Medications & Weight Gain

After I had my last child, I was put on several antidepressants for post partum depression which caused a 150 lb weight gain. Doctors will not listen, the psychiatrist said they are not causing it, the specialist I went to for metabolism said they are. I am finally ready for drastic measures and surgery, but am worried it won't work unless I stop the meds. Does anyone have any experience in the area?

I don't have any personal experience with antidepressants and weight gain but I have a friend who has been normal weight to thin all of her life. She is in her late 40's now. She started taking antidepressants about 5 or 6 years ago and is about 25 or so pounds heavier than she has ever been. Her doctor says that antidressants are part of the reason for her gain. He changed her medication to a different one that is not as likely to cause weight gain. She has lost about 10 pounds recently. So I don't know. I will be interested to see what sort of replies you get. I would go and post this on the main message board. YOu will be more likely to find someone who has had the experience if you open it up to everyone not just Mississippi. The main board is a great place for questions such as this one. Hope you find the answers you need. Good luck, Melissa Taylor

me!!! me!!! I gained 200 lbs since Em's birth 13 years ago. There was NO losing it! I was on wellbutrin, zooloft, klonopin, etc and gained by leaps and bounds. I was ALWAYS hungry....ALWAYS STARVIN' TO DEATH - BONE DEEP HUNGRY!! Most Docs will agree that you MIGHT have a slight weight gain, but not much from the meds....yeah, right!Well, if you are gonna get technical about it....I did it to myself, but my meds had a large part in it. I NEVER felt full. And I couldn't diet because I got so hungry I couldn't stand it - so hungry that i felt like I was gonna pass out or die if I didn't eat - NOT head hunger.....my metabolism was so messed up that it didn't work and guess what? The surgery worked!!! It resets your metabolism and you aren't hungry like before.....I talked to my docs about this cause I was afraid of the same thing you are. It wouldn't work. IT DID!!!! See above post! Hang it there! Smoochies Arlies

You are a hoot! Thank you so much for your reply! I've gained from Antidepressants, sleep medicine & arthritis medicine. Every time my medication is changed - I put on 20 - 40 lbs. If it was all me - I would have put this much weight on while I was pregnant! I had lost 50 lbs after my last child & then the meds put 150 lbs back on. I know what you are talking about feeling hungry. Then the circle - side effects from a medication including weight gain & another medication to treat side effects and that medication causing side effects - and more weight gain. I went from junior sizes into the plus sizes & now I am to big for the plus sizes. It's hard to loose your looks & health and have no doctors listen. I feel like meds and obesity have taken my 30's from me and I'm about to go into my 40's. I don't think my looks are an issue like they were when the weight started. Now it's a matter of being able to clip my toe nails, walk through a mall without my back giving in, vacuum without running out of breath, feet aching, standing long enough to finish the dishes and on & on. Please tell me more about your experience.

I started taking antidepressants when Em was 2 years old. I have panic/anxiety disorder and when I was preggers with Em and for 2 years after her birth, I had NO panic attacks. About the time she turned 2, I started having them CONTINUALLY. I went to the ER and they called the military psychriatrist in (who ONLY sees military members, NOT dependants - that's how bad I was) and he started me on meds. He really overmedicated me to begin with - wellbutrin, kolonipin (sp), and zooloft - but I needed it. For about 2 weeks, I slept continually and would get up every two hours to put a new movie on for the kids. It was the best sleep I'd ever had, but then I finally realized I was REALLY oversleeping and went back and they adjusted my meds........NEVER was I full and I mean NEVER. I've always been heavy, but always hovered around 300 lbs...Well, I gained by leaps and bounds and with arthritic knees, I really did not need an extra 200 pounds plus the ones I already had. Dr. Jenkins at Keesler is my hero, the love of my life and he saved my life. I had extreme doubts that this would help, but it is helping tremendously. Yesterday was my 6 month anniversary and I am down 157.2 lbs!!! The reason I am losing so fast is the fact that I was extra fluffy and then Dr. J gave me a 1 ounce pouch (most are 2 to 3 ounces) and bypassed the maximum amount of intestines.....He said, "girl, you are GONNA lose some weight"....don't cha love him??? I have only had a few bumps in the road, but NOT one serious problem. Biggest problem I have is that I don't eat or drink enough, but then I can't! But I feel GREAT and have tons more energy than ever. Have you read my profile? It gives the info on my journey. Take care and keep us informed of your progress and FILL in your profile!!! We like knowing stuff about other folks!!! Smoochies Arlies