Weight Gain

[ChloeM83]

I have been on Zoloft, Remeron, and Zyprexa following my ppd and ppp for just over 2 months now. I gained 10 pounds in 6 weeks and for the past 3 weeks my weight has not budged despite dieting and quite a bit of exercise. Should I talk to my doctor about this? Has anyone else here experience weight gain relating to medications?

[Pikorua Volunteer]

Hi again Chloe,

here a quick response to your new question...

I have been on some very old fashion drugs in 2010 for one year. Weaning of was vital as some of them were addictive. Haloperidol and Lorazepam have had quite a few side effects I was suffering with,- I often was constipated!

Because I was discharged from a Psychiatric Unit and still extremely poorly for at least 10 months I can not remember much, but my partner was constantly tracking my symptoms and he reported back to my Psychiatrist, each month. Eventually I was able to interact a bit more with the health professionals. I always had a care plan.

I just want to highlight that it is of great importance to reflect on your recovery process and talk to your support network about your worries and emotions. I have had like you a GP, an amazing Psychiatrist, a care coordinator and of course my amazing partner.

So I can imagine if you talk about your weight issues, identifying the cause and then find ways in how to work towards reasonable targets in reducing body weight...when I read about mums on this site of course exercising and a good diet is part of keeping body mind and soul in shape.

We are all very different and I believe some mums have had similar issues you are raising...no doubt there will be some good advise in due course...

Look after yourself and all in small steps...

x

[ChloeM83 in reply to Pikorua]

Thank you, I have an appointment with my doctor in a little over a week and will ask her advice if we need to switch meds.

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello ChloeM83

Good to hear from you. Thank you for sharing your experience in your earlier thread and I'm glad the replies were helpful. I had PP many years ago and was on various medications. I think weight gain can be a side effect of some medications so you might want to discuss this with your doctor to see if there are alternatives? As you are very early into your recovery I think it's good to remember that for now the medications are keeping you stable and you are doing really well. I find exercising (manly walking in my case) being out in the fresh air, is very good for mood lifting so you are definitely helping yourself.

I think the main thing to consider is making sure your mental health is improving and then you can think about your weight. Try not to worry .... it's good that you have a therapist to talk things over with. As you are in the US have you accessed local support via Postpartum Support International at postpartum.net? They have support co-ordinators for help and advice depending on which State you live in.

We are all here to listen. Take care. x

[ChloeM83 in reply to Lilybeth]

Thank you very much. Yes, I am involved in my local chapter through PSI. I have been to several online meetings through PSI that have been incredibly helpful. It is so nice to talk with others who have similar experiences to me. Thank you so much again for your advice.

[Lilybeth Volunteer in reply to ChloeM83]

Hello ChloeM83

Good to hear from you. I'm really glad that the PSI online meetings have been so helpful. I think it is so reassuring to talk to other mums and share experiences, which is how I felt when I found APP .... such a caring group to lean on for support. I hope your doctor's appointment goes well in a little over a week. Take care. x

[Hayleynevin]

Hi, I was on Zoloft too and gained so much weight. But I was on it for about 4 years afterPP. I was also on aripiprazole and my doctor told me it was the aripiprazole that was the weight gainer, not the Zoloft / sertraline. Although I’m not so sure x

[Joe12]

Try I can make you thin by Paul McKenna. I can lose weight on zyprexa using that method it's quite easy. It's based on eating when you are hungry.. then stopping when full up it will speed up your metabolism then losing weight is much easier.

[coffeemom2]

I’m on Zoloft....almost 3 years now. Initially I gained about 5 lbs from it but I eventually lost it. It took a few months. Take a nice jog or a swim. It’s a good excuse to get time for yourself. I think the exercise has been even better for my mind than my body. Something about running outside and seeing the beautiful sky and sunrise or sunset.... or maybe it’s the endorphins from running. Weight gain is annoying, but try not to let it bother you. You’ve been through a lot. Give yourself a break