Unintentionally and rapidly losing weight

AlexandraTheRanger · April 2019

Hey y’all, I’ve been fit most of my life. I did gymnastics until I was 15 and have always been active outdoors. I just started an antidepressant 2 months ago and I’ve begun to rapidly lose weight. I started increasing my caloric intake by 1,000 per day and kept my activity the same, but I am still losing weight. I spoke to my doctor and she is confused as well since most people gain weight on an antidepressant. Has anyone else experienced this? Do I need to stop taking the antidepressant? I’m down to 107lbs from a previous 119lbs and getting discouraged.

TavistockToad · April 2019

if stopping the medication is not an option then you just need to eat more.

peanut butter is your friend

tiptoethruthetulips · April 2019

So did your doctor do blood tests? Thyroid? Anything else?

I would have thought blood tests would be in order for someone who had rapid unexplained weight loss.

robertw486 · April 2019

That's really rapid weight loss. I'd suggest logging everything you eat, as well as exercise and activity, to help figure it out. Assuming the meds has a positive impact, your activity level could have increased more than you think.

But regardless of cause, I agree it's worth talking to a doctor about. For most people increasing calories by 1000 a day is a sure way to gain weight rather than continue loss.

Teabythesea_ · April 2019

How are you tracking this 1000 cal increase? For some people antidepressants increase appetite but they have been known to reduce it as well. If less food is making you feel more full than before, you could be thinking you're eating more when you're not. That coupled with imprecise tracking if you're not weighing your food can lead to weight loss. I'd start by weighing your food if you're not. If it turns out that's not the issue then I'd request bloodwork.

Florida_Superstar · April 2019

MyFitnessPal may not be the best place for your question. Rapid weight loss can be caused by serious things. I would talk to your doctor about the medication again (or get a 2nd opinion since your doctor was confused) and also get some blood work to make sure nothing is wrong. Rapid weight loss isn't normal. Once you verify you're healthy, then you can worry about adjusting calories and activity to try to gain back some of the weight.

RachelElser · April 2019

Get a second opinion- rapid unexplained weight loss can be a sign of cancer.

sarabushby · April 2019

Also, how long ago did you increase your calories by 1000/day? It might take a while before you see a gain on the scales just as it can take a while before someone sees a loss when they go on a diet. If you can at least plateau by adding these extra calories then I’m guessing that’d be a good thing.

In the meantime it sounds like blood work with your GP and working your way through the list of high calorie foods to add to your diet!

deannalfisher · April 2019

can you open up you diary?

i'm hypothesizing that you are potentially not eating as much as you think you are

comptonelizabeth · April 2019

I would get a, second opinion. But would also say that not everyone gains weight in anti depressants. I've been taking amitriptyline (it's an anti depressant but I'm on it for nerve pain) for 2 months and have found it's decreased my appetite and I'm having to force myself to eat. I have lost a bit of weight but, in my case I know it's because I'm eating less. If you're logging everything accurately I'd say definitely go back to your doctor, or another one if that's an option

Unintentionally and rapidly losing weight

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