Medication notorious for weight gain.
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I have taken pretty much every form of benzodiazepine and i can *kind* of see where people are coming from. The only real way you gain weight on these drugs is simply from not giving a single **ck about what you're eating.
I remember the first time i took a benzo (.25mg of clonazepam) and i ate a pizza, a box of mac and cheese, a pint of icecream, and then passed out for like 14 hours. Don't worry though, my tolerance built up to this very very quickly and then the dose was perfect; i just felt like myself... without anxiety.3 -
cant hurt to try, your going in armed with the knowledge it may happen, Youll know the signs and get off it quickly if it does. Just dont let it become a self fulfilling prophecy1
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I am on a medication which lists weight gain as a side effect, but so far I'm down 29lbs as it has made me more in control of myself and my mind. It's not the same as yours but I think weight gain / increased appetite were near the top of the list and as it has allowed me to have my mind back it has helped me to lose. Best of luck to you.1
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I have been on the antipsychotics Risperdal (risperidone) & Aripiprazole (Abilify). I found that I gained 70lbs within a year. Previously I had never weighed more than 126lbs with a BMI of around 20. I was also an avid long distance runner (Marathon distance).
Its worth noting that these types of drugs not only effect the way you physically feel. That is to say that weight gain is not entirely due to your mindset or will power. Antipsychotic drugs can severely & arguably adversely alter the way your body works. They can alter your hormone levels. For example very soon after I began Risperidone I began lactating & I went from a small C cup to a large D cup in a matter off weeks. This was due to sky high prolactin levels. (Abilify counters this). AP's can also change the way that your body metabolises fat.
Since changing doctors & coming off the AP I'm loosing around 1kg a week with little exercise. With a healthy but normal range diet.4 -
The optimism is super appreciated. I'm on day three and besides a lot of grogginess in the morning I've been feeling so "normal" and it's weird! But I love it. And I've controlled my appetite all the way down to 1200(before it was good if I kept under 2000)
I do light gym in the morning and try to get 10k.
Keeping low carb and haven't had sweet cravings so far!
Very pleased so far.2 -
My daughter also takes AP medications. She has gained a lot of weight but I must tell you she just didn't care nor is she concerned. The fact that you are aware and care will make a big difference and because of that I think you will be less likely to gain. Just keep logging your food and stay in your calorie count. Once you get to maintenance you can recalculate how much you can eat. If my daughter would do that really she would be aware of what she is eating, she always has been a big eater but her anxiety ruled her and made it impossible to gain back then.
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Sorry about your daughter, hopefully she will have an aha-moment like I have had... a few times.My daughter also takes AP medications. She has gained a lot of weight but I must tell you she just didn't care nor is she concerned. The fact that you are aware and care will make a big difference and because of that I think you will be less likely to gain. Just keep logging your food and stay in your calorie count. Once you get to maintenance you can recalculate how much you can eat. If my daughter would do that really she would be aware of what she is eating, she always has been a big eater but her anxiety ruled her and made it impossible to gain back then.
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I'm on flunarazine for chronic migraines and the main side effect is increased appetite (as opposed to weight gain). I've lost 94lbs in spite of it.1
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I'm on an absolutely absurd amount of medication for my bipolar disorder- almost all the meds cause weight gain. My Pdoc gave me metaformin right from the start. It doesn't cause weight loss but it dose help keep my appetite in control. I know lots and lots of people are against weight loss meds on MFP but have an extremely honest conversation with your doctor once you know how you respond to the meds. Good luck!0
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I've never heard of metformin but I suppose if I'm okay for now I'd try to stay away from appetite suppressants. Then it would be harder after I'm off them.KristyDonovan wrote: »I'm on an absolutely absurd amount of medication for my bipolar disorder- almost all the meds cause weight gain. My Pdoc gave me metaformin right from the start. It doesn't cause weight loss but it dose help keep my appetite in control. I know lots and lots of people are against weight loss meds on MFP but have an extremely honest conversation with your doctor once you know how you respond to the meds. Good luck!0 -
llaurenmarie wrote: »
I've never heard of metformin but I suppose if I'm okay for now I'd try to stay away from appetite suppressants. Then it would be harder after I'm off them.KristyDonovan wrote: »I'm on an absolutely absurd amount of medication for my bipolar disorder- almost all the meds cause weight gain. My Pdoc gave me metaformin right from the start. It doesn't cause weight loss but it dose help keep my appetite in control. I know lots and lots of people are against weight loss meds on MFP but have an extremely honest conversation with your doctor once you know how you respond to the meds. Good luck!
Metformin helps control blood sugar levels and is generally used for treatment of diabetes. But yes, I would stick to what you're doctor suggests.0 -
kshama2001 wrote: »My brother takes mood stabilizers and antipsychotics known to cause an increase in appetite. When he was in a hospital setting, he gained weight while eating hospital food and not getting much exercise. Now that he is home, eating Mom's cooking, helping her with extensive yard work, and walking several miles per day, he lost all the weight he gained in the hospital and has maintained a healthy weight for over two years.
He doesn't count calories. He does eat lots of whole foods - fruits, veggies, legumes, whole grains, etc. He was a pescastarian for about a year and now is eating chicken as well. There's very little, if any, junk food in the house.
Aside from not enough movement, hospital food can be high calorie depending on dietary needs. I was just hospitalized for hypoglycemia and edema. One day's worth of food came out in the realm of 3000 calories (using dietary staff's portion measurements). Lost weight after swelling came down, but have a few extra to work off.
Congrats on your brother reaching a healthy weight, btw. Mine is unfortunately obese and now prediabetic from his meds.
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The am a doctor. Not sure why you were prescribed Zyprexa and I don't need to know. Zyprexa is probably the 2nd worst of all medications that I know of that cause weight gain. Ask if they would be willing to try you on Topamax with it if appropriate0
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The antidepressant I got put in Zoloft actually stopped me binge eating so I've managed to lose weight ☺️0
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jepierson4 wrote: »The am a doctor. Not sure why you were prescribed Zyprexa and I don't need to know. Zyprexa is probably the 2nd worst of all medications that I know of that cause weight gain. Ask if they would be willing to try you on Topamax with it if appropriate
Topamax is a scary drug, nick named dope-a-max for a reason. It literally made me forget words. I would get into my car and forget where I was going. I would never recommend someone take this just for the appetite suppressing properties.0 -
Second night after Zyprexa and I have a lot of trouble waking up in the morning. I slept through my gym time /: food cravings haven't been bad but I hope the morning sleepiness goes away..0
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llaurenmarie wrote: »Second night after Zyprexa and I have a lot of trouble waking up in the morning. I slept through my gym time /: food cravings haven't been bad but I hope the morning sleepiness goes away..
can you take them a little earlier in the evening? that may help with the sleepiness but then it may not.0 -
I will try it. I just don't want to end up having to go to bed super early every night when I don't get home till 6 haCharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »llaurenmarie wrote: »Second night after Zyprexa and I have a lot of trouble waking up in the morning. I slept through my gym time /: food cravings haven't been bad but I hope the morning sleepiness goes away..
can you take them a little earlier in the evening? that may help with the sleepiness but then it may not.
ETA: I have taken it at 8pm each night and sleep around 9:30p, I try to wake up at 4 for the gym
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llaurenmarie wrote: »
I will try it. I just don't want to end up having to go to bed super early every night when I don't get home till 6 haCharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »llaurenmarie wrote: »Second night after Zyprexa and I have a lot of trouble waking up in the morning. I slept through my gym time /: food cravings haven't been bad but I hope the morning sleepiness goes away..
can you take them a little earlier in the evening? that may help with the sleepiness but then it may not.
ETA: I have taken it at 8pm each night and sleep around 9:30p, I try to wake up at 4 for the gym
yeah that may be easier said than done0 -
llaurenmarie wrote: »
I know! I worry about being so restricted but I worry more about falling back to being unhealthy. Not really a happy medium here.castlerobber wrote: »llaurenmarie wrote: »The very few people who said the gain was not an issue said they stuck to very low carb and low fat.
It's nearly impossible to stick to a diet low in carbs AND fat for very long. You gotta eat something, and that only leaves protein.
Good luck with the meds. Hope they work well for you, without the side effects.
Why are you low fat and low carb? Usually with low carb, high fat is required... fat us important for regulating hormones which can help with anxiety/depression as well as baby body functions to keep us healthy...0 -
I'm on several meds that list weight gain as a side effect (a couple: lyrica and seroquel plus a few others.) Over 100lbs down. It can be done. The meds increase appetite - eat more fibre, fat and protien. My macros are split equally as carbs satiate me.1
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Why are you low fat and low carb? Usually with low carb, high fat is required... fat us important for regulating hormones which can help with anxiety/depression as well as baby body functions to keep us healthy...[/quote]
Not sure you read enough. I said I know that healthy fats are essential to staying sane on low carb.
I do not limit my fats.
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Topamax is a scary drug, nick named dope-a-max for a reason. It literally made me forget words. I would get into my car and forget where I was going. I would never recommend someone take this just for the appetite suppressing properties. [/quote]
Can never predict how people will react to meds. Sorry you had a bad reaction. I was merely pointing out some evidence without into too much detail.
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BurlzGettingFit wrote: »Good luck to you, fluoxetine made me feel hungry ALL the time, even after eating! I've come off that (I did gain 40 lbs, not the medications fault, my own for not being able to say no) and I'm now on buspirone and I've lost 20 lbs in the last few months. Much, much happier.
This is where I am at with my prozac. I am on it for postpartum issues and I am slowly coming off but I am now almost back to my pregnancy weight! Yikes! I am so happy I am finally in a place I where I can get off that crap! I don't need OCD and to be overweight. Haha. Anyway, I am happy to hear that you are doing better. I think the weight gain from these meds can be counterproductive when they cause just as much stress as you had before you started taking them.0 -
Jaydensmom0914 wrote: »BurlzGettingFit wrote: »Good luck to you, fluoxetine made me feel hungry ALL the time, even after eating! I've come off that (I did gain 40 lbs, not the medications fault, my own for not being able to say no) and I'm now on buspirone and I've lost 20 lbs in the last few months. Much, much happier.
This is where I am at with my prozac. I am on it for postpartum issues and I am slowly coming off but I am now almost back to my pregnancy weight! Yikes! I am so happy I am finally in a place I where I can get off that crap! I don't need OCD and to be overweight. Haha. Anyway, I am happy to hear that you are doing better. I think the weight gain from these meds can be counterproductive when they cause just as much stress as you had before you started taking them.
glad you are slowly coming off the prozac while it doesnt cause the same issues for everyone,for me it caused me to be suicidal(I was on it for depression years ago and not suicidal before the meds).I didnt gain weight but that would have been the least of my worries.0 -
Actually today has been way less feel good and a lot more irritability/depression? UghJaydensmom0914 wrote: »BurlzGettingFit wrote: »Good luck to you, fluoxetine made me feel hungry ALL the time, even after eating! I've come off that (I did gain 40 lbs, not the medications fault, my own for not being able to say no) and I'm now on buspirone and I've lost 20 lbs in the last few months. Much, much happier.
This is where I am at with my prozac. I am on it for postpartum issues and I am slowly coming off but I am now almost back to my pregnancy weight! Yikes! I am so happy I am finally in a place I where I can get off that crap! I don't need OCD and to be overweight. Haha. Anyway, I am happy to hear that you are doing better. I think the weight gain from these meds can be counterproductive when they cause just as much stress as you had before you started taking them.
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llaurenmarie wrote: »Second night after Zyprexa and I have a lot of trouble waking up in the morning. I slept through my gym time /: food cravings haven't been bad but I hope the morning sleepiness goes away..
I hope you have better luck with it than I did!! It made me sleepy no matter what time I took, and made my suicidal ideation waaaayyy worse.0 -
How long did you take it?lilolilo920 wrote: »llaurenmarie wrote: »Second night after Zyprexa and I have a lot of trouble waking up in the morning. I slept through my gym time /: food cravings haven't been bad but I hope the morning sleepiness goes away..
I hope you have better luck with it than I did!! It made me sleepy no matter what time I took, and made my suicidal ideation waaaayyy worse.
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Over the last 2 years I've gained 50 lbs while on Effexor. I just slowly came off of it, and was hoping to have a reprieve from my anxiety but no. I've decided to go back on it, but really be super strict about staying within my calories, and exercising. I usually end up feeling lethargic on it, and after a full day at work I'm exhausted. Unfortunately it works really well for my panic disorder. I'm happy to see that I'm not the only one dealing w this.0
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I believe I've gains 10lbs this month. Crave-inducing medicines and BED don't mix.
Doctor has put me on Adderall for ADHD so hopefully that offsets me a bit.0
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