Antidepressants and Atkins

[HappyDayHere]

Hi, how are you?

I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which limits my ability to exercise and makes cooking a pretty big task.

My question though is this: I must take antidepressants (seretonin reuptake inhibitors) to lessen the symptoms of my disease.

I have read that antidepressants make it very hard to lose weight?

Am I just wasting my time and money doing the Atkins diet?

Any suggestions? And please tell me the truth. I don't want to spend more time on this diet when it's a futile effort because of my circumstances.

Thanking you.

[JulieB]

Re: Antidepressants and Atkins

I have been on antidepressants the entire time I've been on Atkins. I have lost 100lbs in 50 weeks. While some antidepressants affect weight loss (generally slow it down), not all antidepressants affect everyone's weight loss efforts.

[Elizellen]

Re: Antidepressants and Atkins

Am I just wasting my time and money doing the Atkins diet?

If you have looked at the food choices of Atkins and feel it is a way of eating you could live with then the possibility of your medications making it more difficult to lose weight should not really be a factor.

As for wasting time and money - you have to eat anyway, and spending money on food is an expense you will have no matter what foods you buy, so again I cannot see that making a difference.

I have not found choosing Atkins-legal foods in preference to fast foods, corn snacks, processed meals and so on any more expensive - in fact I reckon with the money I am saving on not buying cakes and snacks when out and about leaves me in profit on my weekly groceries!!

Meat does not have to be expensive - the fattier cuts are generally cheaper than the lean ones anyway, and vegetables, cream, butter and cheese are not that costly either.

[Elizellen]

Re: Antidepressants and Atkins

I just noticed a thread you started last year which attracted some useful tips and links about doing Atkins on a budget.

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/main-atkins-diet-forum/83217-atkins-budget-what-do-you-do.html#post1149166

Maybe some of those will help you this time around.

[Whatsername]

Re: Antidepressants and Atkins

I had the same fear as you because I am on antidepressants and other meds that supposedly make it hard to lose weight. However, I have now been on Atkins for almost a year and lost 55lbs so it hasn't been a problem for me. Good luck!

[HappyDayHere]

Re: Antidepressants and Atkins

Thank you for your answer. What antidepressant are you taking that does not affect weight loss? I would love to talk to my doctor about it.

[HappyDayHere]

Re: Antidepressants and Atkins

Elizellen -- Thank you for your answer. However, Atkins food, meat, cheese, etc., is much more expensive than the diet that I had. I had gotten my food purchases down to a very few basics. I never bought the expensive chips, ice cream, etc., that you mention, so there was no financial benefit from no longer purchasing them once I began the diet. There is a big difference in what I spend now.

[HappyDayHere]

Re: Antidepressants and Atkins

Whatsername -- Which are you taking if you don't mind telling me? I would love to switch to something that would not make it hard for me to lose. Thanks!

[JulieB]

Re: Antidepressants and Atkins

Thank you for your answer. What antidepressant are you taking that does not affect weight loss? I would love to talk to my doctor about it.

I didn't say it doesn't affect weight loss - I have no way of knowing how much I would have lost if I wasn't on it. I know for a fact that I won't stick to a diet or exercise if I am depressed, so I stick to an antidrepressant that works, then I diet/exercise. I was on Paxil when I started Atkins, then switched to Effexor a few months later for non-diet reasons.

[Whatsername]

Re: Antidepressants and Atkins

I am on Wellbutrin. I think that this has been weight neutral for me. I take a mood stabalizer too which was my biggest concern. But I am happy with my loss and don't think losing 55lbs in a year is a slow progress. Without Atkins, I wouldn't have lost any of that. Good luck!

Just remember, meds effect everyone differently but you won't know if you don't try it.

[SouLThinKing]

Re: Antidepressants and Atkins

I believe from experience that some of my depression and physical symptoms were from my carb intolerance. I started having more energy and less physical aches and pains. I don't have to take anti depressants any longer but I am not saying that it is because of the diet. Mine is from Faith. But anyway, I believe that if you do this WOE you will lose weight. How much. Who knows but even if it's 2 lbs per month That is 24 per year. Look at the big picture. I too eat on a budget. I have 2 small boys, a hubby and a 20 yr old Marine son living with me. I basically buy the cheapest meat I can find and that means a lot of hamburger and chicken LOL. It can be done. I promise. I have bought my whole family food for an entire week on 25 bucks. Yes my kids and hubby eat carbs. My hubby just planted a garden that will help us extremely this year. I am so thankful he can do that. I wish you luck and pray you see results even if only your physical symptoms get better.

God bless
Nichole

[Elizellen]

Re: Antidepressants and Atkins

As Nichole said, Atkins can be done on a budget if you get the cheaper cuts of meat. The fattier mixes of ground beef are cheaper than the leaner ones, chicken thighs are cheaper than chicken breasts etc.

[meow]

Re: Antidepressants and Atkins

I have taken Wellbutrin for several years for the same thing--Chronic Fatigue. It has not affected my weight loss, and may have even helped.

[msanjelpie]

Re: Antidepressants and Atkins

I take Lexapro and I think it actually helps with the weight loss because I'm not so apt to fall into the whole 'my life sucks might as well eat' train of thought... Several years ago I lost 100 lbs while on Prozac. I don't think SSRIs affect weight loss...

[Farley]

Re: Antidepressants and Atkins

I take Cipralex(Lexapro) as well which has a side effect listed that it may cause weight gain.

According to Cipralex.com, short-term treatment with this medication should never increase or reduce weight for the majority of patients with depression. One of the infrequent side effects is a decrease in appetite; however, weight gain is more frequently experienced for those who take Cipralex.

Cipralex Weight Gain

Cipralex is an SSRI, a known cause of weight gain in patients. The precise mechanisms behind SSRI's and weight gain are unknown. According to WebMD.com, those who have taken SSRI antidepressant drugs for six months or more are more likely to experience weight gain as a possible side-effect. However, it is believed that SSRI drugs may have an effect on appetite and metabolism over time thus resulting in possible weight gain.

I gained 20 pounds or more in a year on Cipralex, but there's no way to be sure that Cipralex (Lexapro) was the cause. Each person's reaction to a drug will be individual. I have been on Cipralex while loosing the 40 pounds that I have lost on Atkins so it has not stopped me from loosing the weight I put on.

EDIT:
Mental health is paramount. If I had to be a little overweight to be happy, I would be able to accept that. Thankfully I am fortunate to be able to have both.