Has anyone EVER lost weight while on Elavil???

[kadi]

If you have lost weight on Elavil, could you please tell how you did it??

I'm really frustrated, have never worked so hard to lose so little... One pound in a month of trying. Sometimes I fail at keeping below 1500 cal, but I've never eaten so little or worked so hard trying.

This extra 30-40 pounds is dangerous for me as I have high cholesterol, a high C-reactive protein score, and a huge family history of heart attacks & strokes. (My dad had a seven bypass operation at 45, and has had 2 heart attacks, 2 strokes, an angioplasty and a second seven bypass operation. Both my grandparents on his side had severe heart disease. And on my mom's side, my great-grandmother had a heart attack @ 48, my uncle had a heart attack in his early 50s.).

I wish I could quit the Elavil, but can't tolerate SSRIs at all, cannot tolerate Atarax or Elmiron, went through 17 different meds in the first year I had IC. The IC has been finally controlled by Elavil, Ditropan, DMSO cocktail, and continuous use bc pills. So, I seem to be stuck with the Elavil.

Anyone ever lost weight on this???? Please, please no "in-the-same-boat" posts. I need posts that will encourage me to keep trying, not give up.

[tigger_gal]

I never lost any weight on elival.. I just gained.. I hope someone will see this post and give you some great advice
Brat

[patricia1]

I to gained while on it. But for me it has taken a long time to lose it. I am sorry I know you are not looking for these answers..

[VickiB]

Okay, I lost weight on it,....after I quickly gained 17 pounds and thought, "good grief, what's become of me!"!

I never had a weight problem prior to taking this medication, so the gain really caught me by surprise. I began to pay attention to what I was eating and it was really disturbing! I was basically eating anything that got in front of me, and that was just not like me. Add to that the fact that I was no longer as active as I used to be and the resulting pounds were not surprising.

So I began to watch what I ate and increased my activity, mainly by hiking, and the weight slowly came back off. It sure didn't seem to come off as quickly as I put it on! -Another example of how life isn't fair I guess!

I had recently seen a report on television on people who just can't gain weight. You know, the type who can eat anything & everything, but seem to have the metabolism of a hummingbird! -I used to be one of them! Anyway, they were saying that fidgeting (sp?) burns an enormous amout of calories through-out the day. I used to fidget. I don't any longer. Elavil? Maybe!

Vicki

[emilyrose197377]

I have not lost weight on elavil .

[dancemomof2]

I have gained alos, and I eat everything under the sun since I started taking it.

[kadi]

Thank you Vicki for the support. As I love to hike, I'm going to try to hang on to what you said...

As to the rest of the posts...

Great, my bladder will feel okay 70% of the time, but I'll be fat, out of shape with creaking knees, unable to wear 90% of my wardrobe, have to continue buying size 18 clothes (I'm 5'4"), and drop dead of a heart attack in my 40s from all the weight I've put on... And maybe I'll be lucky & actually drop dead from the heart attack instead of just becoming even more disabled.

If I wasn't depressed before, I am now.

I know people gain weight on this f---ing drug... I don't have any other option for the IC right now. I've gone through just about every other drug available.
I asked for no "sympathy" posts, but only encouragement.
Is that so d---- hard to respect??????

[happy lou]

I am like all of you i have gaineda lot of weight since started taking elavil i wish i could quit taking it but that is the only med that help me so it eather get fat or die with pain. Eva

[kadi]

I cannot believe you would post this after my last message. I am done.

[massagedoula]

Hi Kadi,
I read this post and I had nothing to offer because I have no experience with Elavil. However, I can see that youa re having a hard time with people not answering it in the way you had hoped, so I did some searching thru old posts and found this
http://www.ic-network.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16683&highlight=weight

The last post is from SPECS and she says that she has lost weight on Elavil. I like hunting for info, so let me know if you want me to look for more incidences of people losing weight on the drug. I am sure that it can be done!

[Snuph]

Hi,
I lost 25 pounds while on Elavil last year and have been able to keep it off.
I went from a size sixteen (that I had been in for over 10 years) to a size 10.
I went on a low carb diet plus a nightly walk.
I take about 20- 40 mg of elavil at night depending on how I am feeling.
I wish you luck

[blondiecat]

Hi Not to put a damper on this but while I was taking the Elavil I gained a lot of weight 20+ pounds. Now that I am taking Cymbalta I have dropped all the weight I gained plus some extra. The Elavil wasn't working for me anyway so it wasn't a big deal to stop that one. The Cymbalta however has been my salvation along with Ultram daily. On flair days I take these along with my Pryidum Plus and Lorcet plus or Tylox, for the more severe pain.

Cymbalta is a antidepressent that helps with the neropathic(spelling?) pain as well as the depression that seems to go along with IC. Seems they go hand in hand. The main side effect of Cymbalta is weight loss. Keep trying to lose the weight but if nothing else talk to your doctor and see if they can put you on Cymbalta or a similar med.

[VickiB]

I may be way off here, but I don't think the medication causes inescapeable weight gain itself. From everything I've ever read, it seems to be as simple as calories in vs calories burned equals either gain or loss.

For me, the medication seems to mess with my 'gas gauge' (hunger), showing the tank to be near empty when in reality it's not. All my life, I've been able to use my hunger as an indication that it was time to eat. When I began this medication I immediately noticed this indicator was askew. I began craving things that never appealed to me before, and in general, just plain felt hungry all the time. Very weird! And as I mentioned before, suddenly found myself up 17 pounds. I learned I could no longer rely on hunger being accurate and had to instead go by calorie/portion size intake. -Which wasn't any fun, because it takes much more effort and I like things easy! As soon as I did this, though, the pounds began to slowly come back off.

My IC packs a double whammy in that I find many activities pre-empted by pain. I've quit a variety of things because I find the jarring to my bladder unbearable. Or because of lack of facilites available. And then there's always the days that I'm just plain too uncomfortable down there to do much of anything! I try to keep that lower activity level in mind when I fuel up.

Please don't be discouraged, Kadi! It can be done. Like I said before, I just wish it would come off as quickly (and easily!) as it goes on!

Vicki

[happy lou]

Hello Kadi i am sorry if i have offended you i was not trying to i was just trying to say i am in the same boat you are with the elavil . Eva

[poetgirl]

I have never gained weight on Elavil. In fact, for a while I lost a few pounds, because it seemed to dampen my appetite, but over time I have maintained my baseline weight. Any kind of exercise that you can continue to do when you feel well enough to may help you. I saw that you said you like to hike; I assume you like to walk as well. Those are both exercises I enjoy too. I know some people buy a pedometer and track their steps, working their way up to a specific goal each day or week.


Watching your intake of refined sugars or simple carbs may make it easier to lose weight. Also, adding fiber to your diet can help that (and will carry away bad cholesterol as well.)

Good luck and I hope you start feeling better soon!

----------------------------------------------------------------
Eva, I think the reason Kadi is upset is because she specifically asked for people to not respond with "I'm in the same boat with you". She wanted to hear from people who either were able to lose weight or didn't experience any particular gain while taking Elavil.

[emilyrose197377]

Kadi, I personally find that offensive what you wrote. I am sorry if I hurt your feelings.

[kadi]

Emily,
Thank you for your apology, I do appreciate it and I'm sure you did not mean to upset me. I am sorry that I've offended people with my language.

I do not know why so many people would find it so hard to refrain from writing something negative when specifically asked not to do so. I usually don't swear, and several hours later, when not so upset, had decided to go back & edit what I wrote, when I saw that yet another person had disrespected my (I thought, very clear) request. I then decided to leave it in to emphasize how very upset I am.

For me, it's not just a matter of being a little chubby. I have multiple factors why this level of overweight is dangerous to my health. I am very scared and unsure what to do. I have been trying to deal with this for several months & failing.
Recently, several family members have individually come to me in concern for my health & seeing a picture my mom took of me Friday made me understand why.

I am really scared that if I change medicines I'll wind up as sick as I was before I went on Elavil. (Voiding 60+ times a day, with twisting burning pain, unable to sleep, work, drive, wear pants, exercise, do much of anything.) BUT I am also scared that with so many risk factors & a father who had massive cardiac surgery not much older than I am now, that I will wind up far sicker if I cannot resolve this. I am out of breath going up & down stairs, my favorite necklace does not fit around my neck anymore, none of my rings fit, I do not look like myself anymore.

I do not know what to do. I am seeing my doctor next week, hopefully he will have an idea of some options...

[emilyrose197377]

Kadi, for me anyways at night elavil helps me since my Dr. upped my doseage . so the benefits outway it risks for me. Elavil might not be right for you if your are weight conscious I suggest you talk to your dr. and find another med that will work for you if elavil is bothersome for you to take.

Take Care
Kim

[mayray518]

I have been taking elavil for 5 years. At 50 mg I hated the side effects. I was tired all the time and my appetite did increase but I did not give into it. I ate the same way I always have. I am only 5 feet 2 and weigh 105 and have kept that weight. Now I am down to 5 mg of elavil and do not feel the side effects. From what I have read many people's appetite increases on elavil. This is an old tricyclic antidepressant. The newer SSRs do not have this side effect but, unfortunately, many of them do not help IC. You may be able to eventually go down on your dose of elavil and not have the same side effects. I dont find your language offensive, particularly since you put in the f_____ with the dashes. I dont swear a lot either but sure have since I got IC since I got frustrated so I think you used this as an outlet and I dont blame you. I hope you find something to help you. I stuck with the elavil and have been in remission for 5 years.

[patricia1]

Kadi I am sorry that I offened you. Looking back I see you only wanted supportive answers. Dont give up hope with losing weight from elvail. I did it took awhile but I did. Do you think that you might could try another med like it, I know there are not many that help with IC. I think I read about one in another thread. I only want the best for you and again I offer my apol. SORRY...

[LeahLove]

I have been on Effexor XR and have lost 16 pounds in 3 months. My appetite has gone down hill. I really don't have a desire to eat. I still do eat, just not as much. I studied up on this drug and it says that people often gain weight. I thought it was weird that I was the opposite.

[cybersis]

As everyone reacts differently to medication it's hard to tell how a drug will react to your body. I was put on Elavil about 8 years ago to help with migraines. I gained about 20 pounds and at that time did not know it was from the medication. I started exercising regularly and watched what I ate. I also started weight watchers which helped me understand what a true portion size looked like. I realized I was probably eating twice to three times as much as I had been before the medication. I slowly lost about half the weight and then my doctor suggested that since my migraines had subsided we would stop the medication. It took about two months and I lost the other half of the weight. When diagnosed with IC, Elavil was suggested but I took the Elmiron route. I stopped after two months due to heartburn and stomach upset but found that my IC flared with a vengence. After stopping for three weeks I decided to resume with the Elmiron. This time around I have had no symptoms ( except for a bit of hair loss that I will live with).

So it can be done. You can lose weight while taking this drug. You have to be diligent and you have to exercise. I believe that one without the other will not give you the results you desire. I walk on the treadmill. I walk for 40 minutes a day gradually increasing my incline up and down throughout the walk. This does not bother my bladder so much. I am back on weight watchers and revamping my diet to include safe foods that are the lowest in calories and fat. Nothing about this disease is easy but if its encouragement you want you have it. You can lose weight and you can feel better.

Good Luck

[vm]

Happylou - I noticed you haven't posted at the ICN since your last post on this thread. I also noticed you are new so I wanted to say something. PLEASE keep posting, OK? Don't let a misunderstanding on the boards or anything someone says to you prevent you from getting the support you need and deserve, OK?

Please PM or e-mail anytime you'd like to talk, OK? :kissing:

[Hedy]

I used to take 75 Mg a day and I gained 50 lbs. NEVER had a weight problem in my life, then I was gaining and gaining. :mad: so I did Atkins and i lost 40 lbs, in a year. It was NO SUGAR NO CARBS, and EXERISE 3x's a week. But I just finally decided to go off. I really struggling with the last 20lbs, it will NOT budge. BUT I do not recommend going off a pill that helps someone, becasue of weight gain and vanity, that is not worth it. I'm now taking Elmiron and hoping it will do what the Elivil did, if not, I will go back on it. Soooo my advice, try atkins, buy the book and read it, Its not a diet its a lifestyle change so its a commitment. Good luck!

[kadi]

Well, I tried to reduce the Elavil at my doctor's suggestion. It did not go well, urethra burned like crazy & I had the mother of all flares after only 4 days on reduced dose. Also had trouble sleeping.

When I went back up to normal dose, the burning stopped immediately & the flare eventually subsided. I also went back to sleeping through the night with only 1-2 wakeups most nights...

So, it was disappointing not to be able to reduce the Elavil, BUT
I've lost 5 pounds in the 5 weeks I've been on vacation. I've been logging my food into a website that tracks calories & nutrients and going to the gym every day I can. Most weeks this summer that's been 4-5 days a week and I've gotten to where I can work out for 40 min of cardio (elliptical & rowing machines).

It's way harder to lose weight than it ever has been before, but I'm trying to stay positive.

BTW: Weight gain is not always just a vanity issue. I just read that a 35 pound weight gain can increase a woman's chance of a heart attack by 50%. And if you have other risk factors (like family history of heart attacks in the 40s, lack of exercise, high cholesterol & C-reactive protein blood tests) that's really not good.

[mom_in_ma]

I had a horrible time with the Atkins diet...it put me into a major flare! And if I recall correctly, it did the same thing to Sarojini.

That said, I'm working on making wise choices and eating in moderation. During my first IC flare I lost over 10 lbs - I was teeny tiny! When I was finally feeling better I started eating again and gained 35lbs! Actually, it put me only 20 lbs heavier than my orignal weight so it wasn't terrible, but definitely uncomfortable.

Awhile ago I got motivated and lost 10 lbs with weightwatchers. But, I couldn't lose the last 10 lbs. Lately, I've been motivated again and I'm doing well with the weight loss by watching portions, making wise food choices, etc. The nutella (yes, I can eat it) is screaming my name from the cupboard, but I'm not touching it because it's not a fruit, vegetable, protein or whole grain.

Congrats on the weight loss Kadi!

[VickiB]

Congrats on the weight loss, Kadi! 5 pounds in five weeks seems like you're going about this in a sensible, healthy way.

It always amazes me how quickly (and easily) the pounds go on, yet how slowly they come back off!

Vicki