[manicdepressive07]

I’m 24 and I’ve been a steady 125-130lbs most of my adult life… but now after being put back on BP meds (Saphris) which is a newer atypical antipsychotic, I have gained AT LEAST 5 lbs in the last month since I’ve been on it. It’s weird, I haven’t done anything different to my diet or exercise (which I don’t get much of, but I eat like a bird so it hasn’t been a problem that I never used to exercise). Idk WHY I'm gaining weight if my habits haven’t changed, (my meds haven't been making me eat more) and is there anything I can do to combat this (maybe take a certain supplement that increases my metabolism), or am I seriously going to have to start needing to go to the gym to maintain my normal weight when I never needed to before. This sucks :/

Has everyone shared this problem with meds & gaining weight? I was told Saphris was weight neutral, but that's definitely turning out not to be the case!

[Travelinglady]

Definitely! My worst weight gain was with the anti-depressant Remeron. But many seem to cause weight gain and, as you say, it's not necessarily because we are eating more or the wrong things. There have been some other threads here about drugs and weight gain. Some research shows the drugs do change body metabolism. It is very frustrating!

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by manicdepressive07

I have gained AT LEAST 5 lbs in the last month since I’ve been on it.

What do you mean by saying "AT LEAST"? You do not know? If you are on any sort of a psychiatric medication, you should weigh yourself weekly and log your weight.

[Secretum]

I know that it's frustrating. I'm on a relatively low dose of zyprexa (and originally was on an even lower dose), and I've gained 30-40 lbs in half a year. I don't know exactly how much I've gained because I'm afraid to weigh myself! My jeans thankfully still fit, but they're starting to get tight. I've got to find a way to lose the weight while still on zyprexa because I am NOT going to waste money on buying larger pants.

[Moose72]

My Zyprexa dose was just upped. It's a losing battle. I gotta get back to the gym

[manicdepressive07]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

What do you mean by saying "AT LEAST"? You do not know? If you are on any sort of a psychiatric medication, you should weigh yourself weekly and log your weight.

5 lbs but prob more. I said at least because it depends on what time I weigh myself, if I'm on my period or not, what I've eaten/drank etc. When I started I was 130 but now I'm anywhere between 134-138 depending on those factors.

Sucks majorly.... my jeans are definitely getting tight!

[greylove]

I gained 30+ pounds almost immediately after I was put on Seroquel. It was devastating because I've always been on the low side of normal in my weight range. Seroquel and some other anti-psychotics completely shut down metabolism. In most cases, diet and exercise won't help. The weight started coming off as my dosage decreased. (Carrots took care of the rest. ) I haven't weighed myself in three years. I couldn't handle the numbers. I can tell what I need to know by the fit of my clothes.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by manicdepressive07

5 lbs but prob more. I said at least because it depends on what time I weigh myself, if I'm on my period or not, what I've eaten/drank etc. When I started I was 130 but now I'm anywhere between 134-138 depending on those factors.

Sucks majorly.... my jeans are definitely getting tight!

weight yourself naked, first thing in the morning, once a week. That way, your period will skew just one measurement.

I have been fortunate to not put any additional weight on while taking Seroquel. However, I haven't been able to lose any additional weight despite best efforts. I am about 20lbs. overweight. I did have one month a year ago that I lost 10lbs. quickly. I was on Seroquel and was having some really bad anxiety, so didn't eat much.

I weigh myself about every 2 days.

[THE16THDOCTOR]

Weight gain or flux always seems to happen. I've gone between 145lbs and 245lbs before finding my right med combo. At 6'1 both extremes look terrible but I leveled out at a normal weight and stays that way. I think it can show your metabolism which is why you gained 5lbs w no different habits but no positive. 5lbs isn't much, right? Are the meds working?

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by THE16THDOCTOR

5lbs isn't much, right? Are the meds working?

5 lbs would not qualify as rapid weight gain, but should still be looked at. It is more than 1 lb a week.

[manicdepressive07]

Originally Posted by THE16THDOCTOR

Weight gain or flux always seems to happen. I've gone between 145lbs and 245lbs before finding my right med combo. At 6'1 both extremes look terrible but I leveled out at a normal weight and stays that way. I think it can show your metabolism which is why you gained 5lbs w no different habits but no positive. 5lbs isn't much, right? Are the meds working?

5lbs is a lot for me in a month since I haven't changed my habits, and it might still be going up which is my worry! This morning I weighed 137 nakie... so that's 7lbs since I started a month ago. And yeah not sure if it's going to go up anymore either :/ That's why I'm wondering if there's anything I can do besides working out a bunch (like supplements or something) to increase my metabolism.

And omg the meds have been a lifesaver! I'm probably going to make a thread about Saphris soon, letting everyone know how much it's helped me. To be honest I feel fantastic, (but not in a manic way) just... a sense of normalcy and balanced. No more paranoid thoughts (at least not as bad) my mind has "calmed down" quite a bit, I'm not sleeping nearly as much as I used to, and I haven't felt the slightest bit depressed since I started taking my meds. I feel a sense of control over my life that I haven't felt it quite a long time

[manicdepressive07]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

5 lbs would not qualify as rapid weight gain, but should still be looked at. It is more than 1 lb a week.

This morning I weighed myself naked... 137lbs :/ So that's 7lbs since I started Saphris, with no changes in my lifestyle. Not sure if I'm going to peak at this weight or if it's still on the rise...

Trying to find a friend to work out with me and be my gym buddy as I type this lol.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by manicdepressive07

This morning I weighed myself naked... 137lbs :/ So that's 7lbs since I started Saphris, with no changes in my lifestyle. Not sure if I'm going to peak at this weight or if it's still on the rise...

Trying to find a friend to work out with me and be my gym buddy as I type this lol.

I have read doing one or more of the following before a meal would help, but have not tried:

- have a glass of water
- eat a large serving of a green salad
- have a cup of broth (clear broth).

Not tested though.

[NuckingFutz]

On all kinds of meds, changed my diet and exercise and just maintaining. I hope that your efforts are better than mine.

[shery53]

I gained 50lbs on serequel but lost it when he took me off the seroquel

[Moose72]

M pdoc just keeps upping the Zyprexa and acting like its my doing .

[manicdepressive07]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

I have read doing one or more of the following before a meal would help, but have not tried:

- have a glass of water
- eat a large serving of a green salad
- have a cup of broth (clear broth).

Not tested though.

Thanks for the ideas... I'll definitely try the water/salad options.

I second the drink a full glass before each meal. I does work!

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by manicdepressive07

Thanks for the ideas... I'll definitely try the water/salad options.

Hope they help and keep us posted!

[Confusedinomicon]

I think you should be concerned and that you should tell your doctor because any rapid weight gain is lame.

I gained 10-15 lbs overnight (over 3 months) and have sustained that weight for about a year now. (Still on anti-psychotics) I would be weary of the weight gain because it could be messing with your thyroid and destroy your metabolism.

If you can, ask to switch to something that is weight neutral and drink plenty of liquids. (Without sugar or high frutose cornsyrup) Drinking plenty of liquids has actually helped me maintain weight. It also clears up skin if you're not stressed. ;3 Also working out sometimes helps.

[sugahorse1]

I have started this morning to stop taking Seroquel. Beginning of Zdecember I had Seroquel and Zoloft added and consequently piled on 10lb. I too have been on the skinnier side most of my life and I have an issue looking down and seeing weight pile on to my tummy.
I have done a bit of research and I am assuming the Zoloft is not really a culprit here.

[sugaraddict63]

I stayed between 135 and 143 or in that area for years. Wore the same size pants for years. Then doc at the time put me on more than one drug at a time. That was about 2010. All of a sudden I gained right and left. I am now at 177 and I crave sugar constantly. I was getting up at night too but that has stopped. I feel like I'm possessed or something. Like I have no control anymore.
I am now taking lithium, depakote, amitriptyline, and another I can't remember.