My 11 yr old son has been on a bi-polar medicine for close to a year now. He was diagnosed then being bi-polar. It will be a year in A./May. Anyway, he has gained a tremendous amount of weight. We totally monitor what he eats, but he seems to keep gaining weight. We can't limit all of his food intake. He currently takes Depakote for this condition. He also takes medicine for anxieties and to help him sleep. That is called Symbyax. The Dr. says that it is our imagination, but when you see your 11yr old go from 70lbs to 120lbs in a matter of almost a year...I think there is a problem. It's almost as if he appears to be bloated.
If any of you can help or direct me where I can seek help I would appreciate it.
HI A.
Please switch doctors. Someone who specializes in pediatrics and those issue. There is an Angel Herredi in Wheaton.
hugs,
L. k.
Is he on Depakote because that is known to make you gain weight. Also what adhd medicines have you tried? my son is on adderal but my step son can not take it because of anxieties. But he is taking stratara. I hope this helps feel free to contact me if I can help any farther.
Hi A.,
I am sorry to hear about the struggles you and your son are having. I'm not exactly sure what answers you are looking for, but my 6 year old son has been on Depakote for nearly a year now. However, my son is on the med for siezures. We actually struggle with getting him to eat, and he's on the small side for his age. Perhaps for your son, it's a combination of his other meds, or that Depakote is used to treat a different problem for him. I hope that you find some answers for him. Good luck.
Go seek another opinion from someone who specializes in pediatric bipolar issues. Trust your instincts and always keep the doctors on their toes! Keep in mind, these doctors are practicing medicine. PRACTICING being the operative word.
I'm bipolar/ADD and I did ALOT of research. One of the best books that I found was Delivered from Distraction by Drs. Ratey and Hallowell. There is a medication called amantadine that seems to control my rapid cycling bipolar disorder, as well as my ADD. Also, there is a nutritional supplement called Reliv that has apparently done wonders for kids, teens, adults with bipolar disorder, ADD, autism (any physical or mental ailment you can think of, it seems to make some sort of difference for the better). You might consider looking into that for him. It's expensive (which is why I haven't tried it yet), but if it actually does what all these people are testifying too, it's worth it.
I completely understand your concern about the medication. If your doctor is not listening to you, find a new one. A doc should never ever blow off a concern that you have.
I hope this helps.
B
You might consider for BOTH kids - putting them on a pharmeceutical grade Fish oil for the quality Omega 3's. There have been literally thousands of studies in the past few years linking intake of Omega 3's to substantial benefits for bipolar, ADD, ADHD, Altzheimers, Depression - anything brain related - and how they literally produce the same benefits as medication WITHOUT side effects - and with A TON of benefit to the body. I wouldn't get the "GNC" or "Walmart" brands though - you get what you pay for - to be REALLY good quality you usually look to paying about $25 a bottle. But probably less than meds AND without harmful side effects to your child. (One word about that - pharmeceutical companies don't promote Omega 3's in massive droves to dr's offices like they do meds - so many dr's are newer to info about finding out about all the benefits - but the research is DEFINITELY there. FInd a dr that will work with you. This one sounds like he is not looking into alternative options for you)Good luck!
Hi, I don't have bi-polar nor any experience with it, but was recently put on Topamax for my migraines. I just researched it and the first thing that came up was it's used for bi-polar also. One of the side-effects is weight loss. Maybe you want to look it up and present it to your dr. as another option. There is a ton of info. about it treating the disorder and many others.
Personally,, I have noticed a big decrease in my appetite right away and not I'm not looking to loose weight, so I am making myself eat which is difficult, so it may help your son.
R.
The University of Illinois at Chicago has a specialized pediatric bipolar department. Dr. Mani Pavluri (a child psychiatrist there) is one of the leading researchers in this area. I would recommend contacting IJR (the Institute of Juvenile Research) at UIC for an intake appointment and a second opionion.
Hi...first of all, I am so glad to hear that you are so proactive for your son's conditions...so many parents just want the kids to pop a pill and that's that...side effects and all. I myself do not live with bi polar, but I do live with a condition called agitated depression. I have in the past had to take depakote with other anti depressants to keep me from becoming manic, etc., etc., Anyhow, my experience with depakote and paxil combined was a 40lb. weight gain in three months!!! 200lbs. already, then up to 240!!! Just like that. Needless to say, it didn't help with depression. I continued to gain weight for the remainder of the year I was on it, and ballooned up to nearly 300lbs. I have seen this happen with other children as well as adults when I worked in a clinic for autisitc individuals, who usually have other issues besides for their autism. I have a friend who is bi polar, and she currently is taking effexor and zyprexa I beleive. She has never been overweight, and has done very well on this combo. She does exercise an hour a day, and she eats extemely healthy. I will tell you from my personal experience, that after stopping the depakote I have lost nearly 90 lbs. It has taken me nearly 3 years to do it, but I have done it. It really can mess up your metabolism. I hope this help, and good luck with whatever decision you make for your son and your familiy.
My 10 year old son was diagnoised with ADHD and possible bipolar. He has been on a few meds, but last year his doctor got him on Focalin and we have seen a BIG improvement. This medication does not curb his intake one way or another. He even made the A honor roll this year!! I will add you to my prayer list. Have a Blessed day! D.
A.,
Have you heard of the Pfeiffer Treatment Center. It is in the western suburbs. They treat bi-polar there.
My son has autism. I do bio-medical intervention for him. So far, he is making progress, slowly but surely.
Putting my son on a medication to control him will be a last resort for me, when all other options are exhausted. The bio-medical approach uses vitamins and supplements.
Good Luck.
D.
Hi, as someone who works with children like your son daily, I would ask a few questions. first does he see a psychiatrist for his meds? or just a pediatrician? I would have him evaluated somewhere like University of Chicago or Riley's children hospital and get a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan. Medicating children with bi-polar is very difficult and often takes several tries with medication to find the right balance. If you have any other question feel free to email me. C.
I took depakote at one time, it is an anti-seizure drug, designed to prevent reactions from other things. You have a right to be concerned, but don't panic. Remember life is so much more than food, what he needs is a spiritual and physical healing that manifests in the natural world to bring him greater peace and rest. No joke. He deserves it, it is better than a lifetime of serious health issues, as my sons may face. Try getting Kevin Troudeau's book on natural ways to restore the body's glandular activity to normal, and pray daily and earnestly, because God will hear, He love's your son immensely more than we are even able to. Read all the literature on health, diabetes, glandular, food allergies, and autoimmune disorders you can get your hands on, but be patient because it takes quite some time to get an accurate and balanced view of the whole thing, but you can master it enough to know when something is working for him, because that is what you need more than anything is to know that the things you allow in his life are still working for him. Does that make sense enough to guide?? Most sincerely, L.
PS I have also tried Reliv, and it is helpful if he is not sensitive to soy, but do not exceed the standard dosage for his weight. :o)
Take your son to Dr. Mercola in Schaumburg.
My Daughter was on Risperdal for over a year in a half and she gained over 35 pounds. She is 6 yrs old. She started out at 33lbs and is now at 65. She is also bloated. Her Doctor was going to put her on Geodon which is a non-weight gaining medication for bi-polar. I am trying an all natural way of dealing with the Bi-Polar. It is working so far but still having sleep problems which is being helped with Melatonin a natural sleep aid.
Hi A.- Ask your doctor about Lamitcal. I have several clients who are Bipolar, on that medication and it works for them. Some of them also have another medication for either anxiety or depression. So it is a good balance.
It sounds like you are a wonderful, proactive mother. I might get a second opinion with a different pediatrician. You might also want to try an endocronologist to test his thyroid or petuitary gland. His hormones might be out of wack. I agree, I don't think a child should gain that much weight in such a short amount of time. Best of luck to you. You sound amazing.
Hi A.--my husband is bipolar and a doctor once tried to put him on Depakote, but I looked into it and all the information on-line in chat rooms, pateints who had use it called it "DepaBloat" because of the neormous weight gain. Seemed that it was worse with this drug than any other. THere are other bipolar drugs out there, I wonder if your doctor woudl consider switching him...?
