Medication may be causing my weight gain, but what can I do about it?

Challenge
1

Hello, folks. So I’m a mid-twenties woman with persistent PTSD who has been on a variety of medications for the past year. My psychiatrist has been adjusting and increasing the dosages to ensure that my symptoms are controlled, but I’ve gained 50 pounds in the previous year. I’m not always good with food and fitness, but I haven’t been eating enough to justify this weight gain.

If it helps, I’m on: Prazosin Sertraline (Zoloft) Guanfacine Hydroxyzine Kyleena IUD (placed in May).

This has been quite harsh on my mental health. I don’t feel as capable as I used to be. I find it difficult to discuss my weight increase with doctors since I am really humiliated.

2

Yes. I am doing exactly that. My antidepressant may induce weight gain. I went up to a size 22 and am now down to a size 16.

I gave up sweets.

I stopped eating fried food.

I eat processed meals as a treat on occasion.

3

Medication-induced weight gain can be difficult to control, but it is achievable with lifestyle changes such as dietary changes and frequent exercise. Consult your healthcare practitioner for personalised advice and possible options. Visit my Medical Wellness Quora Profile for tips on how to avoid medication-induced weight gain.

4

This needs to be reviewed with your doctor. You should maintain a nutritional diet and limit unnecessary calories. Drinking water will help keep your system cleansed. Aside from those suggestions, engage your doctor in conversation about the questions you’ve thought through and written down. One appropriate question would be the length of projected usage.

5

Let your doctor know you are unhappy with the medication’s side effects and ask if they may prescribe something alternative. Also, begin a moderate but consistent exercise routine to stave off the effects of the medication until your doctor prescribes something else to try. I believe that being upfront and honest about how medications make you feel is critical to our general health and well-being. If you have any concerns, please discuss them openly and honestly with your doctor. I hope this helps.

6

There are ways to lose weight while taking medications. First, make an eating plan that you can stick to. The next step is to exercise. To lose weight, you must eat less calories than you expend. If possible, work out for at least 30 minutes each day. In addition, look for a doctor that specialises in weight loss medications.

7

Focus on healthful eating. Eat a well-balanced diet rich in whole foods including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Limit your consumption of processed meals and sugary beverages.

8

I don’t know much more than to recommend that you should a) look at how much you’re eating in general and see whether this is still an issue, and b) learn more about your medicine and whether it usually causes weight gain. Talk to your doctor or chemist.They may have recommendations.

9

I’ll (largely) save you the lecture about speaking with your doctor about this. Instead, I’m going to advise you to accept the fact that the reason you’re gaining weight is most likely due to your increased appetite. I recently looked through this webpage outlining 13 Drugs That Can Make You Gain Weight, and the pattern is clear: drugs that cause you to gain weight primarily affect your appetite. There is some wiggle space for metabolism decreases, but medication unnamed is most likely not the issue.