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Posted 1/7/2012 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All

I am sure some of you have experienced the negative side effects of antidepressants. Since I began Lyrica just over a year ago I have piled on the weight and for the first time in my life would say I am over weight. Up until April 2010 I managed to keep the weight gain under control due to having a very active job and taking regular exercise.

Unfortunately I lost my job and have had problems with my joints which stopped me from exercising. As it is a new year I really do need to make a new years resolution to lose weight and get back into regular exercise. I am so unfit at the moment which is depressing for me as I have always kept myself fit. Exercise will not only help me lose weight but it will help with my Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Does any one have any good diet suggestions? I have already decided to go on a starch free diet as that will help with the AS but as I have never had to diet before would be good to here some ideas.

Hibee
Posted 1/7/2012 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
I feel that most anti depressants are weight-gainers. Im on Zoloft..weaning off slowly and hope the weight goes with it!
Posted 1/8/2012 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
Ben,

The Lyrica is notorious for packing on the pounds.   Any alternative to this drug? I know you are most likely  taking this for your reactive arthritis.  The other meds look managable for controlling your weight.

There is a diet - The DASH Diet that is touted as the number 1 diet here this year and it is very healthy.  I have the book somewhere but you can order it from AMAZON.COM

Here is a link that may interest you.

http://dashdiet.org/

Good luck my friend.

Kindly,

Kitt

 

Posted 1/8/2012 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
Hey B,

If you are trying to get off of carbs, then I have some great recipes for you...I like to do mashed cauliflower instead of potatoes. It really is delicous and has a creamy, satisfying quality that doesn't make you miss the starch.

I also like to do spagetti squash in substitution for pasta and use pesto as the sauce...It is really good:)

If you want some recipes, e-mail me and I'll send them along:) My husband is diabetic, so I have learned some great low-carb/high fiber tricks.

The New Glucose Revolution Cookbook that features the Low-Glycemic Index is a great choice if you are going to buy a book ( Authors Dr. Jennie Brand-Miller and Kaye Foster-Powell...publisher Marlow and Co.)

Best wishes on your resolution...you can totally do it, I know!

S.C.
Posted 1/8/2012 9:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Kitt & SC

Thanks for the reply's. I am actually taking the lyrica for anxiety it has been approved over here in the EU for GAD and yes it really does make you gain weight and fast. I am looking into coming of it as I am aiming just to take Lexapro for my anxiety will get some advise from my GP.

Cheers for the link Kitt I will check that out and aye SC if you could email me some starch free recipes that would be grand.

Ben
Posted 1/8/2012 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hibee, I know everyone is different, but I am taking a medication (Paxil) that is known for massive weight gain, but I have actually lost 10 lbs since I started taking it 3 months ago. I use an iPhone app called myfitnesspal , but they also have a website and it is free. I plug in info about myself, my lifestyle, and it tells me how many calories (and fat, carbs, etc) I should eat. For some reason this is easy for me. It's like a magic formula...you eat what you need and you don't gain weight....you eat a little less and you lose weight. For some reason, having a better understanding of calories in the food I eat, makes me eat healthier, and eat less. I don't know if this would work for you, but millions of people have lost weight by using this free tool. Good luck.
Posted 1/8/2012 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

Thanks for the info I have heard of that app I will have a look. Started the exercise today and planning at least half an hour a day.

Hibee
Posted 1/11/2012 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I take antidepressants also 3 of them..lamictal,seroquel,clonzepam. I have notice that the seroquel makes me very hungry when I take it at bed time,within 1 hour I'm in the kitchen just packing crap in my mouth. This past summer the dr. uped my dose to 200mg from june 2011 to aug. 2011 I went from 145 to 200 pounds. I had never seen that type of weight on me, the most I every weighted was 150 pregnant. So I started working out Sept 1 all I did was cut back on eating and I workout with Beachbody dvd's an I have arthritis in my neck, which sometimes prevents me from working out...I drink plenty plenty of water everyday that's a must...I am happy 2 say that my current weight is 152 and I still take my antidepressants and I'm still trying to lose weight. Never give up keep your chin up and take it 1 day at a time. When I started I could only workout for 5 minutes, after 5 min I couldnt breathe, now I can workout up to 1 hour.

I'm also diagnosed with depression, anxiety, arthritis
medication 200mg serequel 0.05 clonzepam 200mg lamictal
zanaflex4mg for arthritis but its a (muscle relaxer an i cant take it)
also flexeril 10mg that i take sometimes.




Good luck honey I no how u feel
Posted 1/11/2012 9:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hi 42 in pain

Thanks for the reply and good to meet you. Yes the seroquel is a known one for pilling the ponds on that is great that you have managed to lose weight well done. I have cut all starch out of my diet and at the moment trying to do at least 30min exercise a day. I weighed myself this morning and I have lost 3 lbs so happy with that.

Hibee
Posted 1/11/2012 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, I'm so happy that u have lost 3 pounds, keep it up I will follow your posts
Posted 4/7/2013 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hibee, Probably the best diet in the world for a human is to eat anything a diabetic can and don't touch sugar
exercise properly, I think walking is best, but I confess to weight lifting as well, its just not for everyone.

When my Wife was first put on PAD meds she looked like a RedHead Marilyn Monroe, after a fer years she
went up to 300lbs. She ended up in a mental hospital for 4 months and the Dr. there put her on a diabetic
diet, she lost down to a hot 150lbs. Yes she's still pretty.

Larry ***
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