dpkote weight gain / new baby / job hunt

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2003
dpkote weight gain / new baby / job hunt
2
Mon, 04-12-2004 - 9:18am
I started taking depakote since I had my baby. (1000mg)

When I first started seeing a psychiatrist I was perscribed depakote and celexa. It didn't occur to me then, but that year I gained about 15-20 pounds. I thought it was just because I was getting older and my metabolism changed. I wasn't eating any more than usual, but I wasn't exercising. Now I have been doing some research on depakote because my husband thinks that it is why I gained the extra weight. I have a found a lot of old message boards that support that theory. But of course the rx info says it doesn't cause weight gain, but possibly weight loss. My doctor said all it can make you gain is 5 pounds, anything after that is my fault. Anybody have any experience with this?

I want to be thin again and feel good about my body. This self hatred is just adding a whole new level to my depression that is making my life suck.

I am at home with my baby, looking for work, and I munch all day long - it is emotional support for me. I exercise 3 days a week. I just started seeing a therapist for my self-esteem.

Is anyone else stuck at home with a baby. (I love him, but I feel trapped)

Nic

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2003
Mon, 04-12-2004 - 9:34am



Hello,

I take a mood stailizer called neurontin my doctor wanted to RX me depakote and I talked to my therapist about it and she told me that it does cause weight gain more than 5 pounds of weight gain she said that she had a patient that gained almost 50 pounds on it in two years...

needless to say I researched it and it does cause alot of weight gain and for me that was enough to tell my doctor I didnt want that med..I also have a body image issue kinda like an eating disorder in a way I told him I didnt want anything that would make me gain weight..so we talked about it and he told me that if I had a fear of weight gain then depakote was not for me...

Talk to you shrink about other meds tell him that the weight gain is making you unhappy he should RX you something different.

Are you trying to get in some excersize? a great one to do is yoga it is so good for you and it helps to clear your head..

Good luck and I hope that I was a little helpful.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2004
Mon, 04-12-2004 - 1:31pm

Hi, Nic!

AcornLeaves