HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

weight gain with zoloft

Support Forums
>
Depression
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/17/2010 1:52 AM (GMT 0)

8 yrs ago I lost 131 pounds. 5 months ago I had to go on Zoloft because of a major depression I was going through with my daughter. She really put me through some really bad emotional roller coasters cuz of her reckless life. When I first went on zoloft I felt pretty good and liked that I did not have that helpless empty feeling. After a little while longer, I noticed that I had gained a little weight. I thought nothing of it and then a little while longer my eating habits changed. I started to eat more, then when I decided HEY I better change this, I noticed I had gained close to 30 pounds. I got very depressed about that. I started back to the gym, every day, sweating like I have never sweat before, working out like I have never worked out before and even started eating healthy. Not much change in 3 wks of working out and not sure if there ever will be. I am so upset about this. Will I ever lose the weight? Do I need to go off zoloft? I can not stand this weight gain, IT'S HORRIBLE - Any suggestions? Im listening - Please please please help

Posted 3/17/2010 4:54 AM (GMT 0)
critty hi i am jamie, male, 37.

it seems that zoloft does cause a lot of people to gain weight, it was the first anti-dep i was on, 20 plus yrs ago, this was short lived due to some massive side-effects. i would definately advise that you have a chat with your doctor about this, a check up to rule out other stuff would not hurt either. i wish you well, and welcome to the forum. great members with tonnes of understanding and compassion. healings to you, jamie.

Posted 3/17/2010 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
I took zoloft and lost weight due to severe diahrea. So I switched to welbutrin. Lost weight on that too, but couldn't tolerate it. I think that might be something that you would like to try. I understand that low doses of effexor doesn't cause weight gain with some people. It is kind of hit and miss. I hope that you find somtehing that works for you.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/28/2010 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
Actually, up to 25% of people will gain weight from zoloft or the ssris in general. The details are a bit hard to find, but this site I like does a good job of discussing it: the article is paxil, prozac zoloft weight gain. Hope you find that helpful! =)
Posted 3/31/2010 5:30 AM (GMT 0)
eat your greens is right about us being wired differently, with complex biochemical systems, although i would still consult your doctor before undertaking any new diet and exercise program. it does sound good, just want to be sure that it is safe for you to undertake. with compassion, jamie.
Posted 4/11/2010 3:13 AM (GMT 0)
I am so glad I have found this forum, just knowing that there are other people going through this makes it seem less overwhelming!
I suffered from an eating disorder for years. After being diagnosed with postnatal depression 4 months ago, taking zoloft was like being given my life back. It took every drop of depression away and made me feel happy again and be a good mum to my son.
However, 3 days ago I weighed myself in the middle of a shop (i was with a friend and just having a joke together) i thought i weighed around 9stone. The scales said I had gained 26lbs in 4 months!! How could I not have noticed?? My clothes still fit although my legs and stomach look thick and swollen. I will NEVER take another zoloft tablet again. My diet did not change at all, I maybe even ate less thatn normal (around 1500 cals). I am very health concious and just disgusted at myself for not noticing this gaim.
I weigh what I weighed when i was 9 MONTHS PREGNANT.
I don't think I can cope with this. Especially as people are saying that even once off the medication that the weight remains on them despite diet and exercise.
Any advice or hope would be greatly greatly appreciated. I don't want to speak to my friends or family as i don't want them to worry my eating disorder might come back.
Thanks in advance :-)
Posted 4/11/2010 4:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hi UKgirl11,

Welcome to HealingWell. I am so glad that you have joined us. I am worried though about you stopping the zoloft completely and all of a sudden. Please consult with the doctor about this. You may be in for a rough time if you don't taper off.

Have you been exercising lately? Because muscle weighs four times more than body fat. You could be building muscle. Plus you said that your clothes fit the same. I really wonder if it could be muscle.

Keep posting and let us know how you are doing. And please talk to your doctor before stopping the medication.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 4/12/2010 8:16 AM (GMT 0)
dear UKgirl11.

pls consult your doc if you plan to withdraw of your zoloft. going cold turkey is very nasty. something i did once. it was very detrimental to my health, and head. trust me, it is not good. i wish you well. maybe a different anti-depressant is the go. cheers,

jamie.

Posted 4/13/2010 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
I HAVE BEEN ON ZOLOFT FOR 2 1/2 YEARS AND HAVE GAINED OVER 50 LBS!!! HAS ANYONE BEEN ABLE TO WORK OFF THE WEIGHT THEY HAVE GAINED????

Posted 4/14/2010 3:42 AM (GMT 0)

Hi, I have been on Zoloft for 2 years and gained 8KG, like everyone else I thought it was the lifestyle I was leading, untill I read other peoples posts. For the past 3 months,I have been going to the gym at least 4 times per week, watching what I eat and leading a healthy lifestyle......... and guess what??? no change in weight what so ever, if anything I have gained even more weight in the last 3 months.

I was originally prescribed 100mg per day which was fine for about the first 12months, all my mood swings disapeared, I felt the happiest I had ever been in my life, and my husband & family really loved the "new me" - So did I for that matter. However over the last 12 months I have noticed significant side effects, such as the weight gain, sever night sweats where I wake up dripping and have to dry myself off and change my Pj's at least once during every night and also loss of libido.

So, I decided I would try to ween myself off and have cut down to 50mg per day over the last 3 weeks. For the first 2 weeks I felt OK and didn't experience any withdrawls, but then the mood swings started to return and I thought "Oh No", however, the past week I have been feeling OK again and quite happy. The night sweats are not as bad, but still there. I am wondering if I should now cut down to 50mg every 2nd day? Does anyone else have a problem with mood swings, I really want to get off this drug but don't want to have to deal with the moods again. I hate the weight gain & sweats and trying to work out what to do???

Any suggestions would be great, thanks wink

Posted 4/14/2010 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
I suggest talking to your doctor about changing meds. There are some antidepressants out there that don't cause weight gain.

Welbutrin is one of the ones that don't cause weight gain. Plus there is topamax, which helps. You could be building muscle from working out and that weighs 4 times more than body fat. So take that into consideration.

I hope that this helps some.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 4/14/2010 2:47 PM (GMT 0)

I have never been on Zoloft but I took Lexapro and gained 22 pounds in 6 months.  I would get up in the middle of the night and eat.  I know many SSRI's cause weight gain.  Like others have said, if you decide to go off, wean slowly.  Withdrawals are nasty.

Donna

Posted 4/15/2010 7:54 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all your suggestions, most helpfull.
Karen, I will chat to my Dr about the other meds you suggestion, thanks for that. Also, unless I have developed muscle in my lower tummy, which looks like I am about 6mths pregnant at the moment , I don't think it's the working out that is making my weight increase!!!!! It's really awfull, I can't even get clothes to fit anymore. My hips, thighs & bottom are all in proportion, and then I've got this big tummy sticking out shocked My very helpful husband did suggest I buy maternity pants (seriously!!) rolleyes but I think I would feel better and my self esteem would also be better if I was able to loose some of the weight I have put on. So maybe another med wolluld suit better.
Can anyone tell me if Zoloft is a mood stablilizer?? I seem to have so much patience and all the little things that really got on my nerves before don't seem to bother me anymore. I really don't know if I have depression or just severe mood swings. My GP isn't very helpfull in this department and seems to be just a bit of a pill pusher, but he's great for all other things, I have been seeing him since I was a kid and don't really want to change. Just to give you a bit of background to my condition: I am 45 female, suffered with post natal depression with my first child 20 years ago, had a bout of depression about 8 years ago when our business fell apart, was on a mild anti depressant for that and then 2 years ago my husband had a relationship with a woman at work that I knew nothing about untill her husband rang me one night and filled me in on all the gorry details!! I really lost it then - I thought I had the perfect marriage and husband (same old story, I know!!!) But to cut a very long story short, my husband & I had a lot of marriage counselling, I was put on Zoloft just to survive and get out of bed in the morning and now 3 years later, feel that we are finally in the place we want to be, we are happy and our marriage is very different to what it was before. Hence the reason for me now to try and ween off the Zoloft because of the unwanted side effects. I did have severe mood swings before all this happened, and this is another reason why I have stayed on the Zoloft - I don't think I have depression any more, but want something to control the moods. Any advice??
Posted 4/15/2010 9:24 AM (GMT 0)
there are specific mood stabilisers out there. some of the anti-epileptics are quite good, and work well with an anti-dep. these being epilim and tegratol. not sure how they work on there own? best chat with ya doc. with compassion, jamie.
Posted 4/15/2010 12:21 PM (GMT 0)
I have the same problem with my weight, all in the tummy area. It is hard to get pants to fit. I guess maternity would be the way to go for me. lol...

I swear by the abilify. But that is what has worked for me. There are others as Jamie said, but they usually work with and AD. I hope that you find what is right for you.

Keep trying. You have got a good head on your shoulders. I think you can make this work.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 4/16/2010 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much Jamiee & Karen, I really appreciate all your advice, I will follow up with my GP, but it is good to be knowlegable before I go in to see him, being able to get advice from people like you is priceless, thanks again and I will let you know how I get on. Jo xx

Posted 4/16/2010 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jo,

Thanks for checking in. Make sure that you do let us know how things go. We are all thinking about you. Take care. Post again soon.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 4/28/2010 3:43 AM (GMT 0)

Unbelievable!  I have been diagnosed as anorexic and my doctor just prescribed this for me yesterday.  I had the prescription filled but decided to check on the web before taking it.  Thanks to all of you and your advice.  I will definitely NOT take this crap if that's what it does.  I guess it goes back to simply eating a little more and stressing a little less.

Posted 4/28/2010 4:19 AM (GMT 0)
all the best, hoping things improve for you both soon. sunset and msjo. with compassion, jamie
Posted 4/28/2010 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sunset,

Welcome to the depression forum. Yes, you need to eat healthy. Think of it as a new lifestyle. Not eating. Pleanty of fruits and vegies is the way to go. Protien too. But if you don't like to eat, the vegies and fruits are nice to much on. Maybe some protien shakes would help too.

Best wishes to you. Thanks for joining us.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 5/10/2010 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hello. I am a 39 year old woman that has never had a weight issue other than a few pounds here or there.  I started Zoloft about 2 years ago after a divorce(my choice) and then a break-up with a boyfriend.  I think it was the combination of all the new responsibilities and the break-up that pushed me over the edge...Anyway, since then the boyfriend and I are back together and I am currently on 100mgs of Zoloft.  It has helped in many many ways but my weight gain has got me in a state of shock.  I am 5'2 and usually weight between 125-130ish. Now....150????? Everyone says i look great but thats ridiculous and I'm completely uncofortable in my own skin... I went up 2 to 3 sizes.  I dedicated myself the last 3 1/2 weeks to the weight watchers diet.  I initially lost 7 pounds but my guess is that it was water weight.  I put a pair of jeans on yesterday(my big girl jeans) and they were skin tight...oh my goodness i was so miserable~!!!! How could i be weight watching and still not noticing a difference in my clothes????? Help.  My question to anyone out there is has your doctor changed your depression medication and have you seen a weight difference??  AND, what medication were you switched to?  I need to be on something for my mild OCD and major anxiety disorder but this weight issue needs to be resolved....

Sincerely,

kristin

Posted 5/10/2010 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kristin,

You are gaining weight about the same age as I had weight issues. So a lot of this could be normal. Our motabulism slows down and we have to work harder to keep it off. Though I have heard of people gaining weight on zoloft before, though I lost weight. But I was in my early thirties when I took it. My doctor put me on a pill for my blood pressure and I have been losing gradually. It is also a water pill too. Called diazide. I noticed that when I was starting to gain weight was when my doctor before took me off of it, plus fibro, plus antidepressants, so there are a lot of variables in there, I can't pin point any one thing. My age could have been a factor too. So actually it is hard to say for sure what is causing a weight gain at times. But wellbutrin is suppose to cause weight loss actually. That might be something that you might want to talk to your doctor about. Plus exercise and proper nutrition.

By the way, welcome to the forum. I am glad that you have joined us. I hope that you stick around. Keep posting and let us know what you decide to do.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 5/11/2010 3:41 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you Karen for the welcome.  I will be talking to my doctor about the wellbutrin because now you are the second person that suggested that.  Thank you again and I will keep you posted.

Kristin

Posted 5/11/2010 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
Your'e welcome Kristin,

I hope that you keep posting and let us know how you are doing. If you have any questions, be free to ask. Know that we are here for you.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 5/12/2010 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
here for you too, jamie.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12