Antidepressants Meds and Weight Gain

[ShootingStarsinthesky]

Hi I take Escitalopram 20mg and Amitriptyline 50mg a day for anxiety/depression. They are the best combination of drug I have had when dealing with these problems over the last 20 years. They only problem I have is the weight gain particularly around my stomach since being on these drugs in the past few years. I have a 45 inch waist which I know is far too big and dangerous, though I would say the rest of me is not nearly as overweight as this middle section.

It would be a really bad time to change these drugs as my DH and I are trying to adopt a child (so I don't need the problems associated with withdrawal from drugs at this time or having to attend a Mental Health Team as I would never let a GP change my medication as I have made this mistake in the past!)

My question is has anyone else experienced this problems with these drugs or controlled their weight successfully on these drugs which seem to increase your appetite. I would say I spoke to a Psychiatrist once (at work) and asked him if these drugs slow down the metabolism and he said they do increase appetite but you don't have to eat it!!

I would say do exercises.... Like the shred. Will help with your depression too. Also eat healthy. Maybe 5:2. I do know what you mean though, it's all round the middle.... Rubbish.

Hi, have had no experience of those drugs but have found that my weight increased because of depression as had less energy to do things. It seemed to be the same no matter what meds I had personally. The only med that made a significant increase in appetite was mirtazapine . And yes the dr said up to me to not eat! Joining slimming world has helped the most - as can eat lots but the food I eat following the plan means I do not out weight on. Have you tried SW? Good luck with adoption.

I have this poblem too. I'm on 200mg sertraline and have never been this big in my life

I agree with superstar re: exercise. I really need to get going with it because I know it's good for our mental health too. I hope the adoption process goes well for you, shooting. Don't let your weight get you down - you've made a positive decision to work on getting more physically healthy after going through a lot with your mental health.

Many thanks Superstarheartbreaker, SilverStars and CoreyTrevorlahey for your tips. When I have approached the weight/drug issue with GPs their response has always been that because depression is lifted with the drugs so patients are less worried about weight and overeat! In fact the Psychiatrist I saw for the adoption report is the only one who has agreed that there is in fact a link.

I will try more exercise and maybe move from Weight Watchers to Slimming World and see if that helps and try and be a bit easier on myself generally as the adoption process is not for the faint hearted!

Best of luck to you all as well with the tummy bulge battle.

I hope the adoption process continues well. I have had to program myself to eat healthier and for me SW did that as there is less point counting. That is just my experience but if WW not worked thus far SW sounds a good thing to try.