Weight Gain Due To Meds
NatalieHedrick1
Posts: 10 Member
Anyone have success losing weight that was gained due to medication? I'm on an SSRI and a side effect of the meds is weight gain. Boy they weren't kidding. I've gained 50 pounds in a year since I started. I bless the doctor who prescribed them to me and don't ever want to go back to the way I was before...but I would like the body I had before. Anyone?
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Replies
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It's not the meds but more likely you are hungrier when taking them.
Plug in your numbers into MFP, it's all about the calorie deficit.
You can do this.0 -
Weight is gained through eating more than you burn.
Weight is lost through burning more than you eat.
Medicine can affect your motivation (can't get off the couch),
or possibly your metabolism (burn less than you used to),
but figuring out how much is needed to support your current weight,
then eating less than that,
will lead to losing weight.
And yes, I've been on an SSRI/SNRI for years.
Since JAN14 I've lost 80+ pounds.
Here are some helpful posts.
Definitely read the first one, sexypants.
And the last (my blog post) has links to other reliable helpful info.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10012907/logging-accuracy-consistency-and-youre-probably-eating-more-than-you-think
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/819925/the-basics-dont-complicate-it/p1
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/872212/youre-probably-eating-more-than-you-think/p1
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/833026/important-posts-to-read/p1
Goal setting, including weight, calories, and macros
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/MKEgal/view/2014-06-08-setting-goals-6670450 -
It depends on why you are gaining weight on the med. Are you carefully logging what you eat seeking to meet the calorie goal MyFitnessPal gave you? By that I mean are you are measuring carefully (kitchen scale for solids [ideally digital], measuring spoons/cups for liquids), are making sure the database entry matches up with the foods you are entering, and you are logging every single things you eat or drink, everything.
If you are doing that, and have done it for a couple of weeks and not lost, then you need to look more carefully at what is going on. If you have not been doing that, and are simply assuming that doing so will not work, then try it first to see what happens. Most medications that cause weight gain do so by increasing a person's appetite, maybe not a huge amount, but the cumulative effect adds up surprisingly quickly. Others cause water retention, but 50 pounds of water retention seems unlikely. Some may effect calories burned. I don't know which category yours falls into, but I would suggest trying logging for a few weeks to see what happens, gain, loss, or maintain.
EDIT:
I did some quick google searching, and it seems that SSRI meds may cause weight increase through increasing food consumption. Try logging carefully for a few weeks using a moderate weight loss goal of 1 pound per week to see what happens.0 -
So, yes, I am most definitely eating more than I was. I wasn't eating anything before because the anxiety made me nauseated. I guess what I want to hear is that it is possible and the meds didn't just make my metabolism shut down.0
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It is possible. I am on Zoloft and Abilify (gained a LOT of weight) and lost 20 pounds prior. I gained it back because I did not follow through and I have started back. I have lost about 10 pounds so far. It does make me hungrier and seems like I crave sweets more. I never used to even really like sweets. I am not sure I can attribute it to that. I don't feel it has affected my metabolism, just eating more. I am not a success story (yet) by any means, but I feel 100% confident it can be done by logging and exercising. Even by just logging and staying under calories. Best wishes!0
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I'm pretty sure my meds have contributed to my weight gain, what I take is notorious for it. it increases appetite. so I ended up majorly overeating which resulted in putting on 30 pounds pretty quickly. however I'm down 12 pounds so far since the holidays so it CAN be done! you just need to closely and honestly track what you're eating and stay under your calorie goal. once I started tracking and realized how severely I had been overeating, it's actually been fairly easy to eat at a deficit. I'm not eating everything in sight at night anymore. don't even want to. good luck!0
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NatalieHedrick1 wrote: »So, yes, I am most definitely eating more than I was. I wasn't eating anything before because the anxiety made me nauseated. I guess what I want to hear is that it is possible and the meds didn't just make my metabolism shut down.
If your metabolism shuts down, then you are dead!0 -
Confirmed, it's the meds.0
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ObsidianMist wrote: »I'm pretty sure my meds have contributed to my weight gain NO, what I take is notorious for it. it increases appetite <<<Most likely this>>>. so I ended up majorly overeating which resulted in putting on 30 pounds pretty quickly. however I'm down 12 pounds so far since the holidays so it CAN be done! you just need to closely and honestly track what you're eating and stay under your calorie goal. once I started tracking and realized how severely I had been overeating, it's actually been fairly easy to eat at a deficit. I'm not eating everything in sight at night anymore. don't even want to. good luck!
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harrybananas wrote: »Confirmed, it's the meds.
No.0 -
SSRIs don't effect your metabolism but can effect your appetite. If you eat at the MFP maintenance calories you shouldn't gain weight. You admitted in your post above that you are eating more- that's why you gained weight, not the meds. It's great that your anxiety is reduced, you should now be able to use MFP to count your calories to lose weight if you wish.0
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Thanks guys. I've been about 50 calories under each day so far per what my fitnesspal says. I even had a drink tonight because I was so far under. Thanks so much for responding.0
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If you set up MFP for a weight loss goal, that number that is given includes the calorie deficit you need already. Within 50 (above or below) is a good range to shoot for.0
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Prednisone causes crazy water retention on top of the ravenous appetite so even if you control your calories you get all puffy0
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So how would one get rid of water retention?0
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NatalieHedrick1 wrote: »So how would one get rid of water retention?
Generally remove the cause (sodium over consumption), time, and drink lot of water. If it is medication that is causing it, I would not suggest stopping it, so that leave drinking more water. I don't know if it would help in this case since water retention outside of meds is likely different.0 -
That's funny how drinking more water will get rid of water retention.0
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Ok so I'm on SSRI's too.. And my weight gain started pretty much straight after I started taking them. To date I've put on 12 kgs.
I am tracking everything I eat, hubby bought me a polar loop to track all my steps and sleep and all, I am consistently under in my calories every week yet I cannot shift any weight. I have been using MFP on and off since I had my first son 7 years ago. It has always worked for me in the past but this time nothing is working.
I do believe it is the meds keeping the weight on. I am not any hungrier than I have previously been, and I am aware what I put in my mouth..
I'm ready to see a dr about it.0 -
harrybananas wrote: »Confirmed, it's the meds.
Nope
Weight gain - calorie surplus
If someone has gained 50 lbs it is because they ate at a calorie surplus. Yes maybe the meds increased their appetite but in all, they decided to eat the extra food. The meds didn't magically make the weight appear.
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I've gained 10 since changing heart meds a month ago, so I've started tracking calories again. My doc explained the new med not only slows my metabolism, it also increases insulin resistance (and thus appetite). I'm sure it's doable, but it's frustrating because I've been gaining at 1300-1500.
I'm also sure everyone who is discounting a medically recognized side effect thinks they're being empowering
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Ok so I'm on SSRI's too.. And my weight gain started pretty much straight after I started taking them. To date I've put on 12 kgs.
I am tracking everything I eat, hubby bought me a polar loop to track all my steps and sleep and all, I am consistently under in my calories every week yet I cannot shift any weight. I have been using MFP on and off since I had my first son 7 years ago. It has always worked for me in the past but this time nothing is working.
I do believe it is the meds keeping the weight on. I am not any hungrier than I have previously been, and I am aware what I put in my mouth..
I'm ready to see a dr about it.
Do you weigh everything you eat on a food scale?0 -
aj_thomas81 wrote: »I've gained 10 since changing heart meds a month ago, so I've started tracking calories again. My doc explained the new med not only slows my metabolism, it also increases insulin resistance (and thus appetite). I'm sure it's doable, but it's frustrating because I've been gaining at 1300-1500.
I'm also sure everyone who is discounting a medically recognized side effect thinks they're being empowering
Why would you think that? No matter what, the formula has to be calories in < calories out. It doesn't matter if you are taking meds, have thyroid issues, are depressed, have insulin resistance - you name it. All of our weight is influenced by calories. Yes, certain conditions can change the calories out side of the equation. Certain conditions or medications can increase appetite. You have got to be as accurate and honest as possible with your tracking (read: weighing everything on a food scale and diligently measuring liquids) and play with foods that sate your appetite enough to stay within your calorie allowance. Blaming a medication and subsequently being self-righteous about it is not the answer. We all have the power to lose weight, though it seems that we don't all have the attitude it takes to succeed.-1 -
aj_thomas81 wrote: »I've gained 10 since changing heart meds a month ago, so I've started tracking calories again. My doc explained the new med not only slows my metabolism, it also increases insulin resistance (and thus appetite). I'm sure it's doable, but it's frustrating because I've been gaining at 1300-1500.
I'm also sure everyone who is discounting a medically recognized side effect thinks they're being empowering
I understand what you're saying but even if a medication, changes 1's metabolism; it still doesn't negate CICO. What it means, is that 1 must then alter their diet accordingly; by consuming less (if their metabolism decreases/appetite increases) or more (if their metabolism increases/appetite decreases). It doesn't mean that 1 can't control, their weight; it just makes it more difficult to. The same goes, for disabilities; as well & yes I am sympathetic, to the issue of having to work harder; to achieve the same result as someone when doesn't because I have CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). I must alter my CI daily because I'm either bedridden, housebound or normal & each of those either decreases or increases my CO.0 -
Alyssa_Is_LosingIt wrote: »aj_thomas81 wrote: »I've gained 10 since changing heart meds a month ago, so I've started tracking calories again. My doc explained the new med not only slows my metabolism, it also increases insulin resistance (and thus appetite). I'm sure it's doable, but it's frustrating because I've been gaining at 1300-1500.
I'm also sure everyone who is discounting a medically recognized side effect thinks they're being empowering
Why would you think that? No matter what, the formula has to be calories in < calories out. It doesn't matter if you are taking meds, have thyroid issues, are depressed, have insulin resistance - you name it. All of our weight is influenced by calories. Yes, certain conditions can change the calories out side of the equation. Certain conditions or medications can increase appetite. You have got to be as accurate and honest as possible with your tracking (read: weighing everything on a food scale and diligently measuring liquids) and play with foods that sate your appetite enough to stay within your calorie allowance. Blaming a medication and subsequently being self-righteous about it is not the answer. We all have the power to lose weight, though it seems that we don't all have the attitude it takes to succeed.
The medication or in my case, disability is certainly to blame; for making this harder & it isn't self righteous, to be unable to cope; with that unfair reality.0 -
I've never had to weigh what I ate before and successfully lost 18 kgs. That said however my entries are as accurate as possible without weighing.
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MondayJune22nd2015 wrote: »Alyssa_Is_LosingIt wrote: »aj_thomas81 wrote: »I've gained 10 since changing heart meds a month ago, so I've started tracking calories again. My doc explained the new med not only slows my metabolism, it also increases insulin resistance (and thus appetite). I'm sure it's doable, but it's frustrating because I've been gaining at 1300-1500.
I'm also sure everyone who is discounting a medically recognized side effect thinks they're being empowering
Why would you think that? No matter what, the formula has to be calories in < calories out. It doesn't matter if you are taking meds, have thyroid issues, are depressed, have insulin resistance - you name it. All of our weight is influenced by calories. Yes, certain conditions can change the calories out side of the equation. Certain conditions or medications can increase appetite. You have got to be as accurate and honest as possible with your tracking (read: weighing everything on a food scale and diligently measuring liquids) and play with foods that sate your appetite enough to stay within your calorie allowance. Blaming a medication and subsequently being self-righteous about it is not the answer. We all have the power to lose weight, though it seems that we don't all have the attitude it takes to succeed.
The medication or in my case, disability is certainly to blame; for making this harder & it isn't self righteous, to be unable to cope; with that unfair reality.
I am well aware of the extra hardship that can come from certain conditions and medications. As a person with depression and PCOS, I know that weight loss may be slower or that some days I may not feel like fooling with it. However, when I'm weighing and logging all of my food and putting forth the effort to maintain my lifting and light cardio routine, I lose weight just fine. The math works out. I had to stop using [insert conditon/medication here] as an excuse and take a hard long look at my actual intake. Nothing good ever comes from a defeatist attitude.0 -
thorsmom01 wrote: »harrybananas wrote: »Confirmed, it's the meds.
Nope
Weight gain - calorie surplus
If someone has gained 50 lbs it is because they ate at a calorie surplus. Yes maybe the meds increased their appetite but in all, they decided to eat the extra food. The meds didn't magically make the weight appear.
You are wrong just wrong as a nurse I Know medications can cause weight gain it will say it on the package insert. Yes most often it is calories in versus energy out but not always. Medications and diseases can affect weight big time. It is not always simple the body is complex.0 -
Many ppl are stating that your weight gain is solely due to over eating but many articles state that when you are on SSRI's there is a chemical reaction in your brain to gain weight without excessive eating. It actually changes your metabolic rate. So food tracking and exercise is a great tool to helping you gain control.0
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Many ppl are stating that your weight gain is solely due to over eating but many articles state that when you are on SSRI's there is a chemical reaction in your brain to gain weight without excessive eating. It actually changes your metabolic rate. So food tracking and exercise is a great tool to helping you gain control.
No, they do not.
Also, if you're going to make such claims, please cite your sources. This kind of misinformation can be harmful.-1 -
Alyssa_Is_LosingIt wrote: »Many ppl are stating that your weight gain is solely due to over eating but many articles state that when you are on SSRI's there is a chemical reaction in your brain to gain weight without excessive eating. It actually changes your metabolic rate. So food tracking and exercise is a great tool to helping you gain control.
No, they do not.
Also, if you're going to make such claims, please cite your sources. This kind of misinformation can be harmful.
I would want to see sources on this as well. There are meds that affect metabolism, but when I researched SSRIs I didn't find anyone saying they did. All the things I saw on weight gain from them was due to increased appetite.1
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