Can't seem to loose weight

[Peter6836]

Hi all, I just started weight watchers recently. I am not losing weight. I was wondering if it could be my medications. I have been very good at sticking to the WW program. I am on serequal, busprian, and effexor in large amounts. I take reyataz, norvir, and truvada for my HIV. I was wondering if this weight problem could be caused by the drugs that I am on.
Peter

[mikeyb39]

I took effexor a few yeard back and it took all my energy away all i wanted to do wad sleep, so that could be one reason it kills your metabolism.  i no longer take since it also killed my ability to get an erection or orgasm so it went bye bye quickly. You have to make sure you are watching calorie intake and doing more cardio

[Miss Philicia]

That's weird. When I was on effexor I had zero erection issues (as opposed to many other anti-depressants) and had enough energy to go to the gym -- weight LOSS is also connected with it, though some also had gains. On the other hand seroquel can definitely cause tiredness and weight gain.

Peter, aside from Weight Watchers are you exercising?

[mikeyb39]

Yeah it was weird for me with the effexor. I suffered what they called anorgasmia. Once i finally did get an erection i would ejaculate but the orgasm was not present so to speak. Sorry i know this is TMI an really has nothing to do with the OPs question. I apologize for going off course

[Peter6836]

I think it might be the seroquel I am on 250 mg a day I also take 225 mg of effexor. I do have problems with an erection but this weight is what is really bothering me what good is it to have an erection if you feel like a bloated, fat, old guy. I am seeing my psychiatrist on Friday and I am going to as him if there is any thing I can do to get this under control
thanks for the responses so far
I am trying to eat right and move but at night I am always famished and eat, I would like to have my mouth wired shut at night so I can't eat.

[MilburnCreek]

Peter,

Eating late at night is a big no-no if you're trying to lose weight. 

I had the problem that I needed to lose weight, but didnt have time to schedule cardio trips at the gym.  I ended up losing 45 pounds through dietary change ALONE between Memorial Day and Labor Day. 

NO EATING after 6 pm (except for yoghurt).
NO BREAD. NO FRIED FOOD of ANY kind.  No Junk. No Potatoes.
Smaller portions than usual. 
80% of caloric in take veggies.  The remainder in Fish or skinless chicken breasts.

Worked for me.

[jkinatl2]

I agree that portion control is VERY important. You must realize that you will be "full" a good twenty minutes BEFORE your brain tells you that you are. Start with a single, small helping. Then, if you are still hungry in twenty minutes, eat more. But just a little more.

Also, smaller bites and longer chewing.

Plus, water - and loads of it. It's also great for the kidneys, skin, and makes you poop better.

Since I am a night person, the no eating after Six is not an option. But when you are winding down in front of the TV, be mindful of snacking. Distracted eating is usually bad for you, and excessive.

Beans are also awesome. Even if you cook them with ham, they will have less fat than, say, chicken or ham. Just remember to salt after cooking, not during. Sodium is also something we overdose on, every day.

My idea is, if you want to eat when you are sleepy, then turn off the computer and TV and do so. You might find that you, like many of us, often confuse "bored and kinda tired" for "hungry." That's just a brain thing, like not knowing when to tell you that you're satiated for a good twenty minutes.

But Seroquel is KNOWN for causing bloating and weight gain. It's a powerful anti-psychotic, however, so you need to work with your doctor to make certain that your illness is under control before you stop taking that. Maybe doing research on alternatives, and having a list to run by your doctor next time you see her/him?

Mental illness is tough to control, but if you have the ambition to be your best advocate, then you really need to do that. Don't put ANYTHING in your body until/unless you know what it does, and until you are OK with that. And in my own experience, my doctors were happy that I had researched meds in advance and came up with a list worth talking about.

[Zohar]

I put weight on and also take Norvir. I think I started my own topic about weight gain a few months ago which might be worth digging out. But I've managed to get my weight back down by overhauling my diet. Now, my main carb source is lentils and beans, to which I add a lot of vegetables. I've completely cut out pasta, potatoes, rice, and dramatically reduced my bread intake (I make bread at home so it's my treat and weakness!). I lost 5kg quite quickly and, sticking to the same diet, am still losing weight but at a slower pace now which is fine with me as I'm back within the healthy range.

[weasel]

   I do not blame my meds .

    I put on a lot of weight this past year , It is now coming off .

   I drink black coffee and do not drink soda .

   No junk foods  .

    I was on Truvada Reyetaz & Norvir <sp>   

  Now I am on Prezista  / truvada & norvir , I feel great , Belly issues are much better and I have energy to make it through the day  .

   Been eating smaller portions .   It works for me .

                                                  Weasel

[mecch]

Hi all, I just started weight watchers recently. I am not losing weight. I was wondering if it could be my medications. I have been very good at sticking to the WW program. I am on serequal, busprian, and effexor in large amounts. I take reyataz, norvir, and truvada for my HIV. I was wondering if this weight problem could be caused by the drugs that I am on.
Peter

Usually weight loss is accomplished through diet AND exercise.  I hope Weight Watchers can help you manage a healthy and calorie restricted diet. 

Keep in mind the connections between so many disparate issues of lifestyle, medication, etc.   For example. Lack of sleep can lead to more calorie intake.  As can depression.  And depression can lead to lack of sleep.  And lack of sleep can depress you.  Its like a triangle.  Or a star of david.   

So ironically, someone can be depressed, have little energy, and also not be sleeping all that well, and eating too much sugar or fat.   

Exercise can help with energy levels, also depression. And obviously with weight loss.  But, again, conundrums - if one is depressed or wiped out, one doesn't want to exercise!   

My understanding of the role of anti-depressants is that it is HARD to predict individual reactions to these molecules...  As per ED issues. As per weight.  Some lose weight, some gain, some no effect. 

My belief is that this is often one BIG stew of issues and challenges and if one CAN have the input of a psychiatrist, let alone a certified nutritionist, it can help sort out individual experience and find the best way. 

I've seen people bloat and get lethargic on quetiapine.  But I know one bi-polar guy who stays thin as rail.   

I don't take that kind of medicine, just speaking from observation.  I would hazard that if drugs are contributing to bloat, its the quetiapine and/or buspirone.  Anyway, my shrink insists the ssri or snri drugs can be quite neutral, despite the long list of warnings and dreaded side effects.  Just like our beloved HAART....

I wonder what your options are on reducing med intake - if they make life livable, you'll have to find workarounds to stay on the drugs, but still lose the weight.  That's where a shrink can step in, if you have the luxury to have one who can follow you for some time and find the best paths, the ones that work for you. 

My experience with psycho-active meds and shrink therapy is that its an evolving thing.  One kind of drug therapy might run its course, or tip over into too many downsides, versus the upsides, and then you go onto another route.