Sertaline weight gain

[Soapytoad]

Feeling at a real low ebb today with isolation and the whole current situation so it may be that this is all magnified.

I’ve been on 100mg Sertraline since last October. I have put on a phenomenal amount of weight. I don’t actually own bathroom scales so I can’t say how much, but I’ve gone from being a small 14 to being a large 16 which is probably at least 1 1/2 stone. I’ve just put on a pair of jeans I’ve not worn since before going in the meds and they only just do up.

The last few weeks since this lockdown I’ve consciously decreased my calorie intake in attempt not to put on any more weight while we are stuck at home. Has anyone else experienced huge weight gain on Sertraline? I do actually have a running machine which I have been using and will continue to do so. I am 42 this year too so I do accept that things are different with how my weight might be starting to change anyway.

WIBU to consider coming off them? I feel ok with everything within myself but am a bit worried that during these crazy times I might start feeling anxious and depressed again. I have been on AD before and put on weight then too but I don’t think it was as much as this time.

I really hate my body and I feel so bad about how I look.

Same! Although I am gutsy as well. I have been on them since last July and wanted to come off but then all this kicked off and I didn't think it was the right time but I want to come off them when it's all over. I am just HUGE, biggest I have ever been but I am also happy so considering that! As soon as this is over I will reduce and come off.

YANBU to consider coming off them, you can only try and start again if you find yourself dip. Good luck xx

I gained two stones on them. It’s not just you. Up to you as to what you do next - I came off them as they weren’t effective for me as an AD (though did help with anxiety) and the limited benefits weren’t sufficient for me to offset the side effects. Your balance of benefits to weight gain may be different....

I remember this, I also had really bad sweating!
I find appearance really contributes to my depression so my doctor took me off it as it was counterintuitive. I've taken lefepromine since with no weight issues and it is the only one to show signs of help.

What is it about ADs that cause this? The gain for me is around my midde too. I’ve always been an hourglass shape but it’s like there’s an apple going on now too. I don’t understand how it targets the body like this!

Me too! I've put on nearly 2 stone which I'm not happy about. Would love to discuss options with doctor but no chance of getting an appointment. Trying to exercise but lock down means nit so easy and also stress eating!

They increased my appetite at first as well, I’m diabetic so I didn’t change my diet so didn’t gain weight, but I understand different people tolerate hunger differently.

I was side effect free within six months, so it might be an idea to change, but I’m aware that might be challenging right now.

I’ve been on various antidepressants for over 20 years - mainly SSRIs. I work full-time, am active and exercise around three times a week - in the summer months I hill walk every weekend, often 8/9 hour walks. And I’m still four stones heavier than when I started on them. Part of this may be linked to the fact that I’m now in my mid-50s and would have gained some weight. But four stones!!

I do despair at times when I see my size 18 reflection in a shop window, I really dislike clothes shopping and I avoid being in photos. So I definitely have some sort of underlying unhealthy attitude towards how I look.

However, at the same time, the antidepressants have allowed me to live a fairly normal life and hold down a fairly responsible job. I have a good life and genuinely feel fortunate and grateful for all that I have. I have interests and am generally content with my life. Having had several attempts over the years to taper down with a view to coming off the medication, I know what I’m like when not on them. And that’s a horrible place where, for example, I can feel so bad and so down that it can take me an hour to get myself from my bed to the loo.

So for me being fat is the lesser of two evils. Do I like being fat? No. But it’s just the way it is.

I have gained weight on SSRIs. Doesn't matter which and I've been on a fair few at one time or another.

My completely unscientific observation is that my weight gain occurs as when I'm seriously depressed and in an unmedicated state, I lose all interest in food or alcohol or going out, but as the antidepressants kick in, my eating goes back to normal.