Rose Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 A couple of months ago, I tried out a couple of antidepressants while I was still taking Abilify. I gained weight, about 1 lb a week. Altogheter i gained about 14lbs. I've been off the antidepressants for several months and I can't seem to shift the weight. i've been swimming, watched what I ate, and even tried metformin. Something tells me its the abilify although its been weigh neutral for two years. Can it cause weight gain years down the line? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubblegirl Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 Topamax can shift and cause side effects after being on it for a period of time. I started having side effects from Trileptal after a year and a half on it. I have heard that any of these meds can cause side effects at any time - although the docs swear it ain't so. I don't believe the docs since I have had the opposite experience. Do some research and see what you can find. However, it sounds like you gained weight on the ADs and it just won't come off now (typical). I thought abilify was "supposed to be" weight neutral. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Emperor Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 I don't know. I gained about fort pounds on Abilify in two years. At first it was really gradual, but with each dose increase, the weight seemed to increase more quickly. I didn't find it to be weight-neutral at all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sjs Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 Me too. I gained 30 lbs over 2 years on abilify. Now that i switched to latuda ive taken off 7lbs in 3 weeks without changing anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt07 Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 I have gained a substantial amount of weight on Abilify, but it works so well for me that I have decided to live with the weight gain and carefully watch what I eat and exercise. It seems like that in your case, you didn't gain weight until an AD was added and now you can't lose the weight. I have heard that losing weight on AAPs is very difficult, though I managed to do it on risperidone. 14 lbs is not a horrendous amount of weight gain, and if you keep an eye on it to keep from gaining more, then I personally wouldn't worry about it. But that's just me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chutesandladders Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 I just had this happen to me. I was on abilify for 4ish years and then a couple months ago, bam 30 lbs. And I can't get rid of it. Plus it's only in my mid section. My doc said it was trunkal obesity and abilify is somewhat known for that (the weight only around the middle after a couple years). So he put me on metformin (it's technically a diabetes drug) to help combat the metabolic side effects of Abilify. I really hope it's gonna work because I've been on quite literally everything (except clozeril- which I refuse) and abilify is the only thing that keeps the voices and psychosis stuff away. More luck to you. All the best thoughts and wishes sent your way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rose Posted September 12, 2012 Author Share Posted September 12, 2012 Thanks everyone. I agree 14lbs weight gain is not much but I have PCOS and was already overweight as it is I have an app with my pdoc today so we will see what she says. maybe she will switch me to another antipsychotic like she always wanted me to do. I fear though that if she does that and the other one makes me gain even more weight she will force me to stay on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissaw72 Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 I guess I was fortunate that abilify was a "weight neutral" med for me. No weight gain from the abilify. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 FWIW, the answer is the same as when you last asked this question, Rose. PCOS can cause weight fluctuations and also gradual gain. AAP's can also cause increased hunger, so weight gain in your situation is nothing out of the ordinary. It's rare and slightly nonsensical that a weight neutral AAP would pile on the pounds after a few years. I'm inclined to think that whatever was going on your life when you needed the AD, some weight went on then, maybe because you were stressed, less careful with your diet, or your PCOS was a factor. Ultimately, you can obsess about it or you can lose the weight, which is hard when you have PCOS, but not impossible. I have joined Slimming World (I have PCOS and med related weight) and lost a stone and a half since May with relatively little effort and I am not a natural at dieting. I think you would be better asking your GP for a dietician or a health trainer appointment to see if you diet is as it should be or if there are opportunities to exercise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rose Posted September 12, 2012 Author Share Posted September 12, 2012 I went to see my pdoc today and she said it probably is the aripiprizole. It can cause metabolic changes later on. I don't understand how but apparently its possible. She won't take me off it though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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