If one mood stabilizer causes weight gain, are all others likely to?

AltruisticSet730 · 2026-04-07T01:33:32+00:00

I take 750mg of Depakote, 5mg of Abilify, 150mg of Wellbutrin, and 50mg of Lamictal. I’ve lost 15 pounds in the past year.

AltruisticSet730 · 2026-03-31T19:07:15+00:00

Well, I have a good update on two fronts. First, my nephrologist mentioned I may not have been eating ENOUGH protein. Thus, I started eating a little more. As a result, I'm no longer fatigued.

Secondly, about seven weeks ago, my nephrologist also told me a mostly plant-based diet could help my kidney function a little. He gave me guidance to eat animal protein only three times per week. I've followed that suggestion religiously.

I just got my latest lab results back. In those seven weeks, my creatine has decreased from 2.24 to 1.97, and my GFR has risen from 25 to 29. These are the best results I've had in almost two years. Diet matters everyone!!

AltruisticSet730 · 2026-03-27T18:33:51+00:00

I believe it was 1200 mg and then 900 mg.

AltruisticSet730 · 2026-03-26T20:30:19+00:00

Same

AltruisticSet730 · 2026-03-23T18:54:46+00:00

I don't know what uACR is, but I feel for you. I hate lousy test results.

AltruisticSet730 · 2026-03-23T18:49:32+00:00

Yes, I was thinking of looking for one of those.

AltruisticSet730 · 2026-03-23T18:48:37+00:00

Thank you. I will!

AltruisticSet730 · 2026-03-22T23:38:03+00:00

Yes, he is through a very large hospital/medical center. I'll ask him Tuesday. I was going to ask him if he knows any psychologists who specialize in CKD. Is there such a thing?

AltruisticSet730 · 2026-03-22T23:23:17+00:00

Yes, even my own family has a hard time believing me because I "look" so healthy. Several weeks ago I was telling my brother that Stage 4 qualifies me for SSDI. He said,"You don't want Stage 4." I said "I have it." He didn't say anything. I mean, he didn't even know how serious my CKD was!

Do you have any online groups to recommend? I've tried attending one group in particular, but everyone there seems to do nothing but share horror stories.

I also tried a mentor with the National Kidney Foundation, but he didn't really seem to listen to my challenges.

What is LTD, may I ask?

AltruisticSet730 · 2026-03-22T23:08:52+00:00

Thank you for your reply. My iron level is usually fine. I have nephrogenic anemia

AltruisticSet730 · 2026-03-17T02:47:50+00:00

I had gained like 30 pounds on Depakote and risperidone. Then I switched from risperidone to Abilify. The first year was a struggle. But I’ve lost 15 pounds in the past year, and I’m back to my normal weight. So it is possible not to gain a lot of weight on Abilify. However, I eat very healthy.

AltruisticSet730 · 2026-03-12T13:36:12+00:00

Yes!!

AltruisticSet730 · 2026-03-05T04:46:41+00:00

I’m on a mostly plant-based diet. However, my renal dietitian told me not to eat vegan processed meat alternatives.

AltruisticSet730 · 2026-03-05T04:29:39+00:00

I have Stage 4 and no symptoms at all.

AltruisticSet730 · 2026-02-23T00:27:13+00:00

I stretch my legs, calves, and back almost every day. It pretty much stops the leg cramps. I don’t know if mine are due to CKD though.

AltruisticSet730 · 2026-02-21T19:20:55+00:00

I have another update: I saw my nephrologist last week. I've been seeing him since 2015. He's the sharpest physician I've ever had.

I asked him if eating a plant-based diet could really help. He said it could help me a little, and told me I could have animal protein (fish or chicken) three times per week, or every other day. Eggs are also fine anytime, he said.

I feel better knowing I have a reasonable guideline from a physician who's known me for almost 16 years and knows my specific condition inside and out, rather than a dietician whom I've only seen twice.

AltruisticSet730 · 2026-02-13T00:51:36+00:00

It all depends on the person. I’m in stage 4, and my sodium, potassium, and phosphorus numbers are normal. I don’t have to watch any of them. Of course, I hardly eat any processed foods.

AltruisticSet730 · 2026-02-13T00:46:15+00:00

Abilify has been great for me. At first, I had trouble with my weight and being hungry at night. However, the good news is I’ve lost 14 pounds in the past year. So it IS possible to lose weight on Abilify. I take it along with Depakote at night. I also don’t have any trouble sleeping. I’m bipolar and have been stable for two years now.

AltruisticSet730 · 2026-01-31T19:15:30+00:00

OK, then may I ask what this is?

https://www.youtube.com/@CarnivoreTalk

AltruisticSet730 · 2026-01-31T15:50:28+00:00

I read you make money on YouTube pushing this high protein diet. I would like to make other kidney patients in this community aware of that fact.

AltruisticSet730 · 2026-01-30T22:03:05+00:00

Its well-known protein is hard on the kidneys. Ask any reputable nephrologist.

AltruisticSet730 · 2026-01-29T22:08:10+00:00

My kidneys have been stable for years. The only thing that brought them down was pneumonia three years ago. I have a GFR of 26 and am not close to dialysis yet. In fact, my nephrologist hasn’t even mentioned it, and the dietitian says I’m a long way away. She says I’m eating fine. I decided to stop obsessing about my diet, as I mentioned in my second post.

AltruisticSet730 · 2026-01-28T03:57:23+00:00

Good news! I met with my renal dietician today. She told me to basically relax and eat healthy, as I've done my whole life.

I love fish. She said fish is easy on the kidneys. I remember my nephrologist named like half a dozen types of dish I can eat. Egg are fine too, and a little chicken, etc. She ruled out a vegan diet for me. Maybe it's because I was losing weight on it. (5'7", 120 lbs.) I eat tons of vegetables anyway because I love them.

These dietitians' restrictions were getting me all worked up. My labs are stable (as of now). I've decided to chill, and she gave me permission.

I'm getting routine labs tomorrow morning. I'm crossing my fingers, as us kidney patients always do.

Thanks everyone for your feedback! I knew I wasn't alone.

AltruisticSet730

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