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Starting zoloft, already fat and clueless...

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Posted 7/13/2007 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
I am 25, and depressed for various reasons. A few years ago I was put on Paxil, but had horrible side effects (severe weight-gain; I could NOT stop eating, nitemares, intense sweating) and my doctors wouldnt listen to me so I just quit cold turkey one day. I managed to distract myself for awhile, but Now for the past year I have had severe depression and have been convinced by my new therapist to try meds again. I was very concerned because I strangley gained SO much weight last summer- my primary doctor is confused because with what little energy I do have, I work out almost everyday and I eat a healthy diet by my nutritionist. 9 or so months later, it wont come off. It is not even an option to gain anymore weight. I am very big now, and I want my concerns to be listened to. So today I go to a psychiatrist, and I tried to be assertive about yes yes I know I need to get on medication, but I cannot just let the pounds pack on. There is no "fat and happy" for me. He gives me zoloft, and I am seeing all over the place that everyone is gaining crazy weight on it. I am so discouraged. I am not going to take it. I dont know what to do.

-hopeless as ever-
Posted 7/13/2007 9:33 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Pale44

I understand how you feel about the meds and weight gain.  Can you ask your Dr. what meds you can take that will not make you gain weight?  I too gained a lot of weight from my meds but I have now learned to control it and have actually lost 25 lbs.  I go to Weight Watchers and they are a great organization.  If you skip meals like breakfast you may tend to eat more for lunch or dinner which adds lbs.  A few tricks I have learned that help to stave off hunger is to drink plain chicken or beef broth, V8 or tomato juice or just water or tea.  You would be surprised how much this can help and also you may not be really hungry just thirsty.  Being overweight I know causes one to feel more depressed - I have suffered with it for several years but this time I made up my mind to lose weight and having that determination has made me succeed.  It may not be easy at first but keep trying.  Also, if you have a hobby that can occupy your mind.  I needlepoint and I find hours go by and I have not thought about food.  I wish you the best and hope you know that people on this forum are really great and helpful and care very much! :-)

Posted 7/13/2007 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
thanks aurora,
I have food issues like none other and have worked so hard on my diet- learning little tricks like the ones you mentioned to help me not gain weight. I asked the doctor if I could get a med that was less likely to cause weight gain and he said they are all the same in this class of drugs. I am not a candidate for wellbutrin because it could add to my already anxious self (like anyone couldnt tell from my skattered first post). I have looked at this site many times before joining, and I am very sure that the members are helpful and supportive. I hope I can experience this personally for my complicated state of depression.
Posted 7/14/2007 12:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there Pale and Welcome to HealingWell! yeah

Different meds can effect people in different ways. Just because they belong to the same class, it doesnt always follow that the side effects are the same. And im sure that people here will back me on that one. From what you have written, I get the impression that you are not very happy with your doctor. Have you considered a second opinion or changing doctors? It may be a case of trying different meds until you find one that is right for you. But I believe that meds are an important PART of the healing process for many people.

Warm Wishes

Darren

Posted 7/15/2007 4:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Pale!!

 

I totally understand about the weight gain and the meds!!! I take zoloft and have gained weight from that, but I also gained weight from paxil and effexor and both of those gave me the stupid dreams and nightmares that you mentioned and they also made me sweat like crazy!!!

I really hate being this heavy but the zoloft makes me feel like a much better person!!

 

Is there no happy medium?!

 

Hi to all at the forum!!!

 

xoxoxoxxo R

 

There's lots of friends here!!!

Posted 7/16/2007 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
I have really thought about it- Is there a happy medium? Maybe for some people, but not for me. Because I am already big, and i always struggle to lose weight and i do- slowlyyyyy- and I am so certain that gaining any more weight will reverse any positive effects zoloft will give me. I gained weight on paxil and it stayed forever. I am unemployed (GREAT news for my depression, eh?) so I cant just keep buying more clothes as the pounds pack on. My doctor did not listen to me. Hopefully my therapist will, because I feel like I have no advocate. I keep thinking, its MY body, its MY treatment, so why can't I have more of a say in it? I mean, its not completely all vanity here... Im already on medication for prediabetes...THATS how much weight is an issue here. I feel like my psychiatrist is deaf and just a drug dealer. I think that maybe all antidepressants probably make you gain weight... but isnt there one that typically makes you gain less weight as the others? I feel hopeless about this.
Posted 7/16/2007 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
You should definately have a say in your treatment. As you said, its your body and your treatment. I think its a bit disappointing that the psych is not listening RE: the weight gain if it is that much of an issue to your physical health. Perhaps he just needs a good kickin! lol

Posted 7/18/2007 6:06 AM (GMT 0)

Pale44 said...
I am 25, and depressed for various reasons. A few years ago I was put on Paxil, but had horrible side effects (severe weight-gain; I could NOT stop eating, nitemares, intense sweating) and my doctors wouldnt listen to me so I just quit cold turkey one day. I managed to distract myself for awhile, but Now for the past year I have had severe depression and have been convinced by my new therapist to try meds again. I was very concerned because I strangley gained SO much weight last summer- my primary doctor is confused because with what little energy I do have, I work out almost everyday and I eat a healthy diet by my nutritionist. 9 or so months later, it wont come off. It is not even an option to gain anymore weight. I am very big now, and I want my concerns to be listened to. So today I go to a psychiatrist, and I tried to be assertive about yes yes I know I need to get on medication, but I cannot just let the pounds pack on. There is no "fat and happy" for me. He gives me zoloft, and I am seeing all over the place that everyone is gaining crazy weight on it. I am so discouraged. I am not going to take it. I dont know what to do.

-hopeless as ever-

I had tried Zoloft too. It made me feel like a zombie and I seemed to be gaining weight despite a diminished appetite. I didn't gain a lot. Maybe 5 lbs. But that was a lot considering I was eating less! I decided Zoloft was just not going to do it for me so I quit it and started taking Rhodiola Rosea. It works much, much better and I've lost the weight I gained from the Zoloft! Something you might want to consider.
Posted 7/18/2007 9:57 PM (GMT 0)
oh i am so getting a second opinion on the zoloft thing. possibly a third. i talked to my therapist and she agreed with my concerns about the side effects. I just dont see how someone can decide what is best for me to take after only talking to me for 15 minutes, I dont care how many degrees you have. I dont know if he gets kickbacks from pfizer or what?! So for now, it is just stagnant until I can get another dr's opinion.
I did see that thread about the RR, and I am just a skeptic. I am very weary of everything, since i've been let down by so many. I'm scared is the bottom line. I will just wait and see. Currently I just do the "one day at a time" approach, but today is just another bad day.
Posted 7/18/2007 10:59 PM (GMT 0)

Pale44 said...

I did see that thread about the RR, and I am just a skeptic. I am very weary of everything, since i've been let down by so many. I'm scared is the bottom line. I will just wait and see. Currently I just do the "one day at a time" approach, but today is just another bad day.

I understand your skepticism. But I have no stock in any RR products so I only tell people because it has worked so well for me, my husband, and several friends. It's been far better than Zoloft. You can buy it at Vitacost.com for about the same price as your co-pay for Zoloft probably is, about $10-$15, so it's not a big cash risk to give it a try. :-)
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