[therealstacy]

After decades of being on antipsychotics, I've developed metabolic syndrome. You've probably heard of it. Symptoms are a 40+" waist for women, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, overweight, etc. Metabolic syndrome - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic provides some more information.

If you have metabolic syndrome, have you been able to lose weight? If you've lost weight, what did you do to lose it? I have been unsuccessful in my attempts so far. It's very disappointing. I feel like my body is fighting against me.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Metformin helps me quite a bit. If my weight stays lower (still way too high but could be worse) then the other stuff stays lower.

[therealstacy]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

Metformin helps me quite a bit. If my weight stays lower (still way too high but could be worse) then the other stuff stays lower.

Good to know. I'll talk to my psychiatrist about that.

[Nammu]

Every time I’ve gone off my antipsychotic I lose weight without changing a thing and all the metabolism problems go away. ….of course then my bipolar symptoms come back. I’ve decided a stable life is worth the metropolis syndrome. Metformin did nothing for me. This past summer I started aqua fitness 4 days a week and nothing changed.

[*Beth*]

I'm on metformin as the result of heightened blood glucose level from Seroquel. I have not lost an ounce from the Metformin. When I stopped taking Seroquel I lost about 15 lbs. I have not been able to lose more. AP's really do a number on weight.

[~Christina]

I deal with this and I hate it.

I’m really struggling with any kind of decent weight loss! I am diabetic and on Glipizide so my food choices are very healthy so more proof MS is such a monster.

I plan to do Keto for awhile and hopefully can drop some.

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[Tart Cherry Jam]

Nothing had helped me (I am on Zyprexa and it is the only med that resolves my bipolar symptoms and allows me to be very high functioning) until I started on Ozempic. I use only 0.25 mg and it literally reduced by appetite by a factor of 3. I am not trying to eat less - I am getting full very fast. It is a true antidote to Zyprexa for me - Zyprexa interferes with the satiety signals and Ozempic mimics a hormone that signals satiety.

I only wish I had started on it in 2018 when Ozempic came out and when I resolved to taking Zyprexa as the only drug that helps, but back then I did not even know about Ozempic.

My insurance at first did not want to cover it, but on appeal they budged. I pay $25 for 6 weeks. You inject yourself with Ozempic once a week, using tiniest needles. It does not hurt and is very easy.

I was a bit prediabetic and after a month on Ozempic my fasting blood glucose is 90. It is not yet back to pre-strong meds me (70-80 range was my baseline), but I am also twice my normal body size, and that increases sugar by itself.

[sarahsweets]

I think @therealstacy and I must have been reading the same mayo clinic info. On the second page they list all the solutions which are always things like lose weight, exercise etc. But many times people are watching their food intake and are exercising. Those BMI charts have been scientifically proven to be bunk- practically pseudoscience. Below is the quote I read about weight lose from the article:

Weight loss. Losing 7% of your body weight can reduce insulin resistance and blood pressure and decrease your risk of diabetes. In fact, any amount of weight loss is beneficial. It's also important to maintain your weight loss. If you're struggling with losing weight and keeping it off, talk to your doctor about what options might be available to help you, such as medications or weight-loss surgery.

I am 99% sure I had this syndrome or some other metabolic syndrome and I can share what saved my life. Gastric bypass-specifically the roux-n-y procedure. I am not a fan of the sleeve for people like us. The roux-n-y bypass not only reduces the size of your stomach but you actually have to have about 100cm of small intestines removed in order to re-route things to the new stomach. Yes you eat less but you have to follow dietary and vitamin guidelines. I know 6 women who all gained their weight back plus some more and two had revisions. It is a tool. But because of the work done on the small intestines you absorb everything differently. Sugar is very hard to tolerate, fatty foods can only be eaten in small amounts if at all. I know I sound like I work for some surgeon but I am very passionate. Forget what you see on 600lb life or any of those shows. I had my surgery in 2007 and weighed in at around 320lbs. I have kept all the weight off with the exception of the 20lbs I lose and gain. I need to exercise and I hate it. So anyone who likes it and has tips I am open to hearing them. Oh and I too was on seroquel and thought I would never lose weight.
This is the day of my surgery



This is my husband and I at a wedding a couple of years ago..
Please do not think I am bragging! Message me if anyone wants to chat about it.

[*Beth*]

Thank you, Sarah, for sharing your experience. It's very powerful. You look lovely, and should be very proud of yourself.

What happens with me is that (after having gained A LOT of weight on Seroquel) I actually do not over eat (as I did while on Seroquel). Lately, I've eaten a little bit too much sugar - but nothing outrageous. There's nothing, really, that I over eat. I do hate exercise. I force myself to do some yoga, and to walk a few times/week. Before 10 years ago I was my typical self, which was thin. Sometimes too thin. Since stopping the Seroquel I cannot drop more than 20lbs., no matter what I do. It's confusing.

[Soupe du jour]

@therealstacy, a weight loss journey is definitely a bit unique to us all. We don't all have the same needs or the same winning approach. However, what I'll suggest is this. I am a true believer that switching to a more Mediterranean diet is valuable to us all. This includes leaner meats, healthier fats (olive oil, canola, avocado) with less butter, fewer refined sugars, whole grains, lots of fruit and veggies, and REASONABLE portion control. My emphasis on "reasonable" doesn't mean starvation portions. It means mindful portions. In my case, weight loss success always meant still having enough to eat, nice things to eat, and being mindful of balanced eating (think food pyramid, a US government based recommendation system.)This kind of eating need not require extreme tracking either. I've found that I can reduce my blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar by just changing to this focus. Even if I don't shed a ton of weight. However, getting healthier makes me feel better at whatever weight, and inevitably eating more Mediterranean allows me to shed at least some pounds. It's the polar opposite of a "freaky diet".

Exercise is also something that need not be close to extreme. It's widely published that even as little as 20 to 30 minutes of light exercise a few times per week CAN make a big difference. It can be as simple as walking around the block or mall, dancing to two or three songs you like, or cleaning your house. No need for a pilates or spinning class, unless you want one.

[Moose72]

My primary Dr took me off metformin. I went of Seroquel back in September and I've gained! Trying intermittent fasting. Only on day 2 of it and today I ended my fast an hour and a half early because I started it on the late side last night and N 3 and I were going out to eat today for b bim bop.