW, living foods... I tend to naturally limit my nuts/seeds/oils intake to around 10% of my daily intake, if any!

I also drink GREEN SMOOTHIES (http://www.greenforlife.com) all the live-long day... without my Green Smoothies, I feel like a nutcase. :D With them, I feel much more calm, stable, relaxed, and capable of handling the many challenges that life throws at me!!!

You're in the right place - LIVING FOODS are the answer to healing our bodies of so many (I personally believe ALL) ailments and illnesses!!!

Yea, I'm not sure if I agree with this. Some people need to stay on medication and I happen to be one of those people. I have no problem being 100% raw, but I'm not willing to sacrifice my sanity--you never know when you will snap--especially when you're under a lot of stress. Manic depression and schizophrenia are typically a result of dopamine dysfunction. I really haven't seen a change in my mental illness since transitioning to raw. I was actually developing severe paranoia and couldn't concentrate.

[katchmoleen]

Um, yeah, prison food. Let me just say, if you are a raw foodist, DON'T GO TO PRISON!
Most facilites, including ours, contract out their dietary department. So the contracting companies want to feed the prisoners for the lowest possible price, to increase their profit. The ONLY requirement is to meet the USDA guidelines for protein, fat, and carbohydrates. That is it. So it is a ton of rice, beans, noodles, and bread. The only meat our facility serves is turkey in many different forms. The only fresh food they ever get is the occasional lettuce leaf (ice berg, of course) and every once in awhile an apple or an orange. If you are celiac, you can get a gluten free diet, which means you will eat bowls and bowls of plain white rice. Diabetics always get worse here in prison and require more insulin, because the diabetic diet is a very high carb diet. We always advice our diabetics to stay on a regular diet as they get a little more protein and fat and less endless bowls of white rice. There is a commissary where the prisoners can buy all the junk food they want, but they do not sell any fresh fruits or veggies.

A blender would probably be considered as being able to be converted to a weapon and would not be allowed here, due to the sharp metal blades.

Basically, it is just the prison's job to keep you alive and in minimally good health till you get out.

I would LOVE to see a study done on how raw food could help mental illness. But who is going to fund such a study? Not big Pharma!

[rawmiss]

Thanks katchmoleen, I appreciate it! I think every prison should have a unlimited fruit bowl and salad bar and raw nutrition classes. (I wish :))

[jesslcochran]

I'm bipolar too and am on resperidone. I gained weight on a former med I was taking. I was also eating really SAD when I started the reperidone.

Exercise and eating healthy is allowing me to lose the weight (I've lost 30 lbs so far and have 40 to go before I'm a healthy 140 lbs).

My son is also on resperidone and he hasn't gained any weight (he's 8 and has bipolar too).

I wouldn't worry too much about it. Many psych meds cause weight gain. The trick is if you eat healthy and exercise regularly then the chances of gaining weight are less.

I wish you the best!

*hugs*
Jess