Seroquel And Weight Gain
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Is anyone else experiencing weight gain from seroquel? I still work out the same as always, and eat the same way, but I have gained over 20 pounds since i started seroquel 2 months ago. I dont want to stop taking it becasue i finally found a drug that helps, but this is an unacceptable side effect to me, anyone have any tips for dealing with this?

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Re: shauna (# 12)

I will always recommend dex, for everything and anything. I am a hopeless addict to these!

Yes, I take dex with the seroquel and I am still alive. No I do not have diabetes. The dex is highly addictive (at least to me); it is an excellent appetite suppressant. I've been psychosis free for over 10 years!

If this combo does not raise a red flag please talk to someone that is not insane :)

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I have been on Seroquel for several years it worked for my severe depression but I have gained 45 pounds and no matter what I do I can't shed the pounds. I have been working with my doctor to try and lower the dose (600mg). I want off this drug but am afraid the depression will come back. Good luck to you.

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The patient and family are usually told to disregard the normal side effects of psych meds. These side effects represent a trade off from being a danger to self and others. The weight gain could actually be the body weight getting back to normal as opposed to being malnourished. Keep active and eat a balanced diet.

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Re: sarah (# 21)

I feel your pain. I have always been thin but since taking Seroquel 6 months ago I have gained 40 pounds. No matter what I do I can't shed the pounds. I feel a lot of it is water retention my legs are swollen and I can't make myself pee. I am miserable but it does help with my depression. I would like to find a different drug to control my Bipolar symptoms but my doc says Seroquel is best for me.....I beg to differ I cant stand the way I look and feel so I hide in my house so no one will see me.

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Re: janie (# 8)

Oh my gosh I can't take it. I don't eat junk walk a mile a day and still gained 30 pounds on seroquel. I take 600mg at bed for treatment of Bipolar. I want to get off of it but doc says there is nothing he could prescribe that would help my mental issues. As far as the water retention, I have to force myself to urinate 3 times a day I am so bloated I slosh when I walk. I am miserable and don't know what to do.

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Oh my gosh I have not been this big since I was pregnant. It helped with the depression but now I am getting depressed because of the weight gain. I have gained
30 pounds since starting it 6 months ago. I am a vegan so I don't eat fatty meats, no breads or dairy. I am about to stop taking it but I am afraid of what it might do to my depression. Doc does not know what I could take in place of Seroquel so I guess I will live being overweight.

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I was on 300 mg of Seroquel it was like somebody stuck at air hose up my ass I quit taking it lost 50 pounds I I had gained but went back on it to 150 Mg at bedtime now everything is fine I'm back to my normal weight and it helps but it does cause restless leg syndrome you need something to counteract that that is the bad side effects of Seroquel

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I have been taking 600mg of seroquel at bed time for 3 years. It is great for my depression but the weight gain is horrible (30 pounds). I want to get off of it but I am afraid the depression symptoms will come back. This sucks.

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That's awesome!! I'm prescribed 150mg, and that made me gain weight at the beginning too (too much).
I'm 4'8", supposed to weigh around 85, which I did. Took the seroquel, and gained 30 pounds in 2 weeks. I don't feel healthy at this weight. It's winter, so unfortunately I tend o hibernate rather than take walks, and only get out in he fresh air when it's above 40 degrees.
Anyway, I was having a couple other weird side effects, so, without telling my psych doctor, I started taking one every "other" night. No more bad dreams, or racing thoughts, and I lost 2 pounds (better than nothing) in about a week. Not nearly as much of an appetite (like you, I still have my coffee every day, and drink soda, a couple times a week), and it appears to be helping.
I'm moving down south in a few months, as MA is not good for my bi-polar, and income situation. I believe the overall atmosphere will also help.
Keep up the good work!!
God Bless!!

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Yes i just started seroquel 4 months ago and ive gained 20 pounds which is not like myself to do.it makes you feel like your never full.i wasnt advised of this or i wouldnt have taken it.other than the weight gain i sleep better and works well for bipolar disorder.i just wish it was a win win ..i work out as well and nothing.unfortunately i will have to switch meds due to this.i am not happy with this weight gain side effect.anyone have insight

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Yes. I have been on 300 mg ER for about 5 months. I have gained 25 lbs and have a little edema in my lower legs/ankles. Med helps me but don't like the side effects.

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I have been on seroquel for many years. My Dr just upped my dosage from 300mg to 400mg. About 3 weeks ago, and I have gained 5 lbs. Which might not seem like alot it is for me. Seeing as I'm already 30lbs overweight. It's hard for my self esteem, people look at you differently, and I feel like I always need to explain myself so I don't feel this way. Has anybody else had these feelings? The meds really help me, but why does there need to be such negative results, feels like your right where you started from.

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I was always able to eat whatever I wanted and never gain weight. I was prescribed 300 mg of Seroquel and starting gaining weight so I had to watch what I ate. Recently I dropped to 100mg and I am no longer having a problem with weight gain.

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Have you ever tried Epilium instead of lithium?
Ive always been on Epilium for my bi-polar and works awesomely

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Yes, I gained about 40 pounds mostly all at once. I have maintained this weight over 10 years. I eat healthy and hike and swim. I am not trying to lose weight. I do not believe it is a realistic goal.

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Omg yesss!! I was 130lbs and started seroquel within 5 months i went up to 151lbs for me this was devastating . i take 100mgs at night for sleep & bipolar , i said to myself ENOUGH!! . I began walking everyday and stuck to a strict diet of healthy soups and salads. I still drink my coffee' s & pop however, i m am down to 139lbs which took month & 1/2 to lose , still 9lbs to go !!! Its sure goes on faster than it comes off !. I am stuck between in a hard spot bc this medication helps me tremendously but comes with some hard to deal with side effects .

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I am experiencing the EXACT same thing with the weight gain AND edema. Im not understanding bc im drinking plenty of water and am active everyday. Im open to any suggestions as well

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Try the Midon Shots with VitamonB12. Sometimes 5hey give youna mild dight pill it's called Phentermine I lost 60 pounds in 4 months thank you

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I was on 300 mg of Seroquel for 9 years. I was weaned off over about 5 months and took my last dose in May 2015. Before I started taking it, I was between 120-125lbs. At my heaviest (around 2012) I weighed 180-185. I made some drastic lifestyle changes and managed to drop some weight and settled at 155-160 by May 2015. However, since my last dose, I've lost over 20lbs.

Seroquel is a dangerous drug with frightening side effects and AWFUL withdrawal. My brain essentially doesn't know how to sleep from being on it so long, but there are natural treatments for insomnia and less damaging meds you can take to get zzz's. Really do your research before agreeing to be put on Seroquel. I wish I'd never taken it.

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Effexor is a bad drug ! Have U looked it up in a PDR ? I WAS on it for 5 yrs. Most drugs have ,1 or2 pages about the drug .Effexor has 4 pages side effects even include swollen vagina .,,!!!!! It's bad coming off . try celexa .. U can't just stop taking Serique cold turkey . that wld B dangerous. UR DR.will wean U off good luck !!!

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