Weight gain with Sertraline (zoloft)

[Dimple_Flirt]

I'm slightly confused as to what move I should make now. I started on Sertraline (generic Zoloft) and was doing great till my dose was increased to 100mg.Up to that point I dropped 25lbs and felt great and now the past two weeks all I want to do is sleep and eat.I'm constantly hungry to the point where I have to have a snack at 3am. I've put 11lbs back on in the past week and I'm constipated.I read on the computer about the effects of zoloft and withdrawl from it and I'm a little worried about going off of the med but I'd rather have some anxiety in my life than have the weight back on and feel out of control as I do currently.Has any one else had this problem?

[mln2603]

Re: Weight gain with Sertraline (zoloft)

You should also be worried about wanting to sleep all the time.... contact your doctor and tell them your symptoms. Please don't try to go off the meds by yourself, only follow doctor orders.

[moon2141]

Re: Weight gain with Sertraline (zoloft)

Dimples,
I have been on Zoloft 50mg for a couple years now. About a month ago, I increased it to 100 mg. I have had no adverse reaction pertaining to the weightloss. If anything, I feel BETTER and more energized and want to continue on this weightloss journey. Every individual is different, but I just felt the need to share my experience with you. I would not suggest you go off your meds. Just try harder to stay on track. Drink lots of water and snack on carb friendly food and you'll be ok. I believe you need to focus on your mental health before your physical heath. But thats just my opinion. Good Luck and I hope it works out for you. Keep us updated.

[Dimple_Flirt]

Re: Weight gain with Sertraline (zoloft)

Thank you for the replys.I have been breaking the 100mgs in half for the past several days and only taking 50mg and I feel ALOT better.I'm going to have the doctor decrease my dosage on our next appointment.I have not been sleepy during the day like before but I am having some dizzy spells. I really don't want to go totally off the med because there has been a great difference in my attitude since I started and its easier to interact with others now. Besides on the lower dose I was loosing weight and going to the gym more,it may have been the fact that I slept so much that made me gain the weight.

[FLSunShine]

Re: Weight gain with Sertraline (zoloft)

it may have been the fact that I slept so much that made me gain the weight.

I also think some of your weight gain may have come from being constipated too. Not being able to get that waste out of your body. Please do follow-up with your doctor. I wish you well.

[Dimple_Flirt]

Re: Weight gain with Sertraline (zoloft)

I'm currently on 25mg down from 100mg.I'm not as hungry and bloated and the weight is starting to come off again.I don't know if I'll ever go back on that stuff again.After some soul searching I think the best remedy if to find out the sources in your life of the stress and change it.I understand for others that may not be possible due to a possible chemical imbalance but my anxiety was weight related and external. I'm just rearranging everything that was ME and feeling better.

[HappyDayHere]

Re: Weight gain with Sertraline (zoloft)

Seretonin reuptake inhibitors slow the metabolism, I have read. I take them for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. That's tricky -- can't exercise, must have meds! Good luck in your situation. I hope that you have smooth sailing from now on.

[determined 2010]

Re: Weight gain with Sertraline (zoloft)

I started zoloft last year while going through alot of stress. But now I think I have worked out all my problems. I did the atkins diet last year during the first months on zoloft and lost about 20 lbs in 3 weeks. Now that I have been on zoloft for over a year I started the atkins again because after 6 months on zoloft I gained all my weight back plus an extra 5 pounds. I was doing my exercise routine the same doing good on the atkins diet for about 3 weeks and when i stepped on the scale I was suprised to find out i had actually gained MORE weight. So I gave up started eating whatever i wanted and now have become discouraged. I think I am gonna wean myself off the zoloft because this happy pill I think is making me look a little too jolly, lol! I currently weigh 155lbs. and want to get down to my normal weight of 135lbs. I thought i was the only one experiencing this problem with the zoloft. It also feels like the zoloft and atkins diet are not compatible because i would get the worst cravings for junk food while on zoloft which was not a problem the last time I was on atkins and lost 20lbs. Any ways I'll keep you posted if I notice any changes while off this medication.

[HappyDayHere]

Re: Weight gain with Sertraline (zoloft)

Thank you so much for your comments!

I have found it discouraging, too, that I eat well and exercise as much as I can, but am still stuck at the same weight.

I have not had the cravings problem, but find myself very much wanting a change from the foods on Atkins -- something that I would NEVER have predicted given that I love all the foods.

Unfortunately for me, I cannot stop taking my anti-depressant. I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and without the med I am comatose with flu-like symptoms (a little exaggeration here).

I would love to hear of your experience with Atkins off Zoloft.

Best wishes to you.