It’s possible. Some antidepressants make your body burn calories more slowly, so even if you eat the same amounts your weight will go up. It may also happen due to water retention or insulin resistance caused by some meds (mostly antipsychotics, as far as I know). The best thing to do would be to talk to your current prescriber about switching to something else.
Don’t quit taking your medications without consulting your doctor! If you quit the meds on your own, the symptoms will be amplified, possibly even stronger than before. A similar thing happened to me after four months of taking an SSRI, and some months later I was able to get back to my normal weight. The body can adjust, especially if you give it some extra help. You don’t need to count calories; focus on being more physically active to burn those calories!
Think of all the hard work you’ve put into improve your mental health. If the positive effects on your life outweigh the weight gain, why stop now? Just don’t forget that the weight gain is reversible. Ask your therapist if it’s possible to lower your dosage, for starters, and don't lose hope for a solution!
@alien Darsy Yes, it’s very sad that, because of side effects, people are willing to trade their mental health. I’m not trying to minimize the problem. I just wish our beauty standards didn’t make people feel like gaining some pounds was the worst thing in the world.
Dear author, please do not choose the option to stop taking your medication! Consider all the other possibilities before you take this last drastic measure. The withdrawal effects are pretty nasty sometimes, especially when the root issue hasn’t been properly addressed. Also, take a closer look at your food intake. It may seem to you you’re eating the same, but if you’re feeling better, you may be snacking more often out of pleasure. If, on the other hand, your medications are making you feel less energized, they may affect your metabolism without doing anything to your appetite levels. All I’m saying is that your medication itself may not be the primary cause of your weight gain; it may create the conditions for it to happen. Which only means it’ll require some adjustments to your eating habits, which is unpleasant but a necessary change. Take care!
I'm sorry. This was my experience too, and it was the worst part :( I was only taking meds for a bit less than half a year, and I was so happy when the day for my last pill came! The only counteraction I found were intense weekly workouts. Hopefully, you’ll feel better soon and find something that works without the body changes!
@steroidsjee I’ve asked my doctor before starting to take the meds if I would gain weight because it’s written so on the package insert. She said it wouldn't happen. Now I don’t trust her, and I’d rather change my doctor than switch to another drug with her.
@JellyFish If my meds make the conditions for me to eat more or rack my metabolism, how is that any different? It doesn’t matter if they caused it directly or indirectly, the result is the same.
@la-redoutte Thanks! Fortunately, I was rather thin before I went on with the treatment, so even with this huge weight gain I’m not obese. I’m anxious though that if it continues at this rate I will really become fat. Your words somewhat comfort me. I hate going to the gym but if it’s the only measure that helps I’m ready to start exercising
@Veena Choudhary I've had the time to research this, and I think there are SNRIs that do not cause weight gain? I'm ready to go to the gym to lose some weight, however if I keep taking SNRIs and if they all slow down my metabolism or affect my calories my efforts will be in vain. I'll retain current weight at best. I need to lose all these extra pounds, so maybe I can stop taking my meds at least for several months?
Medicine related weight gain is common. Some medicines stimulate your appetite, some affects your body metabolism which causes your body to burn calories at slower rate, some might cause you to retain water, some medicine may cause you to be tired so you might less likely to exercise. You need to exercise and have a physical fitness regime inculcated in your daily routine.
You can also share your concern with the therapist so she can administer another lower dose of the medicine and you can even reach a dietitian or nutritionist who can recommend better healthy eating habits which will help you if their is stimulation in appetite.
you need to pay a little more attention to your diet and exercise. If you keep good eating habits and exercise regularly you will not gain much weight. You need to reduce your intake of salt for healthier eating.
you can also break down your meals into smaller mini meals which can be eaten frequently. when you break down your massive meals into smaller meal then your body and mind would feel like it is consuming more calories and it feels full. so break down a major meal in small like 1 big bowl of rice can be broken down into 3 portion and eaten in space of every half hour.
Do not stop your medicine without consulting your therapist can be dangerous. It can also trigger withdrawal symptoms and relapse of your depression. It also has its own side effects of head aches, nausea, dizziness, abdominal cramping.