Taking Zoloft for post-partum depression; weight gain out of control
I started taking Zoloft a few months ago for post partum depression and although it has helped my mood tremendously, my weight gain has gone beyond my control– that is, despite regular exercise (4 days a week of intense cardio) and conscientious eating (not to mention, the 500+ calories burned from breastfeeding), I have gained 20 pounds more than I weighed right after giving birth. I have a history of depression and have tried other medications, but to my knowledge, Zoloft is the only one that is considered safe for breastfeeding mothers. I am afraid of quitting Zoloft because of how debilitating my depression might be if it resurfaces; and I don’t want to quit breastfeeding because it has become one of my baby’s greatest pleasures in life (and, therefore, mine too) and I have heard that weaning often sets off a whole other can of emotional and hormonal worms. But, I am also terribly frustrated with my inability to lose the weight I am gaining on this medication. I am so conflicted as to what to do. I would appreciate any feed- back that might help shed some insight or perspective on my predicament. Has anyone out there had any similar experiences or fears? New Mom
Don’t know much about Zoloft, but I know from research and personal experience that Paxil is as safe as any other SSRI in terms of pass-through in breast-milk. As with other SSRI’s, weight gain is a possible side effect, but it may be worth consulting your MD to see if it’s worth trying to see if this side effect is lesser for you than with Zoloft. For what it’s worth, I have been on Paxil continuously since before I became pregnant, have a very healthy 5-year-old who nursed till 2.5years, and I have been able to keep my weight below pre- pregnancy level, with the help of Weight Watchers. anonymous
First off, I feel for you. I myself was on Zoloft about five years ago after having been in therapy for a year or two and feeling like my psychological problems were getting harder to manage as we uncovered more. My therapist finally ”broke down” and had his own M.D. prescribe me Zoloft. It helped me considerably too, and while i was not a nursing mother at the time that I took it, I was terribly afraid of going off. My therapist worked with me closely for the year that I was on it and regularly checked in to see if I felt ready to come off. My point to you is not so much related to the weight gain, but more that if you stick with therapy in addition to the zoloft you may be able to come off of it sooner and feel supported and nurtured - not abandoned and left to no support without it. I did not experience a weight gain, but I did experience fear and when I did finally stop, I was ready and fully supported by a good therapist. So, hang in there - the weight must be a hard byproduct to handle, but i would really encourage you to find a good counselor who can help you make the transition in six months to a year, when you feel ready. anon
Poor Mama. I’ve been there. You are wise to take your medicine: fat and happy is sooo much better than skinny and depressed. Pudgy people can parent. Depressed people can’t even enjoy Law and Order reruns. Thoughts: 1) It might not be the medicine. I took Serzone throughout my pregnancy (perfect baby) but blew up like a balloon afterwards both nursing and exercising. Weight Watchers plan for nursing moms helped some but mainly it was time. Most of the weight came off in a year, but the rest didn’t go until nursing did at age 3 1/2. Yowza. Hormones and genetics are mighty. Don’t beat yourself up. 2)If it is the medicine, you could add another that is more likely to cause weight loss (although zoloft usually DOES cause weight loss). There’s no evidence that these drugs harm nursing kids. You might also still be depressed and not taking enough Zoloft. 3)I bet your baby thinks your body is absolutely beautiful and perfect. Try to see yourself as s/he does. Jenny
I was diagnosed with postpartum depression, too, and am breastfeeding, too, but am not on Zoloft — I’m on Prozac. Are you sure that Zoloft is the only safe one? My psychiatrist seems to think that Prozac is fine, too. And my son seems fine. I’ve lost weight since giving birth, although that may just be my luck. I weigh less now than I have in years. One alternative would be to try a homeopathic remedy for your postpartum depression. I’ve heard it can work, with no side effects. You have to get the right one for your constitution, though, so you have to see a homeopathist (homeopath?), which isn’t cheap. The remedy is cheap, though. Hope you find something that works for you. Another new mom
I had a very similar experience on Zoloft. I finally went off for other reasons, and back on the Celexa I used throughout my pregnancy. My doctor and I did the research, and decided that the Celexa was safe. And I’m losing weight. Which is making me much happier, I’ve got to tell you! Shallow shallow person that I am. anon
I also took Zoloft while breastfeeding, but I lost weight easily. (Shocking, since weight has always been a struggle for me and I refuse to exercise and give up ice cream!) Everyone reacts differently to medication and has different struggles with post-partum weight loss, of course, but you might want to look for something else contributing to the weight gain. Don’t give up breastfeeding OR Zoloft before you explore all the options! (And don’t let anyone tell you it’s dangerous! Zoloft has been tested. Personally, I took Prozac all during pregnancy, and Zoloft during 20 months of breastfeeding. My now 3 year old is thriving - healthy and strong, and possibly gifted.) anon
Hi, I’m sorry that you were depressed, but glad that your medication is working for you.
I gained about 15+ extra pounds, not from antidepressants, but from 3 rounds of fertility treatment, that finally resulted in my son. I’m not as good as you about the exercise, but I do complain about the extra lbs, and wish they weren’t there.
I just tell myself that they’re in exchange for my baby. I think I would try to tell myself the same thing if they were caused my another med, e.g., the Zoloft–it’s all for the best.
I don’t mean to minimize your frustration, please, I know what it feels like to walk around in a body that feels and looks quite different from the ones we had pre-baby days, but it might be better to accept your ”new” body, at least for now. I think people assume I’m still carrying around my pregnancy weight (i’m not), and, as breastfeeding moms, we tend to be a bit heavier, right?
No, I wouldn’t give up the breastfeeding–it’s too precious, it sounds like. And, I, too, have heard that Zoloft is one of the safeset, and at least most well studied, however, there are others, but maybe not worth changing if this is working so well for you.
Sorry, not much help, I know, Hope you get some good answers here. Newly overweight mom
I just want to say that whatever you decide, please don’t go off the Zoloft cold turkey. Perhaps you could slowly lower the dosage and see if that helps? (tell your doctor if you do). I think staying stable and happy is the most important thing in being a good mom. If your weight is really out of control, you might need to try other meds, and that might mean weaning your baby–I know that’s not what you want to do, but people have to stop breastfeeding for various reasons.
I have taken Zoloft for almost a decade now (significant weight gain over that time), and when I decided to try to get pregnant, I did a lot of research and consulted doctors and finally decided it was a better choice for ME to stay on it through pregnancy (baby is healthy as a horse). I am breastfeeding, and continuing on Zoloft for the time being because I understand it’s the safest for breastfeeding. I’ve decided to stay with these meds till baby is weaned, but after that I want to discuss trying something else for depression. I’m not willing to experiment with it right now.
This probably isn’t the most helpful answer, but I just wanted to share my belief that it’s important to maintain your mental at this wonderful but difficult, hormonally precarious time! Best wishes to you. Anonymous
I too take psych meds that have caused me to gain weight (well, I helped the process along) and was very discouraged about it. Finally I went to Weight Watchers, which had worked for me in the past, and I had a private conversation with the leader about my problem and discouragement. She said that there was another group member in the same boat who was doing well and asked me if I’d like to speak to her. So, next meeting this woman approached me and told me that despite taking heavy duty cancer drugs which had caused her to gain a lot of weight, she was slowly losing it. I was heartened and continued, and in fact lost weight much faster than I expected. Even if you eat consciously, my experience is that following an established program like Weight Watchers is much more effective. But my basic attitude is that my mental health comes first, that life is not worth living if I’m seriously off-kilter. Real depression is way beyond the depression of weighing more than you’d like. Good luck- there’s hope! anon
I have heard of breastfeeding moms who take antidepressants other than Zoloft. If you can find a copy of the book ”Medication and Mother’s Milk” by a dr who’s last name is Hale you should be able to find information on the safety of other medications. His book lists hundreds of medications and their safety to breastfeeding babies by looking at how the medication is broken down by the mother’s body to calculate how much of the medication, if any, is transmitted through breast milk to the baby. A friend of mine had a copy and used to say that 99% of meds were safe for use by breastfeeding moms because for most the amount was negligible. I know you can buy the book online, but check a library or lactation consultant first. Your dr. might have a copy, but most drs rely on the manufacturer’s labels which always say not for use by pregnant or nursing moms since they haven’t tested the medications on women in these conditions to prove that they are safe. ex-pumping mom
Section: Medicines
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