Weight gain; peri menopause or antidepressants??

[Iamsodonewith2020]

I have been very low with severe anxiety and migraines for the past 2 years. I finally sought help in March this year. GP put me amitryptline for the migraines and anxiety and Citalopram for low mood. Since then I have put on 9kg. As someone who has been 9 stone for as long as I can remember this sudden increase of over 1.5 stone is beginning to effect me massively. My peri symptoms have also increased too and my libido is gone and I get flashes of heat about 3-4 times a day. I am wondering how best to tackle losing weight. The medication was working wonders until the weight gain so I am reluctant to come off them.

I'm much the same and because of other problems I'm coming off the antidepressants. They worked but caused me to have side effects that were adding to my worries.

I have gained about half a stone in three months. I knew I had gained but it just keeps piling on. Today I'm going to watch how much I eat and start to diet.

I am pretty sure I am peri menopausal as well. Periods are erratic, breast tender for longer each month, migraines, broken sleep, night sweats etc.

@Iamsodonewith2020 A couple of things to research...

if your low mood coincides with peri and you have no history of depression, NICE guidance (pinned above) specifically asks GPs not to prescribe ADs for women in peri. The first line treatment for low mood/ peri/ flushes is HRT. (NICE - see above.)

It can also help peri migraine.

Weight- there is no direct link with ADs and weight gain but some ADs are known to increase appetite and cravings, so you might ask yourself if this has happened to you?

There is masses online about mis-prescribing of ADs for women in peri so just mentioning as something to look into and have a think about.

Jingling I think it’s definitely increased appetite. I find my self starving at 8pm at night whereas before I used to only eat at mealtimes