Zoloft, weight gain = worse depression

I started taking Zoloft 50mg about 8 months ago after being diagosed with Severe Depression due to work related stress. I ended up losing it in a meeting with my Manager who gave me no support and have lost my dream job. My history is...Ovarian Cancer at age 13, three children (all boys), loving husband, etc... I have always been very affected by my weight. I am quite short and since starting taking Zoloft I have gone from being 63kg which I was ok with, to now being 71.5...  have noticed in the pastfew weeks (with an even more restricted dietetc...) the weght just keeps on going up. I stopped taking my tablets cold turkey about four days ago , even though my hubby wants me to continue. I'm having trouble sleeping, I have dry skin, puffy ankles, and feel generally crapty... I know I have tomove my body in order to improve but I have very little energy toeven get off the lounge. I used to be a fit nd healthy person, I went to uni and was a dancer in my childhood. I'm only 32 but I feel much older. I feel that even though the Zoloft did help at first, it has made me feelmore down on myself than ever before in my life. 'm now overdosing on laxatives, and feel shaky at night.

I am seeing my Psychologist on Monday and I'll be darned if I'mgoing to take on more of those pills. 

Thought I'd join up and write this because I have just been in tears after standing on the scales...

i understand! in the 3 months after i was put on Zoloft, i gained 30kg! i get intense carb/sugar cravings and no matter how careful i try and be with food, the weight doesnt budge. im on 150mgs of Zoloft and i got the whole ankle swelling, dry skin etc- i also have polycystic ovaries and that contributes to my weight gain, but yeah- you are not alone! and the zoloft manages my symptoms very well, so i want to stay on it, but the weight gain has made me loathe myself.

Maz XX

Most doctors are hesitant about prescribing such a strong stimulant, but luckily I have a very sympathetic psychiatrist who prescribes it to me for treatment-resistant depression.  Since I suffer from fibromyalgia, it is also extremely helpful in combatting chronic fatigue.  The downside is that since I've been taking it for so long (4 years), I try to go several days in a row without taking it in order to avoid building up a tolerance.  When I do not take it, all I want to do is eat and sleep.  But the extra calories I take in when I'm off the drug is balanced by the lack of calories I take in while on the drug; therefore, I have no weight gain.

Also, when I'm on the medication, it is the best thing in the world for treating depression.  You feel so alive that you feel as if you can conquer anything.  However, on the days I do not take it, I am back to struggling with depression.  I've been trying to get back to taking it like it's prescribed but when you build up a tolerance for it, it doesn't seem as effective and I do not want to have to increase the dosage.  So far, the way I have been taking it has kept me going for the last 4 years.  Right now I'm on the medication and am feeling great.  However, if I ever come here and post about how awful my depression has been, you'll know I'm on my "Adderall holiday."  Anyway, just wanted to share this with you guys.  Take care and God bless.

I have a Doctor that would  walk through fire before prescribing  adderall. 

I see her today and that always makes me nervous and depressed.

I need a few hugs.

Kitt

stkitt said...

I have a Doctor that would  walk through fire before prescribing  adderall. 

I see her today and that always makes me nervous and depressed.

I need a few hugs.

Kitt

Hey, Kitt, most doctors are very reluctant to prescribe the medication.   That's why I didn't even bother asking my primary care physician.  I only see him for heartburn meds, antibiotics, Lasix, those sort of things.  But when it comes to more serious issues, I turned to my psychiatrist.  He's very kind and understanding and open-minded on trying different medicatons to find the ones that are most beneficial.  Adderall is more of a psychiatric drug and my psychiatrist is familiar and comfortable with the effects it has on certian individuals.  Your family doctor is more than likely not familiar with the benefits these drugs have on certain conditions, considering he does not specialize in such.  If you are capable, seek out a trustworty psychiatrist for your mental and emotional needs.  Make sure he's someone you can feel comfortable with and who will take your medical needs seriously.  Best of luck. 

ive said it before, and i will say it again. when i came off Aropax, then Prozac, i begged my Pdoc to put me on a med that wouldnt dramatically alter my weight. she said Zoloft was the most stable and reliable with keeping weight in check. WRONG! while i get the benefits of less anxiety, i now HATE myself, i hate what i see in the mirror, i dont evern recognise the swollen, drug bloated face looking back at me. but it works for my anxiety- so what do i do? stay fat and miserable and continue hating myself, or give up a med that is doing a good job of controlling my AP?

Maz XX