Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be upset by the amount of weight I’ve gained

26 replies

User56666 · 30/01/2021 21:07

I’ve been on quetiapine since February and since then I’m now three stone heavier. I feel awful. I will admit to overeating but not enough to have gained such a large amount of weight.

OP posts:
positivity123 · 30/01/2021 21:17

YANBU

whatisforteamum · 30/01/2021 21:31

Is this an antidepressant?My dd has started on some anti anxiety meds and I can see she has put on weight.I think some increase your appetite.
I would be upset too.Perhaps try to get some advice from your go.Good luck.

MissBaskinIfYoureNasty · 30/01/2021 21:38

Ah same. Its hard because quetiapine has helped me so much but the weight is a shitter! I'm not sure what to suggest but I feel you.

Hankunamatata · 30/01/2021 21:46

Hugs. Anti psychs do cause weight gain. Imo its the one thing that can make people stop taking them. Try to focus on how well your metal health is on them.

moanieleminx · 30/01/2021 21:49

I just signed up for a happy body 90 day shred after reading on another thread that someone was happy with it. Start on Monday. (Give me
Chance to eat all the ice cream first. Grin)

It's 50% off until tomorrow.

Original poster
User56666 · 30/01/2021 21:53

Thanks everyone, the thing about it is I don’t struggle with psychotic symptoms. It’s only really helped my sleep. I was put on it as a lot of anti depressants hadn’t worked for me.

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 30/01/2021 21:54

How old are you?

JKRismyhero · 30/01/2021 21:56

I too have put on stones during lockdown(s). I was actually shocked. It most likely is due to my antidepressants as well as complete and utter boredom and using cooking/baking as an activity. I am trying to claw my way out now by diet and exercise but it is not easy now I am mid-30s.

You're not unreasonable to be upset.

chickychicchic · 30/01/2021 21:58

Dont beat yourself up it's one of the worst AD for weight gain and made my DH constantly hungry.

Maybe try and only have healthy snacks in the house so at least that's all you can eat. I know harder said than done

What's most important is your MH being stable so please don't beat yourself up.

However if it really effects you you can talk to your dr about other options?

CovoidOfAllHumanity · 30/01/2021 22:00

Quetiapine is the latest in vogue thing for resistant depression. The evidence isn't all that good to support the huge surge in its use IMHO and it is a bugger for weight gain. If you feel the side effects aren't worth the benefit you should come off it. Everything's a trade off.

chickychicchic · 30/01/2021 22:00

Just re read your posts talk to your dr there might be other options to try
Thinking of u op it's tough finding the right drugs

CovoidOfAllHumanity · 30/01/2021 22:01

If you haven't had psychological therapy you should be offered it. Meds aren't the be all and end all for everyone

SchrodingersImmigrant · 30/01/2021 22:01

There is really nice and supportive weight loss section, maybe someone will have tips in there on how to control the hunger. What's important is the pills are helping.

Eekay · 30/01/2021 22:03

Quetiapine is awful for weight gain. All the antipsychotics are bad, but this is absolutely the worst (and that's shown by research, not just my personal anecdote).
It's often prescribed for reasons other than psychosis, as in your case
My son gained 13kg in 9 months when he was on it. He had bipolar, but had it prescribed for insomnia and anxiety.
Their are definitely alternatives to quetiapine in all sorts of situations and I really urge you to go back to the doctor.
I've had major weight gain issues on other psychiatric drugs (four dress sizes) and doctors frequently don't give any thought to how dreadful it makes you feel about yourself.
One of the factors in arriving on my current medication regime was that I eventually refused to take anything else with weight gain side effects. It was tricky in my case, but we found meds that fit the bill.
Please research alternatives for yourself and go back to the doctor well informed.
I do feel for you. I know what it's like.

Eekay · 30/01/2021 22:06

Also, my experience in psychiatric hospitals is that quetiapine seems to be thrown at people as first choice in myriad diagnoses. It pisses me off actually. I think a far more nuanced approach is needed. It's bring dished out like prozac was n the 90s

Original poster
User56666 · 30/01/2021 22:12

I’m 30 they are saying these not a lot left to try. As I’ve been on three anti depressants.

OP posts:
Original poster
User56666 · 30/01/2021 22:13

I also think I would struggle to sleep without it now as I’ve missed a dose and then couldn’t sleep at all.

OP posts:
CovoidOfAllHumanity · 30/01/2021 22:14

It's the latest cool thing. Drugs do have fads unfortunately. We used to think it was shit 10 years ago. It's not a very good antipsychotic and wasn't selling very well for that indication so the company directed their efforts to getting a licence for treatment resistant depression which is an area that does need some better treatments and is a huge demand.

CovoidOfAllHumanity · 30/01/2021 22:17

Lithium and ECT are actually the best things for treatment resistant depression but not many people want to go there.
Psychotherapy is underused and also effective where drugs aren't.
CBT is very effective for insomnia.
Evidence based not personal opinion for all the above statements.

Original poster
User56666 · 30/01/2021 23:51

I would be willing to try anything.

OP posts:
CovoidOfAllHumanity · 31/01/2021 00:03

Ask your psych about those options
No point staying on a medication with a significant side effect unless you feel the benefits outweigh.

For a lot of people they do. I would never discourage someone from taking medication that is working for them but it doesn't sound like you feel it is. Don't stop without seeking advice though.

if it's just the sedative effect you want then there are lots of other options trazodone (shit antidepressant but does help you sleep), amitriptyline (great antidepressant but dangerous in OD also helps sleep).

Sometimes if drugs haven't helped it has to be accepted that medication is not the solution and therapy and life changes might be what's required.

gutful · 31/01/2021 00:13

Am on seroquel/quietiapine & only notice weight gain when I overeat.
It may make me put weight on more easily if I do overeat, so to not gain weight do need to maintain a healthy diet.

I like to save a portion of my dinner to eat when the seoquel munchies kick in at night and eat clean/healthy.

If you admit to overeating this is why you’re gaining weight. Not seroquel.

2020 has been a sedentary year & I have put on 5kg. But was overeating compared to the amount of energy used in a day.

I would look at overhauling your diet & lifestyle - start counting calories & you will get a realistic idea of why you are gaining weight.

Original poster
User56666 · 31/01/2021 10:13

I’ve overeaten in the past but I’ve not gained five pounds in a few days which I have since being on this medication.

OP posts:
SchrodingersImmigrant · 31/01/2021 10:30

@User56666

I’ve overeaten in the past but I’ve not gained five pounds in a few days which I have since being on this medication.
You know gains like this can be holding water. My weight can move 2kg withing day or two, up and down.
RubyGoat · 31/01/2021 10:37

I was on amitriptyline previously, for nerve pain. It didn't help the nerve pain much, but I did sleep better. Getting off it was terrible as I struggled to sleep for a couple of months. But, it didn't cause me to gain weight. If anything, I gained weight when I was coming off it, due to lack of sleep.

I don't think I'd take any medication that causes weight gain again. I have, a couple, in the past. And regretted it.