Depression and Weight IssuesHave you been diagnosed with depression, are possibly on depression medication, and find it affects your weight loss efforts? Post here for support!
Well, I went to a GP and he diagnosed me with depression, which is hardly a shock. I asked for a referral to see a psychiatrist (to discuss treatment, medication, etc) and he says "oh, you don't need to do that" and prescribes Zoloft. I don't object to taking an antidepressant as such, but I wanted to talk to a specialist first, especially since I'm having a really hard time finding a GP who actually listens when I talk!
I did a lot of reading on Zoloft and I'm now absolutely terrified I'm going to gain weight on it. I read sites where people were saying they were counting calories and exercising and GAINING weight!! And that they can't lose weight even after stopping the Zoloft!! If I gain weight I'll feel worse than I do now, but if I don't treat this depression I can't stick to a diet or anything cause I have no motivation. I'm feeling stuck and afraid.
Can anybody tell me something good about Zoloft? Or am I right to want to avoid it altogether? I've been prescribed 50mg once a day which is pretty low.
You know, its really an individual thing, everyone reacts differently to meds, and remember you are reading only the horror stories. I wonder how many people the drug has actually helped that do not write about it... ya know. I did not gain weight on Zoloft but I did not like how I felt on it so I switched to welbutrin (which is supposed to surpress your appetite... for me it did not supress my appetite LOLOL).
If your gut feeling say see some one else, then do it. Never doubt your instincts because who knows you better than you?
Hi Leenie,
Thanks so much for the reassurance. It's nice to hear of ONE person who didn't balloon from Zoloft. I've taken my first one today. My Doctor told me to start with half a tablet for the first few days, to minimise side effects. But I forgot to take just half and have been feeling weird all day! I don't feel ill in the stomach, but I have this really weird gagging feeling in my throat. I've never vomited before (that's right, not since i was a baby!) so I'm scared of getting sick. So far, nothing. And I'm not hungry, which I'm actually kinda enjoying I'll keep at it, watch myself closely, and go back to the Doctor if I'm gaining weight or feeling unwell. Thanks again, Leenie!
3 years ago (almost nostalgic lol) my GP diagnosed me with depression, but didn't give me drugs (like the later ones offered..time and time again), but DID get me an urgent referral to a shrink. I think all GPs should do that. Admittedly the shrink only really proceeded to offer me...well, drugs but I saw the possible WEIGHT GAIN! and was like, no, being thin is the only thing that makes me happy, so itd defeat the purpose, wouldn't it?
I'm very very suspicious of all brain drugs. I'm on lamictal for epilepsy now, but its also used as a mood stabiliser. The effects I had from that make me glad I've turned down mental health drugs for thew THREE YEARS they were offered to me. I've survived.
On the other hand, im miserable as. So, good luck
I'm trying therapy now. It doesnt help a lot tho...if you find anything that does, tell me.
Hi Emily,
I'm really sorry to hear you're still looking for answers. I'm going to give the medication a chance, but I won't up the dose, not that it's an issue, but I've noticed a lot of people have their doses increased after awhile. I don't want to do that. And I am going to go talk to a counsellor or someone.
I'm thinking of taking up some more strenuous exercise to help my moods. I've noticed that I do feel better after a workout, so I think I may be onto something. But I'm with you, I do feel a bit funny about taking medication for this, but I'm at a point now where I just feel so low I'll do what I have to. Hopefully my motivation will come back and I'll be able to tackle the circumstances that got me here in the first place, thus eliminating my need for the medication. Wow, almost sounds like I've got it together
I'm glad your off to a good start and your doc sounds like he is doing it right with the low dosage and all. I'm thinking thats prob what my doc should have had me do at first. I think everyone feels 'strange' taking the meds at first but when you start to notice them working its a great feeling. But remember, if Zoloft doesn't work, you can always try another. There are so many products on the market, you just need to find one that works for you. I've tried several and the best one for me was prozac.
Hey Diana - can I ask - did your doc run any (or preferrably complete and thorough) blood work on you to make sure that you do not have something physical going on (like a thyroid problem) causing your depression? Just checking as so many people are being diagnosed with depression and put on psych meds without first checking to make sure if there is something physical going on.
I speak from experience as I had 3 docs who tried to give me prescriptions for anti depressants when what I had was an undiagnosed thyroid problem (bec they were only running the TSH and T3 Uptake rather than the more accurate thyroid tests that should be done).
I really find it annoying when GP's prescribe antidepressants. That is a whole other field and IMO you need to see a psychiatrist who understands these medications. I would push for a referral and if he will not give it you may want to call your insurance co and explain to them that you have been diagnosed with depression and need a qualified specialist and get them to ok it.
I'm lucky - I have a great psychiatrist who is really sensitive to my weight loss and will not try me on anything that has that as a possible side effect.
Good luck
One of the hardest things I found when starting a new depression med was that I got the side effects right away - some do go away after a week or two - but I didn't get any benifits for about 4 or 5 weeks. So what happens is you feel worse physicaly before you feel better psychologicaly. I'm not trying to put you off of them, just letting you know what may happen. Good luck with it.
I took Zoloft with excellent results for five years. It cleared up my depression and stablized my moods. After years of struggling with undiagnosed depression and being afraid to try anti-depression, it was a Godsend! It truthfully changed my life for the better, and that's not an overstatement.
My Dr. first prescribed Prozac, which gave me terrible and vivid nightmares. Dr. took me off Prozac after less than ten days. Each anti-dep. may have different effects for some people - don't be afraid to try another drug if one isn't working for you.
The first 10 days taking Zoloft, I slept most of the time. Tho anti-dep's may take 3-4 weeks to begin working, I noticed an improvement in my mood within 4 or 5 days, and it just continued to improve.
I don't know if Zoloft made me gain weight. It DID make me quit smoking 2 packs of cigs per day!! I went from being a smoke-a-holic to being totally grossed out by the taste of cigs, the smell of the smoke ... and with NO withdrawls :happy dance: That was within the first two days.
After 5 years the effectiveness of the Zoloft began to decline, which my psychiatrist said often happens. She switched me to Paxil, which I've been taking for years with excellent results.
As far as weight gain, in my experience, if a person is depressed, what's a few pounds? Depression can make life just miserable, and if the drug can banish the depression, that's a heck of a lot more important. Besides, once your depression lifts, you'll have more energy to move, exercise and be more active. Plus, you'll have a brighter, more positive outlook, making it easier to concentrate on healthy living/eating.
As far as GP/psychiatrist ... I'm no expert, certainly not a Dr. In my experience, a psychiatrist helped me MUCH MORE than my very wonderful and well meaning OB GYN. The OB GYN who I orig. saw put me on a very small dose. Once I saw the psychiatrist -- the specialist in anti-depressants -- my dose was increased by 4/5. The OB had me on wayyyy too low a dose, even after the initial period of getting used to the drug.
I think most research shows that a combination of therapy and medication is really, really effective. You might ask for a referral for therapy and then ask your therapist if he/she works with any psychiatrists (Psychologists don't,to my knowledge, prescribe meds). Also, ask your GP for a referral to a psychiatrist (i.e. work both ends!). You will need followup if you are on these meds, and you will need to find someone skilled in mental health issues...as for weight gain issues -- I think I would try to tackle the depression first. Who knows if the weight issue is an expression of depression???? Weight isn't permanent - it comes and goes as most of us can attest to, so why be miserable in the meantime?
Hang in there!
Thank you everybody for your valuable input. It means a lot. I'm feeling a bit frustrated cause my GP didn't run any tests or anything. I simply walked in and told him (through lots of tears) that I think I'm depressed. And he simply took out his little prescription pad and sent me on my way. I specifically asked for a referral to a Psych, but he didn't help me out.
So yesterday I went to another GP. She told me to continue with the Zoloft, keeping it temporarily at half a tablet a day (25mg) and see how I go. I don't mind continuing with the tablets, I guess, but I will have to find myself a therapist. Here in Australia you don't need a referral to see a counsellor so maybe I'll go for that to start with. But I would've liked to see a psychiatrist. It's hard to find a GP who listens!!
Ladiibbug, I'm glad you've had some great results with your medications! That gives me hope for sure!
It's official! I'm depressed...
I'll keep at it, watch myself closely, and go back to the Doctor if I'm gaining weight or feeling unwell. Thanks again, Leenie! 
