Medication and side effects

[Lkelly88]

I am currently going through post partum psychosis for the 2nd time I am on road to recovery but medications make me so hungry I can't stop eating cake/sweet things I have gained so much weight it's depressing anyone any tips

[Mirrorball]

I know how you feel! I'm a stone and a half heavier than I was after I gave birth. I'm taking venlafaxine and olanzapine and I'm finding it hard to lose weight. I've recently joined a gym so I can attend body combat and Zumba classes. Hopefully joining a class will help me. Is there any type of exercise you enjoy? Exercise is also meant to be really good for mental health.

[Lkelly88 in reply to Mirrorball]

I have been trying to walk with the pram but it's just the desire to eat all the time 🙁 I am not really good at exercise as find it difficult to motivate self now that I am not in a manic phase

[Chick44nzrn in reply to Lkelly88]

Ps The weird thing about exercise is it's terribly difficult to begin but after a while you want to do it as it makes you feel good ! Worth that agonising first push esp when you're tired and unmotivated . Suggest a friend to go with ?

Denise x

[Jenskygazer Volunteer]

Hi Lkelly88

Thanks for your message. Huge huge well done on being on the road to recovery after your second experience of PPP. That’s such an amazing acheivement and you should be very proud of yourself for everything you are doing and being able to write here.

It can be really difficult managing medication and eating, but give yourself loads of credit for what you are doing and be very very kind to yourself. I find it can help having things like grapes around the flat, or this time of year tangerines and satsumas, some sweet fruit that you can grab and keep munching on. I also read when pregnant that malt loaf can be good as it’s full of fruit so I sometimes get in Soreen and munch that! (I’m not sure if it actually is less fat at all but it makes me feel better and is nice and squidgy!)

If you are concerned about your weight gain and if it is making you feel low please do speak to your doctor about it to get some advice, they may have ideas and you can talk through how it’s making you feel.

Most of all please give yourself loads of credit for working through PPP for a second time, be really kind to yourself and maybe make time for other treats if you can, could you ever grab time for a bath or see if someone could help you with childcare and enable you to go for a walk on your own for a little bit, even just 30 minutes to get out?

Take care and sending every best wish to you, the above are just ideas, I really hope you find whatever works best for you re. food and medication and I hope you have a good weekend

Jen X

[Chick44nzrn]

Hi Lkelly .you are doing very well working through this period and I know how it is disappointing putting on weight esp e g if it's Olanzepine which certainly increases appetite . I suggest a bit of planning to have less fattening snacks on hand, more fruit and veg . Soup before a meal is a good thing /. Or even a big glass of water ..any chance of regular longish walks maybe less huge supermarket ( with the temptations) more daily shopping if this works for you ? .if you can keep your weight from escalating you will feel better I'm sure . .the best thing of all is you are getting better each day and you have some wonderful years ahead . These days will pass ! Good luck and let us know how you get on x Denise

[Lkelly88]

Thank you for all your positive comments 😊 x

[kaktus]

I was just trying on clothes yesterday and can't fit into any of them, not even the ones I'd put away some time ago because they were too big. It's certainly depressing but I tell myself that if the meds are healing, that's the most important. There will be time to lose the weight when I'm better...

[Helen_84 Volunteer]

Hi LKelly88,

Sorry to hear you suffered PP twice, and are struggling with the medication.

I was on Olanzapine and really suffered with cravings - it’s like you want to eat ‘bad’ stuff all the time, I can really empathise with you, it’s so hard!

Like others have already said I think planning really helps to minimise the weight increase. I know it must be hard with 2 children but planning meals and making sure you have healthy snacks really helped me. I would try to keep all sweets and treats out of the house and eat filling healthy meals. Although the Olanzapine messed with my metabolism so I almost never felt full! I also made sure that everyone around me knew I was trying to lose weight and asked them to help - it’s difficult when your friend it offering you a big slice of chocolate cake.

The pram walks will really help, it’s good you are getting some exercise. Sometimes I would try and pick routes that had hills to get my heart rate up a bit. Our park also had a weekly meet up for mums to exercise with their pram, it was nice and I used to try and work it into my week - I don’t know if there is something similar where you live?

I know it’s incredibly hard but once I came off the Olanzapine the weight fell off much more easily - So although where you are now is difficult, there will be a time when the cravings will lessen too.

Let us know how you get on xxxx