weight gain from meds

[pancakebunny]

hi, i just joined and this is my first post!

 

first of all i just wanna say i dont think there is anything wrong with being fat, i think all body shapes and sizes are beautiful, etc.

 

but anyway here's the deal:

 

i got sent away to residential treatment when i was 16.  i was about 125 lbs at the time.  while i was there, i started consistently taking medication for the first time in my life.  i am now about to turn 19 and the last time my doctor weight me, i was at 165 lbs.  since going on medication i've gained 40 pounds and i'm the heaviest i've ever been in my life.  i'm now considered plus sized and i even have trouble finding clothes that fit me at a lot of stores (which sucks because i need all new ones since none of my old clothes fit).  i don't feel physically healthy, i'm really out of shape, and frankly i don't feel very confident about my looks anymore.

 

i believe the medication that caused the most weight gain was abilify, which i stopped taking several months ago...but i continue to gain weight.  you can see what other meds i'm on in my signature below.

 

anyway, for those of you that have also experienced a large weight gain due to medication...how did you get the weight back off, and how long did it take you?  other than diet and exercise (i am trying to start working out...its hard when you're severely depressed lol), have you tried anything else, like some wacky vitamins, that have helped you (in a HEALTHY way)?  have you heard of anything recommended by doctors?  the only thing i've heard about is myo-inositol, a vitamin that supposedly helps with bipolar disorder and somehow combats weight gain from abilify, specifically.

 

please help i'm really sick of being fat lol.

[mynameisiforgot]

Oh yes weight gain, it's like a big side effect for most medications. I sure have experienced it. The med that did it for me was Clozapine, I practically doubled my weight. Not good for someone with an eating disorder hey? I'm still trying to find the perfect solution for losing weight but really the only healthy way is diet and exercise, as long as you dont over do it.

[MisterJoshua]

I gained about thirty pounds in six months on abilify, so I get the frustration you are talking about. Unfortunately, the only way I have found to drop pounds is to hit the gym and watch what I eat. I know it is hard to work out when you feel depressed and are not happy with your body, but it's worth a try. The rush of endorphins you get from exercise might help your depression too. My pdoc is insistent that I exercise, just for the mood lift.

[melissaw72]

Welcome to CB

 

I agree with MisterJoshua, in that weight gain really does respond by watching your diet and exercising.  Idk of any vitamin that would take weight off.  I am currently on naltrexone, which helped with the weight gain, but I also had to change my diet and exercise.  It wasn't a med that automatically took off weight.  It just reduced the cravings.

 

Have you gotten your thyroid checked?