Comments on: 10 Ways to Manage Your Weight on Psych Meds

By: seroquelsusie

seroquelsusie — Sun, 23 May 2010 11:07:09 +0000

I have been on Seroquel for 3 years & gained 90lbs. I am trying to wean myself off of it. The problem is that Seroquel works for me. Off it I am extremely emotional. My therapist wants to try other drugs. I don’t know what to do. In the meantime, I joined a gym.

By: Anon

Anon — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:19:14 +0000

I’m 43 and have had four kids. I wear a size six and now I know why. And – size six aside – I can’t even stand certain cuts of pants because they are built these days to accomodate a pot belly, which I find absolutely ridiculous as young people never had such things so routinely 25 years ago. I’m glad I figured out that the psychiatrists are all full of B.S. I’m so glad I listened to my own judgement about what my real problems were and decided to deal with them head on instead of live on poisons. Most mental health pros these days just make people into junkies. I turned my back on all that nonsense and confronted the real reasons for my distress, which in my case was abuse by my parents whom I have since kicked out of my life. Good riddance to them, to poisonous religions, to sick families, to pot-belly pants, to anxiety and depression, and to silly shrinks who don’t know squat. I am free. If you want to join me, check out the works of Alice Miller. She’s worth a google. The truth really will set you free. Even from fat.

By: Week Nine Copy « A Plan for Healthy Living

Week Nine Copy « A Plan for Healthy Living — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:17:47 +0000

[...] 10 ways to manage your weight on psych meds [...]

By: Feeling Good While Losing Weight with Hypnosis | Alternative Medicine

Feeling Good While Losing Weight with Hypnosis | Alternative Medicine — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 01:23:22 +0000

[...] 10 Ways to Manage Your Weight on Psych Meds (psychcentral.com) [...]

By: Katrin

Katrin — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:21:06 +0000

tekon, I would be frustrated too, and that is an understatement. How terrible!

By: tekon

tekon — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:03:00 +0000

It is very frustrating- my doctor says my sugar is high and cholesteral high but losing weight should help-Oh and by the way we want you to increase the amount of seroquel you take- and Oh by the way FYI this drug will cause weight gain, and higher sugars-wtf- life at the free clinic

By: How Can I Manage The Insomnia Associated With Stopping Remeron?

How Can I Manage The Insomnia Associated With Stopping Remeron? — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 08:32:39 +0000

[...] 10 Ways to Manage Your Weight on Psych Meds | World of Psychology [...]

By: K and J Investigations and Case Management » Obesity and Psychiatric Meds: Fighting Ronald McDonald

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:25:57 +0000

[...] psychiatric medications needs to be continually addressed. A post at PsychCentral titled “10 Ways to Manage Your Weight on Psych Meds” is long overdue for those of us who have or are working with people who are on these types [...]

By: Pain Chronic Relief

Pain Chronic Relief — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:55:29 +0000

Chronic pain is very severe and this affects people’s life, long known to people who suffered from a strange disease, were strong back pains, which were intense and not let them work, as was what they said were the doctor and he prescribed oxycodone for pain, but knew it was a very powerful medicine, and moreover, anxiolytics, and worry that they were doing things that previously did not like eating too much, smoking, etc, and read in findrxonline that this drug is well and that we must be very careful with their use, and everything must be under medical prescription.

By: Mikie

Mikie — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 05:57:14 +0000

I have been on Prozac since 1985. I have tried others on and off but always go back to Prozac. I had a stroke in March ’08 during neck surgery. I have chronic sciatica. I was put on Wellbutrin and Elavil to aid in controlling digestive disorders. I had to have my gallbladder taken out in August ’08. I have gained 40 lb. since 2002 and find it next to impossible to lose it. I do not do regular exercise even though I should. I am a bit unsteady on my feet, a condition I could alleviate by walking more. The most devastating side effect is the thinning of my hair on the top of my head. I researched all of my medications but have yet to find one that has less side effects. Stay active. Eat 6 small meals a day. Never give up.

By: Joy Murray

Joy Murray — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 04:07:48 +0000

Thx for your encouraging note Katrin!
Yes, I would agree – obviously, with the constant anxiety, extreme panic attacks and deep ‘holes’ of depression ‘on hold’, it is now possible to be interested in life! With the help of a really great psychoanalyst, a few years ago, in desperation, I tried a Meditation Group & found the people really supportive & helped me immensely (still in the group). A friend recommended trying Reiki and the result was amazing – if & when I’d get anxious, I’d just do a Reiki session and then be alot calmer. With the fear gone, I’m now into Art Journaling, doing a Gratitude Journal, and with inspirational quotes my thoughts are more positive than they have been for a long, long time. Reading and doing the exercises in Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way” has fired me up to do what I’ve wanted to do for a long time – write stories and poems!
My point, I guess, is that medication alone will not “do it” – when the concept of mind, body and spirit was addressed, when the support of family and friends was there, when the energy levels returned, when I became grateful just for the ‘moment’ in time, then I knew that anything was possible.
The adage “change the way you think, changes your life” has been so true for me! Katrin, hope this answers your question.

Although I realize that these posts were mostly on weight gain on med’s, I know I am blessed not to have had that major problem – I do hope that those who are struggling will find an answer. My best friend is making strides in that area, and she is learning to “like herself, no matter what”.

Thx for letting me be a part of this…..
Hope it can help someone else know that it is possible to get out of the “black hole”. Something I never, ever want to be in again!

By: Katrin

Katrin — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 21:49:41 +0000

That’s great, Joy Murray! Really glad for you, and I very much appreciate your sharing your experience. It really balances out some of the others.

I am wondering if the way you are feeling (human and good) makes a difference?

By: Joy Murray

Joy Murray — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 05:32:02 +0000

After reading the posts, I’m telling my story. On/off psych med’s for over 30 yrs and many not working for anxiety/depression -Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor, Paxil, Seroquil, Resperdal to name just a few!(Remeron only one gained weight on-25 lbs). Three yrs ago, family crisis, I lost the 25 – stopped Remeron & eating! which I do when I’m stressed. Lived on my own home-made healthy version of Protein drinks & bananas for 3 mths, was ok – but the anxiety resurfaced, again. At my wits end, Dr. gave me Celexa, 60 mg/day, started healthy meals again, exercised walking outside + treadmill, dancing, yoga, gardening) and I am finally doing great; a good feeling indeed-only a 2 lb weight gain! and my moods have stablized!! Why is Celexa working now? after all those years of taking the others? which has been a frustrating journey to say the least!
My question is – I take 60 mg, with little gain and my best friend takes 20 mg with alot of gain! Has anyone else experienced little weight gain on the higher amount? or is it more common for gain on the lower amount?
I must say that life is finally worth living these days!

By: Katrin

Katrin — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:05:13 +0000

PS: It’s like saying that anyone who has ever had problems sleeping is suffering from insomnia, or anyone who has ever had a panic attack suffers from an anxiety disorder, or anyone who has ever been angry has an anger problem, or anyone who has been depressed suffers from Depression.

Or anyone who has every commented in a manner as I did before back to you, Ray, has an abusive personality. (Sorry, BTW, that I came on a little harsh) I thought you could take it.

By: Katrin

Katrin — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:42:15 +0000

Ray Kemp: ‘The so called experts used to say that it was just 2% but they keep raising that number by leaps and bounds. In my book anybody who has ever eaten more than they wanted to eat is a compulsive eater. That may not fit the clinical definition but, in my book, it is a good place to start.’

Are you serious? First of all, I would think that the percentage of compulsive overeaters on psychiatric medications would be at least that it is among the ‘general population’ not on psychiatric drugs and which is way higher than 2%. (More like 20%, I am guessing?)

So, if this guess was more or less, it doesn’t matter but only in the sense that if psychiatric drug users are operating at about the same rate as non psychiatric drug users, the whole matter is of no significance. And from what people have said here if you read the comments, quite the opposite is the case. People are telling here that they did not binge and compulsively overeat.

Second, if anyone who has ever overeaten in their lives is a compulsive overeater, I don’t know how you possibly got your book published. It’s just plain ridiculous. Not true and not reality and not even worth considering.

Then there are people who are treated with antidepressants for eating disorders, and such drugs as prozac are often quite effective, or helpful for that.

But from what I hear people saying here, they were not prescribed the drugs for an eating disorder. I am sure that not every person gains weight on every drug but that some drugs are worse than others, like for example ‘Risperdal’.

The point is that what people here are saying is statistically and clinically very valuable. It’s research, and it matters, and it’s real.