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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by rculater on July 21, 2010, at 8:57:49
I read lots of reports of how patients claim they gained in excess of 20-30 pounds while undergoing treatment with various AD's.
I was wondering why these patients did not realise sooner that the drug was responsible. I mean that sort of gain does not happen overnight.
If I gained even 2-3 lb while on a drug and knew for sure my diet and excersise regime was the same, I would seek alternate medication ASAP.
Just my 2 cents.
Posted by europerep on July 21, 2010, at 9:47:11
In reply to Weight gain doesn't happen overnight., posted by rculater on July 21, 2010, at 8:57:49
huh? well that's just the point, it doesn't happen overnight, so one does not necessarily make the connection, especially if one does not usually watch closely his or her diet and exercising, or stopped to due to depression..
personally I have not had that problem so far, or rather only slightly, but I think it's especially difficult for people who finally found a drug that works, but then it turns out to be mirtazapine or something..
Posted by Phillipa on July 21, 2010, at 10:43:36
In reply to Re: Weight gain doesn't happen overnight., posted by europerep on July 21, 2010, at 9:47:11
I notice every once immediately and would definitely irreguardless of how I felt stop the med in question as diabetes runs in my family and is a very serious disease. Plus I'm vain at my age have to be careful osteoporosis so have to remain active. If I stick to benzos and low doses of other meds I should be fine. I just have to be extra viligant. Phillipa
Posted by TriedEveryDrug on July 21, 2010, at 12:44:34
In reply to Weight gain doesn't happen overnight., posted by rculater on July 21, 2010, at 8:57:49
> I read lots of reports of how patients claim they gained in excess of 20-30 pounds while undergoing treatment with various AD's.
>
> I was wondering why these patients did not realise sooner that the drug was responsible. I mean that sort of gain does not happen overnight.
>
> If I gained even 2-3 lb while on a drug and knew for sure my diet and excersise regime was the same, I would seek alternate medication ASAP.
>
> Just my 2 cents.
It creeps up on you, especially if the med is changing the way you feel and your physical activity level.I gained 20 lbs on effexor over 3 months before I even realized it. Damn was it hard to get off, too.
I'm a guy that's pretty skinny and used to run a lot.
Unless you weigh 75lbs, I don't think a change of 2-3lbs would even be noticeable. Heck, I think some of the massive dumps I take weigh at least 3 lbs.
Posted by Justherself54 on July 21, 2010, at 13:03:48
In reply to Re: Weight gain doesn't happen overnight., posted by TriedEveryDrug on July 21, 2010, at 12:44:34
>>>I would seek alternate medication ASAP.
Some of us don't have the choice of alternate medication..we've been there and done that, and are still looking for the right cocktail of meds.So going off a med that makes one crave carbs or sweets isn't an option. To change ones lifestyle usually takes motivation, focus, willpower and dedication..depression sucks those right out of me.
Be grateful that you can still care about 2 or 3 extra pounds. For some of us it comes right down to fat and alive vs. skinny and dead.
Posted by emmanuel98 on July 21, 2010, at 20:21:04
In reply to Re: Weight gain doesn't happen overnight., posted by Justherself54 on July 21, 2010, at 13:03:48
It may be true that ADs don't cause weight gain overnight, but that's not true of AAPs. I was a normal weight all my life, ate well and exercised regularly. I took risperdal for a month and gained 15 pounds. I didn't eat more or exercise less. I just gained weight. I wasn't even aware of it, since I never needed to weigh myself, until I noticed my clothes were tight and my husband said something.
I then switched to abilify and gained 2-3 pounds every week I was on it. I tried combining it with cytomel, metformin, ALLI, but still ended up gaining 10 pounds over a month long trial.
I switched to zyprexa and gained 5 pounds in a week.
Altogether with my various experiments on every AAP, I gained forty pounds. At no point did I eat more or exercise less. AAPs can seriously screw up your metabolism and nobody understands why or how. As a result of this, the rather mild arthritis I have in my right knee is extremely painful. I'm trying to lose weight, eating 800-1200 calories a day, swimming four miles a week, walking four miles a day. But the weight is coming off very slowly.I will never take an AAP again. Never. They worked wonders for my psychotic depression, but have messed up my body terribly.
Posted by Bob on July 22, 2010, at 3:07:53
In reply to Re: Weight gain doesn't happen overnight., posted by emmanuel98 on July 21, 2010, at 20:21:04
>
> I will never take an AAP again. Never. They worked wonders for my psychotic depression, but have messed up my body terribly.
I gather you've found other meds that address your psychotic depression without weight gain?
Posted by ed_uk2010 on July 22, 2010, at 14:15:23
In reply to Re: Weight gain doesn't happen overnight. » emmanuel98, posted by Bob on July 22, 2010, at 3:07:53
Some meds such as mirtazapine (Remeron) and olanzapine (Zyprexa) can cause weight gain in as little as a few days, especially if binge eating occurs.
Posted by emmanuel98 on July 22, 2010, at 20:49:23
In reply to Re: Weight gain doesn't happen overnight. » emmanuel98, posted by Bob on July 22, 2010, at 3:07:53
I now take perphenazine, which is an older anti=psychotic. Doesn't cause weight gain and, at the dosage I am taking, it probably won't cause any other side effects either. But at high dosages, the old APs caused tardive dykenesia, which totally s***ks
This is the end of the thread.
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