is there any diet meds you can take without effecting your dose
how to lose weight while on methadone?
Question posted by curious george ? on 11 Aug 2009
Last updated on 30 August 2013
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Answers
I totally understand what you are going through. Methadone does make most people gain weight. Im not sure about you but it makes me crave sugar big time!! I didnt gain much weight only 10 lbs but its enough that it does effect my pain level so I like you started seeking out ways to lose weight. I would first recommend exersice. The only thing stopping me from exercising and the reason i believe i even p[acked on the 10lbs after a few years of use of methadone was I had developed severe allergies that targeted my chest area there for i was unable to breath and am constantly wheezy so im inactive at this time. So I reached out for diet meds... I use the Mega T Green tea with Hoodia and find they dont make me racey or interefere with my pain meds. I had to go for a Urinalysis yesterday for my pain clinic and even stated I was on them and No issue was brought into play. If you are eating High fat foods and have gained alot of weight the newer FDA approved ALLI make work very well for you. Dont worry about what you may of heard with side effects/treatment effects... You will only have very lose bowels if u dont follow the plan and keep meal intake at 15 grams of fat and lower and you wont have any problems at all. I tried ALLI but it wasnt for me. For one I dont eat any foods that high in fat and i dont have muchw eight to lose but that can be an option for you and it will NOT interfere with your current medication. I hope this has helped you a bit and keep in mind.. drinking lots of water and keeping a diet low in fat , eating lots of veggies and fruits that alone can help you alot. You have to burn off more than you consume to lose weight. I changed my diet and instead of eating all the sugary foods i was craving, i changed to yogurt and that satified my sweet tooth. Take care and let me know how you are doing hun. good luck with everything... Snakey
What do think of the Acia Berry Diet and Colon Cleaning Diet, would that have any interations with the methadone?
I dont see how it can hurt but u answered your own self... Eat better and be more active. You mentioned the Coca Cola... oh man that was my down fall too, i stopped drinking it and bought cases of water. It will stink at first as you will want the coke but don't have any in the house and you will see how quickly you adapt to that water. Stopping coke alone will probably help you lose weight. Coke has tons of sugar and a needless amount of calories we don't need. In fact every now and again ill buy a bottle just 1 2lt as a treat and guess what I don't really even drink it. I may have a glass or 2 and that's it i go for the water instead. You just need to readjust what you eat and drink and DO NOT KEEP THE BAD STUFF IN THE HOUSE! Once you get on track its ok to have a treat every now and again but don't overload. By grapes and watermelon and i found pears really hit the spot and I like the Bryers black cherry yogurt. Infact Ill buy 30 yogurts at a time.
you were so very helpful in your answer bless you
How active are you??? Methadone can make some people slow down. I always tell new patients on methadone that they need to go for a walk at least twice a day and eat a reasonable diet. Stay away from sweets as methadone does effect the pleasure\reward center of the brain and sweets (sugar) are very difficult to stop once you start... Diets aren't very usefull anytime, eat right and get at least a bit of daily exercise.
When I started methadone 8 years ago I was down to 123lbs. I'm a male,46 with a average build and 5'10". I went up to 200lbs the first 2 years on methadone. The problem was I was sitting on my ass doing nothing and eating double stuff oreao's all day.
My doctor told me what I told you above and I'm now at my ideal weight of 165lbs. I also was able to get out and work part time as I've had 4 lower back surgeries and deemed disabled. So I'm sure that helps to. So that's the info I have for you.Good luck and getting active actually makes the methadone work much better. You will feel much better when active on methadone otherwise it tends to leave people somewhat sedated...
Thanks so much for answering my question. I am active but probably not in a way that is continous exercise, I'm just energetic and am up on my feet moving around constantly. I admit I do need to exercise and stop making excuses not to. The sweet cravings and drinking coca cola are killing me I can't get enough sweets, it's almost like an obsession like when I was using and I know people who have addictive personalities often trade one thing for another. I know what I need to be doing it's just making myself actually do it. But I have to do something I'm not supposed to be heavy my body frame is small and can't handle the excess weight, it's causing lots of problems with my back and knees, I now have a heel spur and my arches are dropping and it's all because of the excessive weight gain.
I've been on methadone for 16 years and have noticed that a lot of people seem to gain considerable weight fairly quickly. Just about any type of diet med will get you in trouble at your clinic. I think the advice Dave gave you is excellent! keemo7
Omg thank u so much even though ur a man I'm the same 5"10 I've always stayed at 168-176 now I'm 264 @ 36. And I'm so mad at myself I sat on my ass and ate key lime pies 3 aday now Im big and lazy. But ur story really did help me. I'm holding myself to lossing thiss weight. Thanks for ur story
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Further information
- Methadone uses and safety info
- Methadone prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Methadone (detailed)
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