Weight gain cause by multiple medications?

marymickaela

I've only recently come back to MFP and am looking for others who are struggling to lose caused by weight gain from medications. I take 400mg of Seroquel to help me sleep. The Seroquel alters metabolism, causes tiredness and lack of motivation, making it difficult to exercise. I also take Lipitor which has also been shown in studies to cause weight gain. Since starting on Seroquel in November I've gained 18lbs.

Lipitor causes muscle pain which contributes to lack of exercise. Altogether I take at least 8 different medications. I'm trying to cut back on my Seroquel, but am now not getting enough quality sleep.

My doctor says I'm resistant to all regular sleeping meds. The sleep issues has been something I've been dealing with for years. I use the Fitbit Charge and it tracks my sleep. Last night I woke up 16x's. This affects my energy level and ability to function. I have a sleep study scheduled for May 5th.

Is anybody else struggling with these issues? Any advice to help counter the side effect?

Please feel to friend me.

stephstillion72911

I have sleep apena and did a sleep study. I sleep with a breathing machine and sleep so much better. I quit breathing in my sleep and snored and woke up a lot. Now I don't. I take bi polar medication ADD and acid reflux and allergy meds.

WeddedBliss1992

i am on 300 of seroquel and i have gained SO MUCH WEIGHT. i do not care what anyone says, there are NO OTHER factors involved. some people said i increased what i ate (i did not) some people said it caused water retention (um, no, i am in super double digit weight gain)

i added topamax to try to help and i have lost 11 lbs but i still have a way to go to get rid of it all. it's so frustrating b/c i can't stop the seroquel. (my seroquel is not for sleep; it's for bipolar disorder)

i went for a check-up yesterday with my psych and i was crying about my weight and she said "do you want to stop?" and i said, "no because the alternative is crying in the shower" so i can either be fat, or i can cry in the shower.

i am doing the best i can, and losing as much as i can. this might be "it" for me, and i have to be ok with that.

marymickaela

I'm also bipolar and ADHD. I have to take meds or I'll end up either depressed or manic. I was hoping the Vyvanse for the ADHD would help me lose weight, but that hasn't happened. I take Trileptol for the Bipolar too and the doctor says it's not a weight gaining med. I think it's really a combination of everything. I read that sleep deprivation can also cause weight gain and Dr. Phil featured someone on the show yesterday with serious sleep problems. They brought on an expert who discussed all the serious health problems lack of sleep can cause. However, I agree, I may have to eventually accept that I will never be thin again or even a normal weight.

jgnatca

Diagnosed with sleep apnea here and with the CPAP machine I now have very regular, deep sleep. I am also more alert during the day. Lack of sleep increases the stress hormone in your blood which makes it harder to lose weight.

You might get some insight in to your diet by tracking on MFP to see if there are small changes you can make to improve your eating.