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Suggest Ways To Lose Weight

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Posted on Mon, 30 Nov 2015
Question: I am a 35 year old female vet 14 years active duty combat medic. I got hurt and have had 3 surgeries since 2014. despite ALL my attempts eating good, going for long walks since I cnt exercise like I used to I keep gaining weight. I'm on psych meds and have severe issues w sleep. I am now 170 lbs I was 145 lbs this April I'm gaining so fast I feel sick. So desperate I contemplated meth to lose the weight.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (53 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your question, and for your military service.

A couple things here. First, it appears that an injury has significantly affected your ability to exercise. As you likely know, diet is much more important to weight loss than exericse -- running 8 miles burns about the same amount of calories as a couple sodas, so watching calorie intake is vital to weight loss, even though your exercise is limited.

A complicating factor here is the psychiatric medication. Would you mind telling me what you are taking? Certain medications can cause massive weight gain, but these are very few and far between.

Methamphetamine will kill you much, much faster than being overweight. Heart attacks, laced substances -- it's one of the worst drugs you can possibly consider taking. Don't do it, it isn't worth it.

My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States. For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: XXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (37 minutes later)
Ok sir, they just switched my meds I can get a list of my meds tomorrow for you if that is ok. I was on adrenaline 100 mg, quetiapine 200 mg, temazepam 15 mg, duloxetine 60 mg. BUT last week they changed them, I haven't gotten them in the mail yet
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (2 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Follow-up

Detailed Answer:
This is very useful. Quetiapine causes on average about 15-20 pounds of weight gain. This is probably a major contributor to your recent weight gain of approximately 25 pounds since April. I would speak to your doctor about changing this medication, perhaps to risperidone instead.

My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States. For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: XXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (30 minutes later)
I meant to say sertraline, not adrenaline my phone changed my words. Thank you for your help
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Follow-up

Detailed Answer:
No problem at all! Let me know how it goes asking your doctor to change the quetiapine. I'd be happy to answer any more questions you have at my private link below.

My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States. For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: XXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (13 hours later)
So the doc put me on PROZAC, CLONAZEPAM, TEMAZEPAM, OXICARBAZEPINE AND PRAZOSIN I am to start these this month
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (47 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Follow-up

Detailed Answer:
This is a much better regimen in terms of the side effect of weight gain. The only one slightly associated with weight gain is Prozac, but only averages about 5 pounds. Without quetiapine, you should be able to drop the weight much more easily!

My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States. For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: XXXX
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2014

Answered : 2236 Questions

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Suggest Ways To Lose Weight

Brief Answer: Consultation Detailed Answer: Thank you for your question, and for your military service. A couple things here. First, it appears that an injury has significantly affected your ability to exercise. As you likely know, diet is much more important to weight loss than exericse -- running 8 miles burns about the same amount of calories as a couple sodas, so watching calorie intake is vital to weight loss, even though your exercise is limited. A complicating factor here is the psychiatric medication. Would you mind telling me what you are taking? Certain medications can cause massive weight gain, but these are very few and far between. Methamphetamine will kill you much, much faster than being overweight. Heart attacks, laced substances -- it's one of the worst drugs you can possibly consider taking. Don't do it, it isn't worth it. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States. For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: XXXX