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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tecknohed on June 19, 2013, at 8:04:05
Hi all. Doing really well on my current meds. But the quetiapine is packing on the weight big time! I walk 5-6 miles a day, have steadily reduced my calorie intake and yet I look like a pregnant man! Just the belly, rather than evenly spread throughout the body. This is DEFINITELY NOT due to over eating. I've been on various other 'weight gainers' in the past but never had any weight issues.
So how on earth do I get rid of this extra 2 stone I'm carrying around with me everywhere? I was a medium, now I need large size clothing and its costing a fortune in new clothes that fit!Anyone with tips or suggestions? Are there any meds that may help. Or perhapse some of you found a particular diet plan that has helped. As I said I've never had med-induced weight gain before, and I've been on most meds. Also, my appetite hasn't changed neither has my diet.
Its a common side effect so I'm hoping that by now there are lots of tips that may prove beneficial.
All comments welcome.
teck
Posted by Phil on June 19, 2013, at 8:27:41
In reply to Seroquel belly ggrrr..., posted by tecknohed on June 19, 2013, at 8:04:05
I did some research for the same problem. Metformin is a type 2 diabetes drug but major studies have been done to use it before you get diabetes, weight gain etc. I was shocked that my doc knew nothing about it.
Without changing my terrible diet and without exercise I've lost 22 pounds in two months. Not unusual. Do some searches and check pubmed.
> Hi all. Doing really well on my current meds. But the quetiapine is packing on the weight big time! I walk 5-6 miles a day, have steadily reduced my calorie intake and yet I look like a pregnant man! Just the belly, rather than evenly spread throughout the body. This is DEFINITELY NOT due to over eating. I've been on various other 'weight gainers' in the past but never had any weight issues.
> So how on earth do I get rid of this extra 2 stone I'm carrying around with me everywhere? I was a medium, now I need large size clothing and its costing a fortune in new clothes that fit!
>
> Anyone with tips or suggestions? Are there any meds that may help. Or perhapse some of you found a particular diet plan that has helped. As I said I've never had med-induced weight gain before, and I've been on most meds. Also, my appetite hasn't changed neither has my diet.
>
> Its a common side effect so I'm hoping that by now there are lots of tips that may prove beneficial.
>
> All comments welcome.
>
> teck
Posted by tecknohed on June 19, 2013, at 8:47:44
In reply to Re: Seroquel belly ggrrr..., posted by Phil on June 19, 2013, at 8:27:41
Thanks Phil. Problem is I'm type 1 diabetic and take insulin injections. So I doubt any doc would feel comfortable adding metformin. Still, its worth asking about. My insulin requirements would be lowered considerably, which would be a good thing, as having too much insulin on a regular basis (and this includes non-diabetes carb addicts) has been shown to increase the risk of many health problems particularly heart disease. Cheers.
teck
Posted by Phil on June 19, 2013, at 9:11:42
In reply to Re: Seroquel belly ggrrr... » Phil, posted by tecknohed on June 19, 2013, at 8:47:44
Sorry to hear that you are dealing with all of that.
Hope you find some answers.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 19, 2013, at 22:55:25
In reply to Re: Seroquel belly ggrrr..., posted by Phil on June 19, 2013, at 9:11:42
I'd suggest switching the Seroquel for Geodon, which has much less propensity to cause increased appetite or weight gain
Posted by tecknohed on June 20, 2013, at 2:15:05
In reply to Re: Seroquel belly ggrrr..., posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 19, 2013, at 22:55:25
Spoke to a Nurse last night at a group meeting. I told her about my weight gain and she thinks its probably edema. I'm off to the docs today, get a diagnosis and if she was write I'll get some water tablets/diuretics. I hope she was right. I'd hate to come off quetiapine now that I'm doing well on it.
Posted by tecknohed on June 20, 2013, at 19:01:22
In reply to Re: Seroquel belly ggrrr..., posted by tecknohed on June 20, 2013, at 2:15:05
So, today I went to a GP and she ruled out edema, yet could identify what was wrong. Should have expected that really.
Now something has just dawned on me. It may infact be the Amitriptyline causing the weight gain, due to its strong anticholinergic side effects. Kinda makes sense as it was the last med to be added.
After the doc appointment I went to the pharmacy and asked his advise. He was so much more helpful than the flipping doc! He couldn't figure it out either, but spent 20 minutes talking to me. He also wrote down the name of an over-the-counter diuretic Aquaban (pamabrom). There is also a herbal version to try. Maybe if the pamabrom sorts the problem out then I can use the herbal version (most probably based on Dandelion, a herbal diuretic) as maintenance.
I'll post any progress in a couple of days. I'm gonna start weighing myself too so I will know even the slightest improvement.
teck
Posted by tecknohed on June 21, 2013, at 16:55:38
In reply to Or perhapse TCA belly?, posted by tecknohed on June 20, 2013, at 19:01:22
Geez! The diuretics I got contained ammonium chloride, and caffeine at at a total of 600mg/day for 5 days. Ha! No way am I taking that much caffeine. I limit myself to only 100mg/day. I just find that funny. Bloody ridiculous more like. I'm gonna take 1 twice daily in combination with standardized Dandelion root. Doubling up on that dose. I also wondard if I might be constipated which may tighten the muscled somehow and restrict a steady flow, so I took 5mg bisacodyl lol
Posted by tecknohed on June 24, 2013, at 8:40:52
In reply to Re: Or perhapse TCA belly? » tecknohed, posted by tecknohed on June 21, 2013, at 16:55:38
It suddenly dawned on me what is actually happening. I have urine retention and find it hard to pee. I remember on Nardil it was a delayed side effect, starting 4-6 weeks after it kicked in and I had to wear a catheter for a month.
So last night I took half usual dose of amitriptyline (50mg) and also dropped 50mg quetiapine this morning. Since waking at 11am (its now 2pm) I've peed 3 times!
Anti-cholinergic side effect? I think so. Most probably from the amitriptyline. I'll give it a week then add 25mg, second week back to 100mg. I dont think its the quetiapine but I will add that back in slowly too. Just to be safe.Sorting the constipation out probably helped, and no doubt the Dandelion root is helping as a diuretic too.
At least I know what it is now. Means I can quickly reverse this side effct within 24hrs should it arrise again.
SELF diagnosed AGAIN. Bloody dumbass GPs.
teck
This is the end of the thread.
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