Losing weight whilst on Olanzapine?

heuchera

Has anyone got any experience of this, or if it needs more specialist knowledge do you know of any forums where people might be able to help? I am asking on behalf of someone who is quite overweight due to medication (olanzapine) which he unfortunately has to take (he can't function without it)


The doctor keeps telling him to lose weight but not really given him any more advice on how to go about doing this. The problem is compounded by the fact that his legs are really uncomfortable of an evening (a side effect of the drug) and he often eats as a way of distracting himself from the discomfort. And evening time is of course the worst time for over-eating, in terms of weight gain. Funnily enough he is not hungry of a morning so usually skips breakfast.


He's thinking about a vegan diet, as he's already vegetarian, so wouldn't be much of a shock to the system!



We want him to stay mentally well, which is what the meds are for, but we're worried about the increased risk to his physical health from the weight gain.

henmuffin

Hi there. There should be some specialist help for weight management for people who take anti psychotics. If he is under the care of the mental health team they should be able to help. There are guidelines by Nice on monitoring physical health and he should have an annual health check.
See below:
Comprehensive physical health assessments

Comprehensive physical health assessments for adults with psychosis or schizophrenia should focus on physical health problems common in people with psychosis and schizophrenia by monitoring the following:

• weight (plotted on a chart) – weekly for the first 6 weeks, then at 12 weeks, at 1 year and then annually
• waist circumference annually (plotted on a chart)
• pulse and blood pressure at 12 weeks, at 1 year and then annually
• fasting blood glucose, HbA1c and blood lipid levels at 12 weeks, at 1 year and then annually
• overall physical health.

Depending where you are he might be able to be referred to a specialist dietician who can advice on weight management and anti psychotics.
Hope this helps.

theoretica

The thing that jumped out at me is that you say he eats as a way of distracting himself - can you help him find a less fattening distraction?

teddysmum

Would he do chair yoga of an evening? It's gentle exercise, so he'd be losing weight from both exercise and not being able to eat while doing it. Also, as you need to count the number of repeats of ankle rotations, finger stretches etc, it's necessary to concentrate, thus providing distraction.

faerielight

I am on a cocktail of mood stabilisers and I have put on so much weight, they make you crave carbs and turn you into a sugar monster! I recommend a higher protein diet, and reduce the carbs.. I have a protein smoothie in the morning with soy milk and fruit, a bagel and hummous for lunch and dinner is something with tofu or quorn , salad or veg, but no carbs after 5pm .. I'm vegan but it's night time that I binge, so I'm trying to eat soya yoghurt with frut and seeds at night instead of junk food and I'm slowly losing weight .. hope that helps.

System

I'm on the same medication and have found it very very difficult to lose weight, i tried halving my dose but it led to me being unwell again so had to go back up. It's worth asking if he can be referred to a dietician or weight loss services, i was able to get gym sessions for a reduced cost. Ask around, some doctors are better than others at getting you help.

heuchera

henmuffin wrote: »

Hi there. There should be some specialist help for weight management for people who take anti psychotics. If he is under the care of the mental health team they should be able to help. There are guidelines by Nice on monitoring physical health and he should have an annual health check.
See below:
Comprehensive physical health assessments

Comprehensive physical health assessments for adults with psychosis or schizophrenia should focus on physical health problems common in people with psychosis and schizophrenia by monitoring the following:

• weight (plotted on a chart) – weekly for the first 6 weeks, then at 12 weeks, at 1 year and then annually
• waist circumference annually (plotted on a chart)
• pulse and blood pressure at 12 weeks, at 1 year and then annually
• fasting blood glucose, HbA1c and blood lipid levels at 12 weeks, at 1 year and then annually
• overall physical health.

Depending where you are he might be able to be referred to a specialist dietician who can advice on weight management and anti psychotics.
Hope this helps.

He is under the care of the mental health team, I think he sees his psych every three or four months.

He's just about to join a new GP surgery (the old one wasn't any good) and when he goes to the initial appointment with the nurse he wants to ask about seeing a specialist for weight management. What does he need to ask for, is it a dietitian?

If these things are available it's a shame the mental health team haven't been more pro-active in getting him that help. Perhaps it's something he needs to push for himself.

heuchera

theoretica wrote: »

The thing that jumped out at me is that you say he eats as a way of distracting himself - can you help him find a less fattening distraction?

He says his legs are really uncomfortable, and they've been like this for years, ever since he started taking anti-psychotic medication. The severity varies, and I think he said it's worse in warmer weather, like we're having.

The problem is the meds make him a bit tired, so not able to do much, but at the same time his legs are bad. Maybe films or dvds would help.

henmuffin

He should ask what is available to help with weight management and anti psychotic medication. It is in NICE guidelines that people should have a physical health assessment and help with weight management. If you can pm me the mental health team details I will see what I can find in your area There should be a referral to a specialist dietician for advice and weight management.