Your Ultimate Guide to Gaining Weight
How Do I Combat Weight Gain Caused By A Prescription Drug?
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Questions & Answers on
Oct 10th, 2009 |
11 responses
I’m currently on a weight loss program, but since I started medication for my panic disorder, my weight has fluctuated dramatically, mostly in the weight gain direction. Any advice?
though topamax is usually used off-label for bipolar & mood disorders, not really panic disorder (that i know of)… it’s actually an anti-seizure med. it’s fairly expensive. i’m discontinuing for that reason ($300/mo for 60qty 200mg for uninsured). it made me see trails, doesn’t ALWAYS make you lose wt (though you have a nearly zero chance of gaining), it will (esp for first cpl wks) have the effect of lowering your iq a bit (more than most psych meds)…it has the nicknames “stupamax” and “dopamax”…and if not discontinued under the careful supervision of med professional, you COULD have a seizure even if you are non-epileptic…so just be careful w/ some of these meds, k?
well that could be the side effect of the drug you are taking, so eat a hrslthier diet and exercise more, or switch medicines
Talk to your doctor. I went through the same thing you did with a different type of medication. My doctor told me that what happened was normal, so he switched my medication to the generic brand and I lost the weight quickly.
Talk to your DR and switch the meds. My DR gave me different ones because I was trying to lose weight as well. Not all have that same effect. It may take time to find the right ones for you, but there are some out there. Trial and error…good luck
What the other person said: call your doctor and see if there’s a different dosage or different pill you can take.
If not, you’ll have to exercise more and eat less.
I’m still battling weight gain from prescription meds taken 12 years ago, so I totally understand your situation. It really sucks when your eating and exercise habits are unchanging and yet the pounds pile on.
Well, if you don’t drink that drug anymore than you can start a strict diet or go to a fitness club.
Ask your therapist for a medication w/ low risk of weigh gain… they do exist, trust me. One I’ve tried that works is Topomax
you could be retaining water. In which case your doctor could prescribe Lasix, or drinking more water can help.
Try alternative to meds. Check out site below. Are you taking a steroid?
Every drug affects every person differently, I myself have gained 75 pounds do to medication I am on. I also retain water but I also know that drinking more water doesn’t get rid of that problem it just adds to it. You need to speak with your doctor about this, depending on the med you are taking there may be a different one that he can try. Many of them affect your metabolism and very seldom in the direction of better unfortunately. My best advice talk to your doctor. Wishing you the best of luck in all your endeavors. Take care
You need to definitely tell your psychiatrist. Significant weight gain over a short period of time isn’t healthy at all… There are plenty of alternatives for anti-anxiety medication out there. Good Luck ^_^