Losing on antipsychotics AND antidepressants. You can.

TheLittleFangs

Hey all,

I just wanted to drop in here in case anyone else struggles with the issues I do. In addition to my MH issues I also have thyroid failure.

My weight shot up a stone when quietiapine regime was changed, however I'm back down 12 of those lbs and 7 of that came off this last week. It IS possible to manage weight on metabolism affecting antipsychotics or antidepressants (I'm on both) it just takes a bit more effort. Im finally managing to hit my calorie minimums too as I'm figuring out what does/ doesn't bring on the raging sickness. Yesterday was completely GF and veggie and I slept 9 hours and am not sick today (yet). It can be hugely disheartening to feel you're working towards goals and struggling, but keep going. It can be done

It's a struggle - yes. But we can do it. Feel free to add me saying where you saw me. Together we can do this.

Good luck

kcallahan72

Yes my motivation to excerise is highly related to my moods. Mainly my depression. I have been unemployed for seven months which has affected my self esteem. I don't make myself a priority. I struggle with diabetes and other health problems that affect my day. My night meds don't work. Fatigue sleep during day too often. I feel alone.

Loganmmontgomery

Is it true that meds can cause weight gain?

kcallahan72

I have worked in the mental health field and there are some that are know to increase appetite or specific cravings. Seroquel at a high dose will increase cravin of carbs . Get familiar with your meds and the side effects.

TheLittleFangs

kcallahan72 wrote: »

Yes my motivation to excerise is highly related to my moods. Mainly my depression. I have been unemployed for seven months which has affected my self esteem. I don't make myself a priority. I struggle with diabetes and other health problems that affect my day. My night meds don't work. Fatigue sleep during day too often. I feel alone.

Hi friend. I am so sorry to read of your struggle. I get mixed depression and hypomania. I completely understand how you mention your mood affects your exercise and making yourself a priority. I have a lot of health problems too. Perhaps you might add me and I can help to support you. My evening regime has been the hardest to manage, I'm now on higher quietiapine at night as well as day time doses, Zopiclone AND diazepam to get me sleeping. Even then at times ( often ) that doesn't work. We recently got a dog to give me support and I also think she's helped my daytime motivation. I have to walk her even if I'm completely at the bottom - her needs outweigh mine.

I think it's really important we give ourselves a patron the back for the things we DO not berate ourselves for the things we don't.

Good luck friend.

TheLittleFangs

logandiekmann15 wrote: »

Is it true that meds can cause weight gain?

Yes, several of this type of medication are known to have metabolism effects. Mirtazipine for example is used in the treatment of anorexia nervous as an appetite stimulant.

I have regular bloodworm done to monitor for signs of diabetes and non alcoholic fatty liver.

Yes, these types of meds alone CAN cause weight gain, coupled with the illnesses they treat and how poorly people often feel and attitudes to self esteem and worth. It can have a huge impact on ones weight.

My second side effect listed on mine are gross weight gain.

I'm posting here hoping to inspire that it can be overcome x

TheLittleFangs

kcallahan72 wrote: »

I have worked in the mental health field and there are some that are know to increase appetite or specific cravings. Seroquel at a high dose will increase cravin of carbs . Get familiar with your meds and the side effects.

I'm on Seroquel ( quietiapine) it's really interesting you mentioned carbs specifically. I've been upped on my regime and put on immediate release and not MR SR or XR and the sickness nausea has been high.

To be honest I have to admit I only read the ' get emergency help now' side effects as I used to get sk paranoid and not want to take them if I read every side effect. But that's just me.

Thanks for replying.

TehLaughingDog

I had issues on antidepressants and they want to try them on me again along with an antipsychotic. It's got me nervous, not gonna lie. Not only do I not like meds but I have had some bad experiences psychologically on antidepressants which also made me balloon up in weight.

It's good to hear of someone having success. Are you more stable on them mentally? I don't know your diagnosis (mines BPD with psychotic features, AvPD, depression, and ADHD) but I'm just trying to understand how they make one feel when running smoothly so you could tackle your diet because I was so unstable on the antidepressants that it was the last thing on my mind.

TheLittleFangs

Hi TehLaughingDog, I'm sorry to hear of your ongoing illness. My diagnosis is mixed depression, hypomania (query Bipolar 2 or cyclothymia) with Emotionally unstable personality traits and PTSD.

It's a battle right? I've been on this roller coaster over 10 years now but only had a psychiatrist and the correct help since 2011. I have many times quit the meds and many times been revived in hospital. Last year I made the decision I would do what they say. This has resulted in me following some BAD advice, I would say you need to find and trust your clinician. I occasionally was seen by my consultants trainee - in Jan he upped one of my antidepressants to double the therapeutic dose, I was manic from this. I now see ONLY my consultant.

Stability is not something I'm prepared to say I am at the moment. My post was more about helping people understand the increase in weight CAN be tackled. Overall since 2010 I'm 3 stone heavier than I was, but I'm down 12 lbs of that now. It's been really slow.... I try to walk a little each day even if it's just up and down the stairs. I'm careful of the reactions I have to certain foods - sodium heavy foods hit my weight hard. Simple carbohydrates do too. I try and eat a more veggie and fruit rich diet. Water I really really struggle with and on antipsychotics it's really important to stay hydrated: I set a reminder on my phone.

Is it worth it? I use the eMoods tracker free on android to monitor my health, meds and response to them. My illness is still 'severe' and I'm unable to do my job - but I AM attempting studies. It has cleared the way for me to even 'think' about my health.

The approach my fiance and took was we'll just give me a month NOT thinking about food/diet to just 'be' and see how I was then. My weight at the end of it was up, a lot, and then I started to tackle it as above slowly.

Maybe we could connect? if you did read my profile you'll see its not been easy and it's NOT pretty. But I'll take what I have now over (possible trigger).....


cutting or attempting suicide


So is it worth it? The antipsychotics I feel let's my antidepressant do its job, but keeps the lid on the other stuff. It's levelled me off a little. There's a way to go. But I do now feel I'm getting there.

Good luck

TheLittleFangs

Please see my new profile pic! Shows the turbulent ups and downs - you can see the sharp rise from new regime, however look at that lovely dip on the right I'm on my way back down

TheLittleFangs

Hi again, just a quick post to say I've lost another 2lbs. I'll open up my diary so you can see if you like. I'm not starving or even at 1200 I'm often eating more than this but just simple walking lots is helping. Also plenty of fluids. You'll see I have a mean snacking streak - I do snaffle sweets. I'm starting to get better at managing this with the walking.