losing weight while on methadone

[tif1975]

i have been trying to do some research on methadone and weight gain. i have noticed that i am not the only one out there that has gained weight while taking methadone. it would be great if anyone can help or have suggestions on losing weight and if it is easy to do. i have read alot of people asking similar questions but no replys on the subject at hand.

[tearfulkis]

ive been on 105mg of methadone for  6 months now i have gained about 30 or 40 pounds. i now also have high blood pressure that wont go down despite several medications and the dr cant figure out why my bp wont go down. I eat only fruits and veggies and whole grain i cut out sugar fats and sodium. I havent lost one pound and my bp is still 190 over 100 when i wasnt on methadone i didnt have any problems. i am at my wits end and the drs dont know anything. its very frustrating like i almost wanna go bk to using

[amccoy1036]

Hello,

I have gained 50 lbs in 9 months and I'm at 120 dose.  I am on Synthroid and my bloodwork started coming back abnormal 1 month into the treatment with Methadone.  I've been on a diet, called PINK method and have lost 15 in the past 2 months.  It's been very hard...I work out everyday, very intensely and eat extremely well ( no sweets).  Before I knew weight gain was a side effect, I was eating a box of cereal a day and waking up at night to eat.  I'm going to start tapering down and keeping on exercising because 155 and 5'2" is overweight and I'm miserable!

[amccoy1036]

Hello,

I have gained 50 lbs in 9 months and I'm at 120 dose.  I am on Synthroid and my bloodwork started coming back abnormal 1 month into the treatment with Methadone.  I've been on a diet, called PINK method and have lost 15 in the past 2 months.  It's been very hard...I work out everyday, very intensely and eat extremely well ( no sweets).  Before I knew weight gain was a side effect, I was eating a box of cereal a day and waking up at night to eat.  I'm going to start tapering down and keeping on exercising because 155 and 5'2" is overweight and I'm miserable!

[Lex12383]

Hi all! I just wanted to add a bit of support to those having difficulty losing weight on methadone. Methadone slows down your metabolism but it doesn't STOP your metabolism so there is still hope! You have to kickstart your metabolism again which is going to be the hard part. The best thing to do is start with your diet. Incorporate as many fruits and vegetables into your eating habits as possible as well has higher protein, lower carbs. I found that a low carb and high protein diet really helps me while on the meds. Also, you will have to work out twice as hard as most people now that you are dosing for a little while just to get your body back into recovery. This might cause you to metabolize some of your meds so you may have to increase but that's ok! Drink LOTS of water to counter the water weight gain. I know it sounds counter-productive but trust me, drinking water flushes your system and helps you retain less. You will want to drink at least half your body weight in ounces. Trust me, I gained 13lbs in two months and recently lost 5 on this plan. I am actually training for a half marathon right now and feel GREAT (still 8lbs to go but it's better than 80!).

[geenick78]

Ive been on methadone for 1 year now,man what a miracle I got my life back,I feel like a person again.  I too hate the weight issue exspecially cause I too used to be skinney now I dont even look at the scale,the girls still check me out but not like they used too.  Ive been tempted too to start going to a gym that has a sauna and sweet some weight off.  so Im going to try it how hard can it be as long as you dont mind heat...  but be carefull check with your doctor cause this might not be best for everyone..  also check your thyroid,Im also in the process of that...  anyone that writes me will get a response..

[denas4]

I have been on methadone for 10 years. I know a long time. I have had two children while on methadone with has slowed down any hope of getting off the stuff. I have been tappering off 2 mgs a month. I am on a high split dose. I use to be very thin. I am 5'9 and weighted 125 since being on methadone I am now197. I have gained 72lbs. I want to cry. I hate what i see when i look in the mirror. Thank you to all of you who posted because I now have hope to lose weight as I continue to tapper off. I am excersing 5 days a week but I crave sugar like crazy. I also had a problem with my teeth and now have false teeth. I thank God for methadone because I was in a dark place when I started, but now I want off safely.