Is anyone on Meds that CAUSE weight gain?

Mveler
Mveler Posts: 274 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I am trying to lose just under 100 pounds. I have seen little success in the past but want to know if there are other things I can be doing.

A lil history.
I am Bipolar and taking Lithium, Wellbutrin, and Risperdol.
I recently had thyroiditis which left me with hypothyroidism. I am now on Levothyroxine.

All combined, weigh gain has been an additional 25 pounds over the last 3 months. This is NOT from change in diet.

I just want to know what more I can do to help this along.
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Replies

  • donnam40
    donnam40 Posts: 246 Member
    I have rheumatoid arthritis and am on predisnolone at the moment (cortiosteroid). This not only causes weight gain, but changes the distribution of fat and is muscle destroying. BTW I also have Hashimoto's disease (hypothyroid).

    I am just persisting because at least I am maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Weight training is very helpful along with HIIT.

    Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

    Donna
  • Mveler
    Mveler Posts: 274 Member
    HIIT? Thanks, not "feeling bad" meds have helped that thank goodness.
  • Landiecat
    Landiecat Posts: 17
    HIIT? Thanks, not "feeling bad" meds have helped that thank goodness.
    HIIT
    High Intensity Interval Training c:

    "A form of cardio training that involves cycles of high intensity bursts and low to moderate intensity recovery"
  • sarafil
    sarafil Posts: 506 Member
    HIIT = high intensity interval training. Basically exercise where you ramp up the intensity for a period of time, go back to baseline, up the intensity again, etc. etc.
  • Mveler
    Mveler Posts: 274 Member
    Ummmm Like 30 D Shred? and the Like?
  • SLLeask
    SLLeask Posts: 489 Member
    I also have hypothyroidism and am on a daily dose of 150mcg of Levothyroxine, I am also on the Depo Provera injection, also known for it's not-so-wonderful weight gaining properties. I have just accepted I am on the stuff to help my health so the side effects are inevitable, but not unbeatable and stopped allowing myself to use them as an excuse. I have upped my exercise, cut down on my calories and am slowly (very slowly, sigh...) winning the battle. Good luck, we CAN do it!!

    Edited to add: I also have arthritis in both hips which does limit my movement a little, but I know that although I will never get better, getting the weight off will certainly help! :)
  • Mveler
    Mveler Posts: 274 Member
    I also have hypothyroidism and am on a daily dose of 150mcg of Levothyroxine, I am also on the Depo Provera injection, also known for it's not-so-wonderful weight gaining properties. I have just accepted I am on the stuff to help my health so the side effects are inevitable, but not unbeatable and stopped allowing myself to use them as an excuse. I have upped my exercise, cut down on my calories and am slowly (very slowly, sigh...) winning the battle. Good luck, we CAN do it!!

    Edited to add: I also have arthritis in both hips which does limit my movement a little, but I know that although I will never get better, getting the weight off will certainly help! :)
    '

    Nice to know. Thank you for the inspiration
  • Landiecat
    Landiecat Posts: 17
    Ummmm Like 30 D Shred? and the Like?
    I don't know about 30DS specifically...but I consider most of her stuff circuit training..which I also consider lighter than HIIT.
    The only example I can think of as HIIT is Insanity, because I've done it.
    Maybe it's just insane.
  • six1908
    six1908 Posts: 99 Member
    I'm on anti-depressant meds and a couple other similar meds that can cause weight gain. When considering those I have to think to myself.. skinny and crazy or average and happy... I just find it takes longer to the lose the weight and gives me more reason to use this site in terms of accountability and food tracking. Often times the anti-depressants will put weight on you because many of them have a sedating side effect a basic type of histamine and it will cause the metabolism to slow down.
  • tnmyers23
    tnmyers23 Posts: 108 Member
    I am trying to lose just under 100 pounds. I have seen little success in the past but want to know if there are other things I can be doing.

    A lil history.
    I am Bipolar and taking Lithium, Wellbutrin, and Risperdol.
    I recently had thyroiditis which left me with hypothyroidism. I am now on Levothyroxine.

    All combined, weigh gain has been an additional 25 pounds over the last 3 months. This is NOT from change in diet.

    I just want to know what more I can do to help this along.

    You can look up side affects of each medicine on the internet. It is the best way as you can check with your dosing. But a lot of meds to cause weight gain.
  • love4fitnesslove4food_wechange
    love4fitnesslove4food_wechange Posts: 6,897 Member
    Interesting...WEllbutrin should offset the weight gain effects of those other medications. It's actually none to cause weight loss.
  • AquaFitQueen
    AquaFitQueen Posts: 218 Member
    I feel soooo sooo sorry for you!!!!! Risperadol/Rispiridone is satan in pill form!!!! I gained a massive amount of weight on that drug the 3 years I took it. I was on 3mg. ugh. And by massive I mean over 100lbs. Never ever again!!!!

    I am on a couple of others that can induce weight gain but so far I am happily losing weight, but I am forever traumatised by Rispiridone.

    Wishing you good luck!!!!
  • AquaFitQueen
    AquaFitQueen Posts: 218 Member
    Oh...and I just got the bc implant, which did cause a small weight gain (1.5lbs) but that is off now and settling down :)
  • divalivious
    divalivious Posts: 213 Member
    Yup and its frustrating. I have been monitoring what I am eating and trying to make the right decisions but find the scale doesnt move. I know I have to up my exercise portion.
  • Mveler
    Mveler Posts: 274 Member
    I am trying to lose just under 100 pounds. I have seen little success in the past but want to know if there are other things I can be doing.

    A lil history.
    I am Bipolar and taking Lithium, Wellbutrin, and Risperdol.
    I recently had thyroiditis which left me with hypothyroidism. I am now on Levothyroxine.

    All combined, weigh gain has been an additional 25 pounds over the last 3 months. This is NOT from change in diet.

    I just want to know what more I can do to help this along.

    You can look up side affects of each medicine on the internet. It is the best way as you can check with your dosing. But a lot of meds to cause weight gain.

    Thanks I know the side effects and which ones cause weigh gain, I check them before taking any medication. But my medicine is Life and Death. So stopping or altering is not an option.
  • Mveler
    Mveler Posts: 274 Member
    Interesting...WEllbutrin should offset the weight gain effects of those other medications. It's actually none to cause weight loss.

    Known to cause it but doesn't in everyone. this medication is also prescribed to help you quit smoking but this is a rare feat. And one med cannot outweigh the effects of the other three. But thanks, I did overlook the "loss" effect. Although it has proven to be of no worth to me.
  • Mveler
    Mveler Posts: 274 Member
    I feel soooo sooo sorry for you!!!!! Risperadol/Rispiridone is satan in pill form!!!! I gained a massive amount of weight on that drug the 3 years I took it. I was on 3mg. ugh. And by massive I mean over 100lbs. Never ever again!!!!

    I am on a couple of others that can induce weight gain but so far I am happily losing weight, but I am forever traumatised by Rispiridone.

    Wishing you good luck!!!!

    Yeah its a booger....I am working hard here..and won't quit. Hope to get off this med by Jan.
  • Mveler
    Mveler Posts: 274 Member
    Oh...and I just got the bc implant, which did cause a small weight gain (1.5lbs) but that is off now and settling down :)

    Bc implant?
  • love4fitnesslove4food_wechange
    love4fitnesslove4food_wechange Posts: 6,897 Member
    Interesting...WEllbutrin should offset the weight gain effects of those other medications. It's actually none to cause weight loss.

    Known to cause it but doesn't in everyone. this medication is also prescribed to help you quit smoking but this is a rare feat. And one med cannot outweigh the effects of the other three. But thanks, I did overlook the "loss" effect. Although it has proven to be of no worth to me.

    I read about it because I was going to take it for depression -- they sometimes combine it with anti-psychotics to minimize weight gain. I wasn't trying to be snarky or rude, sorry if you took it that way.
  • AquaFitQueen
    AquaFitQueen Posts: 218 Member
    birth control implant. It is known to cause weight gain even in thin people. My gp knows I am extremely sensitive to WG effects on meds so we have a deal....any time she puts me on a med or birth control that can cause weight gain, we give it 10lbs to settle down...if I gain more than 10 I am off it!!! I will never again go through a h3ll again like I did with rispiridone. ugh.

    On a side note, I took wellburtin (but not whilst on ripsiridone) and it did not cause weight loss, just psychosis, lol. Ended up in the hospital cos of that one...good times..not!

    Wishing you the best on your journey!
  • lbryony76
    lbryony76 Posts: 12 Member
    I gained over a stone in two months on Seroxat (paxil). I've just come off that (hellish withdrawal, caused massive mood swings, electric shocks and friend loss) and gone onto Cirtalopram with seems to be allowing me to lose weight but still really slow progress. Beta blockers don't help either but I'm allowed to take them as and when I need them now instead of three a day which limits the damage. I also don't have a gall bladder which must surely affect how fat gets processed. I can't wait to be off all the meds.
  • AquaFitQueen
    AquaFitQueen Posts: 218 Member
    I gained over a stone in two months on Seroxat (paxil). I've just come off that (hellish withdrawal, caused massive mood swings, electric shocks and friend loss) and gone onto Cirtalopram with seems to be allowing me to lose weight but still really slow progress. Beta blockers don't help either but I'm allowed to take them as and when I need them now instead of three a day which limits the damage. I also don't have a gall bladder which must surely affect how fat gets processed. I can't wait to be off all the meds.

    I quit sertraline (Zoloft) 200mg cold turkey. O.M.G. Insanity. Had restless leg syndrom for 2 months and dry mouth and anxiety! Ugh some of these meds cause more than they fix! I quit all my meds in Feb (not recommended for anyone else) as most of my stress triggers are gone and I have been so much happier and myself, but man....those years on meds did quite a number on me!
  • jennaworksout
    jennaworksout Posts: 1,739 Member
    yep, on minocycline....gaining :grumble:
  • Dauntlessness
    Dauntlessness Posts: 1,489 Member
    I'm going to take a shot in the dark here but do you have pcos too? I have met several people like myself that have bipolar and hormone issues-thyroid issues falls into that. It weird how that works, certain diagnosis tends to fall together. What has helped me is Methotrexate. It leveled my hormone levels. Exercise has been a key factor in helping it as well.

    Lithium cause me to have weight gain. A number of antidepressants did too. I have been bipolar since I was pretty much born. At 3 years old, I was evaluated. I didn't get officially diagnosed until I was 12. I have been on many medications so trust me when I say this. The less meds the better sometimes. Its amazing how doctors can prescribe meds, meds and more meds and eventually you dont know what is working because they cant single one out.

    There was a study a few years back that had amazing outcomes.Basically a low dose of mood stabilizer like Lamictal and therapy had the most positive effect on people with bipolar. Antidepressants had a really bad one. They think it worked mostly because some people don't know if the mood swing is caused by environmental stress or if it is truly a mood swing chemical reaction. Therapy helps you define those symptoms. I hope that helps

    Lamictal hasn't made me gain weight btw.
  • Yes2HealthyAriel
    Yes2HealthyAriel Posts: 453 Member
    a few years ago I gained 30 pounds with depakote, it made me hungry all the time. Usually doctors will take you off of a medication if there is any significant weight gain. Talk to your doctor about your concerns and he/she may be able to put you on something that doesnt cause weight gain
  • goldfinger88
    goldfinger88 Posts: 686 Member
    I take some medication that causes weight gain and makes weight loss incredibly hard and slow. In fact, hidden in the long list of side effects, you'll find that as a side effect and I know many people experience it. I can't speak to any particular medication but you should look it up on the Internet and look at the side effects. Generally you can still lose weight. Just don't expect the result others get. And don't get discouraged. Also, you can talk with your doctor about taking something else.
  • Jester522
    Jester522 Posts: 392
    HIIT? Thanks, not "feeling bad" meds have helped that thank goodness.

    Just finished 15 minutes and Im beat.
    High Intensity Interval Training = HIIT

    5minutes light walk around 3.0 on a treadmill... 45s all out sprint ~12.0/12.5, rest 1m walking at 2.0 speed. Repeat 8-10 times then walk 5 minutes to loosen up.

    Far more exciting then jogging/running... well, as exciting as cardio can be. Accomplish more in less time, greater fat loss while sparring muscle tissue, doesn't lower anabolic hormones like standard aerobic bores.

    All the drugs you mentioned are associated with weight gain. Especially the bipolar ones as they tend to cause bad changes in eating habits too. Anticoagulants like coumadin and lovenox can cause lower body weight gain but thankfully its subcutaneous and not as detrimental to hormonal health.
  • leahartmann
    leahartmann Posts: 415
    I´m bipolar as well and also gaine weight from my medication. To make it short, I agree with those saying that you CAN lose weight, but you have to be very patient! It takes more time than it does for others.
  • FlaxMilk
    FlaxMilk Posts: 3,452 Member
    I was taking a medication that caused me to gain a massive amount of weight. The doctor eventually took me off of it because nothing I did helped. However, with the psych meds, talk to your doctor and don't be afraid to ask your doctor to consult with the drug company about this issue. For instance, some of the weight gain associated with SOME of the psych meds can be reduced through limiting carbs. Ask your doctor to find out what the ins and outs are for your particular meds.
  • seamonkey789
    seamonkey789 Posts: 233
    Interesting...WEllbutrin should offset the weight gain effects of those other medications. It's actually none to cause weight loss.

    Known to cause it but doesn't in everyone. this medication is also prescribed to help you quit smoking but this is a rare feat. And one med cannot outweigh the effects of the other three. But thanks, I did overlook the "loss" effect. Although it has proven to be of no worth to me.

    I read about it because I was going to take it for depression -- they sometimes combine it with anti-psychotics to minimize weight gain. I wasn't trying to be snarky or rude, sorry if you took it that way.

    Actually, they combine metformin with anti-psychotics to minimize weight gain because most of them raise your blood sugar and cholesterol.

    The weight loss side effects from wellbutrin, topamax, zonegran, etc, vary from person to person and I have never heard of any of those being prescribed to off set weight loss. And to be honest, giving an anti depressant to someone who is currently on an anti-psychotic requires close monitoring by the doctor by some people because in certain conditions, anti depressants can worsen their condition.

    To the OP, i am also bipolar and currently taking Geodon and Seroquel. I have been on seroquel on and off since 2006. The first time I was on it was in 2006 at 150 mgs and I gained 35 lbs and it wasn't controlling my symptoms, so we switched to Geodon.

    I am currently taking seroquel doses for the past year ranging between 100-300mgs and have not gained any weight. My p-doc still makes me get my blood sugar and cholesterol monitored.

    Have you had a metabolic panel recently and checked your blood sugar?

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