Zoloft and weight gain - loss

[swanna]

Hello all zolof so called addicts!
I have been on Zoloft for 10 years (!) and finally decided to try without it. I don't think I need it anymore and I'm sick of being about 50 pounds overweight...My doctors tell me I have to lose weight and lover my blood pressure..I kind of get annoyed because I eat very healthy, cook my own food, bake my own bread (whole grain), exercise,and HARDLY EVER eat suger. I don't even like it!

I have tried numerous of times to get off Zolof but always ended back on the meds. This time I have done better. I tapered off and I now only take 1/10 of 50 mg once a week. I haven't felt dizzy or anything but my conern is - HOW DO I LOSE MY WEIGHT???? I have gained 50 pounds and I would REALLY like to get back in shape. I eat right, exercise, and really try to keep my carbs down...

I think it's been easy to get off the med since I'm really happy at work and I also think I'm in love...
Anna

[sparkeler]

Weight Watchers is very successful.  They teach you how to measure food.  I've known so many people that lost weight on that, even when they ate healthy on their own.  May be an option.

[BearHitch]

I quit Zoloft because of the weight gain and decided to quit just cold turkey- not a good idea.  Glad you did it the right way- good luck to you!  :)

[MentalMess]

I am an ex-personal trainer and I gained 20 pounds on Zoloft.  It freaked me out!  The drug just made me tired, lethargic and lazy.  I tapered off the Zoloft and quit all together in October and found that my lack of motivation did not return.  I just started a new drug, Effexor, and hopefully that will help my motivation.  In the meantime, I can tell you that if you are eating right, watching carbs and exercising...you are on the right plan.  However, how do you define "eating right?"  You need to make sure that you are getting a balanced diet with lots of fruits and veggies, a protein base (meat or beans) and that you are drinking LOTS of water.  Don't saturate your food in sauces or dressings, avoid sugar and if you're drinking soda (even if it's diet)...try to taper off that as well but substitute with low sugar beverages like Crystal Light or diet Minute Maid...oh and did I mention water? And monitor your portions.  A good guide is to not serve up a portion size larger than your fist.  When you start to feel full...stop eating.  Make sure that you are getting at least 30 minutes of solid cardio a minimum of 3x a week and that you combine that with muscle toning. And be patient.  If you don't see immediate results, don't get frustrated and stop doing what you are doing.  If you are losing weight the healthy way...it won't just all fall off like you see on television programs like the Biggest Loser.  Remember that those people are working out several hours a day in multiple sessions with the guidance of trainers.  Proper weight loss starts slowly and you will start to notice more weight loss more quickly as you get healthier.  Good luck!

[usobaba]

I gained over 20 lbs, using Zoloft for about 5 months. Although I was feeling better during drug intake process, I was not aware of physical change until months later. After 6 - 7 mos of leaving zoloft, I am finally loosing weight, due to accupunture!! Perhaps meds cuased blockage in body and potentially altered metabolic rate. After avoiding zoloft, I was walking 9 miles a day, but, w/o any weight loss....

In the end, Zoloft reduced depression/anxiety, weight gain started to create anxiety issues. In the long term, zoloft seemed to be quite ineffective.

[DrMarquis]

Dear Anna, It's incredibly frustrating not to be able to lose weight!  It's not your fault.  It's chemical.  Your brain keeps telling you to eat or that you're not full.  I am a physician and have helped hundreds of people on antidepressants lose weight and keep it off.  Check out The Serotonin Power Diet which is proven by reserach studies at MIT to be effective for people on antidepressants to lose weight.  The reason it's so effective is that it takes away food cravings.  Eat the right carbs (yes, you must eat carbs) and your brain will make serotonin.  Serotonin shuts off your appetite, reduces your cravings, and makes you feel good.  Just everyday foods - no herbs, drugs, or supplements.  

[jsharley]

Are you saying this diet is effective to help people lose weight while they are on the meds, or that is helpful to help them get off the meds. I feel so much better on the zoloft, but I have gained 15 pounds and really want it off. I saw the book online, but just wanted to clarify. Will it help me lose the weight even if I stay on the meds?
Thanks
JS

[cat07]

for anyone starting a new anti-depressant--------
I would suggest to weight yourself every week or couple of weeks.  This is the way the weight sneaks on.  If you only go by how your clothes fit, you may assume you' ve gained 5 pounds when you've really gained 20.  I gained a lot of weight on Zoloft, but I was unaware of this side effect.  I went months without weighing.  If you see you're gaining weight, you can increase your exercise, lower your calories, etc.

Also, working out at Curves helped me.  You put muscle on your body which increases your metabolism and calories burned.

[jmana]

I have gained 50lbs on Paxil and I am now slowly coming off of it. Your not alone. Keep trying to come off the meds or switch to another. And keep eating right.

It's very hard, I know the feeling.

Jmana

[dizzy07]

I've been taking 100mg zoloft for almost a year (increased from 50mg due to panic attacks) and have now decided to stop! I too have gained weight...not even sure how much b/c I refuse to get on the scale! I can still fit into my clothes (barely) but it's just frustrating feeling helpless! Here's my catch 22...I know I should be working out or exercising in some way but the medicine has me feeling lazy and fatigued!!!! I can't even get motivated to work out...and even when I'm mentally motivated..I'm physically exhausted! What can I do?????

[dwr4k]

How did you cut your 50 mg Zoloft into 10th's.  I want to tapper off the drug but don't know the best way to reduce what I'm taking.

[happy35]

I am SO glad I decided to do my own research before starting Zoloft.  I gained 30 lbs on Lexapro and stopped taking it after a few months.  It's been 4 months since I stopped taking Lexapro and I'm just now able to lose weight without trying.  But when I shared my concern with my doctor, she assured me that I shouldn't have a problem with Zoloft.  Well...thanks to your comments, I have decided I rather learn how to deal with anxiety and depression without the help of drugs and chemicals.  I'm happy already knowing that I won't be gaining weight unnecessarily :-)

[DepressionSucks]

I have not gained any weight on Zoloft HOWEVER:

I drink 8 glasses of water a day
I exercise 3 to 4 times a week
I don't eat more than 1800 calories a day, most days less like 1200
I eat fruit, veggies, protein and the right amount of carbs
I don't drink soda anymore

I should be losing weight, but (in my non-medical opinion) that I am working to stay the same weight

[BLovely]

In my research, losing weight is actually a more common side effect of zoloft although some people do gain weight. I take 75mg of zoloft and have been taking it for 5 months. In the beggining I had zero appetite and lost 5 lbs. Now my appetite has increased slightly but I still am not as hungry as I was before I went on the zoloft. I have lost 10 lbs overall and hope not to lose anymore since I am a petite person to begin with. I just wanted to make people aware of this possible side effect. Weight loss and weight gain may be difficult to manage while on SSRIs so it should always be taken into consideration. I take zoloft for anxiety and it has been a tremendous help. My doctor simply monitors my weight and we are working together to make sure I eat properly and don't loose too many pounds.

[tadbad107]

Has anyone had success at loosing weight gained due to Zoloft???  I had been on 100mg of Zoloft for 3 1/2 years, and gained 40 lbs in the process.  I started to taper off the drug, and have been completely off it since April 07.  I'm excersizing and eating well but absolutely not a pound will budge.  I'm so desperately upset about this.  I feel like my body's metabolism has been completely ruined.  Will I ever be able to take off this weight??  

[sarahsmile1968]

I can totally understand.  I've been on Zolof for 5 months and I have gained  20lbs.  On top of that I've been on medication for 13 years due to inactive thyroid.  I've decided to take myself off of Zolof.  I'm so glad I'm not alone!  

[el_dave]

I've lost 80 pounds in the last six (well, my wife says four) months. The way I did it was eat only every other day. On the "off" days I drink milk, like half a gallon of it. I found that once my stomach shrunk I didn't get hungry any longer, it became really easy. Also, at least once a week I walk ten miles. I went from 240 pounds to 160 pounds so quickly that people around me thought it was a symptom of my depression. Also, I'm monitored by a nurse, who says my health doesn't appear to be adversely affected at all.

[tadbad107]

I'm so glad to get a response to my post.  I was on zoloft as a treatment to prevent chronic tension headaches, and  since going off of it, my headaches actually became even less frequent.  At any rate, I wasn't in danger of having a serious psychological issue by getting off of it.  I don't know what your specific medical situation is, but if you and your doctor feel you can go off of it, I would.  Be glad you've only gained 20 lbs so far.  Hopefully you'll be able to lose the extra weight more quickly than I have.
el-dave, I find your method of losing weight very intriguing.  I may very well have to try that.  

[windybeach]

I was on Zoloft for almost 2 years.  Went from 130-135 to 150lbs while on Zoloft.  I have been Zoloft free for 3 months.  6 months ago I started a rigorous exercise routine and began watching what I eat very carefully.  Not a pound has come off.  No Dr's I've talked to have any answers.  It is very frustrating.

[nsa4]

I have just started zoloft.  I have no appetite at all.  I feel full all of the time and have lost 5 pounds.  I was actually coming on this site to see what strategies people are using to keep up their energy levels etc.  I usually do a lot of physical activity but I'm finding that hard with the change in my appetite and an upset stomach.  Anyway, your thoughts are appreciated.  I'm sorry to hear people are also experiencing the opposite reaction.  Both are frustrating.  I am, however, feeling much more even emotionally which is lovely.

[maria1973]

I have been on Zoloft for a year now.  I take 50mg for panic attacks and I gained 20lbs as well.  I am very frustrated to hear that people are not loosing weight after they stop Zoloft.  I was really hoping that I would loose weight once I stopped taking it.  I feel so much better, my panic attacks are gone and I learned so much from my therapist that I really think I will be fine once I stop (which I plan on doing soon).  I just hope I can loose the weight, I will end up very depressed if I can't and then I'll probably end up back on meds!

[tadbad107]

I just wanted to report a sliver of hope to all those struggling to lose weight after zoloft.  Although it's been painfully slow, I have managed to lose 18 lbs in the last 7 months.   It was one year this past April since I was completely weaned off Zoloft.  Suddenly, at that one year mark, I was able to lose a little.  Of course this is clearly still a work in progress, and I still have 25 lbs to take off until I reach my pre-Zoloft weight, (in which I was a size 6), I'll take it, even if it is very slow.  We'll see how long it takes me to get back down, but I know how discouraged everyone feels, so needed to share my small success.   Hang in there everyone!

[jb8176]

I have had tremendous results following a hypoglycemic diet. There is also a stricter version of it for weightloss that really works if you stick with it.
Good luck!

[CTfatty]

I too have been on Zoloft for almost 3 yrs now. Started at 25mg then to 50mg.  I've gained 20lbs since then.  I have a small frame and have always been under weight.  Since the zoloft, I have a much fuller frame.  I have always worked out (5 days a week including long running drills) for years.  It's like I don't look like I even work out but I DO look like I eat all the time.  I keep asking my Dr. and he said it's not the meds.  Plus my thyroid is fine.  I have been struggling with infertility for 5 years now and I am beginning to think 3 of the 5 have to do with my weight gain and zoloft.  Nothing I do helps.  I could eat fruits and veggies all day and drink OVER 80+ oz of water daily.  Nothing works, I get even more depressed about my weight, then I throw in the towel and eat like a pig.  Will this ever end?  I want to wean off and get back to my org. weight of at least 125lbs.  Help!!!
~ Plump in CT

[sof083072]

I am now on 25mg of Zoloft a day. I used to be on 100mg. I will see the doctor next month about getting off completely. I started in 2007 and gained over 30 pounds. I started the gym last month, not 1 pound has come off. I will continue to go but I am losing hope. I keep thinking that once I am completely off of Zoloft, it will make NO difference. Is this true? Email me: ***@****

Thanks!