Antidepressants giving me a ravenous appetite

[Maleficent]

 

People and doctors these days tend to forget that depression is a normal reaction to many life events: job loss, marriage breakup, death of a friend, etc. You can't learn and grow from those experiences if you are doped up.

 

Depression is NOT a normal reaction to many life event.

It's an illness.

it needs to be treated.

Antidepressants don't make you all doped up.

[Maleficent]

Sertraline (zoloft) isn't supposed to cause weight gain.

 

No antidepressants do. But they can affect appetite - ergo the weight gain.

[tbf]

No antidepressants do. But they can affect appetite - ergo the weight gain.

This would be inaccurate. There are many different varieties of antidepressants (SSRIs, NRIs, NDRIs, etc.) of which sertraline is a subcategory of SSRIs.

[carhill]

Though weight loss and loss of appetite are listed as possible reportable minor side effects from Setraline, interestingly increased appetite and weight gain are not listed, perhaps reflecting loss as potentially endangering health versus gain.

 

In any event, there is some information out there on possible connections:

 

From WebMD:

 

 

Antidepressants and Weight Gain: What Happens and Why

 

Although there are a number of theories as to why antidepressants lead to weight gain, Sussman believes that both appetite and metabolism may be affected.

 

"I have had patients who swear that they are not eating any more, but still gaining weight, so that tells us there is some kind of metabolic influence going on; I have also had patients tell me that they are not only more hungry and eating more, but that the medicines are encouraging a carbohydrate craving that is hard to control, so we know appetite also plays a role," he says.

 

Fincham says antidepressants may also simply help us to rediscover pleasure in our life -- including food.

 

"It might be a situation where someone feels so much better when taking an antidepressant that lots of things suddenly start feeling more pleasurable to them, and food is just one of them. So in this instance they may actually be overeating and not even realize they are doing so, says Fincham.

 

Findings from a group of Italian researchers published in the journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics suggest that the simple act of recovery from depression may play a role in the weight gain.

 

Weight Gain and Antidepressants (Including SSRIs)

 

While any DEA licensed physician can rx brain meds, my advice is to utilize a psychiatric/neurologic professional if treating or attempting to diagnose/treat clinical depression. There are specialties for a reason. Then, remain engaged with the doctor and update on experiences and symptoms as appropriate.

 

As you're at three weeks, you might find this article on titrating and efficacy over time periods to be informative. It appears to indicate that setraline is well-established at three weeks versus longer titration/efficacy periods.

 

The antidepressant effect of sertra... [int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2001] - PubMed - NCBI

 

Consult your doctor and/or pharmacist prior to making any changes in dosage/frequency. Suggestions by others for 'working out' are one possibly positive way to direct the newfound energy, positive thoughts and calories. Good luck.

[Maleficent]

This would be inaccurate. There are many different varieties of antidepressants (SSRIs, NRIs, NDRIs, etc.) of which sertraline is a subcategory of SSRIs.

 

I meant that anti-depressants don't cause weight gain. But some may affect appetite. Eating more usually = weight gain...

[tbf]

I meant that anti-depressants don't cause weight gain.

Some varieties do cause weight gain and not because of appetite increase. It's something to do with metabolic impact.

 

But some may affect appetite. Eating more usually = weight gain...

Sure, since some people lose their appetite and become physically inactive when depressed and when they take the antidepressant, they regain their appetite because they're feeling emotionally better and subsequently, become more physically active.

 

As it pertains to the OP prior to taking sertraline, she had difficulty choking down a piece of toast. This was extremely unhealthy.

 

What concerns me about the OP is her fixation on not gaining weight. Even though she claimed anxiety and depression, one wonders about eating disorders.

[LostGirl11]

Some varieties do cause weight gain and not because of appetite increase. It's something to do with metabolic impact.

 

Sure, since some people lose their appetite and become physically inactive when depressed and when they take the antidepressant, they regain their appetite because they're feeling emotionally better and subsequently, become more physically active.

 

As it pertains to the OP prior to taking sertraline, she had difficulty choking down a piece of toast. This was extremely unhealthy.

 

What concerns me about the OP is her fixation on not gaining weight. Even though she claimed anxiety and depression, one wonders about eating disorders.

 

Thanks for the concern but I haven't got an eating disorder I just don't want to gain too much weight.

[tbf]

Thanks for the concern but I haven't got an eating disorder I just don't want to gain too much weight.

Weight is impacted by the ratio of calories in and out. The easiest way not to gain weight is to ensure you're burning more calories through physical activity v. the amount you eat.

 

Physical activity like running, can also produce endorphins which are natural feel good (relaxed and comfortable) chemicals which can also help with depression and anxiety.

[Feelin Frisky]

Is it all the mind? Or are they actually doing something to my metabolism? My stomach really does feel empty though so it can't be all in my head.

 

Appetite is related to communication between the thyroid gland and the brain/mind. The medication may be working adversely on this process. It's very tricky too and lots of misinformation and errant "belief" exists out there even in the medical community over appetite and obesity--lots of ancient and foolish prejudice about "will power". I for instance test "normal" for thyroid secretions. But I have always been plagued with compulsive eating issues--not at meal times but pleasure seeking and "grazing" usually at night which causes obesity. I can't seem to shut that down (there is some studies that suggest that human babies who were not breast fed who were thus deprived of a substance called colostrum found in mother's milk fail to develop the regulating mechanism to turn off appetite I was a bottle baby and was given whatever formula they were giving back in 1955.) But once a psychiatrist gave me a small dose of thyroid medicine to give me a little extra kick there to help me with depression and it was like a miracle--for the first time in my life I felt completely indifferent to pleasure foods and even other substance use. It suddenly felt natural for me to stop in the middle of a meal because eating any more than was truly healthy felt like a chore. Unfortunately this doctor moved away and no one else I've encountered since has been amenable to giving me a thyroid boost--saying that my tests are "normal". Well "normal" is not good enough obviously for me. I need a little more. And the dosage that made such a difference was only about 12 micrograms of T3--a microscopic amount of thyroid extract from a cow. Surely a medicine that can effect the brain as much as sertraline can inadvertently tamper with a bio-function that is so delicate that a lousy few micrograms can change the whole course of a life. That's why you have to seize the moment and insist on a medication that does not have this side effect. The issue is not your stomach. If I believed my problem is in my stomach I would have had it surgically modified like the others who are going that route. I know from my experience with the thyoid medicine that the issue of compulsive eating is not in the gut. It's in the gland and it's effect on the brain and mind.

[pureinheart]

It may sound like I'm being a drama queen but the hunger pains are horrible. I thought it could all be in the mind, but no! My poor stomach is crying out for food all the time. Are they doing something to my metabolism?

 

(((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))) aw love in no way do you sound as such! Went through it so understand completely. I thought it was in my mind too, because I had never heard nor seen of it before.

[pureinheart]

Appetite is related to communication between the thyroid gland and the brain/mind. The medication may be working adversely on this process. It's very tricky too and lots of misinformation and errant "belief" exists out there even in the medical community over appetite and obesity--lots of ancient and foolish prejudice about "will power". I for instance test "normal" for thyroid secretions. But I have always been plagued with compulsive eating issues--not at meal times but pleasure seeking and "grazing" usually at night which causes obesity. I can't seem to shut that down (there is some studies that suggest that human babies who were not breast fed who were thus deprived of a substance called colostrum found in mother's milk fail to develop the regulating mechanism to turn off appetite I was a bottle baby and was given whatever formula they were giving back in 1955.) But once a psychiatrist gave me a small dose of thyroid medicine to give me a little extra kick there to help me with depression and it was like a miracle--for the first time in my life I felt completely indifferent to pleasure foods and even other substance use. It suddenly felt natural for me to stop in the middle of a meal because eating any more than was truly healthy felt like a chore. Unfortunately this doctor moved away and no one else I've encountered since has been amenable to giving me a thyroid boost--saying that my tests are "normal". Well "normal" is not good enough obviously for me. I need a little more. And the dosage that made such a difference was only about 12 micrograms of T3--a microscopic amount of thyroid extract from a cow. Surely a medicine that can effect the brain as much as sertraline can inadvertently tamper with a bio-function that is so delicate that a lousy few micrograms can change the whole course of a life. That's why you have to seize the moment and insist on a medication that does not have this side effect. The issue is not your stomach. If I believed my problem is in my stomach I would have had it surgically modified like the others who are going that route. I know from my experience with the thyoid medicine that the issue of compulsive eating is not in the gut. It's in the gland and it's effect on the brain and mind.

 

Frisky, this has been my complaint all along. I too found a doctor that recognized I was on the "low" side of "normal" and treated me. I then a few years later became "hyper" as the thyroid can go in either direction, meaning hypo/hyper- neither of which is pleasant. Hyper is more rare.

 

I too dealt with the issues you speak of as night hunger. In fact it was so bad I would sleep eat and still do from time to time- but I've learned to train my mind to take a sip of juice or something.

 

Oh Frisky and OP, because of having low blood sugar an then the thyroid, I'm terrified of becoming hungry...the blood sugar issues make me sick and will literally turn into the psycho from hell if I forget to eat, this happens too eating concentrated sugar.

 

Because of having to eat every few hours I've had to come up with creative ways to reset my metabolism.

 

No OP, you're not a drama queen, this truly sucks!

[Forever Learning]

I've taked Celexa and Prozac, neither one made me hungry at all.

 

Celexa gave me headaches intially.

 

Prozac gives me no problems, and I can stop and start again taking it whenever without any problem.

 

I take a low dose of Prozac though, only 5mg (versus 10 mg or 20 mg typical dosage).

[LostGirl11]

My doctor put me on 50mg for two weeks then increased it to 100mg

[2sure]

I gained some weight on Celexa, I was on it for two years. I never did figure out if the weight gain was because the drug screwed with my metabolism, or my appeite....

 

To me, it made me ENJOY food so much, it was almost worth the weight gain. I countered it by working out more - but it was nuts.

 

Ive since stopped it, dropped the weight - but I have never experienced the sheer joy of eating food while on that stuff.

[LostGirl11]

I've suffered from night sweats for years now and I've had every blood test under the sun to find out why. They came back fine so the doctors have just put it down to anxiety. They seem even worse now, I wake up to soaking wet bedding every morning without fail. Seems like doctors give up and play the guessing game. I have an appointment next week so I'll be telling her about my appetite and my sweats worsening.

[LostGirl11]

I've suffered from night sweats for years now and I've had every blood test under the sun to find out why. They came back fine so the doctors have just put it down to anxiety. They seem even worse now, I wake up to soaking wet bedding every morning without fail. Seems like doctors give up and play the guessing game. I have an appointment next week so I'll be telling her about my appetite and my sweats worsening.

[FitChick]

Some common causes of night sweats here. Antidepressants can make it worse.

 

Get tested for everything by an endocrinologist not a GP. I'd suggest having your estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels tested first. That is probably the culprit when it comes to depression and sweating.

[LostGirl11]

Some common causes of night sweats here. Antidepressants can make it worse.

 

Get tested for everything by an endocrinologist not a GP. I'd suggest having your estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels tested first. That is probably the culprit when it comes to depression and sweating.

 

How would I go about having that done? Do you know? Will check out your link. Thanks.