How do I lose weight when on weight inducing medications???

[basten]

I keep trying to find anyone whose gained a lot of weight from taking medication. If so, have you managed to lose some and how did you do it? What foods did you avoid or eat etc I am 70 so the only exercise I get is walking. Anyone??

[Hidden]

I explained this in one of your last posts. And as far as I remember you are no longer on any meds that cause weight gain.

what I would do if you are concerned, get blood work done (expanded metabolic panel and see if anything like thyroid, cholesterol, insulin changes have not been altered by taking the mirtzipine).

I explained before the mitrz caused appitepite increase and that should stabilize. Eating a little less (as I mentioned in earlier threads) and keep up the walking and after making dietary changes give it time and patience. Aftering you lower calories, would give it 4 weeks before lowering the amount of food again.

[basten in reply to Hidden]

I am on Agomelatine and Amitryptiline. Both cause weight gain. I've had sugar and blood tests done thankyou. All ok.

[Hidden in reply to basten]

I know the melatonin agonist you are does not. I'd have to look up the amitriptyline..

okay from looking this up 1) this antidressant causes less weight gain than all others, and 2) while it still can it says 'Weight gain is a common side effect of amitriptyline. However, you can make adjustments to your eating habits and engage in regular physical activity to counter this effect.'

So it might be a little harder but not impossible if you can work on your diet. Maybe a Registered Dietitian can help get your diet in check.

Having sleep problems makes losing weight harder. I see your still not sleeping well either from your other thread. It seems you have compounding issues. with these 2 strong sleep meds and still not sleeping well. With all this it would warrant me getting back to doc for adjustments in meds, but if all these meds you are taking are keeping your mental health in balance then maybe the weight gain is a trade off. I dont know but I hope you get it worked out.

[basten in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou. I at first slept well on Mirtazapine for about a week then the effect wore off. It made me super hungry. My psych then added Agomelatine which I thought didnt as you say put on weight but I googled it and it says weight gain She then increased my Amitryptiline and again I slept well. Now its changed again. Cant of course get to see dietician at present and I couldn't afford private. Yes it's all supposed to help my mental health ongoing depression but the weight gain including much bigger boobs has got me down. I'm 70 and I only walk out when I can.

Thankyou for taking an interest. I see my psych in April . The one med that was good for sleep was Trazadone but it gave me such awful panic attacks I ended up in hospital with it for 5 weeks. Stay safe in all this kind regards

[ELLSBELLS in reply to basten]

Would it be possible to take trazodone at a lower dose as a sleep medication.. I know people with restless legs syndrome take only 50mg to 100mg at night to aid sleep.

[basten in reply to ELLSBELLS]

Thankyou I wish I could as I slept so well but was only on 50 then 7 days later I went into severe panic attacks and the hospital took me off them. I think they interacted with other bad meds I'm on which I cant stop or I feel so ill. It's a worry for me in this crisis that I wont get the ones my psych said I must now stay on. Many thanks for replying

[Hidden]

I’m 68 and on weight inducing medication and I am so mad about it.

I used to be a size 2 petite and very stylish woman and now I look like something from my worst nightmares; size 14? I cannot look in the mirror; so depressing. I wish I had an answer for you but I don’t. I just wanted to share with you so that you don’t feel that you are the only one.

[basten in reply to Hidden]

Ah thankyou. So sorry you've had same weight issues as me. Yes I was a 14 now 16/18 and bust has grown 2 bra sizes.

It sucks doesnt it. Thanks for sharing. I hate it and its depressing!

[Hidden]

Try to eat more things like raw vegetables and fruit, and decrease your carb intake. You can still eat, just try some celery sticks or such sometimes instead of going for big calorie items.

[basten in reply to Hidden]

Ok yes it's hard re carbs but I'll eat the fruit....if I can go out first and see if theres anything left. Not many shops near me . Thankyou. Glad weve got technology and this site.