Has anyone managed to lose weight while on quetiapine?

[UndertheCedartree]

I am so sick of being overweight. I've never been overweight before but when I was put on quetiapine I gained so much weight. I don't feel like myself. My psychiatrist just thinks it's better to be overweight than mentally unwell, but I don't want to be overweight. I get back pain and pain in my feet, I feel like I'm permanently heavily pregnant!

I’m also on quetiapine and gained two dress sizes.
I would rather be fat than be as unwell as I was off the quetiapine. Nothing has worked as well for me as that drug.
I’ve tried a few times to lose weight but my problem is lack of Will power and lack of motivation.

I mean yes, I don't want to be mentally unwell but I also don't want all the health problems associated with being overweight. I was a size 8 when I went on it and an 18/20 now.

Do you find as soon as you take it at night you get the munchies? I've never known anything like it. It works by effecting the hormones that make you feel hungry - I think it would be difficult even if you have iron will power!

I put on two and a half stone on quetiapine and I didn't even notice it, nor thought I was eating or doing anything particularly differently, except I was possibly a bit less active as I was signed off work. I felt so awful when I realised and can't look at photos from back then without wincing.

However, I did manage to lose it over time while still taking it, but mostly during lockdown when I cut right back on drinking, did intermittent fasting and really strictly counted calories. It was pretty miserable but doable - aided by the fact I actually couldn't go out anywhere to nice restaurants. I actually think I started with the Weightwatchers app, which was really helpful.

It's so rubbish being right at the start of the journey and not feeling at all good in yourself and tbh I think it continues for a few weeks until you see a noticeable difference on the scales. But once you get to that point, it definitely becomes easier (and more addictive!)

I am a fellow Quetiapine user, amongst other medications too. I too have gained quite a bit of weight and find it hard to lose any. I have gotten into the mind set of being stable and fat is better than being unstable and thin. You will find psychiatrists are unphased by weight gain, so long as your mental state is improved. You will also find that GPs don't seem to recognise that your weight gain is due to your medication. Well that is my experience.

That's good to hear. You give me hope! I more than doubled my weight 🤯 Went from 7.7st to 16st! So I assume it will take a long time to lose. It didn't help that I was in hospital for 3 years. I just wish they helped you not put the weight on in the first place - or at least minimise it.

So you found the Weight watchers app good? I'll have a look, thank you.

I’m kinda feeling a bit more inspired to try and lose the weight. I take it straight before sleeping but I just eat compulsively, all the time. I’m hardly ever not eating. It’s mad, really.

I put on four stone and I felt so unwell physically but I'd rather that then be mentally unwell

Last year I had a gastric sleeve and lost 11 stone and developed a love of exercise. I'd have never lost it without it and I remain on the same dose.

Quetiapine was awful for me in terms of weight gain, as was olanzapine. Not only did I gain weight (rapidly!) I also struggled to lose it again.

As others have said, it's about finding the balance between preserving mental health and the risk of weight gain. Can you discuss alternatives with your Doctor or psychiatrist? Aripiprazole is supposedly weight neutral (depending on whether it's suitable for you, of course).

Oh fuck, how much are you taking, I started a month ago but wasn't told about weight gain 😳 and just today was sating to my husband how big my stomach looks despite just finishing my period when it's usually at its flattest!

Oh wow! I really don't like the idea of weight loss surgery but glad it worked for you.

I already love exercise, I do it for my mental health. 2 classes a week, 3x gym, 4x swimming, and badminton every week. It keeps me fitter but does nothing for my weight, unfortunately.

I take lots of meds too. Others cause weight gain too (venlafaxine, mirtazipine, pregabalin) but I think quetiapine is the worst. It really annoys me how the psychiatrists play down the weight gain. They should put an intervention into place as soon as you start on the meds. This is why people with serious mental illnesses die many years earlier than those without as well as lots of us smoke. And the weight makes me feel depressed 😔

My friend who gained weight from this type of medication has been given the new weight loss drug from the NHS and is getting on with it really well.
Could be worth considering maybe.

I take mine at bedtime too and before I fall asleep my brain is screaming at me to eat several bowls of cereal!! And some cookies too if there are any in the house!

I've tried 2 medications - I still take 1 of them but they did nothing. When you actually look at the literature I know one I looked at it said people on it lost half a stone in a year! I need to lose 6st just to not have an overweight BMI let alone what I need to lose to be happy with my weight.

I had a look at this new one and it says it helps people lose 10% which is a bit better. I'm going to ask my GP about it. Thanks for the suggestion.

Oooo can the gp prescribe magic weight loss drugs?? I need to get me some of that, I’ve definitely turned from an overweight person to a properly fat person over the last few months.

I take 500mg. My advice is to be ready to deal with weight gain now right at the beginning. I was in a psych hospital so wasn't so much in control of my food which made it harder, as well as the evenings being boring so I definitely snacked quite a lot. I haven't gained anything since I'm out of hospital but been left with a tonne to lose but bear in mind that went on over the 3 years I was in hospital. I assume you're not in hospital so you're already winning on that front! I don't want to discourage you taking the meds because for me they saved my life.

I am so nervous about changing medications as it took a long time to find the right ones and become stable.

Does anyone know if the amount of quetiapine you take has any bearing on your weight. I'm not gaining weight since I'm out of hospital, but just can't seem to lose it!

I will warn you that I've tried 2 different meds and they've done fuck all. One I don't take anymore as I had to start treatment for an underactive thyroid (which yes, of course causes weight problems 😢) and it was contraindicated. The other I still take. Not sure if it's helping me maintain my weight, I think that's just due to not being in hospital, but it's certainly not helping me lose! That said, this new med is definitely worth a try. You have to have a high BMI and a weight associated problem. Hoping I might get away with having high blood pressure as mine is high for me because it used to be very low, but not actually considered high. But if not hopefully something else can be used.

Actually my HR has been high so that could be used for the criteria.

Hey love, I totally get where you’re coming from — weight gain on quetiapine can be so frustrating. I’ve been on Seroquel (quetiapine) for quite a while now myself, and honestly, it’s been a life-changer for my mental health. In the beginning, yeah, I had some mild side effects — mostly feeling a bit groggy and hungry all the time — but those smoothed out with time. The key for me was staying really mindful about what I eat and making gentle movement part of my routine, even just walking or light yoga. It’s not always easy, but it helped me avoid major weight gain and keep feeling like me.

Also, it might be worth checking if you’re on the lowest effective dose — sometimes a little adjustment can make a big difference in side effects like weight gain. And just so you know, I always get my Seroquel from topsup24.com/?product=seroquel — it’s a solid pharmacy, never had a problem with quality, and I always get great results.

Hang in there, girl. You’re not alone in this — and you can feel better and feel like yourself again. 💛

Would they consider weight loss injections alongside as weight gain is a side effect and so it could make sense, as you’d be more likely to continue taking the quetiapine.

I'm hoping when the WLI injections become more available that they will. Currently I don't qualify because I don't have anything secondary like diabetes/high blood pressure etc.

Morning, I'm one quetiapine albeit a low dose and I've lost 3.5 stone with Mounjaro from a private chemist. There was no way I was losing without some help to regulate my hormones and blood sugar while I overhauled my food and portion sizes. I think that being overweight brings a whole other MH issue. Just to warn anyone already with low mood, Mounjaro has been reported to cause low mood and I am lucky I've been able to lose on the lower doses. At one point around October last year my quetiapine was increased slightly.
In the weight loss injections section there will be people on weight loss drugs and higher doses of quetiapine who could give you more advice.
I was reluctant to take the quetiapine because of the experiences my Sister had, but I can honestly say it's literally saved my life. Good luck lovely lady x