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Does long term opiate addiction cause weight gain?
I have been doing lots of searching and research on this, so I would lover to hear some similar stories.....I started taking opiates about 3.5 years ago......its gotten bad, i take perks, lortabs, roxys, basically whatever i can get.......i started at about 150 and have always been around this weight, give or take.......i now weight 217! I do not eat more...if anything i eat less, but sometimes i eat late, i stopped exercising i guess u would say i have become sedentary, no motivation from pills, and i also heard that since the liver is working extra on the toxins than it neglects the metabolism??? I am working on quitting tapering off, possibly suboxone....i have read lots of stories of people gaining weight on opiates, laziness, and dropping it when getting clean, due to more energy, regaining old life....I hope this is true because it only motivcates me to quit for good......i would love to hear thoughts, stories on this topic.
I have been on an off of opiates, particularly hydrocodone, for 6 years. I had a 3 month stint taking oxycodone 30 mg. I gained weight on the hydrocodone rather quickly. I ate much less but also was less active from the energy the pills sucked out of me. During the months I was taking oxycodone, I rapidly gained even more weight which I rapidly lost when I stopped. I have disk herniation in the c5 and c6 of my cervical spine, scoliosis, and lumbar stress and severe sciatica due to the scoliosis putting pressure down low. I am naturally between 105 and 110 pounds. I am a petite woman. On hydrocodone, my weight is steady at 130 pounds. It actually causes more pain on my hips. The 2 weeks after coming off of my hydrocodone prescription, I have lost all of the added weight. Besides some fat storage, a lot of it was water and tmi, poop. Let's be real here, pain pills don't give us the healthiest, most regular bowels ever. I'm in pain Excedrin im doing this for me. Excedrine helps a lot and proper physical therapy. I have heard many people lose weight on opiates. This is not the case for me.
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Hello everyone. I have been on opiates for almost two years now and have noticed that I have been steadily gaining weight too. I think it is for the very reasons that others have said: Less motivation to exercise or be active when on the meds, constipation, and bloat from the drug toxicity. I have read that it can cause liver damage too which leads to swelling and poor fat metabolism.
fyi you're posting on a thread that's a few years old. If you re-post as a new questions you might get more responses. Things are pretty quiet here these days so be patient
In my case, nothing but opiates controlled the pain. There are a subset of physicians out there that do not beleve in them, and use anti-inflammatory in high doses. People don't realize that most ER visits related to pain meds result from high dose anti-inflammatory, and NOT opiates.
About 1% of persons who receive legal treatment for pain by being prescribed opiates become "physically" addicted, meaning if not for withdrawal patients would stop using them. So in reality, the number of people who become addicted long term is smaller than what you would infer by hearing about opiates from various media sources.
They do cause weight gain as per my previous entry herein and as others herein have testified. This is for teo primary reasons: (1) you become constipated and bloated, and your metabolism slows (2) you "feel" like eating more,especially junk food, while taking opiates.
That said, if you exercise daily, you can enhance your metabolism, especially thru rigorous weight training. I lost 70lbs, dropping from 300 down to 230. I have about 30lbs more to lose, but people tell me that I look great (I do bodybuilding and went from a 42" waist to 34" and most of my body weight is now lean muscle, although my back is carrying some fat. People tell me I look good enough to compete in shows.
You can successfully ween off ofthe opiates by seeing a pain management specialist, who can bring you own as fast or as slow as you can tolerate it.
THERE IS HOPE. Hang in there!
About 1% of persons who receive legal treatment for pain by being prescribed opiates become "physically" addicted, meaning if not for withdrawal patients would stop using them. So in reality, the number of people who become addicted long term is smaller than what you would infer by hearing about opiates from various media sources.
They do cause weight gain as per my previous entry herein and as others herein have testified. This is for teo primary reasons: (1) you become constipated and bloated, and your metabolism slows (2) you "feel" like eating more,especially junk food, while taking opiates.
That said, if you exercise daily, you can enhance your metabolism, especially thru rigorous weight training. I lost 70lbs, dropping from 300 down to 230. I have about 30lbs more to lose, but people tell me that I look great (I do bodybuilding and went from a 42" waist to 34" and most of my body weight is now lean muscle, although my back is carrying some fat. People tell me I look good enough to compete in shows.
You can successfully ween off ofthe opiates by seeing a pain management specialist, who can bring you own as fast or as slow as you can tolerate it.
THERE IS HOPE. Hang in there!
I have good news.
I was on opiates for 5 years because I had had 11 surgeries starting in 2008 with the last surgery in 2014. These included three total left shoulder replacements, two open rotator repairs, one open biceps tenodesis, one back surgery to insert a cage at L5, which had a double fracture, one pinky fusion on the right hand, two plntar fasciitis repairs, one open and one arthroscopically, and one umbilical hernia repair.
Honestly, the opiates were needed and they worked. I was horrified to find that some surgeons do no prescribe opiates for pain. When I was looking for surgeons to fix my back (two fractures at L5, which required insertion of a cage and removal of L5), the surgeon asked me if I cold tolerate high doses of naproxen, ibuprofen, and anti-inflammatories in general. I told him that my stomach was unable to deal with these. At the time I was already taking 30mg of Oxycodone three times per day, and he quizzec me: "How do you know those opiates work?". I thought the answer was obvious, but I said, "Is this a trick question? Inknow because when I take them, the pain subsides." as I am saying "duh", to myself. Needless to say I found another surgeon.
In any event, I did blow up to 300lbs at 5'10" while on the opiates. I was finally off the meds as of Dec 2014, and now I am 230lbs. I lost 70 pounds in 3 months thx to being off the meds and continuing my exercise regimen.
Although they helped me tremendously with my pain, and thank God for their existence, they did cause weight gain. Th good news is, the weight came off like lightning after I weened off. My wife is happy to have her husband back:)
I was on opiates for 5 years because I had had 11 surgeries starting in 2008 with the last surgery in 2014. These included three total left shoulder replacements, two open rotator repairs, one open biceps tenodesis, one back surgery to insert a cage at L5, which had a double fracture, one pinky fusion on the right hand, two plntar fasciitis repairs, one open and one arthroscopically, and one umbilical hernia repair.
Honestly, the opiates were needed and they worked. I was horrified to find that some surgeons do no prescribe opiates for pain. When I was looking for surgeons to fix my back (two fractures at L5, which required insertion of a cage and removal of L5), the surgeon asked me if I cold tolerate high doses of naproxen, ibuprofen, and anti-inflammatories in general. I told him that my stomach was unable to deal with these. At the time I was already taking 30mg of Oxycodone three times per day, and he quizzec me: "How do you know those opiates work?". I thought the answer was obvious, but I said, "Is this a trick question? Inknow because when I take them, the pain subsides." as I am saying "duh", to myself. Needless to say I found another surgeon.
In any event, I did blow up to 300lbs at 5'10" while on the opiates. I was finally off the meds as of Dec 2014, and now I am 230lbs. I lost 70 pounds in 3 months thx to being off the meds and continuing my exercise regimen.
Although they helped me tremendously with my pain, and thank God for their existence, they did cause weight gain. Th good news is, the weight came off like lightning after I weened off. My wife is happy to have her husband back:)
I had a double back fusion back in 2008. I am 49 years old now and I know my age and being a woman doesn't help, but I always managed to stay a size 4 to 6 until shortly after my surgery. I have been taking Norco ever since , about 3 to 4 pills a day and I have gained over 50 pounds. I hate how I look. i want to try to stop taking them, hoping to lose some or all of this weight. This has been interesting reading, so this will be my inspiration.
Yes it does. Ive been on 10/325 Vicodin for three years and gained 35 pounds. My Doc told me it was the pills. They slow yor matabolism and paralyze your intestines. Im on day four of being off them and It is hell. Cant wait to feel normal.
Ive been taking Vicodin 10/325 for three years, about 8 a day. I gained 35 pounds and that was after Gastric bypass surgery. so I know it wadnt from eating, it was the pills and also, I became a heavy drinker due to the pills. I could drink forever and never get drunk. Im on day 4 of getting off them cold turkey. Its been hell, anxiety so bad cant sleep, cant eat, its slowly getting better. So yes They do make u gain weight. My Doc also told me they do. Its only been 4 days and im already down five pounds. Im sure thats from not having an appetite. It would be so easy for me to take a pill right now just to feel normal. It ***** so bad.
So I have been moderately abusing Oxycontin and Oxycodone for about five years. I am proud to say I'm three months clean and don't have the slightest urge to use. I had been snorting Oxycontin 40's until the manufacturer made that impossible, then switched to Oxycodone 40's.
I have been fit all my life but I gained about 60lbs. while using for the last half-decade (not to mention spending about $200 a month). However, as I mentioned earlier, I was moderately abusing the drugs; snorting only about ten pills per month (sometimes only five). Seems almost trivial, but my tolerance never really subsided during my extended abuse, so I never found the need to purchase more (thank god).
I've been working out and eating right during the entire experience, but I was gaining weight like crazy. I couldn't put my finger on it because I always assumed that the opiates would cause me to lose weight. Nevertheless, I kept using and kept on gaining. My parents (who didn't know about the abuse) always said like I wasn't fat, but just swollen; like I had been retaining water.
I've come to learn that there are a lot of folks that use opiates who suffer from chronic constipation and swelling of the face, limbs, extremities and abdomen (my main problem). I'm wondering if anyone has gone through the same hell? I wouldn't call myself so vein as to obsess over this change in my body, but I'm only 29 and I'm getting married in a few months; I want to look my best (and feel my best, for that matter).
I've read that doing a cleanse with a stimulant laxative, plenty of fluids and exercise will really attack the weight and swelling. Has anyone else been through this? Regardless, any feedback or input to this dilemma would be more than appreciated.
Thoughts?
I have been fit all my life but I gained about 60lbs. while using for the last half-decade (not to mention spending about $200 a month). However, as I mentioned earlier, I was moderately abusing the drugs; snorting only about ten pills per month (sometimes only five). Seems almost trivial, but my tolerance never really subsided during my extended abuse, so I never found the need to purchase more (thank god).
I've been working out and eating right during the entire experience, but I was gaining weight like crazy. I couldn't put my finger on it because I always assumed that the opiates would cause me to lose weight. Nevertheless, I kept using and kept on gaining. My parents (who didn't know about the abuse) always said like I wasn't fat, but just swollen; like I had been retaining water.
I've come to learn that there are a lot of folks that use opiates who suffer from chronic constipation and swelling of the face, limbs, extremities and abdomen (my main problem). I'm wondering if anyone has gone through the same hell? I wouldn't call myself so vein as to obsess over this change in my body, but I'm only 29 and I'm getting married in a few months; I want to look my best (and feel my best, for that matter).
I've read that doing a cleanse with a stimulant laxative, plenty of fluids and exercise will really attack the weight and swelling. Has anyone else been through this? Regardless, any feedback or input to this dilemma would be more than appreciated.
Thoughts?
What a great thread. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. I naturally have a very slow metabolism (on useless meds for this), but adding to that I have had two major chronic pain conditions in my lifetime which introduced me to narcotics (at 16). I think I definitely have a dependancy.. For sure as I take codeine more days than not. For pain management but also to deal with depression. I really wish all the ineffective anti-depressants worked half as well as narcotics. I feel so positive, motivated, and I'm very productive! This builds on my self-esteem, however negative it may be for my body. I have suffered with unrelenting migraine on & off for 24yrs so I really keep close tabs on my usage. I can't build up too much of a tolerance or else I will be screwed when that migraine kicks in. I can get control over my migraine with 2-3 Tylenol 3's (60-90mg of codeine). Here in Canada we can buy Tylenol 1's OTC which I am grateful for because drs often underprescribe pain meds... And it can be hell. On the downside I can buy them for recreational use and it's probably killing my liver and totally messing up my metabolism. I have to take about 8 T1's to get the same pain relief or high as 2 T's. All that aceteminophen is toxic to my body and I'm sure it's also responsible for the 70 or so pounds Ive gained over the years. I eat very little for a big person (245lbs), and I am blowing up. I usually eat ine meal per day, and have forgotten to eat altogether. I'm with the testimonials and research, and the testimonials. These drugs definitely cause weight gain. I'm glad I'm not crazy, becausesomething just wasn't adding up. I must find a way to manage my depression and migraines without the habitual use of narcotics. It will be hard because they literally saved my life in many respects. Good luck and good health to everyone here. Thanks for sharing your non-judgementalcexperiences.
Wow this sounds exactly like me! I been taking roxy 30mg everyday for about a year now.. And I was 130 pounds and now I'm 175!! It's absolutely horrible!!! I barely eat but when I do I eat like crazy and late at night! I also moved into my own place so I'm eating so much take out and rarely eat a nice home cooked meal-- I no longer use to get high but just to feel normal and I no longer get that happiness or boost of energy.. I'm actually feelings very depressed seeing how much my life has changed from doing these, I sleep so much I quit my job I don't excercise and I look like a cow!! This is not me!!! I'm struggling with this drug when I'm on it I think about how bad I want to quit but the minute I wake up in the morning I have to have one -- it's sickening.. I'm so lost and confused on how to do this the rigt way and least painful...:( stay strong ... Your not the only one out there !!
I have been steadily gaining weight without eating much and couldn't figure out why! I am the heaviest I have ever been (even during pregnancy)
So nice to have all this information now. I have lost about 5 lbs so far, and am starting on my 13th day clean today.
So happy to hear this!! Just one more reason to stay clean...who knew?
So nice to have all this information now. I have lost about 5 lbs so far, and am starting on my 13th day clean today.
So happy to hear this!! Just one more reason to stay clean...who knew?
Yep...Me too - I got up to the heaviest I'd been in my life during my last (final) run on Norco. Just like everyone else has said - I'd just sit around, no motivation to exercise or do much else. I didn't want to eat before I took my pills (didn't want anything to lessen the high), so I'd have my FIRST meal of the day around 4 in the afternoon, and would eat constantly until I went to bed.
I actually lost a ton of weight because we all know that food is an opiate high inhibitor. I would take pills when I woke up, have a small breakfast or sometimes skip it, have a small lunch (NEVER past 1 p.m.) then go home, get high again and eat whatever I had. On top of the fact I am an avid runner, i.e., my body was not obtaining the calories I needed, I became grotesque looking. I'm embarrassed to see pictures of myself a couple of years ago, I looked like a waifer thin supermodel...BUT I AM A MAN!
Late commer...just wanted to post...
This was a really good thread I thought. I was trying to find out if opiates slowed metabolism. I had been taking hydrocodone for about three years daily. It took it's toll on many aspects of my life. Everyday, my waking thought was pills, hour or so later...more pills...so on and so forth throughout EVERY day! I was spending 600-1100 dollars a month on pills and the process in which I was aquiring them. I got out of shape, behind financially, became an emotional zombie, always irritable, body bloted and weak...then it got bad. I lost my family...the people I loved more than life itself. That was my brick wall. I quit cold turkey...it was horrible at first. The first week is seemingly unbearable...it will definately test your willingness to quit. After that, I began coming back. Waking up with no pains and stiffness, able to get immediately out of bed and start my day. I'm losing weight, my finances are back under control, I have real emotions based on real circumstances again, and I got my family back! If anyone is struggling with opiates, especially if they are not prescribed, I employ you to rid your life of this toxin, so you may enjoy what you have left. One week, it's hell, but at the point I was at, three months of detox would have been well worth it. Thanks for reading...good luck...God Bless!
This was a really good thread I thought. I was trying to find out if opiates slowed metabolism. I had been taking hydrocodone for about three years daily. It took it's toll on many aspects of my life. Everyday, my waking thought was pills, hour or so later...more pills...so on and so forth throughout EVERY day! I was spending 600-1100 dollars a month on pills and the process in which I was aquiring them. I got out of shape, behind financially, became an emotional zombie, always irritable, body bloted and weak...then it got bad. I lost my family...the people I loved more than life itself. That was my brick wall. I quit cold turkey...it was horrible at first. The first week is seemingly unbearable...it will definately test your willingness to quit. After that, I began coming back. Waking up with no pains and stiffness, able to get immediately out of bed and start my day. I'm losing weight, my finances are back under control, I have real emotions based on real circumstances again, and I got my family back! If anyone is struggling with opiates, especially if they are not prescribed, I employ you to rid your life of this toxin, so you may enjoy what you have left. One week, it's hell, but at the point I was at, three months of detox would have been well worth it. Thanks for reading...good luck...God Bless!
well, i never gained wait as ididn't eat as muchor often...BUT
I did lose abuot 20 pounds during detox...that was kinda coool and maybe one more insentive to stop?
I did lose abuot 20 pounds during detox...that was kinda coool and maybe one more insentive to stop?
In my experience it does cause weight gain. In the past year and a half (been taking opiates for over 10 years, but recently I got out of control) I have gained about 25 pounds. Mostly because I wasn't eating during the day because heaven forbid I actually eat something and possibly interfere with the high I was chasing that I wasn't getting anymore. Then when night time rolled around I was starving and then would pig out. When you are really hungry it seems like it takes to long to cook something so I would run and get fast food. I am beginning a taper process as well, and included in that I am trying to make myself eat breakfast every day now.
nice the more of these stories i heaqr, the more inspired i am to quit the pills and drop the weighjt that came with it....i will keep track of it on my profile
Just remember you still need to eat right and exercise after awhile your body will get back to normal.
for me too, it only makes sense....this justreally excites me to quit and I feel that knowing i will drop wait once i get to the other side will make it easier for me to get there
Thanks for sharing guys....it really helps.......so quitinoxys-does opiates slow your metabolism?
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