Weight gain caused by anti-depressants
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I am on Zoloft, Lamictal and Abilify and have been losing weight at rate consistent with my deficit. I lost and gained weight on Paxil. I gained weight when my depression was not controlled. I therefore choose to blame the depression and not the medications for the weight gains. No matter which medication I was on, walking helped with both weight loss and mental health. My psychiatrist suggested I walk for an hour 5-7 days a week. She said while walking for exercise to prevent cardio-vascular disease can be done three times a week she recommended walking more days for mental health. Good luck on your weight loss and mental health journey. If you are not losing weight, it is my experience, it is because you are not eating at a deficit. Your medications may need to be changed but not because they of themselves cause weight gain.5
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" wrote:Also with the increase of appetite with it, you don’t need medicine to decrease your appetite. It’s called self control. Plus there’s things you can do to help yourself from snacking. Drink more water, brush your teeth, have a small healthy snack, eat something high in fats or protein (tends to fill you up more), keep yourself busy, or just tell yourself “no.” I know it’s hard but if you want this, gotta have the self control to do so!
If you read my first post you will see i said you try all the things you mentioned.... except the brushing your teeth bit ...
And the self control eventually goes out the door. You can only take so much especially when you're depressed. I'd tell you to try it but I wouldn't wish that on anyone....
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I've taken Zoloft, Effexor, and now take Lexapro. Zoloft was not a good fit for me. Effexor had nasty withdrawal side effects. Lexapro is a good fit for me. None of these caused me to gain weight. I've been on Lexapro for about 18 months now and am down 41 lbs. I also have diabetes, Hashimoto's, and vitiligo. I take 5 medications daily to manage my autoimmune conditions and associated symptoms.
It does come down to tracking your calories. Many people can gain weight because feeling less depressed or less anxious can lead to people eating more (more socializing, less time in bed, more energy to getting food/making meals).
No one here is judging anyone. Living with depression and anxiety is horrid. Meds can also make us feel icky and yes, some medications do increase hunger, leading us to consume too many calories.
Maybe investigate another medication. Weight gain could cause you to become depressed, so maybe your med just isn't the right fit. There are so many to choose from. I hope you find something that helps you to feel more like yourself without any undesirable side-effects. I've been through 3 different medications before finding something that jives with my body.1 -
So many medications have the side effect of weight gain. I would try to avoid medication at all cost. I take no meds, supplements or vitamins. I am a healthy female in my late 50's. My goals to stay in my size 10. This size is realistic for me.11
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Coffee0ooYummy wrote: »" wrote:Also with the increase of appetite with it, you don’t need medicine to decrease your appetite. It’s called self control. Plus there’s things you can do to help yourself from snacking. Drink more water, brush your teeth, have a small healthy snack, eat something high in fats or protein (tends to fill you up more), keep yourself busy, or just tell yourself “no.” I know it’s hard but if you want this, gotta have the self control to do so!
If you read my first post you will see i said you try all the things you mentioned.... except the brushing your teeth bit ...
And the self control eventually goes out the door. You can only take so much especially when you're depressed. I'd tell you to try it but I wouldn't wish that on anyone....
I have depression and anxiety, trust me I know all about it but if you want something bad enough, you can do it regardless of what stands in the way. At least that’s the way it is for me. Depression affects my daily life and my enjoyment in things but when I want something I do it. But my Zoloft definitely helps.3 -
You mean the one who made my point pretty elegantly by noting that a. she has bipolar b. she has experience taking Zoloft and c. she's on a number of different psychotropic medications? Again, that's some assuming you did, some really impressively inaccurate assuming.Coffee0ooYummy wrote: »Just an FYI, a lot of people here have a history of being on antidepressants (among other meds). It's not really the best to just assume someone has no experience with something when you have no basis for that assumption. Even if you do have some basis, assumptions are just that.
Lol tell that to the one who judged her....
I've been on meds since I was 14.... I'm 46 now. I would never ask someone that question.....
Get real
Whether you like it or not, weight loss and gain comes down to how many calories you're consuming vs how many calories you're burning. It is only logical to ask the OP if she was tracking her calories while on Zoloft because how else would she have gained weight (not water weight) other than eating more calories than she burned? If you think that's judging then I'm not sure what to say other than maybe pointing to a dictionary definition of the verb "to judge".
While it might seem to you like you're some sort of unique person by having been on meds for the bulk of your life, I can assure you, you aren't. I wish I could say otherwise.
Signed,
One of the many forum members who deals with chronic mental health issues
YES, speak the truth!0 -
So many medications have the side effect of weight gain. I would try to avoid medication at all cost. I take no meds, supplements or vitamins. I am a healthy female in my late 50's. My goals to stay in my size 10. This size is realistic for me.
Side effects are a very small price to pay when the alternative for me would be that I'm dead.
It's not as though people with depression are taking those meds recreationally. It's one thing to encourage various avenues of treatment, but meds are lifesavers for many and I can't imagine why anyone would feel the need to make vulnerable people feel shamed for trying to survive.23 -
So many medications have the side effect of weight gain. I would try to avoid medication at all cost. I take no meds, supplements or vitamins. I am a healthy female in my late 50's. My goals to stay in my size 10. This size is realistic for me.
Side effects are a very small price to pay when the alternative for me would be that I'm dead.
It's not as though people with depression are taking those meds recreationally. It's one thing to encourage various avenues of treatment, but meds are lifesavers for many and I can't imagine why anyone would feel the need to make vulnerable people feel shamed for trying to survive.
I agree with this. If I weren’t on my meds, I definitely wouldn’t know where I’d be. I definitely wouldn’t be where I’m at now and definitely not in a good place in my life.6 -
rickiimarieee wrote: »Coffee0ooYummy wrote: »" wrote:Also with the increase of appetite with it, you don’t need medicine to decrease your appetite. It’s called self control. Plus there’s things you can do to help yourself from snacking. Drink more water, brush your teeth, have a small healthy snack, eat something high in fats or protein (tends to fill you up more), keep yourself busy, or just tell yourself “no.” I know it’s hard but if you want this, gotta have the self control to do so!
If you read my first post you will see i said you try all the things you mentioned.... except the brushing your teeth bit ...
And the self control eventually goes out the door. You can only take so much especially when you're depressed. I'd tell you to try it but I wouldn't wish that on anyone....
I have depression and anxiety, trust me I know all about it but if you want something bad enough, you can do it regardless of what stands in the way. At least that’s the way it is for me. Depression affects my daily life and my enjoyment in things but when I want something I do it. But my Zoloft definitely helps.
I can appreciate that it works for you and for some others, but depression has numerous causes and underlying symptoms with an enormous range of intensities. I also can will my way though a lot of things but there was a time where I couldn't even see what needed to be done, much less know how to do it. Comparing one person's depression to another's is an exercise in futility. Being unable to do something while in a depressive state in no way equals not wanting it enough. It's highly demeaning to tell someone otherwise, IMO.5 -
rickiimarieee wrote: »So many medications have the side effect of weight gain. I would try to avoid medication at all cost. I take no meds, supplements or vitamins. I am a healthy female in my late 50's. My goals to stay in my size 10. This size is realistic for me.
Side effects are a very small price to pay when the alternative for me would be that I'm dead.
It's not as though people with depression are taking those meds recreationally. It's one thing to encourage various avenues of treatment, but meds are lifesavers for many and I can't imagine why anyone would feel the need to make vulnerable people feel shamed for trying to survive.
I agree with this. If I weren’t on my meds, I definitely wouldn’t know where I’d be. I definitely wouldn’t be where I’m at now and definitely not in a good place in my life.
I'm always happy to see when someone is able to find a way to function though the grips of depression.3 -
So many medications have the side effect of weight gain. I would try to avoid medication at all cost. I take no meds, supplements or vitamins. I am a healthy female in my late 50's. My goals to stay in my size 10. This size is realistic for me.
I don't need insulin shots. That doesn't mean there aren't people who do, nor does it mean they've failed at life somehow because they do.15 -
So many medications have the side effect of weight gain. I would try to avoid medication at all cost. I take no meds, supplements or vitamins. I am a healthy female in my late 50's. My goals to stay in my size 10. This size is realistic for me.
While the decision to forgo medications may be right for you, it will not be right for everyone.
Anyone who is struggling and fighting against depression is amazing and stronger than they realize, regardless of what instruments (including medications) you use to fight it. Keep fighting.Coffee0ooYummy wrote: »Just an FYI, a lot of people here have a history of being on antidepressants (among other meds). It's not really the best to just assume someone has no experience with something when you have no basis for that assumption. Even if you do have some basis, assumptions are just that.
Lol tell that to the one who judged her....
I've been on meds since I was 14.... I'm 46 now. I would never ask someone that question.....
Get real
Given that this is a calorie counting site, it's a perfectly appropriate question to ask. Empowering people to take control over their lives, including diet and eating habits is valuable. I see no judgment in her comment, and her follow up comment makes it very clear that she is speaking from experience.I think for me Zoloft def. lowered my energy level. I’m always tired. I’m hoping with making better choices I’ll be able to lose the weight I gained. If you’ve never been on a psych med it’s super hard to just not eat. You’re always hungry and it like hunger pains. 😩
Have you spoken with your doctor about this? There are so many different medications as options, and not all of them will have this same side effects or to the same degree. If you've been logging your food here, take a look over it and see if you notice any patterns. Are there substitutes for higher volume, lower calorie foods you could make that would enable you to feel more full? Is there a particular time of day that is harder for snacking than others? Could you consume a higher quantity of calories during that particular time (for example save an extra 200 calories for the evening)?4 -
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Coffee0ooYummy wrote: »We're in the same boat Snooks.
I had gained 100 lbs from psych meds years ago and lost it kept it off for 9 years but then they put me on Vraylar and i gained 50 lbs in 3 months. I'm off the Vraylar now and not gaining anymore now.
Yo the person who wants to know about your calorie intake during your time on Zoloft.....
Do you know what it's like to be on a medication that makes you hungry?
You try to curb your appetite with a cup of coffee or a glass of water.... or maybe a slice of bread or a couple crackers... still doesn't work
Or
You have already had your meal and 30 mins later you go what the heck??? I already ate what is wrong with me??? You ignore it, go to bed hungry.... takes you forever to go yo sleep because your stomach is growling and churning with hunger pains ....
And you can't get anything from your doctor to reduce your appetite because they are all stimulants..... And they can't give you a stimulant with psych meds....
You wouldn't be hungry in the first place if it wasn't for the stupid med...
She asked if anyone was successful in losing weight after stopping the med....
She didn't ask to be judged on how she gained the weight
Apparently you don't know what it's like to be on such a med.
When you do..... let me know how ya did counting those calories...
Your comment just ticked me off to no end!
RUDE!
Welcome to hypoglycemia.1 -
Thank you for the responses. I really do try to eat healthy but I could Always do better. It’s a struggle. I guess I must have fell off it was just super hard to try and not eat when my stomach was aching cause i was so hungry. Hopefully getting of this crap will help! I do exercise 5 days a week! ☺️ i hope anyone else struggling with depression is able to find happiness! 🙏🏻
Eating healthy doesn't necessarily mean that you are at your calorie limit. It all comes down to the calories.
But (being hypoglycemic) I've also found that what works for me is eating something about every 1 - 2 hours. I have to stay within my calorie limit of course so what I eat needs to be low cal ... just a very small snack. But eating every 1 - 2 hours means that I can keep that painful stomach at bay.2 -
magnusthenerd wrote: »rickiimarieee wrote: »Also with the increase of appetite with it, you don’t need medicine to decrease your appetite. It’s called self control. Plus there’s things you can do to help yourself from snacking. Drink more water, brush your teeth, have a small healthy snack, eat something high in fats or protein (tends to fill you up more), keep yourself busy, or just tell yourself “no.” I know it’s hard but if you want this, gotta have the self control to do so!
Generally, exerting self-control takes a certain amount of mental resources that tend to be low in depression. Far better to find strategies that don't rely on what is an unreliable resource.
Brushing one's teeth to avoid eating is usually associated with anorexic behavior.
Be careful making broad statements like that. I use this strategy every night to avoid nighttime snacking and I know many other people who use this same strategy. I am not and have never had any type of anorexic behavior.rickiimarieee wrote: »magnusthenerd wrote: »rickiimarieee wrote: »Also with the increase of appetite with it, you don’t need medicine to decrease your appetite. It’s called self control. Plus there’s things you can do to help yourself from snacking. Drink more water, brush your teeth, have a small healthy snack, eat something high in fats or protein (tends to fill you up more), keep yourself busy, or just tell yourself “no.” I know it’s hard but if you want this, gotta have the self control to do so!
Generally, exerting self-control takes a certain amount of mental resources that tend to be low in depression. Far better to find strategies that don't rely on what is an unreliable resource.
Brushing one's teeth to avoid eating is usually associated with anorexic behavior.
I don’t see how that’s associated with anorexic behavior I can see if it is to avoid eating ALL together but to avoid snacking, I think it’s a great option so you don’t go over calories.
It is a pretty common suggestion among anorexics. It also can be used a euphemism and code for bulimic behavior behavior because many bulimics will cover their induced vomiting by "accidentally" brush too far into the back of their mouth.
There are plenty of strategies for avoiding mindless snacking, usually by breaking associations or changing activities. Brushing as a way to stop them comes off not as fighting hedonic snacking, but actually trying to fight actual hunger.
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I wish I could give better input, but I have always been an emotional eater, so I do not know if the weight gain I had experienced was from the medicine I have taken in the past, or because I was eating my feelings. BUT. Yes, with being on antidepressants, weight gain has been an issue for me. I'm sorry to hear you are having this issue, and I hope you are able to get it resolved. xo1
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First I'd like to put out my sympathy and empathy for those who follow low cals + exercise (probably all of us) but can't lose weight as well as those dealing with insatiable appetite on antidepressants (been there with Prozac), as for me my current situation is weight gain from inhaled steroids, I feel I can control appetite on them but they can sometimes lower metabolic rate and, according to the experts, cause a huge increase in water retention - overall a big bummer. So I changed meds 2 weeks ago, feeling a bit leaner (still on inhaled steroids but different one), upped exercise, lowered intake 5 days a week and upped cals 2 days a week (to help theoretically increase metabolism). I'm a conservative dieter, goal is usually only 2 pounds a month. And I've always been able to get to where I want to be - except during and after Prozac, it took 2 months before I started to loss the weight and then things returned to normal. Hoping my current steroid weight gain will move soon. Feeling optimistic today.0
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So many medications have the side effect of weight gain. I would try to avoid medication at all cost. I take no meds, supplements or vitamins. I am a healthy female in my late 50's. My goals to stay in my size 10. This size is realistic for me.
Side effects are a very small price to pay when the alternative for me would be that I'm dead.
It's not as though people with depression are taking those meds recreationally. It's one thing to encourage various avenues of treatment, but meds are lifesavers for many and I can't imagine why anyone would feel the need to make vulnerable people feel shamed for trying to survive.
Yes, my brother could be dead or in prison without his meds.
His dosages and combinations do need to be adjusted from time to time.
I encourage anyone unhappy with their medication to discuss this with their doctor. There is almost never only one option for an issue.3
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