Pamito Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Hi all, Take two. I'm having issues with AAP weight gain so I thought I'd ask how people deal with the futility of it, psychologically. It seems hard for me to deal with because it seems there is nothing I can actively do to lose the weight that my meds put on. Do you accept it? How? Or are you like me and feel frustrated at your impotence in the matter. I guess I'm looking for advice: If you are stuck with the extra weight, no matter what you do, how do you accept it and move on? I will never go off my meds, so I will have to find a way to care less about the extra kilos I am stuck with. I guess one needs a long term acceptance philosophy. But I am finding this hard. How do you accept it and make peace with the extra weight? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpladybug Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 well, I tried to make peace with it but eventually the excess weight (as I aged) resulted in high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and metabolic syndrome. I had assumed I could not lose the weight - but now the weight was harming my health. The damage to my health was more distressing than whether I wear a plus size. So I joined Weight Watchers, and in one year I slowly lost 29 lbs, and lowered my cholesterol 100 pts - from 250 to 150. The other numbers such as glucose and blood pressure all improved. I am still on a lot of Seroquel and Lithium and Neurontin. lots of meds I don't exercise much - just take my poodle out for short walks. I did NOT go hungry on WW. I like the program, I like the meetings, I like the web site, I like the recipes. I have learned a lot about cooking more healthy food. So don't assume you cannot lose weight. Now my goal for 2014 is to lose 25 lb - that will get me out of plus sizes and I will be more comfortable with my body. I know I can lose 25 lbs in this year. Don't assume you can't lose weight on AAP's. Other people have done this also. And I repeat I am not hungry on WW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterJoshua Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 I find that going to the gym makes me feel empowered (even if the weight loss isn't really adding up). I feel a lot better knowing that I am trying to fight it. I have managed to lose a small portion of the weight I gained from abilify, so that keeps me going back too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowan77 Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 I currently take Seroquel XR. In the past it has caused me to gain a huge amount of weight, raised my cholesterol a LOT. My pdoc decided it was seriously affecting my physical health and I was weaned off of it. Unfortunately I stopped sleeping and became manic and ended up in hospital. Pdoc decided I should go back on Seroquel because it really did help my mood, sleep and anxiety. I continue to take it and I just carefully monitor my weight and cholesterol levels Again it worked well for me and because I was very much aware of potential side effects I was pro-active in eating well and exercising and have actually managed to lose weight, albeit very slowly . I joined a slimming club which really helped. My feeling is that you can lose weight on a AAP, it just requires a lot more effort. I guess you just have to weigh up the pros and cons of a medication. I always felt that by taking Seroquel (and other meds causing weight like zyprexa) I was doomed to be fat forever, never be able to lose weight, but it CAN be done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamito Posted February 2, 2014 Author Share Posted February 2, 2014 Thanks for your responses. It seems weight can be lost. To be honest though, I just don't know why this doesn't work for me. I halved my calories for three weeks after Christmas and I did not lose one kilogram. It was bizarre! I am always dieting and exercising but nothing. I tried the Dukan diet, the fast diet, and a low carb diet. Have not eaten sugar for years. I guess this is why I am frustrated, because in my experience, it is not possible to lose weight. I just stay on this weight no matter what I do. Do the meds kill metabolism or something? I think I might join a gym next and see if that helps, although I walk the dog for 2 hours a day already. When I stopped taking Solian last year for 6 months, I easily lost 5kg, but when I started taking it again, the weight came back on. For this reason I sort of feel a bit noncompliant at the moment, even though the Solian helps my symptoms a lot. I can get by without it but I like the calmness it brings. The good thing is, is that I am fit and healthy, even though I am overweight. So I guess that is the most important thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamito Posted February 9, 2014 Author Share Posted February 9, 2014 Well after talking to my Pdoc I stopped taking Solian a week ago. My mental heath has been fine so far, and I've lost 2 kilograms in a week by changing absolutely nothing! I am going to a nearby gym tomorrow to look at options for joining. I do a lot of cardio already, but I'd like to lift weights for general health. Really excited that it's possible now to lose weight. I guess, for me personally, high doses of Seroquel alone is ok for weight gain, but adding another AAP to it just made it impossible to drop any weight. I'm feeling positive about it now for the first time in a long time! Thanks again for your responses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibling Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 you guys shouldn't feel bad for carrying a little extra weight- i was chubby before i started seroquel and i've gained a probabaly 15 pounds on it. im currently probably in the neighbourhood of 230 lbs (i don't weigh myself) but i bike to school and work and eat in ways that make me feel healthy and happy. you can DEFINITELY be healthy and chubby/fat. i've always found just loving my body unconditionally, no matter what my weight is, to be far more effective a psychological treatment than dieting and constantly exercising and punishing myself for not losing weight. chubby girls are beautiful tooooo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooster Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 I'm really glad you were able to talk to your doctor and get a good solution, Pamito. Too often I fall into the trap of thinking that I "just have to live with it". But there are actually good reasons to talk to doctors! I'm glad you have a great body acceptance going on Sibling. It is possible to be healthy and active at many weights. Being kind and accepting is definitely healthier than punishing oneself for one's weight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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