Updated: How long after I stop Seroquel does the weight gain stop?
I am reposting this question because I wanted to clarify something about the weight gain I experienced while on Seroquel. I started gaining weight almost immediately after starting Seroquel almost three years ago, and have gained 30 pounds of fat since. The weight gain I experienced, however, was not due to any kind of increased appetite or changed eating habits. My appetite and eating habits never changed due to the Seroquel use. I exercise and weight train regularly, and always have before and after I was on the Seroquel. I can't explain the weight gain through anything I have done.
So, knowing that, here is my original question:
I was on Seroquel for almost three years for bipolar, and I recently gradually stopped with the approval of my doctor. One of the reasons, among many, that I stopped was that I could not take the weight gain anymore.
I was a Marine for 8 years and have never been overweight until I started taking medication. First I was diagnosed as simply depressed, and I was on Effexor xr for a year or so. I gained some weight with that, too. I stopped cold turkey when I quit my job to go to school and subsequently lost my insurance. I lost the weight I had gained on the Effexor almos immediately, without much effort or diet change at all.
I have been off of Seroquel for about 2 weeks now and feel geat, and am finally able to sleep without it. I am eating better and exercising more, but I haven't lost any weight and have actually gained a couple pounds. Does anyone know if this is normal, especially since I went gradually off of it, and will my body ever get back to normal weight-loss ability wise after taking Seroquel? How long before I notice a difference in weight gain?
Hi Jeff. Congrats to you for getting off serequel. Two thumbs up!! When I went off of serequel 'THE FIRST TIME', I started noticing my weight going down in the first two weeks. However, due to me not being able to sleep-I was immediately put back on it..so I am FAT once again, but I can function. I'm in hopes that one day I can be off and be able to sleep.
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I went from 200 lbs to 245 lbs (6'2") in 5 months on 25 mg/day of Seroquel. My eating habits were better than normal....especially when I noticed the pounds piling up. I got on the scale 2 weeks ago and decided to slowly get off it. What a shame because it was the best medicine I have ever been on. The extra pounds were really making me self conscious though. And extra anxiety is something I do not need. Anyway I am hoping the weight will fall back off in time. I am going to hit the gym hard just in case. It is so weird how the medicine mysteriously makes you gain weight. It's not like I went to Baskin Robbins every day. Damn you Seroquel.
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I have found if I drink a gallon of water a day, walk three miles a day, and lower my carbohydrate intake I can easily lose weight on Seroquel.
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My situation is similar except I gained a total of 55lbs in a 2-3 yr timeframe. I was in the Navy for 11 yrs. I never had a weight problem until Seroquel. I still eat healthy, work out just like I have been since age 14. I am now 33. I have been off seroquel for almost 1 year. I have lost no weight. I tried some diet pills(even though I don't think they are good to take) I tried a low calorie/starvation diet(1600 cals). NO weight loss, I tried something different about 4 months ago. I ate 2200 calories, which is a 500 calorie deficite for my current weight of 191. I actually lost 3 lbs after 4 months. I got down to 189lbs. But measuring food for all my meals, and counting calories, and food groups proved to me more of a hassel. bottom line is I have been eating healthy for such a long time, and exercising, that there is no way that I gained weight from anything else but the medicine. It's a tough pill to swallow, going from a 135lb size 4/6 to a 191lb size 14/16 or 18. I am happy that I carry my weight well, but it's is emotionally hard to cope with. I try each day to be positive. The good thing is even though I am considered obese by the weight/bmi CHARTS My blood pressure is optimal, my cholesterol is optimal, I have no health problems as a result of my weight. I attribute that to eating healthy and working out. I eat mostly natural, organic, low fat/low sodium, low cholesterol foods, I drink no sodas, or juices, just plain water, and 2 cups o' coffee. Best I can say is we are all in this together, and we just need to keep positive and no allow the number on the scale to define us. Did I mention I am a certified personal trainer.............
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