Gone from a size 10 to a size 24 in 2 years. Feeling shit about myself

[NCbcosouting]

I have always been slim. At one point I was a size 4! I usually sit around a size 10-12 comfortably, weighing around 11 stone, very small on top, bigger on my bum and thighs. But since giving birth to my son 2 years ago I have ballooned up to a size 24, and weigh 21st, at the age of 27.

I think I have sleep apnea, get out of breath easily, find myself making snorting noises sometimes, breathe very heavily, I just feel shit.

I went up to a size 16 in pregnancy, and have gained 7 stone since becoming a mum. I’m not in denial. I don’t eat the best, but I don’t eat enough to warrant this much weight gain - I am still actively gaining every month no matter what I eat!

I have PCOS and had postpartum psychosis so have been on pregabalin, aripriprazole, lamotrogine, and lurasidone ever since. Would any of these medications make a difference? I know weight gain can be a side effect of all..

I’ve got to have gallbladder surgery on Thursday and I am worried about the anaesthetic and having sleep apnea, I’m worried that my weight will complicate things.

I guess I’m just posting for support, I really want to lose weight but every time I try I’m still gaining weight. I’ve had my thyroid checked and it’s fine.

Just feel so bloody crap and horrible about myself :(

Ps they don't test for hashimoto, even if a Dr requests the test, I only got that tested as was going to endocrinologist over my pcos, if your gp won't test I think private tests aren't too pricey.

Do get the dr to check your HBa1C levels, it will show if your sugars consistently high?

Oh bless you, I don’t know anything about those medications but if I were you, I’d go to my GP and have a proper chat about it. Good luck.

OP I think you should ask for a medication review. Often the meds needed when someone is acutely unwell are more than are needed to stay well and you may not need to be on 4 different meds.

Small on top larger on the bottom, have a look at lipoedema it's a fat disorder that progresses during times of hormonal change and can cause rapid weight gain in later stages.

I have a family member with psychosis who has ballooned since treatment despite not eating much. I'm just seriously pleased they're not psychotic anymore as it must have been horrible (horrible for you to experience too.)

Can you try being kind to yourself and glad for what you've got through. It sounds hard though with people being judgey. You could ask about weight loss on your medications and just remind yourself how far you have come from psychosis.

It’s ridiculous how many calories are in junk food, making it way too easy to overeat without realising it. You only have to eat an extra 460 calories a day to have gained 7 stone in 2 years.

You could easily reach that just by having takeaway/mcdonalds a few times a week, or even just drinking a couple of sugary drinks and having a bag of crisp and a kitkat throughout the day.

Where do you think you’re going wrong, is it your meals that are large and unhealthy or is it just unhealthy snacking/drinking throughout the day?

Clinical pharmacists can advise on drugs too, my surgery has one.

I have PCOS, my bmi is 18. It’s not a brag, I eat a diet of unprocessed food purely because I know if I don’t I’ll get bigger again. I’d live on frazzles and Sauvignon blanc if that was an option.

Absolutely those medications will be responsible for some of your weight gain. I was a 10 now a 14 due to my meds.

I would go to docs OP and get bloods checked for everything including thyroid! It doesn't sound normal!

This. It's very easily done.

The thing is, whilst certain medications can affect metabolism/appetite, it's still ultimately a matter of calories in vs calories out. Reduce your calorie intake to below your TDEE and you will lose weight, irrespective of the medication you're on.

OP says she's already had her thyroid checked.

It will be the antipsychotic. I was on risperidone and in two years I went from 7 stone to 13. I changed to another antipsychotic but it took over ten years to lose the weight (other side effects include tiredness so makes it hard to exercise). My only way to maintain my weight is to eat 1500 calories a day. You psych should be able to give you metformin as antipsychotics can affect your metabolism. You may have to push this - one psychiatrist refused to prescribe me metformin because antipsychotics don’t cause weight gain and it was obvious I had no self control in my eating and I needed to get on a treadmill.

Sorry I had 0 comments on this thread when I last looked so I haven’t checked back until now.

My eating is different every day, sometimes I eat less sometimes more but calories wise I would say between 2,000-2,500? All my drinks are low sugar/low fat so calories are all just food

Thank you for all the kind and reassuring comments too I really appreciate it, and for the helpful advice

Please don’t be hard on yourself OP. I suffered a severe psychotic breakdown and was with the crisis and Early intervention team for 3 years. I’ve been on every medication under the sun. The medication caused a weight gain of over 3 stone and 1.5 years into them I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid. My GP then told me that the psychosis medication can cause the thyroid gland to stop working - would have been very useful if I’d known and kept a closer eye on things but I was too mentally unwell at the time.

If you feel stable in your mental health and can cope with a change, I strongly recommend lane swimming for exercise. The only thing I could cope with at the time was walking and even that was a real struggle. When your mind is unwell other things tend to follow. Be kind to yourself but also be honest and seek help with the weight gain.

I’m now six years post psychosis, have been completely med free (aside from thyroid medication) for over 3 years. I’ve managed to lose nearly all of the weight I put on. It’s taken a long time and been really really tough, but there is light at the end of the tunnel and you need to take baby steps in the right direction. Feel free to talk to me anytime, I truly understand.

I've also ballooned in weight due to being prescribed antipsychotics over the last couple of years and I'm now morbidly obese. I also feel really shit. Sending love.

Hi OP

I'm sure it's a combination of pregnancy, motherhood, not eating the best and definitely your meds. I really think you should go and see or speak to your GP. Push for full blood tests including thyroid function and a medication review.

If you are in a good place from a mental health point of view then perhaps you could look at reducing or changing your medications.

2000-2500 Cals isn't bad ( 2000 is usually the recommended for women) but you could try a slight calorie deficit (maybe try 1900 calories if you are feeling up to it) and perhaps keep a food diary for a few days to see what calories you are consuming - it's amazing how fast they add up. The food diary will also be a good reference to have when you speak the the GP too. Good luck x

I also have PCOS and find I gain weight super easily if my diet is quite carb heavy, even if I’m not eating that much calories wise. If I start eating less carbs the weight seems to drop off

As others have suggested, It might be worth speaking to your GP and getting some up to date bloods and mentioning your medication.

PCOS causes weight gain. It can be very difficult to shift.

Try fasting and low carb. Exercise eg walking will help you to feel better.

Can you see a nutritionist? Get on an exercise programme, slow and steady?

You've come through a huge ordeal with post-partum psychosis so you need to recognise that you've been very vulnerable and try to be kind to yourself.

If you're ready to work on your weight a chat with your doctor/psychiatrist re the meds causing weight gain is a good start.

I'm a classic yo-yo diet, lose some weight then slip back into bad habits when stressed, but things that have helped me lose weight are a food diary with calorie counts and Slimming World/Weight Watchers for the discipline of the weekly weigh in.

Maybe try a diet, but if it's putting you under too much stress you could consider postponing it for say 3 months and focus on thinking about just eathing healthier and moving more till then. You need to mind yourself, you've been through a lot and have a baby to look after.

have you thought about Slimming World? After I had my third I was 18 stone and it really helped me to lose weight. I think it works best if you have a lot to lose and you don’t ever have to be hungry. Also it’s supportive and there are people of ALL different sizes there so I never felt uncomfortable even at my biggest.

Also in some areas in the UK you can get SW on referral from your GP for the first 12 weeks.

PCOS and some pysch meds can affect insulin resistance but as PP said, the ones you are on are less likely to do that than others.
Why are you on pregabalin if you don't mind me asking?
Look up metabolic syndrome
Do talk to a health professional OP, both Psych team and GP, as your weight is affecting your health and happiness and ability to do daily activities.
Must be so difficult to see yourself changing and feel out of control after such a difficult start to motherhood. Best of luck and a big hug x

i think the pregablin or the lurasidone may be the culprits. I put on a lot of weight on an antipsychotic (quetiapine 4 stone in one year) and I know a couple of people who have put in weight with pregablin.