Mom2Emily10... around 110lbs now I've gained a conciderable amount of weight. I am a vegetarian I don't do dairy. I do not eat anymore then I ever did. I eat out of necessity I do not over stuff myself. They had me actually writing down my calorie intake daily along with my weight and I wasn't eating more then 1500 cal on a good day. I am stuck at a certain weight which for me isn't healthy and there's the issue of type II Diabetes. Anyone have this problem or any advice. I know I should excersize more
Ok I would like to know if anyone using Seroquel has eveperienced the weight gain issue? I started @
- Posted:
- 17 Sep 2010 by Mom2Emily10
- Topics:
- seroquel, depression, bipolar disorder, obesity, post traumatic stress disorder, insomnia, weight
Details:
Responses (44)
questing17 Sep 2010
The same thing has happen to me, on all antidepresants Weight gain seems to be a common problem with medication. I am going to my local health food store, for homepathic help.
Anonymous 17 Sep 2010
Weight gain on antidepressants is common, but I wonder if it wouldn't be wise to check your thyroid as well. My doctor said the average weight gain from meds should really not be over 20 pounds, and if it is you should start looking for other factors.
Hope this helps!
Mom2Emily10
17 Sep 2010
Yes, I forgot to mention I have had my thyriod cheked and it is fine. 20lbs HA I wish-lol It got worse each time they would raise my dose of seroquel. 20lbs I could handle *SIGH
Mom2Emily10
17 Sep 2010
They also tell me 800mg is the highest dose allowed I have lost weigh now I'm just stuck.
sweetie pie
fblackwell
masso416917 Sep 2010
Hello,
You definetely need to speak to your doctor, there is something not right, if you say your eating patterns have not changed and you are a vegeterian, and we all know one of this medication´s side effect is weight gain, due to increased appettite.-
I take seroquel too and quite a few more (common side e. weight gain, all of them). I am 42 and suffer from BPD, and fortunately have never gained any weight, but I do work out 5 days a week, I am not a vegeterian and have a hypocaloric diet more protein than carbs.
How is your carb intake , do you eat refined or nonrefined carbs, and at what time is your last carb intake?
First I suggest you speak to your doctor.
Working out, for me is a must , I have always been into some type of sport, it helps the mind, body and soul.-
Specially for these conditions, once one exercises, ones body releases endorphins which makes one feel great, plus one gets fit.-
Have a good weekend.-
Mom2Emily10
18 Sep 2010
I do admit I should excersize more but I have to be careful with the M.S. if I over do it which I usually do I ay dearly. Once I get started I'm afraid to stop because I never know when I will be able to do it again. I have started walking now that the weather has change that is aother issue the summer I am basically confined to the house. Th humidity does terrible things to my M.S.
masso4169
18 Sep 2010
I know what you mean my mother also suffers from MS, so do not over do it, one step at a time... ok.-
My very warm regards and have a great weekend, but do talk to you doctor.-
bacterial20 Sep 2010
Hi Mom2Emily10, I haven't taken Seroquel, but have looked it up on the internet and it says that there can be up to 23% weight gain with this medication, so its not all that uncommon. But given a large weight gain that you mention, the advice given was that you should report this to your health care provider. Have you mentioned this to your doctor? He may have some advice for you about this. Best wishes bacterial.
zombiestate
4 Feb 2012
Seroquel has a whole ton of side effects attached to it that often aren't listed in the print out you receive from the Pharmacy which is where you will need to find a reputable site or even the FDA to check side effects that can ultimately be detrimental to ones health if proper precautions aren't taken at the appropriate time. My Dr. tried me on it for a couple of weeks and when I went back in and he saw what I looked like from the first visit to the next visit in 2 weeks, he immediately removed me from it. It can always lead to other physical ailments at some point if you continue to use it.
manicbaby...22 Sep 2010
Hi, I'm brand new here, but thought I'd give it a shot, as I'm not brand new to psychiatric meds or weight issues! lol !!(I lost 142lbs from 2005 to 2007, just by changing the way I ate, and some thyroid issues.) I am currently on Seroquel XR 150 mg. I've been on it since Aug.5th so about a month and a half. I was a little bigger than you, 121lbs, and before being on the Serqeol, Abilifly made me gain like 15lbs. I'm still trying to lose!! Anyway, I have not gained any weight with Seroqel, I noticed I get a little hungry at night. I wanted to tell you what helps me is that I am also on Topamax 200mg twice a day. That helps with hunger. Would your doctor maybe prescribe a small dose of Topamax for you? I don't know what other meds you are on, but I just thought I'd share that with you. I'm also on Prozac 60mg.
22 Sep 2010
hi, its manicbaby123 again, just wanted to say i'm sorry for giving you such a long answer that didn't seem to help.I read everyone's answers and they seem to have some ideas. I was only trying to help, like I said I'm new to the site, guess I got a little long-winded. I do hope you feel better and I guess I'm on a pretty small dose of Serquoel ? you said you take 800 mg? I take 150mg. Do you take for Bipolar, if I may ask? and does it work for you besides the weight gain? Thank you for your time, I'll try and get better at this :) feeling stupid in texas :{
jody333
4 Jan 2011
Dear manicbaby123;
I liked your answer! I have began taking Seroquil at night and I get a severe case of the munchies! I can control my eating during the day, but when I get ready to go to bed, I just eat and eat! No wonder I've gained weight! Any advice?
jody333
freddygirl0326
21 Jul 2011
Dear jody333
I know I have the same problem I don't really eat alot during the day, unless I am bored, but for the most part I am always hungry at bedtime or I would say more like the munchies... I don't want a lot to eat just something to munch on... and just a little side note I have a bad habit of taking my meds for the night and I fall alsleep with what ever I was munching on, lol lol anyway I take serequil 100 mg per day but I also take Temazepam 30mg to help me sleep... so as a result of the munchies at bedtime I have put on a good 10-15 pounds, any suggestions I do walk every night but I don't seem to be loosing anything..Thank you
p.s. mind you with this heat... I think I am sweating of 10-15 pounds... lol
toffeeman9222 Sep 2010
I'm on Seroquel XR 300mg at night for a couple of months now. My weight was 12 stone when I started and went to 12 stone 12lbs. So I've definitely gained weight on Seroquel. I just lost about 3lbs by watching what I eat more and I'm going to start more exercise so I hope I'll shed the rest soon. In summary I think Seroquel can put on weight but with a change in diet and exercise it will come off as quickly as it went on. I hope so anyway!!!
29 Nov 2010
I did, for the first few years. I went all the way up to 250 pounds. If you drink
alot of juice and soda try drinking more water. Right now, I actually lose the weight rather than gain, because the doctor put me on a med called Topamax
to help control my seizures. In fact in some cases, they actually use Topamax to help a person stop gaining weight from other medication. So, if you want to, you can ask your doctor about Topamax. I lost 100 pounds from Topamax.
jody333
4 Jan 2011
Topamax, huh? I don't have seizures, but my doctor put me on Lamictal which is an anti-seizure medication that is also a mood enhanser. Do you know anything about Lamictal? Could I maybe switch? I know you're not a doctor, but I'm just asking for your thoughts. I will of course discuss it with my doctor. Thanks! jody333
mister_ma...17 Dec 2010
I took seroquel for 2 1/2 years and gained 80 pounds. No joke. I have been on too many psych meds to count since the age of 12, and this is the only medication that has ever affected my weight like this. I have been off of the seroquel for almost 3 months now, and my metabolism is already returning to normal and weight is consistently coming off. So in a nutshell, you're not alone :)
18 Dec 2010
Weight gain seems to be, the common reaction, for most of us, who deside to take medications for better mental health, with one exception, once I used Wellbutrin, with no side effects. The health food stores have a number of things to try, that I understand have worked wonders for for some people.
3 Jan 2011
I lost about 30 pounds taking 150mg everynight just was sleeping alot but I was a total different person . My mom saw the change I didn't care if I was dating or had a bf . I have suffered from traumatic child molesting by a family member and when it finally came out in 2002 right after I got married I tried Prozac and tried to kill myself so they switched to wellbutrin. .. Same lexapro same every one and to top it off I get migraines where I end up in the ER all the time ... I have just wanted to give up .. Well left my husband the end of 2006 and started to smoke pot alot ... Didn't help depression only helped the migraines... That lead to other things like oxcy.. I was blind and with a real jerk ... Well almost died on a motorcycle in 2008 and had to be on pain meds I broke my back in 2 places ... I'm ok left him and got off the perocets and all the others but I need the xanx ... Mom was fed up with suicidal thoughts and crying ...
Anonymous 27 Feb 2011
May I ask what program you are on for your meds? I was on Medicare while on Seroquel and I had hit the doughnut hole... paying cash for everything. You can find out who makes Seroquel... I can try to find out for you and let them know you cant afford it. There is paperwork involved but it was well worth getting the medicine I needed for free. Many drugs companies will do it. Ususally if you are on some type of insurance plan they will denie it but I sent a letter of hardship stateing my meds cost more than my disability. It took about a month or two. Sometimes they will do it over the phone. I got many of my meds that way a couple of times. Sometimes your doctors office will help you. You will need your doctor to fill out part of the form and attach it. I hope this will help you get the medicine you need so life will feel good again. Take care
tinytinatiny
17 Mar 2012
Oh you poor babygirl! youve been thru hell it sounds like... I was crying everyday and really couldnt tell ya why and then I got on wellbutrin 150mg. and lithium 300 mg. and man it was like night and day. Almost over night I stopped crying. I meet w/ a therapist too.I really think that talking has helped me.Even talk here helps... Oh and Ive lost weight being on the wellbutrin... I stopped taking my lithium bc it gave me stomach aches so now I just started back on the lithium~ 450 mg CR ... its suppose to NOT hurt my stomach(sarcasium)but Dr. says take it anyway and you guys say take it.So I started back taking it last nite... I was on and addicted to xanax for 10 years... man its hard to get off of them... i havent sleep like that since 1999... sometimes I wish I had one... lol... I do smoke my pot... It helps me with my IBS and migraines... and sanity... I wish they would just go ahead and legalize medicinal marijuana in Texas ... anyway I dont mean to ramble:) I hope you get it worked out and Ill be waitung to hear how your doing... you can message if you want.Tina
reg36417 Jan 2011
I was taking 800 mg of seroquel at night and I noticed a rapid weight gain , my Doctor didn't want to take me off of it but it was making me depressed , so I just went down to taking 200 mg and eventually i will just stop . It puts the weight on you very fast but they don't tell you that and when you ask them about it , they say well it could be something else but it wasn't . So good luck
22 Jan 2011
Uggghhh!!! YESSS!!! I feel your pain. I take 500 mg of Seroquel each night and my Bipolar cocktail includes several other weight gainers as well. It's downright frustrating. I eyeball the gym every time I drive past and think I must join or I won't fit behind the wheel of my car much longer! My newest medication Saphris is making many of the foods that are healthiest (like yogurt and veggies) have a weird lemony taste, and the rotten stuff like ice cream still tastes good. Drats! I've had my thyroid checked (Lythium gave me Hypothyroid so I now take Synthroid as well- Yay - more meds!)... I think eating carefully and exercising are the only defences against the poundage- either that or happy plumpness! To heck with health and vanity!!!
Chiquita45
4 Apr 2013
I just started taking Saphris for sleep. Did you gain weight?
15 Feb 2011
Dear Mom2Emily10,
With each new medication comes a few more pounds. Now the pounds I have gained are beginning to look like they will never come off. I am 5'7" and weigh 185 pounds. I used to be slender at 145 pounds and felt good when I went out, but now I almost hope my husband doesn't ask me.
I take Seroquel, Depakote, Lithium, Gagabentin, Lyrica and a few others. I think that all of these have weight gain as a side effect. I have never been one to exercise much, but had to have a total hip replacement last May. I have begun to excercise more and feel a little better.
Maybe you should talk with your doctor and voice your concerns. Maybe he/her could change your medication and get you on an excersice routine.
fblackwell
Anonymous 27 Feb 2011
Mom2Emily10~I took 900 mg of Seroquel along with my psych coctail and had some weight gain. My doctor put me on Topamax which was my life saver. He did not put me on it for weight loss but knew it would help control wt gain, which I freaked out. I too had the night eating and a stressful job so emotional eating did not help. I was an avid exericer and wt conscious. At the time, I was active with a eating disorder so despite the Seroquel did wonders for me and helped me sleep, I was somewhat resistant. I take Lamectal and it works great for me, know weight gain for me. I have been on it for years and take lithium as well. They are the only two meds that help me stay stable with a dz of BP
Darling Di
23 May 2012
I've been taking 150mg to 300mg at night for insomnia because over the years I have literally gone thru all the insomnia meds & while they might have worked in the beginning they would stop working. I started taking the Seroquel when my husband & I split up for several months & my anxiety/panic & hysterical crying was improved dramatically over the 1st night I took it & continued to help everything more since. I tried to get help from the pharmaceutical company but they were not very helpful & kept telling me I didn't fill out their forms entirely or correctly which was not true as I kept a copy of everything I sent them. I was in the donut hole at the time & since the med so dramatically helped me it was a godsend & I had to pay up to almost $500 several months until I got into the catastrophic phase of my insurance which made almost all my meds practically free so I stocked up on all that I could.
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Hello questing! I sympathize with you. I gained 50 lbs while being on Zoloft throughout the years! That is depressing enough! I was considering asking my doctor to switch my Zoloft to another SSRI but after doing alittle research, I have come to the conclusion that most antideppresents have weight gain as a possible side effect. I decided not to try a different medication because the Zoloft is working so well for me. I will just have to live with the weight gain. It is also important that we follow a proper diet and stay active. I hope that my comment has been helpful in some way. I wish you the best, Let us know how you are doing. Sweetie Pie
Stopped all the other stuff, and finally found the right medication.I am doing much better with Wellbutrin, just had to adjust the dosage and we added Liberex , with a side occasional small dose of diazapam. I still have the spasms, but not as hard. I am also seeing a therapist, who has suggested I try Sam-e, But my doctor said it was not enough for PTSD. I also go to a gym, I can't do the hard work, but just a litttle at a time has produced a slow weight loss . Plus a careful diet. It is a lot of very hard work, but I want to continue living.It's important to get into the best possible frame of mind and decide to fight to be the best person that you can be. And I do remember to count my blessings. Not hold on to the bad stuff. My thinking is much clearer after getting off of those heavy drugs.And the right therapist is a blessing. P.T.S.D. can get better , given time.
Same exact thing with me! I've never had weight issues until the God awful Seroquel. I put on over 30 lbs. within 6 months and I was eating way less than 1500 calories a day. Even lowering the dose hasn't helped. I'm so pissed at my doctor and so frustrated. And of course I'm depressed even more! Good luck!
this is a resounding Yes! I have been on serequel for over a year and I gained weight like crazy. I persevered and pushed myself to exercise by walking. I have been eating a bit healthier diet as well. Slowly, the weight became manageable. I think your body does get used to the dose and after a while it stabilizes. Good luck.
I am a patient and did work as a psychiatric nurse the majority of my career before becoming disabled. I have never seen anyone on seroquel not gain a ton of weight. Many people I have talked to on Seroquel liked it, helped them sleep, they were knocked on their butt and drooling by bedtime. There are many antipsychotics and off-label medicines out there to try, many are more "weight neutral". I wish you the best of luck as I continue to battle 80+ lbs of weight gain on medicines, that I lose when I am off medicines. As i found a new doctor and was put on medicines this summer going forward, I have already gained back 35lb since July, so I'm pretty disheartened. I wish the best to you and anyone else reading this in the same boat. Steph
I am so afraid of weight gain with this stuff that I just make myself exercise. also it's the usual aggravating same old story--cut out sweets, bread and fried foods. The weight gain side effect is due to the drug slowing down your metabolism, so there's not much else one can do but burn off some energy and the usual dieting. Also, I am motivated because I had bariatric surgery (due to health problems because of my weight) and I don't want to have gone through that and lose the benefits I gained as a result. I lost 129 pounds, but it's not the pounds it's being healthier i.e., no more chronic bronchitis, aching knees, sleep apnea, pre-diabetic, shortness of breath, etc.
Please don't take this as an endorsement of surgery as a solution, I still have to watch what I eat. Also, there other side effects such as GI problems, taking vitamins and other supplements for the rest of my life.( ... to do it again? I may have tried harder to do it the easy way-- diet and exercise!