To stay fat?

[dinosaurtrainzombie]

Regular poster, I've NC as sure this will make me identifiable.

I have a series of health conditions, and am on several medications. Have cut these down to a minimum but three of the ones I am still on all have a side effect of weight gain. One of the ones I've cut out did have as well.

I've just had to do height, weight and blood pressure to register with a new GP, and found out I'm firmly in the 'obese' category for BMI. Of course I've been aware that I've been gaining weight, but finding out I'm this overweight has really upset me. I'm gutted. I have a history of eating disorders and know this is going to make things harder. Am also bloody short which know doesn't help.

Just exercising isn't an option (I do what I can, but between health conditions and finances this is pretty infrequent to be honest). Whilst I sometimes have chocolate or cake, I normally eat pretty well - tbh I should probably eat more than I do but eating disorder thought processes don't allow it.

I know it's the medication that's caused it, because before starting them, I was several sizes smaller. So the simple solution is to stop them. But the idea of coming off the only things that make life actually bearable is making me want to cry almost as much as seeing how much I now weigh. Before I started on these three medications, I was barely able to leave the house, and certainly not able to do the things I can now do with my DC - park, days out, even cuddling for long periods of time. There aren't direct alternatives to the meds I'm on.

AIBU to stay on these meds, and stay fat, and possibly risk getting bigger?

[dementedpixie]

If it's a choice between being slim and not being able to do everything you want to or being fat but having better quality of life then I would be fat (although I am fat so maybe not the best judge .. I do exercise so I am both fat and fit)

[ArmchairTraveller]

Yes, I'd stay on the meds, keep up whatever exercise I could (swimming?) and focus on the quality of life and interaction my DC were getting. Concentrate on the health/activity side of things. That includes your mental health.

[mummymeister]

what medication are you on that actually makes you put on weight? I know that some like steroids make you ravenously hungry but don't know of any that actually have sufficient calories in to do this.

sometimes it can look like you eat healthily but there are hidden calories in things like sauces and what you add to food. its amazing how these all add up. things like cheese and olive oil etc. at the end of the day I suppose its going to be a trade off. you cant just stop your medication so you have to look at what you are eating. being that overweight isn't good in the long term for your health. but at the end of the day its up to you isn't it.

[GraysAnalogy]

Right now you have to think about your quality of life, only you can weigh up those options. If your life is unbearable without the medications, what's the point in being slimmer? I know I would rather be overweight and live a bearable life.

The thing is I think a lot of times with medications is that they don't make you put on weight, they just make it harder for you to lose OR increase your appetite. It just means people have to be extra careful but this ends up leading to people believing 'it made me put weight on'.

There's very few medications that you would have to stop completely to enable you to lose weight. It might be worth having a convo with your GP or get a referal to a specialist if its something that is really bothering you.

[exWifebeginsat40]

I take quetiapine and mirtazapine which both have weight gain as a listed side effect. at the moment I'd rather be fat and able to leave the house than back to a 12 and frightened of everything.

it does get me down and I also have a history of eating disorders so I know these feelings OP. you're not on your own.

[dementedpixie]

A simple Google gives examples of drugs that can cause weight gain so it is a factor. It's not extra calories in the drugs but the way they affect the body. You seem to be implying that the OP is driving the weight gain herself but she may not be

[dinosaurtrainzombie]

It's not that they've increased my appetite, and as I say I have a history of EDs - so I'm certainly aware of 'hidden' calories. On top of that I have several food intolerances and sensitivities, so any of the foods people typically binge or even just snack on, my body can't handle in more than a few mouthfuls, if that.

[mummymeister]

so what do you want to do OP? you sound like you are enjoying your life overall much more now on the meds than before you were on them. what's the dilemma? you know what weight you are at and if there isn't anything that you can do that you aren't already doing then that's that really. I guess the issue is if the weight gain starts to also get you down but you could go and have a chat with your specialist and see what their thoughts are.

dementedpixie does that then mean that you have to eat less calories to avoid the weight gain because if you just took the medication and didn't eat at all you wouldn't then put on weight would you?

I know that if I don't exercise I cant eat as much so those times due to health that I cant I know I have to eat less or at least try to.

OP don't set yourself up to fail. if you are overweight but have a better life then that's the way it is.

[GraysAnalogy]

It depends on the person and on the drug mummy. Whenver a drug lists 'weight gain' there can be a multitude of reasons why that weight gain can happen including appetite increase, metabolism changes, increased lethargy etc.

[WeeHelena]

You should do what will make you happiest, make the best of situation.
Maybe if you want to keep healthy maybe just do light cardio type exercise to keep your lungs and heart healthy without the aim of losing weight iykwim as well as exercise in general is good for releasing endorphins and essentially help keep you happy.

[MrsMook]

It sounds like the medications are worthwhile for your wellbeing. Eating for good nutrition and keeping active will do your body good without it turning into a frustrating battle.

[Runningupthathill82]

Absolutely do what makes you happiest. But when it comes to exercise, "finances" shouldn't come into it - a run or a walk are free, and really good for physical and mental health (if your health conditions allow).
If you're genuinely eating well already, then it sounds like you're taking care of yourself and doing the best you can.

[seasidesally]

hi op i totally get what your saying,i had the same problem I take quetiapine which is very well known for weight gain but my weight has really affected my health and knew i had to tackle it

after reading lots about expected weight gain on it i felt like it just wasnt worth trying as it seemed everybody was saying you gain but nobody said they lost it

anyway 4wks ago i had enough and started low carbing

[WorraLiberty]

Have a chat with your new GP when you register with them.

They'll be used to medication causing weight gain and either they or the nurse may be able to advise on ways to help.

[BillBrysonsBeard]

I would stay on them and be fat... Maybe one day you won't need them anymore but in the mean time you'll be making memories with your DC I would say your mental health is more important for now.

[emmaluvseeyore]

You need to do what makes you happiest, but do be aware that you may end up becoming unhappy due to your size. I reached a size 26 this time last year, mainly caused by me being an emotional eater. It was such a slow increase in weight that I hadn't really realised how much it was affecting me. I've been doing Slimming World for almost a year now, and I've lost 3.5 stones mostly through diet. I'm now a size 20. It might be worth you looking at doing that? I am so much happier now, and much less likely to be affected by weight-related conditions (both parents are Type 2 diabetics). And as other posters have said, you can do quite a bit of exercise for free.

[notagiraffe]

I'm guessing OP is referring to some form of SSRIs. Whatever GPs tell you, a lot of these meds do make you put on weight. I put on 20lbs on them over five years. First six months - no change , so people who are on them for a short period of time don't have such a problem, but long term, they definitely have this side effect.

My very skinny friend has been on them for six months. Like me, she was fine for the first six months. But I saw her yesterday and her thighs were all swollen and spongy, just as mine got on ADs. She is very thin and healthy and works out every day. I've known her ten years. No way there's any other reason for her to suddenly gain weight. So yes, they do make you gain weight.

OP, like you I choose fat happiness over thin malfunction. Try to keep moving around, drink loads of water and discuss swapping meds with GP as some are less prone to weight gain than others. I'm currently on Fluoxetine. It didn't work for the first two months. Now it's kicked in. I feel vital and healthy and am out and about swimming and walking an tackling housework so am much more active than I was prior to taking it, but have gained 5 lbs in a couple of weeks. Nothing you can do about it.

[Thefitfatty]

The only reason to be thin (if you take away vanity and societal pressure) is for health. Obviously, in your case, thin and healthy isn't really an option. So be fat and healthy. Eat healthy foods, up your exercise (you don't need finances) and these will significantly impact your health :) also never discount mental health as a contributor to a long life.

[motherinferior]

Yes, I know someone who is very distressed - like you this person has a history of EDs - and who is on SSRIs which work for the more severe mental health problem but cause weight gain (and believe me, I've seen how little my friend is eating at the moment).

I am hoping that my friend stays on the SSRIs, which will also make it possible for them to exercise and generally up their wellbeing overall.

[dinosaurtrainzombie]

Actually SSRIs are the ones I'm not on any more The others are an anti-epileptic, a pain killer and an anti anxiety med.

Finances sadly are an issue - because of my pain, the only way I've managed to exercise without it being unbearable afterwards was a routine I got into when I had a gym membership. I'd do half hour light work in the gym, then twenty minutes in the swimming pool, and then fifteen minutes in the sauna to relax my muscles. It was painful, and it affected me for the next few days but the routine of it helped keep pain levels down. Seeing as my sibling has had to audacity to change jobs I no longer have that On top of that I've also been losing my vision so even if I could afford it, I wouldn't feel safe.

Ironically years ago I was a dancer and loved going for runs. Now I'm a wheelchair user. So running - and even walking - aren't options. The only other thing I've done before that didn't cause too much discomfort was yoga. I can't afford classes any more, but maybe I could start doing it more regularly at home again. I dislocated too many joints last time I did it and it put me off (well aware that may sound extreme, however, sadly just part of my days).

Thank you for the support and especially those of you who understand exactly where I'm coming from.

[maggiethemagpie]

Don't stop your medication in order to lose weight - you need your meds more!

[motherinferior]

You might be eligible for free or at least concessionary membership of a council gym and/or pool, if you're a wheelchair user.