Is losing weight (on AD) even possible with FM? - Fibromyalgia Message Board

4thof4 · 10-19-2006, 12:37 PM

I have been taking Zoloft for about 15 months and I have gained 40 pounds and I feel so horrible. I have never in my life been this big (have always been thin/average in size) and I look and feel just terrible. I was given the FM diagnosis in April of this year and I feel so stuck because I can't exercise agressively enough. I am on AD for depression and it helps greatly but I also can't exercise hard enough to try and lose some weight. I know weight gain is likely on AD and this is why I was so hesitant to start taking Zoloft but I did and while it helps I can't stand the weight gain!! Is it possible to exercise (I used to run 4 miles a day in the early 90's so I like running but don't do it anymore because of the FM) with FM and lose weight? Am I doomed to being this size forever???? I don't think I can go off of AD as I have a chemical imbalance. I'm so frustrated...thanks for letting me vent.

So, will I ever be able to lose weight while taking AD ( I just switched to Cymbalta 2 days ago...so far so good but I'm a little scared of the withdrawal effects if it were to ever stop working for me)? I haven't decided if I'll keep taking it and go back to the Zoloft. My dr thought Cymbalta might help me lose weight and also benefit the FM...

Anyone else going through this? *sigh*

Thanks!

Lindsey (lurker for a year or more)

Poodle_D_Do · 10-19-2006, 02:50 PM

Sorry to hear you are having such a hard time. I was on Zoloft as well, but began going to a doctor who specilist is treating fibramyalgia and CFS. The first thing he did was change my medications. He informed me the Zoloft does absolutely nothing for Fibramyalgia patients. He started me on 150mg of Effexor XR and Provigil 200mg that would help with the fatique and help with feelings of sleepiness all day. Also Neurontin 200mg for the deep restful sleep we have GOT to get in order to get a handle on this condition. I am only sharing what helped me after years of going to Rymtologist and other professionals who I felt were not helping in the least.

As for as the exercise, I was informed DEEP water arobices is the best exercise and also helps with the stiffness and joint pain. I was going for a time, but have not gone for sometime due to going thur a very difficult divorce. I do plan on starting back soon.

Another RX my doctor put me on was 3ccs of injections of vitamin B12 shots.
He also put me on a chronic fatique serum I ordered through his office from a compound pharmacy.

This is a very difficult condition for our loved ones and others to fully understand as we do not LOOK sick. Many people think we are just lazy and we have to deal with these type attitudes as well as the condition. I hope this information has been helpful to you.

Good luck and God bless,

Yvonne

stick2013 · 10-19-2006, 03:02 PM

Fibro sucks...... Weight gain sucks.... We complain about the pain, Dr puts us on AD's to help with pain and depression. We gain weight, get more depressed, they up the dosage. We get fatter, and more depressed, and then our Dr's tell us that we are over weight and need to lose. OK so NOW what????? Yes it is possible to lose weight with Fibro and on AD's.... You eat nothing but weeds and seeds and excersice 12 hrs a day.. Just joking!

It can be done but I think it takes us longer and we have to work harder at it. That's just my opinion. I did lose 25lbs in 6 months, but I had to WORK hard at it, and then I got sick in the last few weeks and guess what????? 10lbs just showed up on my BUTT!!!!!

So break out you sneakers girlfriend and hit the pavement. (or treadmill, or elliptical, or bike, or Dr) Begin to sweat, and starve!!!! Tiss the season for SKINNY'S.....

Sid

Just Jan · 10-19-2006, 09:53 PM

It's likely that your Zoloft is what is causing your weight gain. I took Paxil for years and gained a lot of weight then when I stopped taking it I slowly over the next year I lost back down to my normal weight.

I've had fibromylgia for 20 years (doesn't seem possible it's been that long).Water exercises have helped my pain and muscles but if you stop you're right back where you started. I go twice a week to a club that has a warm water pool. I refuse to take medicine because one I don't think there are any positives and to me the side effects are too risky.

I've been reading up on Leaky Gut Syndrome (just type it in search and you'll find lots of information about it.) Supposedly this can cause fibromylgia. I'm going to talk to my doctor about it tomorrow. I want her to check this out for me and if she won't I'll find a doctor who knows enough about it to do so. It sounds like it could solve a lot of my fibro problems. Hope this info will help someone else too.

4thof4 · 10-20-2006, 04:14 PM

Thanks everyone for the insight. I am feeling thoroughly confused at how, since it may be possible to lose weight, I am to try and lose the weight. How do I exercise in such a way without killing myself and wishing I hadn't done it because of the fatigue and pain? How do I juggle water therapy, walking (I'd rather jog, could I do this with FM without consequences I'll regret?), etc. without over doing it?

The Cymbalta seems to be helping with both the depression and the FM. I've noticed that my appetite is gone since I started taking Cymbalta. Maybe I can lose a few pounds just by switching meds too....

Thanks again everyone!