So Discouraging....

[Haligren]

So a while back I made a depressing rant post about how I have been on meds that made me gain a lot of weight in only two months' time. Well, needless to say, I'm still on them, even though I've practically BEGGED my therapist to let me off them. Now I like my therapist and all, but I'm starting to think she is relying way too much on pills to solve my problems. Sure, I'm stable on the Seroquel and it's made my anxiety problems almost non-existent, but I'm still really depressed about the weight. I went from a size 9/10 pants to size 12+. Most of my clothes don't fit me or I just look horrible in them. (HELLO, MUFFINTOP! XD)

Well to counteract this problem I am almost obsessively watching what I eat. However, I was feeling hungry a lot because since I've been exercising pretty much every day for 30+ mins a day, my appetite has increased. (I've been eating almost two bowls of cereal in the morning....somehow, but I digress.) But in an attempt to counteract the weight gain factor, my therapist now has me on Ranitidine (basically, Zantac). I never heard of an anti-acid counteracting weight gain. I suspect she may be going for a placebo effect, but it sucks because I also have IBS. The Ranitidine is having a field day making me nauseous, bloated, and turning my GI tract into a wasteland of PAIN. When my IBS acts up I become very lethargic because if I push myself too hard I start to feel sick and weak. So now I've gone in my 'starvation cycle', which is even worse for me than actually eating as my body thinks it's time to hoard nutrients, thus making me gain MORE weight. But the Zantac is making me feel so sick that I'll get hungry, eat, and then immediately regret eating because I feel like I'm going to throw it back up. x.x It's worse at night as I become afraid that I'll wake up vomiting as I've done before. I'M OFF FEED!

I've been exercising every day (well almost, I missed a few days due to business) for 30+ mins, usually I try to go for a full hour. I've done this for almost a month. I've only lost ONE pound in that time. Count 'em; ONE. And even then that one comes back with friends some days, mysteriously.

I know that it takes time for one's hard work to show when exercising, but after a month I think I'd have SOMETHING to show for it.

Anyway, if you read that wall 'o text then you deserve a cookie. Thanks for doing so.

 

[Bellalee]

Find a new therapist honestly.. I know it took me a while.. but people don't understand.. that the weight gain causes new anxiety.. Unless your too drugged up to notice.. (I say that with the way I've felt.) With that said.. even with the horrible.. sleepiness sideeffect.. I always reccomend Cymbalta.. I love it.. I have mild social anxiety disorder, a severe chronic depression. And I don't think there is a side effect of weight gain.. Your therapist needs to work with you honestly. And losing weight is depressing but keep at it.. always remember that although you may not be losing "weight" you may be gaining muscle.. Are you also rotating your workouts, I mean not doing cardio all the time.. your body can get used to that and put you at a plataeu..

If you wanna talk anymore I'm always around.. and I don't mind talking about anything.

 

[ariana]

honey. time for a new therapist. and i sympathize with you and your IBS, i have it too hate it. i wish you luck and really. NEW THERAPIST!!!

 

[clarkee_04]

Whats IBS?
And, have you tried going vegetarian? I started gaining a little bit of weight and not feeling so great, so for about three months I went full vegetarian. I can honestly say that I have never felt so good, it gave me more energy, and mental clarity. And to boot, I lost 25 pounds Eventually though, i went back to meat and I gained the weight back.
So, moral of the story, if you have the willpower then go vegetarian!

 

[sunshinegeckofarm]

Definitely time for a new therapist. Also have you thought of support groups for anixety and depression? I think those would be a good thought if you want to cut back or elimate meds, also maybe try to find a doctor that aint all about medicine. Also see a doctor about your IBS I don't know what they do for it but maybe they can give you some info on getting it under control and ideas how to keep it from showing itself. Also maybe a good diet not starving yourself but a really good healhty diet. If you dont eat your body is going to keep whatever fats and stuff like that from your foods instead of shedding them when you exercise, exercise is good but need a good diet to accompany it so maybe speak to a nututionist(sp?) to get a diet setup for your needs being you are depressed and have aniexty. these are suggestions i hope you feel better soon. i am depressed but no meds will help nor do i want them i just need different living situation and better financial situation.

 

[snowgyre]

I think I'd have to agree with Ryan about going vegetarian for a while. I'm an avid meat lover myself (I hunt and fish, I would be a walking hypocrite if I didn't eat meat), but even if you cut down on the amount of meat products you eat that should help with the weight gain. At the very least, it would give you something proactive to do. It is good for you. Heck, just replacing lunch with a healthy salad or snacking on low fat 'gut fill' foods like celery, carrots, and broccoli would help.

Heh, we always talk about gut loading crickets, and now we need to gut load ourselves on healthy fruits and veggies! ;-)

I also agree with everyone else here. New therapist time.

 

[Haligren]

Find a new therapist honestly.. I know it took me a while.. but people don't understand.. that the weight gain causes new anxiety.. Unless your too drugged up to notice.. (I say that with the way I've felt.) With that said.. even with the horrible.. sleepiness sideeffect.. I always reccomend Cymbalta.. I love it.. I have mild social anxiety disorder, a severe chronic depression. And I don't think there is a side effect of weight gain.. Your therapist needs to work with you honestly. And losing weight is depressing but keep at it.. always remember that although you may not be losing "weight" you may be gaining muscle.. Are you also rotating your workouts, I mean not doing cardio all the time.. your body can get used to that and put you at a plataeu..

If you wanna talk anymore I'm always around.. and I don't mind talking about anything.

Cymbalta's new, isn't it? It may not be available in Canada yet. And I have no intention of quitting exercising. Even though I'm not losing any weight at the moment, it still feels great to be active. And for a while I was mostly doing cardio, but then I started strength training a bit too, and then my therapist gave me some pilates videos. I just did my first 20 mins. today, and it was a lot of fun, so I think I'll be sticking with that and doing cardio every other day or so. I have PTSD, and with that comes with severe anxiety and bi-polar. Although the anxiety is more a recent thing for me; it's only become especially bad within the last 8 years or so. I've always been bi-polar as far as I know.

Whats IBS?
And, have you tried going vegetarian? I started gaining a little bit of weight and not feeling so great, so for about three months I went full vegetarian. I can honestly say that I have never felt so good, it gave me more energy, and mental clarity. And to boot, I lost 25 pounds Eventually though, i went back to meat and I gained the weight back.
So, moral of the story, if you have the willpower then go vegetarian!

I don't eat that much meat really. I prefer chicken and fish (I love sushi!). My mother-in-law is vegitarian so it wouldn't be much of a stretch for me (I'm currently still living with my in-laws. :\) That's a good suggestion. Thank you.

Definitely time for a new therapist. Also have you thought of support groups for anixety and depression? I think those would be a good thought if you want to cut back or elimate meds, also maybe try to find a doctor that aint all about medicine. Also see a doctor about your IBS I don't know what they do for it but maybe they can give you some info on getting it under control and ideas how to keep it from showing itself. Also maybe a good diet not starving yourself but a really good healhty diet. If you dont eat your body is going to keep whatever fats and stuff like that from your foods instead of shedding them when you exercise, exercise is good but need a good diet to accompany it so maybe speak to a nututionist(sp?) to get a diet setup for your needs being you are depressed and have aniexty. these are suggestions i hope you feel better soon. i am depressed but no meds will help nor do i want them i just need different living situation and better financial situation.

I've been to a support group before, but I do have a counselor I go to. I'm considering changing my therapist, but I haven't been with this one for very long. She has said that if I don't lost any weight by the end of this month, then she will take me off the Seroquel. It's just that it took me a while to get on it, and now that I am on it, I am doing really well with it except that it has made me gain (and keep) weight.

Also IBS is Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It's basically when your GI tract goes out of balance, so to speak. That can include a disproportionate amount of bacteria or out-of-rhythm contractions in the intestines (as your intestines contract and pulse to move food through itself, it typically moves in a particular fashion, apparently, but IBS can mean that those movements have gone out of sync). It can also cause heart burn. Symptoms are severe pain in the gut (almost like you've been kicked repeatedly), bloating, flatulence, nausea, vomiting if it gets really bad, headaches/migraines, passing undigested or poorly digested food, and lethargy.

There is no known cure, but there are treatments. Most of the ones I have tried have either made it worse, or have brought up a whole new set of problems, such as constipation, increased anxiety and more nausea and vomiting, and of course, dehydration. It's ideal that one maintain a low fat, high fibre diet. But even then there's no gurantee you won't have an episode.

And thank you everyone for the advice and stuff! I'm so glad I've got people like you in my life. <3

 

[ajveachster]

I like Lexapro. It doesn't have the weight gain issues as some other meds for most people. I think it's only about 5% of people who gain weight on it. It's been around for a little while, and I believe is available in Canada. Good Luck!

 

[JordanAng420]

Lexapro made me gain weight...so did most of the rest of them. Cassandra, I totally sympathize with your frusteration. The only one that's out there that does not list weight gain as a side effect, according to the PDR, is Wellbutrin. I'm on that right now, and after suffering the "muffin top" blues with my jeans that used to fit like a glove for a year and a half, i'm finally back to a size I am comfortable with, and i'm much happier. As soon as I started losing weight, it motivated me to exercise and eat healthier, which made my mood much better.

 

[Haligren]

I'm on Wellbutrin as well for the depression. The Seroquel is to balance my moods (I'd fly off the handle at the smallest things), and to quell my anxiety. Although I thought that was what the Wellbutrin was for... Anyway, as I tried to tell my therapist, I think I could go off the Seroquel and just continue to exercise and eat right. That would probably improve my mood more than any pill.

 

[Bellalee]

I'm not sure if Cymbalta is available in Canada.. But that's my combo Cymbalta and Wellbutrin.. I'm doing well..

Hopefully your doctor will listen to you.. but there has got to be something else there is so many things out there...

 

[fallen_angel]

First of all, for reading the big WOT, I would like a chocolate chip cookie, thank you

But in an attempt to counteract the weight gain factor, my therapist now has me on Ranitidine (basically, Zantac). I never heard of an anti-acid counteracting weight gain. I suspect she may be going for a placebo effect, but it sucks because I also have IBS.

I would just stop taking the Ranitidine all together.. but I've also not been the type to listen to the doctor.. if you are continuing to take it because you don't want to go off of them without your doctor's consent, then that's understandable.. but really, it sounds like they are hurting you more than helping you anyways, so I would seriously just stop taking them.

Also, I know that the weight gain is depressing, I've dealt with it myself, as you know.. but for right now, I would try not to stress too much over it. Weight gain that is out of your control for the time being is far different from weight gain that can be controlled.. what I mean is, you're not gaining weight because you eat Oreo cheesecake all day LOL ya know?

But you know I love you, and I just hope everything gets better for you sweetie!! I didn't have the time to read over this thread completely, so sorry if I have already said what someone else has said.. I'm kind of in a hurry, but simply HAD to post a reply to this once I saw it!!

[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[HUGS]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]

does that look centered to you? My OCD is kicking in LOL

MUCH LOVE to you sweetie!! :heart:

 

[Kellyr]

Its your choice what meds to take not your doctors. You TELL him or her its not working out and you would like to try something else. I was on Zoloft for 8 months and I stopped taking it b/c I decided I would rather be anxious and grumpy that not be myself.
You should read a book that I read it really helped change my way of thinking... less stress.. and oh I have been single for a year now.. not having drama to deal with helps too!!! lol.. best of luck to you. PM me if you want the name of the book :main_thumbsup:

ps. I quit smoking and gained 30 lbs. without the nicotine I cannot loose this weight no matter what I eat or dont eat. So IMO dieting will not help you loose weight but it will make you feel better about yourself. Working out will help you lose inches but you dont have to watch what you eat, just burn some cals off ... in my experience.

 

[fallen_angel]

I was actually on Paxil for depression and anxiety, and it worked WONDERS.. no crazy side effects besides some dizziness that just made me decide to take the pill in the evenings as opposed to mornings.

 

[Haligren]

First of all, for reading the big WOT, I would like a chocolate chip cookie, thank you



I would just stop taking the Ranitidine all together.. but I've also not been the type to listen to the doctor.. if you are continuing to take it because you don't want to go off of them without your doctor's consent, then that's understandable.. but really, it sounds like they are hurting you more than helping you anyways, so I would seriously just stop taking them.

Also, I know that the weight gain is depressing, I've dealt with it myself, as you know.. but for right now, I would try not to stress too much over it. Weight gain that is out of your control for the time being is far different from weight gain that can be controlled.. what I mean is, you're not gaining weight because you eat Oreo cheesecake all day LOL ya know?

But you know I love you, and I just hope everything gets better for you sweetie!! I didn't have the time to read over this thread completely, so sorry if I have already said what someone else has said.. I'm kind of in a hurry, but simply HAD to post a reply to this once I saw it!!

[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[HUGS]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]

does that look centered to you? My OCD is kicking in LOL

MUCH LOVE to you sweetie!! :heart:

I was actually on Paxil for depression and anxiety, and it worked WONDERS.. no crazy side effects besides some dizziness that just made me decide to take the pill in the evenings as opposed to mornings.

Mmmm, oreo cheesecake. Well I had some kahlua fudge ice cream yesterday. But it was only one scoop and it wasn't on a cone! I was going to exercise today but I've just been so tired. I think it's from the Ranitidine. I've thought about just quitting it, but I'd like to give it a chance. Sometimes it takes a bit before my body gets used to meds. I'm just really bad for side effects no matter what I take. My grandmother is the same way so it must run in the family.

I know I shouldn't worry about losing weight, but I do anyway. It motivates me to keep exercising though. So if I have to weigh 160 lbs, then atleast I can look GOOD.

Thanks for the love, Jess. It'll definitely help. <3

Its your choice what meds to take not your doctors. You TELL him or her its not working out and you would like to try something else. I was on Zoloft for 8 months and I stopped taking it b/c I decided I would rather be anxious and grumpy that not be myself.
You should read a book that I read it really helped change my way of thinking... less stress.. and oh I have been single for a year now.. not having drama to deal with helps too!!! lol.. best of luck to you. PM me if you want the name of the book :main_thumbsup:

ps. I quit smoking and gained 30 lbs. without the nicotine I cannot loose this weight no matter what I eat or dont eat. So IMO dieting will not help you loose weight but it will make you feel better about yourself. Working out will help you lose inches but you dont have to watch what you eat, just burn some cals off ... in my experience.

That's kinda what I'm going for with the exercise. Burning extra calories will help me to feel better even if I don't lose weight. Atleast I can look good if I have to weigh that much.

I almost wish I could be single again. Although since my husband has been so busy with college, it's almost like I am. lol I'll have to get the title of that book.

 

[Dogger25]

I'm not really up on the medications you have mentioned. That being said. I workout quite a bit. I've lost 25 lbs in 3 months. When your initially start working out you will gain weight cause you are producing more muscle then fat. You may not see it in your waist line but it's there. You will reach some plateaus where you don't feel like your making any gains and the weight loss doesn't show. That's when you need to do some muscle confusion. By changing up your routine. As far as cardio the biggest gains you will see from not just jogging or walking for miles but changing up. Such as changing speeds and difficulty in mid workout. Alot of times weights can be a good cardio exercise in itself by getting the blood pumping in areas you may not work normally. Some easy ways to boost your metabolism is by doing your workout as soon as you wake up. That increases your metabolism for the rest of the day. Another easy way to boost your metabolism is by doing set of squats or lunges and adding weight when you make gains. Those exersizes work out your biggest muscles in your body. Causeing increased bloodflow and increased metabolism. All that being said you have to treat yourself to breaks periodically in the week so you will not get burnt out. And one cheat day where you eat anything you want in moderation. Just from my personal experience I fill alot better about myself when I work out. Have alot more energy and am not depressed as much. Cause I've set goals and bettering my life. I'm not an expert and just letting you know what has helped me.
Hope something I've rambled about helps you attain your goals and happiness.

 

[Haligren]

I'm not really up on the medications you have mentioned. That being said. I workout quite a bit. I've lost 25 lbs in 3 months. When your initially start working out you will gain weight cause you are producing more muscle then fat. You may not see it in your waist line but it's there. You will reach some plateaus where you don't feel like your making any gains and the weight loss doesn't show. That's when you need to do some muscle confusion. By changing up your routine. As far as cardio the biggest gains you will see from not just jogging or walking for miles but changing up. Such as changing speeds and difficulty in mid workout. Alot of times weights can be a good cardio exercise in itself by getting the blood pumping in areas you may not work normally. Some easy ways to boost your metabolism is by doing your workout as soon as you wake up. That increases your metabolism for the rest of the day. Another easy way to boost your metabolism is by doing set of squats or lunges and adding weight when you make gains. Those exersizes work out your biggest muscles in your body. Causeing increased bloodflow and increased metabolism. All that being said you have to treat yourself to breaks periodically in the week so you will not get burnt out. And one cheat day where you eat anything you want in moderation. Just from my personal experience I fill alot better about myself when I work out. Have alot more energy and am not depressed as much. Cause I've set goals and bettering my life. I'm not an expert and just letting you know what has helped me.
Hope something I've rambled about helps you attain your goals and happiness.

Thank you for the advice. It makes a lot of sense. And the thing about taking breaks makes me feel better. I try not to go longer than a day though otherwise, I'll get out of habit. If I exercise in the morning, should I have breakfast first? Or should I just grab a snack, exercise and then eat breakfast? I've heard that exercising on an empty stomach isn't good for your system and makes you fatigued. I'm usually famished in the mornings for some reason.

I should invest in some weights....Lately, I've been trying to change things up like playing Wii Fit, doing an intense 20 min. pilates work out (which so far is a lot of fun and seems to be working for me), and I'll also go out for power walks.

 

[LizMarie]

Ooh Cassandra I hate to hear that your going through this. I can't tell you much about the medications because as of last year I refuse any medications that my doctor gives me unless I have some type of infection or it's a life or death situation. I've noticed that in the past few years the new way to be a doctor is to prescribe a bunch of medications not getting down to the problem; for some not all. When I was depressed in high school I was all over the place, everything hurt, I couldn't keep food down, horrible migraines, etc. and in less than two weeks my doctor had prescribed 7 different medications until I said ADIOS! I'll find someone that can help actually help me! Within 3days I was in a therapist office diagnosed with a severe depression.

Anyway I suffer from depression and anxiety with some freakish panic attacks and have found that keeping a journal has helped me cope with all my emotions and anxiety, I've kept one since my sophmore year of high school. It has actually become part of me. I write down episodes I've had, why I think they were trigged, feelings, events, just about anything and everything that passes my mind. It has helped me out a lot.

I to have started to go on a weight loss plan, it's more of changing my mental state and lifestyle then actually going on a diet which never works for me. I do yoga every morning and sometimes again in the evening and go to the gym atleast 3times a week and have a body ball at home which I use like twice a week because it's too big to have out all the time. And I've started to read Naturally Thin. I swear Bethanny speaks to you when you read it. She talks about her own life and how easily you can enjoy all the food you love and still be healthy and thin. I've been at the gym for like a month or so and I havn't lost tons of weight just like 2lbs but guess what I feel A LOT better and clothes are fitting better! Even though the scale doesn't show the improvements I know I sure do feel them . I hope you start feeling better soon you should be proud of everything you've done. It will pay off in the end.

Hey we can even do this together over the net. We can share recipes (I have a few diet-ish cook books, that are yummy) and keep each other updated on each others progress and be there for each other. What cha think? Because mental stability and weight lose aren't easy, lol. I think we might even weigh the same even though my doctor told me to lose 30lbs, ughh!

 

[T&KBrouse]

Cassandra, I am so sorry to hear you're going through this. Everyone has given you some wonderful support and advise.
So now its my turn.
I was on Welbutrin, Lexapro and Depacote, all at the same time. If you decide to stop taking your meds, please try not to stop cold turkey. I did it. It wasn't fun. That was possibly the worst manic episode I've ever endured.
Wean yourself off of them. Your system will take it much easier.

We're pullin' for ya!

 

[Dogger25]

Thank you for the advice. It makes a lot of sense. And the thing about taking breaks makes me feel better. I try not to go longer than a day though otherwise, I'll get out of habit. If I exercise in the morning, should I have breakfast first? Or should I just grab a snack, exercise and then eat breakfast? I've heard that exercising on an empty stomach isn't good for your system and makes you fatigued. I'm usually famished in the mornings for some reason.

I should invest in some weights....Lately, I've been trying to change things up like playing Wii Fit, doing an intense 20 min. pilates work out (which so far is a lot of fun and seems to be working for me), and I'll also go out for power walks.

You should get a snack before your workout. Something small that doesn't feel you up and not weigh you down when you workout. If you have to much in your stomach alot of energy and blood flow is used to digest. Which can be difficult when working out. Makes you feel tired. Then eat a good healthy breakfast always with some protein. Breakfast is really your most important meal cause it will help boost your metabolic rate and get you going along with exersize. Buying weights is a personal prefernce since usually they lay around or get used intermittantly. You can always find deals on them on craigslist and ebay. In a store your usally looking at a US dollar a pound. I prefer a gym myself. It sounds like your on the right track to me