Atkins + Depakote = ??

[Devi]

Hi All-

Before anyone freaks out about my question, I just wanted to let you know that I did check with my doctor before beginning Atkins, and although she wasn't crazy about the diet itself, she said it shouldn't be any kind of health risk for me.

Ok, now my question. I'm currently on a medication called Depakote. It's an anti-epileptic, but they are using it to treat mood disorders now, which is why I am on it. One of the main side-effects of this med is weight gain. I shot up 25 pounds within 4 weeks of beginning it and have been climbing very slowly ever since. When I finally had to buy size 14s, I got really angry and started Atkins.

Now, Depakote is also notorious for making it extremely difficult, if not damn near impossible, to get the weight off that is due to the meds. I've been all over the internet and seen doctors telling people that unless they are prepared to work out 2 hours EVERY DAY, that they will probably not see any weight loss. Many people have to go off the medication because of the weight issues it causes (some people gain 80 or more and continue to climb until they are taken off for obvious reasons). I'm reluctant to go off the medication, because it is the only one that has ever worked for me - although there is another med in the same class that does not have a weight side-effect, which I'm starting to realize I might have to switch to.

I was just wondering if there was anyone here, or if anyone knows anyone who did Atkins while on Depakote, or because of Depakote, and what thier results were.

I'm on day 11 of induction, and while I dropped 6 pounds in the first 3 days and have kept them off, I have not seen any more progress or inches come off. I did buy ketosticks and they show that I am in ketosis, so I'm not sure if I'm just paranoid about not being able to take this weight off, or if I'm just doomed to be heavy until I switch meds...which I am leary of doing.

Any advice would be appreciated.

~Devi~

[texwife&mom]

Re: Atkins + Depakote = ??

I don't know about your particular situation, with meds etc., but you can expect to lose 5-10% of your total weight needed to lose in the first 14 days. IE for you this would be 1.5-3lbs you have already lost 6lbs or 20% !!!! It doesn't seem like you are having any problems at all. Rember the less you have to lose the more slowly it will come off. Don't get sidetracked by someone else's numbers. You are doing great, keep it up.

[Devi]

Re: Atkins + Depakote = ??

Thanks, I appreciate it alot! I just get spooked. I've never really dieted before - well, I tried Atkins once before about a year ago, but it was a total disaster. Never made it past the first week because I sustained a bad back injury due to the extreme muscle weakness I was experiencing. Still dealing with that one. But Atkins is the only diet that ever worked for my mom (although she gained it all back and more once she got pregnant, and now she prefers Weight Watchers. She loses VERY slowly, but it's healthy and enough for her) so I have high hopes for it for me.

I'm definatly going to need the support here, though!

[lbrowne]

Re: Atkins + Depakote = ??

http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030907/msgs/258642.html

This talks about using a ketogenic diet to control seizures, then mentions Atkins as a possible (unproved) alternative. Atkins is a ketogenic diet and it doesn't mention what the Johns Hopkins center ketogenic diet consists of.
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/78/95807

A discussion of some Depakote side effects, including weight gain and hair loss. Hair loss is often a side effect of weight loss, gain or some meds. Selenium and zince are mentioned to help and I found that biotin (along with my other vitamins and supplements) helped for me with the hair loss. http://ehealthforum.com/health/topic30447.html

Not that you asked, but here's a couple on hair loss (for a preventative measure!)
http://atkins.com/helpatkins/newfaq/...ingAtkins.html
http://www.lowcarbluxury.com/newslet...7.html#letters

And here is someone that's lost with low carb (Protein Power and Atkins) while taking Depakote. http://www.kuro5hin.org/comments/200...1363/67294/6#6

I'm on day 11 of induction, and while I dropped 6 pounds in the first 3 days and have kept them off, I have not seen any more progress or inches come off.

This is very normal. As texwife said, you're already doing great! Also be sure to take your measurements and go by how you feel, not just the scale. There will be hesitations and pauses with the weight loss, which may or may not also be complicated by your meds. Just keep asking questions here and working with your doctor. It's great that she's at least open-minded about this.

~ Linda

[Devi]

Re: Atkins + Depakote = ??

THANKS! That's really helpful!

[lbrowne]

Re: Atkins + Depakote = ??

Devi,

Here's one more about Atkins and epilepsy.

http://www.safeway.com/wellness/healthnotes.asp?org=safeway&ContentID=1212005

It mentions a study that was done with ketogenic diets, but didn't give further info on the specifics of the study (where, when, etc).

btw -- congrats on taking this into your own hands instead of waiting for the doctors to show you the way! Some doctors and nutritionists are catching on; too many don't have a clue about negative sugar/carb effects.

~ Linda

[Starmaker]

Re: Atkins + Depakote = ??

Have they tried you on Phenobarb, Tegretol, Dilantin?

[Devi]

Re: Atkins + Depakote = ??

No they haven't tried me on those other medications. I spent most of my teenage years on various anti-depressants from various classes (prozac, wellbutrin, paxil, effexor, etc). I got all the horrific side-effects and none of the benefits. I had given up on medication for treatment altogether, was living off of a handfull of xanax a day just to keep me functional - I had severe acute panic disorder, agoraphobia, social anxiety, severe depression with borderline mania - until a friend of my mother's went on Depakote for her similar mood disorder issues and it had worked for her when nothing else had. (She also gained alot of weight, and has recently switched to Lamictol. She's lost slowly but steadily since then without dieting, just from not having Depakote in her system.)

Because this is the only medication that has worked for me - it cleared away ALL of my symptoms within 2 weeks and I haven't had one problem since - I am scared of switching to an unknown. I know that Lamictol usually works for those that Depakote worked for, but without the weight issues. There's a nasty skin rash that can develop while switching meds, but apparently that can be avoided if you do the switch extremely gradually. The last thing I need is a skin rash, as I already suffer from chronic hives (I'm a mess aren't I).

Anyway. I'm EXTREMELY adverse to flip-flopping medications due to the really awful side-effects I suffered from for years on end. And apparently the weight gain I've had from Depakote is considered minor and of no real consequence. However, I am in the entertainment industry, not to mention that I just generally don't feel good about myself at this weight...so it IS of consequence.

If for some reason, I have problems with weight loss on Atkins, I will definatly switch to Lamictol around Yule. I'm considering switching in any case, as I don't want a constant battle on my hands due to medication. However, if this is managable, I will manage!

[lbrowne]

Re: Atkins + Depakote = ??

It's an anti-epileptic, but they are using it to treat mood disorders now, which is why I am on it

Devi, some days I don't read worth a darn! lol. Sorry. I just picked out the anti-epileptic from that sentence earlier.

Wishing you the best with your meds and this. I can't imagine having chronic hives, but I've had excema, and hives in the past from stress and have been dealing with hives for the past few weeks from a reaction to medication. It's keeping me on the straight and narrow drinking tons of water, eating well and exercising, trying to improve what I can from the inside out. Some days are discouraging (life issues going on and this insessant itching doesn't help) but overall doing what's good for me is the one constant that I can control.

Here's hoping that Depakote and Atkins work well together for you!!

~ Linda

[sharon62]

Re: Atkins + Depakote = ??

i am on lamictol,it does not matter what your on, just eat legal.......Your mental heath is more important then anything........Without it you cant keep in control......Ive been there..SO since you know the meds cause you to be hungry,chew gum,drink,drink drink.......My meds give me dry mouth anyway...........Changing meds is awful.............Its all up to you...

[mjett37]

Re: Atkins + Depakote = ??

Devi,
I have been on depokote and yes between it and lithium the weight came on and it is hard to lose because the meds make you hungry, but I am going back to pdoc and ask for different, when I was on the depokote it did make me gain and lose hair, but if it works for you then keep it but I agree with eating gum and drinking water, water.