I've been on Seroquel and it has put 40 lbs. on me. Does Tofranil also cause weight gain? How can you find other drugs that treat insomnia in place of Seroquel. Seroquel works great with sleep problems but the weight gain is terrible. What is out there that I can replace it with. I am also on Ativan and Sonota. How can I find out more information?
What other drugs treat insomnia, like Seroquel but without the weight gain?
Question posted by Caryn Brown on 4 Sep 2011
Last updated on 25 September 2021 by ankrys
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8 Answers
ankrys
26 Sep 2021
quetiapine slow down your brain , we take weight on this.. same food trip on cannabis
lilith369
7 Sep 2020
I love trazodone, it works very well. However, I have gained 20-30 lbs on it over a couple years.
dandylion67
6 Dec 2019
Unfortunately Most sedative type medication cause weight gain.
Cant be avoided unfortunately.
My brother in law looks almost obese from taking Seroquel over the years.
WildcatVet
7 Sep 2020
dandylion is correct. Actually, ALL psychotropic medications have the potential to cause weight changes in some patients. But having this side effect on one medication doesn't necessarily mean that you'll have it on another.
rieckkod92
7 July 2017
I am looking for a med too. I am on seraquil 200mg ive gain alot.
Caryn Brown
20 Sep 2011
I don't know how to get the person who e-mailed me, but someone sounded just like me. I am also on disability for depression. And like you there aren't any anti-depressants left for me. I asked my psychiatrist what is next that I can do and he said ECT, but I had them in the 70's and they didn't help. And I am trying to see if I can go straight to the VNS. But you are right Medicare does require us to try ECT before letting us have VNS. It scares me very much to go through that again. Dreeeeeeead. But they say they have improved them over the last 30 years. Yes I have tried EMSAM (MAOI) but had to get off because of the severe insomnia that couldn't be resolved. But it did take care of the depression, anxiety, energy, sense of well-being. I would have definitely stayed on it because it really did a lot for me.
Inactive
20 Sep 2011
Hello Caryn Brown. I believe you meant me. My name is and I answered your question/thread. That was almost according to the question about 16 days ago. How are you doing and is there something that I can possibly help you with? I am in and away from the computer so if you answer, and you don't hear from me, its just that i'm doing something else.
Inactive
5 Sep 2011
Ambien Cr or Rozerem they both do not cause any weight gain,ok.
lgotv
5 Sep 2011
maybe you can ask your doctor about lunesta or ambien... ive been on both of these meds without weight gain... good luck
sdfgh
29 Oct 2018
lunesta or ambien are a joke, for people with real sleep issues. They don't even keep you asleep for half a night!
I have taken Mirtazapine and that quit working around the year mark
Inactive
4 Sep 2011
Hello Caryn Brown. I was once on tofranil and had no weight gain. But, its known as drug that people do gain weight on it. I replaced my seroquel with the generic of Remeron (Mirtazapine). I'm gaining weight on it. There is trazodone. I was on it for a time and had no weight gain. A lot of people seem to be happy on it. Its an anti-depressant, but also prescribed as an aid to sleep. You might try mellaril. IIt will help fight your depression and it will certainly help you sleep. There are the benzodiazepine sleeping pills such as restoril, dalmane and doral. I know that you're on ativan. Well, I understand about the weight gain. And also put on weight while on it.Meaning seroquel. Again, The remeron might just do the trick. You might try it and find you're doing well on it, without any weight gain. Best to you.
Caryn Brown
5 Sep 2011
I appreciate your suggestions!! I was on Millaril many years ago and I don't remember what it did because I was taken off of it obviously because it wasn't working. Trazadone put weight on me and eventually quit working. I don't think I have been on Restoril. I will look it up. I really want off Seroquel. I am on disability and over the years it has turned into Treatment Resistant Depression. I don't have many drugs left to consider, so I looked into Vagal Nerve Stimulator. I am trying to get it set up but my psychiatrist said they most likely require Electric Shock Treatments, I hope not that scares me. I'm confused about what I should decide on. I know I want the VNS (above). Medicare does cover some of it and I have AARP but the surgery costs... are you ready for this ... $ 30,000. Boy, do I need a break-through.
Thanks for responding and look forward to hearing from you again. Also have you ever been on a MAOI called monoamine oxidase inhibitor. Will share this if you are interested.
Inactive
5 Sep 2011
Hi Caryn Brown. I understand exactly from where you're coming from. Yes I was on MAOI, it was parnate. The diet, restrictions, and so on. Parnate never really gave me relief so from there I went through etc "therapy". I can explain first hand the routine, waivers that were signed. Liability factors and so on. ECT helped me, but it also failed me. I did it as an in-patient. In the beginning it was unilateral, I was not responding well to that and so it went to bi-lateral. My depression is refractory. The gains were short term. just that. Short term. After not being home three weeks I went back in again for more treatments. A series is normally, anywhere from 6 to 9 seperate shock sessions. It all depends on the severity of the depression. Its done on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning. Its done in a or(operating room) very professional. You are put to sleep, much the same as you would as a person undergoing surgury.
You wake up in the recovery unit, then brought back to your room. I, am also disabled. There is a member here, from our site named ElizaJane. She has had magnetic therapy and is very pleased with her results. You might friend her, and she in turn will friend you, and you might ask her, and she'll be more than willing to explain what was done to her, and how its worked for her. Her depression is much as ours, refractory. Medications do little if anything to help people such as us. I even thought at one point of having a lobotomy, but my wife would not hear of it. Chatted a bit here, but I tend to do that.
caringsonbj
6 Sep 2011
Good to see you Pledge, excuse me for interrupting hope all is well. I had a friend take Tofranil and they had issues with weight gain but I have never personally taken this- I wish you only the best. Cooling off in my neck of the woods pledge!! 40 degrees overnight
Inactive
6 Sep 2011
Hi there Billy. Nice to see you also. Hope you had a good long weekend. Managed to get in in some golf, did some grilling. Enjoyed it. How are things out your way? summers coming to an end, but down here, still hot. will be for some time though. Mind you, a cold front slowly headed our way, so, we'll catch a break for a spell.
caringsonbj
6 Sep 2011
Pledge people have jackets on today! and they are speaking of rain in the forecast, the heat has been kicking on during the night-time hours weird but it sure makes a difference than just one big bolt of heat with the air conditioning running 24/7 talk with you soon Billy
Related topics
seroquel, tofranil, depression, weight loss (obesity/overweight), insomnia, sleep disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, sleep, weight
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