this isn’t really arthritis related however i’m wanting advice as everyone is helpful whenever i post something.
i’m on sertraline as i was struggling february this year with my arthritis and my emotions etc, i was very depressed and sad. fast forward to now i’m no longer as sad, i have my ups and downs as usual, however i still struggle with my anxiety at night time.
i’ve noticed some weight gain as i’ve gotten a random appearance of stretch marks on my bum and arms. i haven’t gained anything major, just a little during lockdown. nothing unhealthy. i have a healthy BMI and exercise regularly therefore i’m starting to think it’s because i’ve been on sertraline for a while. (9 months).
my mum mentioned to me this morning that it may be worth coming off my antidepressants gradually as i’m feeling a lot better in myself, which is true, however i’m anxious that i might relapse or feel sad again when i come off of it. i’m not sure what i can do in terms of my weight without it affecting my mental health even more.
is there an antidepressant that doesn’t cause weight gain? is it worth switching brands of antidepressants? or are there different meds i could take just for anxiety? i’m kind of stuck in a complicated situation and don’t know what to do. thankyou for any advice
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oliviagodfreyxx
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Hiya. Been there for the tshirt. So I would not come off the sertraline without talking to the doc. You dont want that black cloud back. I found the only thing was mindfully eating and exercising. Then talk to doc about reducing or changing the drugs.
Problem is when they work you think ..I'm cured ..lol ..you might be , but it maybe could just be the drugs helping you through.
They might swap you from an antidepressant to an anxiolitic., so yes what you said is a possibility if doc agrees. So again best chat with doc about drug therapy but you can sort the weight with a proper exercise regime and " diet" . Loads of free classes online. My mate walked for her 1 hr exercise ( if u can with your joints) every night after dinner, rain or shine , and lost 2.5 stone !! And good luck. Keep chatting here as we are all here for you xxx 😍😍😀
thankyou! i have an appointment with my gp monday so hopefully i can sort something soon, whether that be just taking a lower dose of sertraline or switching brands. thankyou for your help xxx
It's a positive that you're feeling better enough to consider you may no longer need your sertraline. It may well have had some part to play as partly responsible for your weight gain. I do think it's necessary to discuss this with your GP, he/she should be open to options for you, they don't like you to stay on antidepressants if there's no longer a need. He/she may feel your dose could be reduced & can also give you a tapering plan if it's thought you can cope without them. I wonder if an anxiolytic (anti anxiety med) may be an option as you have nighttime anxiety, unless the root cause could be tackled?
As far as weight is concerned, if it was me I'd look at your weekly eating, see if there's anything needs tweaking. This & appropriate exercise, walking is very good if that's an option. If you drink alcohol keep to recommended units or swap for those with low sugar. If you drink soft drinks change to zero or reduced sugar ones. This made such a difference for me an age ago? I mentioned it to a friend's son who took it on board. Just by changing what he drank (he doesn’t drink alcohol), cleaning up his diet & exercise & walking a specific route daily (he lives opposite a beautiful park), he's lost 10 kilos, over a year but still it's been a great achievement for little effort really & done the best way to keep a steady weight, slowly. He's reversed his T2 diabetes too which can only be good for him.
I hope all you wish for is achieved. Being young you should be enjoying life, I hope you can fully again. If you need any help from us you know you only need to ask, we'll help wherever we can & if we can't we'll point you in the right direction to someone who can. x
thankyou very much, i have an appointment monday so i’ll hopefully get some answers then x
Time to talk to your GP first and discuss moving forward. The drugs are working as feeling better but you need a plan in place. Also discuss anxiety at night and maybe look at calm audio for night time too or other self help tactics. MiND are very good too for advice on this.
Depression runs in my family and one of the siblings always says I prefer a few extra Pounds than constant depression or anxiety but she is careful with what food she has in the house too.
Look at this all as a positive and move forward with your GP!
thankyou i have an appointment monday so hopefully can start somewhere then. and me too, i’d rather feel better in myself mentally despite putting a tiny bit of weight on than feeling down all the time!
I am on the same anti depressant, a couple of years ago I was on them as I was very depressed. They worked and I gradually came off them, but last year had to go back on them as was constantly crying for no reason. They do make you feel better and I thought, great am better now and came off them. But unfortunately I had to go back to the doctor and ask to be put on them again! I didn't find I put weight on with them. Good luck at the doctors. X
Good morning, my strong advice as someone living with 3 people in my family who suffer from depression, talk to your doctor before doing anything. Winter time can be especially bad for people suffering from depression. If after talking to your GP you decide to lessen the dose do it as the doctor suggests. Slowly coming off is definitely the best path. I hope you can figure out the best way for you. Be well.
sertraline is one of the top antidepressants that causes weight gain and i haven’t really had an issue with my weight before starting them. i’m not really sure what’s causing it but i believe it could be sertraline as it’s been known to cause weight gain after being on it for a period of time.
Such good input from people before me. Please update us with doctor’s advice. I took an antidepressant several years ago for pain. It helped a lot but I gained ten pounds in one month. It also be me irritable so I stopped taking it per doctor. I’m now taking an anti anxiety medicine Cymbalta, and my back, neck and shoulder pain went away in one day! I also lost weight with it but doctors says it’s probably because it gives me diarrhea and recommended taking it at night. It also took away my appetite. I wish you luck and send my healing prayers.
I feel for you. But never go off meds without out asking your Doctor! These drugs don't cure you. You will go right back. You have to decide weather weight gain or feeling better is best for you.
Hi Olivia, I was on antidepressants on and off for years. I always gained a lot of weight. I did go off for a while and did well until another life event knocked me through a loop. I do remember having to try a few to find the right one. Follow directions strictly when you go off anything. I eventually got off and lost my weight and am doing well putting my trust in the Lord. God be with you in your decisions.
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