I am a 24 year old female and I began taking sertraline at the end of August. Therefore, I've been taking it about three months. When I first began taking the medication, I completely lost my appetite, felt dizzy, and just out of it. I literally had to force feed myself which was dreadful, but I know I needed to eat and ate as much as I could for at least every meal so my body wouldn't think I was starving it. My appetite and body adapted to the medication after about a week, and my appetite came back. I noticed that I didn't need to eat as much to be full, and my cravings for bad food decreased. Because of this, I thought it would be a great idea to begin eating a healthier diet...to just be healthier. With no actual intention to lose weight, I have. I can't figure out if it is from changing my diet, the medication, or both. I have been 135 pounds give or take for about eight years. I weigh about 120 pounds now. That means I have lost 2-3 pounds each week! At first, I was thrilled but now I am wondering if I should be concerned.
My diet has changed from over-eating for practically every meal and eating bad foods often. Now I eat as natural as I can, trying to eat a balanced diet. A common breakfast meal would be a packet of fruit oatmeal mixed with 1/4 cup whole oats, and fat free yogurt. A typical lunch would be half a sandwich with organic whole grain bread, a few pieces of lunch meat, slice of cheese, avocado, and vegies with a piece of fruit, and a cup of soup. Dinner could be half a plate of spinach tossed in a lowfat vinegarette with craisens and sliced almonds, serving of fruit, and a serving of protein and grain such as spaghetti with elk burger. I will snack with something like a kashi granola bar, or I LOVE apples with adams peanut butter. I have quit drinking coffee regularly and try to drink tea or water otherwise. I do not drink soda, I drink juice occasionally and nonfat milk everyday in chai tea.
Sorry this is so extensive, I just thought it would be better answered if all the details were shared. So is this my diet, medication, or both? I feel completely normal when it comes to energy and daily life.
If it is thought that the sertraline is the cause, how is the medication afftecting my body to result in weight loss(metabolism, thyroid)?
Any educated thoughts would truly be appreciated!