So part of my mental health issue is my constant weight gain. It’s incredibly frustrating and I’ve had all kinds of tests done and there’s no real answer. I look generally puffy and despite my best efforts, every month I creep up a few pounds. So now my psychiatrist has noticed the issue and he stepped in a few months ago with Topiamax hoping that would slow down the weight gain and it did not work. Today he accused me of not taking it. I understand because I am just as baffled but I am most definitely taking it. So now he has added Metformin even though I’m not a diabetic. I’m taking both now. And then he said to me “and maybe…I don’t know, don’t eat food?” I’m not overeating. Some days 500 calories is all I’m taking in. I don’t know my exact weight because to look at the scale is triggering but I know I’m a size 14 and I was a 6 2 years ago. I was thinner when I drank. Not many people can say that. I wish I could get rid of this burden once and for all. It affects everything I do.
Hi sorry your feeling like this. The combination of meds prescribed might help curb your appetite and send you to the bathroom more. Drink plenty of water to help wash out the toxins. The puffiness will start to go away. A nutritionist and or a weight loss doctor may better assist you with this part of your journey. Take time to sort it all out. It’s all part of the recovery ❤️🩹 journey
Try Wegovy and yes drink a gallon of water a day
Diet, exercise and consistency!! It’s a complete lifestyle change. Burn more calories than you take in.
Intermittent fasting may help. Look it up online. It's about eating in an 8 hour window and fasting the rest of the day. I skip breakfast is how I do it. The combination of Intermittent Fasting, exercise (weights and cardio), sleep (8-9 hours) should help but make sure you exercise in a fasted state (like after you wake up) and like everyone said water.
Have you had a medical work up to eliminate causes like thyroid?
You weren't thinner when you drank. That's not you any more. This is you. That chick is gone. You're better now, be "this" you no matter what.
I understand for most people that’s how it works but you’ve got to see what’s going on over here to understand that is not happening. At. All.
Thank you all. Yes I have had a medical work up and the only thing that came out of that was my potassium level was mysteriously very low and then I had a functional med doctor test me and my cortisol levels are very high. This week combined with the meds I am going to stick with just liquids and see if anything changes.
It works differently for each person. Different body types and metabolism levels affect us all. The important thing is that you are facing your problems head-on. I know when I was drinking, that was not something I could say about myself most of the time. Keep it up! It does get better.
I changed my diet and did away with sweets, which was difficult. I started eating more salads. Then I added walking. Last week my doctor was shocked, as I had lost 14lbs! I was shocked too! It can be done.
I lost 56 pounds on keto and now I just do low carb… no sugar potatoes, rice etc…. Water is huge. Drink half your body weight in ounces!
I was recently tested and diagnosed with a celiac issue. Before that, gluten was causing me to puff up. I read a book “Why We Get Fat”. Because I can’t just be given a diet, I have to understand why. I’ve lost 45 pounds since. I started slow with walking an hour every day. And now I go to the gym early every morning except Sunday because I enjoy it.
Is it just me or does this doctor sound not right? Telling you to stop eating. And why is your psychiatrist prescribing migraine and diabetic meds? I would ask out a second opinion. If your not eating and and gaining something may not be right. However, it is common to gain once sober. I don’t know, still… seek out another doctor’s opinion. I think it might be a good idea. Maybe they have some thoughts.
Keep us posted, k? 
If you are only have 500 calories on certain days… that’s a big part of your problem. Your body goes into a survival mode when you eat so little and you certainly will not lose any weight. Don’t concentrate so much on calories… try staying away from dairy, gluten, sugar and limit salt. I fight the battle of the bulge as well.
Also stay away from artificial sweeteners. They screw up your body in terrible ways…
I added MASF Supplements to my diet, gallon of water, and walk 10k steps every day. Lost 95 lbs. since quitting alcohol. I still have an unhealthy meal once a week. Definitely get in contact with a nutritionist, bc 90% of my weight loss was diet related.
Look into bariatric diets to “reset”- it’s kept adjacent but more grounded in nutrition and net carbs (fiber carbs instead of empty ones). If you’re already working at deficit it’ll help your body metabolize that as best as it can. Also make sure you’re taking a multivitamin and hydrating 
they’re not fix-all steps but they’re a fairly universal place to start