By Dorian Wagner
eDiets Senior Copy Editor
If you had to choose between your life and your weight, which would you choose? It's a tough question, but one that some people find themselves facing...
A 2004 study in General Hospital Psychiatry showed that 5 percent of patients surveyed would never take medication that caused weight gain… even if it was for a life-threatening condition.
It really made me think. In our world, a huge amount of emphasis is put on how people look -- oftentimes, I think, too much. Because, when it comes down to it, I personally would rather be alive and breathing than thin and dead. But apparently, some people disagree.
The choice seems simple to me, but what do YOU think? If a medication you needed would cause you to gain weight, would you take it? Comment here and share your view.
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 3:24:00 AM - 
said...
Of course I'd take the medication - what am I? An idiot? Or very vain?
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 6:25:00 AM - 
diavola said...
i woud take meds and gain weight to live. infact i am doing it now i take meds to help a problem i am having i carnt say its easy to accept but i do it and ive put alot of weight on and when people look me i feel hurt but taking these meds and putting on weight i found someone who loved me for me and now im married and still taking meds. take it from someone who lives in this situation putting on weight doesnt mean anything cause i wake up every morning living every day and ont regreat the decision i made
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 6:58:00 AM - said...
I have been faced with this situation with regard to birth control pills and antidepressant medications. I have opted not to take the meds because of the possibility of weight gain.
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 7:19:00 AM - said...
I would have to be really sick to do that myself.My daughter has asthma and she was on a med. that made her gain over 50 lbs.that's insane.They need to start making new medication with alot less sodium so people who do gain weight easily can take the medication and get or start feeling better.
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 7:19:00 AM - said...
I would take the meds and then try to figure out how to get healthy enough that I wouldn't need them. That might not be possible but I would definitely take the medication, my family and friends would want me alive and I know they don't care what I look like as long as I am around.
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 7:30:00 AM - John said...
If the meds caused an "increase in appetite" I would probably try them b/c I think I could brace myself for that side effect and try to maintain my healthy eating habits. If the meds caused fluid retention I might take them too b/c perhaps I could make dietary changes to lessen the severity of that effect monitor my salt intake for example). On the other hand, I would first and foremost research what treatments Alternative Medicine in it's many forms could offer me, before succumbing to the power of "Big Pharm."
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 8:23:00 AM - Marilyn said...
absolutely. while having less fat is a part of being healthy, so is being alive. just because you gain a few pounds doesn't mean you can't be pretty and enjoy life anymore; if you believe you're beautiful, others will see that and believe it too. if gaining a few pounds makes you not want to live anymore...well, there's not much i can say to that, other than you need to find something else to live for other than a specific weight.
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 8:33:00 AM - said...
No, I wouldn't I have just gotten off a med that caused me to gain 20 lbs. I rather suffer with headaches andbody pain than to be fat and still suffer.
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 8:35:00 AM - said...
I think to many meds are given out without the Dr. really knowing the side effects EG. weight gain that can cause further health issuses. Why not try alternative meds first? thaks
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 8:38:00 AM - said...
No I would not take the medication.
In fact I did stop a pain medication once because I was gaining five pounds per month
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 8:48:00 AM - said...
As a matter of fact, I do take pain meds, heart meds, high blood pressure, estrogen, & anti depressant medication, all of which has caused me to gain weight. I found out 2 years ago I have heart disease, so I've also quit smoking, and YES I will continue to take the medications I need in order to stay alive!
Denise
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 9:03:00 AM - said...
I took the medicine. I was on prednisone for 2 years and gained 40 pounds. But I decided I liked breathing.
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 9:05:00 AM - said...
No I wouldnt take a medication if it was going to make me fat! In fact I stopped taking an antidepressant for that very reason. I have always been fit and I would simply be miserable if that changed. BTW after I stopped taking the antidepressant, Iwas finally(correctly)diagnosed with an underlying piuitary problem which was being masked by it. Now...no more depression and no side effects!
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 9:08:00 AM - said...
I just lost 80 lbs and I don't ever want to go back. I feel great! Weight gain affects so many other health problems, so I would keep looking to find some alternative for that medicine. Exercise and eating healthy is a win win situation.
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 9:09:00 AM - said...
I have had breast cancer and ever since I have been on medication for it. I am 5 years into remission but those 5 years have put on at least 40 lbs. which no dieting or exercise will help. I should mention also that I am on HBP medication also. But, yes, I would rather be alive than thin. I would however like to be my old weight which was 150 and I thought I was fat at that weight, but I would love to be back at that weight. Anyway, I think that for people who say they would rather be thin than take medication have never had a life threatening disease. Once that hits home, I'm sure they would change their minds.
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 9:12:00 AM - Tea Time Consultants said...
Weight gain is due to calorie in take and activity. I do not see how meds would cause weight gain, if that is the case, then there would also be meds, which caused weight loss.
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 9:14:00 AM - said...
I am 35 and take several medications and most of them cause weight gain. I have taken these meds most of my life. True I am a plus size woman but I am ALIVE! My goal now is to be as healthy as I can.
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 9:19:00 AM - said...
It depends on what the medication is being used for . I have trouble taking medicine for my mental stress because of weight gain .Being fat causes more stress .So I choose pain over fat .
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 9:26:00 AM - said...
My thoughts on drugs are, THEY ARE WAY OVER-PRESCRIBED and many times, cause more problems than solve. My grandparents lived well into their 90s and that's after having 10 kids, going through the depression, WWI and WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, etc. Bottom line, eat right, exercise, love, be proud of what you do for a living and do a good job and LEAVE it at the office! Oh yeah, if I didn't over emphasize it above LOVE A LOT and keep a smile on your face....that's going to extend my lifespan much further than my grandparents, thank you very much. I'm 57 years old, look 40, think 30 and plan on living another 50 years, at least, very well, and as drug free as possible.
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 9:39:00 AM - said...
The choice would be really easy for me... I have a little girl that depends on me. I would take the meds, in a heartbeat. It is too bad that our world discriminates against fat people. I have experienced it my whole life:going from thin to obese and back to thin. I don't like the way I am treated when I am fat. However, if it meant that my little girl would need to be without me for the rest of her life... I would be fat again. I am always especially aware of overweight people, and make an extra effort to make them feel comfortable around me.
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 10:12:00 AM - said...
Sometimes it is not a choice.. I have to take a few meds which cause weight gain or stay in a ball of pain for a very long time. It is a tough choice but I would rather live a life that I can then be miserable and sore.
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 10:13:00 AM - said...
I am going through this now. I am trying to get to my 5years after having breast cancer. I weighed 145pounds now I am 178. I start taking diet pills with all the meds I am on and almost passed out. I said I rather live and be a sizze 14-16 than die a size 10. Calumet City, IL
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 10:20:00 AM - icando262 said...
ONLY if it were a matter of life or death.
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 11:09:00 AM - said...
I have currently been taking prednisone for Chrohn's (an inflammatory bowel disease)which left untreated is life threatening. I did gain weight, got a round face and facial hair...but the inflammation is under control, I am not in the hospital and I am leading a normal life. Of course I would take meds if there were no alternatives. My healthy lifestyle (proper diet and exercise) has kept this disease in remission for 5 years (I've had it for 40). Seriously, anyone in their right mind would choose weight over death.
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 11:13:00 AM - said...
I guess it depends on how 'life-threatening' the illness is. I'm supposed to take Zoloft for depression, but very often don't take it because of the weight-gain factor. Since gaining weight adds to my depressed state. However, I look for foods that boost energy, lighten the spirit and exercise. I'm rather a healthy food crank, and will always look for non-prescriptive ways of getting around most health problems...
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 11:52:00 AM - said...
Yes, I would and I am. I am faced with weight gain every day from the use of medication. I don't like it, but have learned to live with it. I have had to make other life style changes especially when it comes to food choices. I do think the drug companies need to make changes in the manufacturing of their drugs so we aren't faced with so many of the side effects. They do put a lot of unnecessary additives in their drugs.
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 1:12:00 PM - said...
Like others have said, TRY ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE! Many non-synthetic versions or alternative therapies for weight-gain inducing drugs are available and are much healthier. Weight gain adds its own set of problems, oftentimes making more meds necessary. But, no, I'd never take a weight-gain inducing drug, even if it meant death. I would be too upset at what I'd become to have quality of life.
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 1:22:00 PM - mstrachota said...
I am in that position myself. Being someone who always eats healthy and works out, it was difficult to face gaining weight because of meds. I absolutely must take. It would be more difficult explaining to my children that I would not be around because I chose the alternative. It's past time for our society to WAKE UP and get our priorities in order! If our biggest focus is on our weight/appearance, what does that say about us? Perhaps we should be putting as much effort into our spiritual growth and personal relationships as we do our appearance.
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 1:34:00 PM - said...
I think it's important for people to READ what the author asks: "If you had to choose between your life and your weight.." It's obvious by some of the responses that there are people who do not fully understand. It isn't as simple as watching calories, looking into alternative med., increase in appetite, etc.. there are meds that will cause weight gain no matter how healthy you eat or how much you excercise. This is a serious issue many have to deal with daily. I eat right, exercise regularly and do what I can to be as healthy as possible, but will also continue to take the meds. I need to be here for my family even though I have had to face the fact that they have caused me to gain unwanted weight. I never considered it a choice.
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 1:44:00 PM - said...
Yes, I would!! Antipressants cause a person to gain weight - but gaining weight is so much better than laying in bed for 2-weeks trying to commit suicide with vicodin, lunesta, and ambien. Trying to decide how many to take and whether or not you will actually die or just be a vegetable and having to have someone take care of you. I will take the weight gain thank you!!!
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 2:06:00 PM - said...
I took/take the meds. Not only was I pushed out of my job I am ostrasized in most places.
With the medical industry/ the World Health Orgs push on weight it will only get worse for those who are fat. We will continue to be ostrasized so whats left?
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 2:44:00 PM - said...
This is crazy. These meds keep you alive--and in many cases those around you. You can research all you want, but to not take livesaving meds because you might gain weight is suicide.
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 2:59:00 PM - vg said...
I would take the med if it meant my life or death.I have in the past taken meds that have cause weight gain...I've gained 100 pounds too but there isnt much that you can do if you NEED these meds.I need them for a seizure disorder...ii's either take them or have the darn seizures..there is no choice but to accept the weight gain.You may feel bad about the gain but i look at it that if people dont like what they see they don't have to look.
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 4:20:00 PM - said...
Actually, it is the side effect of weight gain that stops me from taking certain medications, such as birth control. I have epilepsy, and a side effect of a LOT of the drugs is weight gain.... I first tried valproate and gained 20 pounds in 2 months, when I worked out for over an hour each day! I still haven't worked it off, and there is no way in HELL that I'm going to make it worse. I don't have as many seizures as most other people do, just a few a year.... so I've opted to take herbal supplements to control it. So far, so good.
I flat out refuse to feel crappy about myself because of my weight, as a result of stupid side effects of medications.
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 4:22:00 PM - said...
I have alot of health problems and I need several meds that cause weight gain, and yes, I am glad I have then regardles of the weight gain.
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 4:27:00 PM - mstrachota said...
For all the naive responses saying 'try alternative medicine' - PLEASE be careful of your assumptions. Doesn't this kind of response assume the person taking the meds. has not looked into alternative medicine already?! I speak from personal experience, as someone who has looked and tried several "alternative" routes - sometimes you MUST take prescribed medication that may cause weight gain. The article did not ask "would you consider alternative medicine?" It asked if you would chose life over weight if you had NO CHOICE but to take the medicine. People who think it is such a simple thing to just 'try alternative medicine' are exactly the kind of people who add to the issues of those of us who have had to take meds. in order to live. I would suggest they are also people who have never had to live in cronic pain 24 hours a day unless they take pain medication - which usually causes weight gain. When 'alternative medicine' cannot solve the medical issues, are they suggesting it is better for us to allow our lives to be over because we will gain weight from medication that can save our lives? I suggest many of these thinkers have not had to deal with more important issues in their lives than weight and appearance. There are bigger issues! People need to think before they speak!
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 4:46:00 PM - said...
I currently take meds that cause weight gain. Sure, I could go off and live with chronic pain and say "I can deal with it." But, the pain causes me to be a person I don't like and has a negative impact on my relationships with others. One med caused mindless food cravings - I knew I wasn't hungry but would "find" myself in front of the refrigerator or cabinet eating. I have switched to a less effective med but with less extreme side effects. It is lousy and I get depressed - especially when people comment on my size.
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 6:45:00 PM - said...
I was diagnosed with diabetes dour years ago. My weight at that time was a whopping 263lbs.With hard work I brought it down to 220lbs.Then two years ago I developed high blood pressure.The medication I was but on ballooned me back to 240lbs.Now as I see it this has harmed my health, because the extra weight is neither good for my heart, or my diabetes.I am currently trying to find a natural remedy that will not cause the weight gain.I hate the weight, I consider it a greater danger to my health.Since going on the stupid drug my meds are now at the maximum dose.It has not helped the blood pressure either, so yeah I would drop the medication.
Comment: Friday, April 11, 2008 10:52:00 PM - said...
I THINK IF PEOPLE WEREN'T SO SHALLOW ABOUT PEOPLE BEING THICK OR FAT THE WORLD WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE. IF MED'S HELP YOU TAKE THEM. IF PEOPLE CAN'T LOVE YOU FOR YOU THEN YOU DON'T NEED THEM. TO ALL THE SKINNY PEOPLE EAT A HAMBURGER AND LIVE ALITTLE.TO ALL THE MODELS GO EAT.
Comment: Saturday, April 12, 2008 11:38:00 AM - said...
oh please, i'm sure the people that refused to take meds because the doctor told them they'd gain weight went straight to mcdonald's after their appointment and had a big mac and a DIET coke.
Comment: Saturday, April 12, 2008 11:51:00 PM - said...
I've read these comments, some of which are clearly ill advised. Some medicines have side effects that cause weight gain, and others have side effects that cause weight loss. The issue is not as simple as calories and exercise. These medications almost always effect the neurosystem, which in turn effects the rest of the body. It's not about appetite, it's about the neuro transmitters receiving signals that pass through the blood-brain barrier. And if the condition is severe enough and requires a medication that causes weight-gain, your best option is to take the medication and continue a healthy lifestyle to the best of your ability. Remember, your friends won't come to your funeral and check your dress size. Your loved ones would prefer fat to dead.
Comment: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 12:45:00 AM - said...
I take 15 or so meds daily due to a variety of medical issues. Easily 1/3 of these drugs have wording that includes "May cause weight gain." I'd rather not have to deal with that, but then again, I'd rather be around to deal with it than to be dead. Here's an anorexic medication-fighter's dream: if I don't take any of these drugs, I might die, but at least I wouldn't be gaining weight! An anoretic's dream...
Comment: Thursday, April 17, 2008 11:30:00 AM - manager said...
Does anyone know what meds cause
weight gain?
Comment: Friday, April 18, 2008 12:10:00 PM - Abby said...
I have a seizure disorder and I unfortunately have to take medications that cause a significant amount of weight gain... and there is no choice BUT to take the medications... that is why I've joined this site... to find alternative ways of loosing the weight... there is no choice for me..if I don't take the medication.. I could have a seizure that could kill me..
Comment: Friday, April 18, 2008 6:07:00 PM - said...
I truly believe that for all the people who answer this saying they would not take a medication to save their life if it causes weight gain have never actually been in that position. Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to answer, would they. When you are facing a life or death situation I think your perspective on what is really important in life changes. Someone answered that it depended on how life or death the situation is...there is no such thing as life or just a little death - once you're dead, you're dead. I think those same people need to understand how much more difficult their attitude makes life for those of us that have no choice but to take these medications. Knowing people who are overweight are often looked down upon only adds to an already difficult situation. Hearing that people would rather DIE than gain weight can make us feel even worse about ourselves. I used to be that way too skinny girl who didn't eat as much as I should to be healthy, who over-exercised to get even skinnier and who focused way too much energy on what the numbers on the scale or dress tag said. Then life decided to enlighten me. I am now a humbled and more empathetic person working more on my inside than my out. I'll always try to eat as healthy as I can and excercise, but not just to be skinny - to be as healthy as I can be. Cancer can do that to a person. I sincerely hope it does not take something so life changing for these people to realize there is more to life than those numbers.
Comment: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 6:03:00 PM - said...
I would not take a medication that causes me to gain weight. Here is why, my heart doctor told me to loose weight to keep my blood pressure down. I am now on Metropolol Succ.and I have gained about 15 lbs so far. How could this possibly be healthy for me. I would rather treat my blood pressure with something that is natural then to take a medication that causes not only weight gain, but leg pain, and bad dreams, and no energy. This cannot possibly be good for me. As far as the weight gain, I am eating less, exercising more but to no avail. So no I do not want to take this medication and will be looking for an alternative.
Comment: Friday, September 19, 2008 1:07:00 PM - said...
I did this. Took the meds and gained weight and then decreased the dose and found a different formulation that was shorter acting and allowed me to lose weight with a proper diet and alot of discioline. It wasn't easy to lose weight while still on steroids but I did it.
If I needed a med to just control a condition and it cuased wight gain,I would not take it. there wpuld have to be another option.
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