Just Me Chatting Out Loud

It's no secret that I have been struggling with weight gain.  I would like to start this post by saying, If you do not chart your weight, it would definitely not be a bad idea.  Luckily, I have a spreadsheet that I record my weight, but also use The Daily Plate to record it as well.  It's also a great idea to add the dates of very important events which occur, especially if its health related.

I weighed in the 117-119 range, during "that time of month" it would go into the 120s, then go back down.  

In May, my weight went into the 120s.

In August it went into the 130s. 

Nothing I do helps me get any weight off.  I can go on liquid protein diets, cut back calories to the utmost, exercise, it just seems I can't budge the weight more than a few pounds.  So I got to investigating.

In May, I had the Mirena IUD inserted due to my hormone problems.  Doing some research, this can cause a 7-10 average weight gain, and make it difficult to lose.

In August, I started taking Lexapro for depression/anxiety.  I did some searching and 5% of people who take it can gain weight, and not only in the beginning, but continue to gain. It also makes it very hard to get rid of unwanted weight.

The numbers of my weight are all directly related to these two health events...  it is frightening because just one health episode can cause weight gain...  I have beat myself up over it time and time again.  I have been upset because I feel fat again. Sometimes I feel embarrassed to be around other wls folks because I have gained.  Sometimes I feel like a failure...  I keep trying to ignore these feelings, telling myself "Yes but you're not in those fat pants anymore..." yet, I am not at the weight I want to be:  125.  I am 7 pounds over, and I have tried hard but can't get there!

As I looked over the weight spreadsheet, its like a light went on and I realized this could have been the contributing factors....  

I called the gyn and am getting changed to Wellbutrin. Hopefully that will help.  As for the Mirena, I'm keeping it and can deal with being stuck in the 120s, just not the 130s.

The point is, be careful to monitor your weight, and the life events which occur as they could contribute to weight gain even if you are doing all the right things.... 

Well people read this post. They just didn't respond.  Men, perhaps they didn't cause it was about "that time of month" and womanly issues.  Women,perhaps some haven't had these experiences or take this med.  I was hoping someone would say SOMETHING!?  ?!??!

So I will respond to my own thread.  I was trying my best to think back when I first started taking Lexapro.  I did fine on Wellbutrin PRIOR to wls.  I was on a low carb diet, started wellbutrin, lost a total of 35 lbs. But I started lexapro and come to think of it, I struggled then trying to continue losing weight...  and gained.  I just thought I was yet another failure at another weight plan.  But now, maybe it was the Lexapro.

 I know some folks who this drug has done wonders.  But as I was talking to a nurse today at church, who also takes lexapro, and who just had lapband, she made a comment that it was good I was so in tune with my body.  It is very important that we watch our bodies, how they respond to medications, chart our weight, perhaps look back on it.  I just wished it hadn't "caught up with me" and got this far.  Our bodies are SO completely different from one another, and what works for 9 people, may not work for the tenth person...  

Ok I'm done rambling at myself...LOL 

I think it is SO important for us to discuss these things with one another...  Why?  Because if I see someone who goes through the same thing, I can say "Hey, your weight gain might be caused from X, Y or Z."  Lexapro has really helped me a lot in getting rid of anxiety/depression.  It got so bad that I was getting upset over small things, getting frustrated, and then feeling like I was just too exhausted fighting myself... 

The bad part is, when I asked around on wls forums, everyone said, "OH no, I didn't gain weight from it..."  "It shouldn't cause weight gain...."  on both the Mirena & Lexapro issue.  But the numbers there on my spreadsheet surely point to it, and I know I have been beating myself up over and over again...  trying hard to lose weight, not able to get past 2 lbs!!  

Wouldn't you know I would be the ONE out of the 5% who had those types of side effects?!? LOL.  Tim says with my odds, I should play the lottery.