[+Fight+The+Illness+]

Greetings Sweet-Hearted and Gentle-People,

We all know that one of the most common side effects of psych meds is weight gain/loss. I've been taking Zoloft and Lamictal for quite some time and they've been doing pretty well. It's a strange cycle in a sense: I basically never have an appetite, but my meds make me gain weight; but I don't really gain the weight b/c I'm not really eating anything. I also take B12 to help with my metabolism and energy.

A little while ago, I was prescribed Ambien and Trazodone for Insomnia. I was also given the Trazodone to help with my anxiety as well, but my pdoc said that I should take it every other day just to keep it in my system b/c it can also be used as a sedative (which is one of the reasons I'm on it).

I've been noticing for the past few weeks that I'm basically never eating and that I'm dropping a lot of weight. I basically have to shove a granola bar down my throat just so that I can take my meds. I'm basically never hungry anymore. I'll eat a granola bar in the morning so that I can take my meds, but that's about it. I get hunger pains, but I'm not actually hungry.

But I'm beginning to notice that my collarbone is much more prominent than it used to be and that I can start seeing the outline of my sternum. My arms and face seem to be getting thinner as well and I'm now borderline on being underweight according to the BMI scale.

I can't get to my pdoc right now b/c I don't have a car and I go to school away from home. What should I do?

[dragonfly2]

I would give your pdoc a phone call. Even if you can't physically go see them, they should be able to give you some instructions over the phone. They may adjust your dose, they may give you a special high calorie diet, etc. But call your doc.

[AniManiac]

I'm experiencing some weight loss on Lamictal as well, related to lower appetite. But in my case, it's a really good thing because I'm overweight and the meds seem to give me a "normal" appetite instead of unending hunger.

I agree with dragonfly, call the docs and see if they have any advice. You should try to do something before there are worries about ED - even if it's only the meds, if you're losing weight fast, people will start worrying about that and you don't want not eating to become a habit.

Are you able to eat even if you're not hungry? If so, you should try to eat when you feel the hunger pangs. I am noticing that I don't feel hungry until I start to get hunger pangs - but again, that's really not a bad thing for me, and I don't have any problem eating when I do notice that I need to. Also I have a husband to feed, so he keeps me on task.

[+Fight+The+Illness+]

Originally Posted by AniManiac

I'm experiencing some weight loss on Lamictal as well, related to lower appetite. But in my case, it's a really good thing because I'm overweight and the meds seem to give me a "normal" appetite instead of unending hunger.

I agree with dragonfly, call the docs and see if they have any advice. You should try to do something before there are worries about ED - even if it's only the meds, if you're losing weight fast, people will start worrying about that and you don't want not eating to become a habit.

Are you able to eat even if you're not hungry? If so, you should try to eat when you feel the hunger pangs. I am noticing that I don't feel hungry until I start to get hunger pangs - but again, that's really not a bad thing for me, and I don't have any problem eating when I do notice that I need to. Also I have a husband to feed, so he keeps me on task.

I'm type of person who can't force themselves to eat. I'm barely able to eat a granola bar so that I can take meds. I get sick if I take my meds on an empty stomach. I really do try to eat when I feel the hungers pangs, but I just can't seem to do it without feeling sick. I'll definitely call my pdoc, but I don't think there's anything he can do while I'm at school away from home.

[AniManiac]

Originally Posted by +Fight+The+Illness+

I'm type of person who can't force themselves to eat. I'm barely able to eat a granola bar so that I can take meds. I get sick if I take my meds on an empty stomach. I really do try to eat when I feel the hungers pangs, but I just can't seem to do it without feeling sick. I'll definitely call my pdoc, but I don't think there's anything he can do while I'm at school away from home.

Is there anyone local you can see? School health center, counseling center, anything like that? Your school's health services might be able to work with your pdoc if you need med adjustments by monitoring how you're doing. If it's a minor adjustment to levels of what you're on, then you can probably do that over the phone, but major changes should probably be locally managed.

It doesn't sound like you can afford to wait until the semester is over to deal with this. See what the pdoc says, but make sure explain that it's urgent enough that intervention is needed and you really can't wait until the end of the school year.

Can you tolerate something like a milkshake, smoothie, protein shake, Ensure, or even just milk (or soy milk)? At least those would have more calories and nutrition, and might be easier to swallow. Some meds that are supposed to be taken with food are OK with milk. There are also some drinkable soups if that works. Just trying to throw out other suggestions in case there are options you haven't considered yet...

[doglover5]

I was also just about to say shakes/ protein drinks/ drinkable soups/ and other stuff like that also. My meds take away my appetite too, as well give me cotton mouth. Sometimes I'll have the urge to eat, but then when I try to, I feel sick trying to eat; I get tired of the soups easily, but the thicker drinks with protein, vitamins, etc that usually come in lots of flavors help me a lot. I've done the granola bar route quite a bit too like you; if you can maybe swap to a high calorie protein/ meal bar instead. It'd be at least a bit more healthy calories in the day!