Thread Topic: depression medication and weight gain
|
Sarah
Joined: May 11, '09
Status: New User |
2009-05-11 13:09:43 |
|
I've been on lexapro, paxil and wellbutrin. Out of those paxil worked the best for helping me feel better, lifting my mood nd easing anxiety. But the problem is that I couldnt lose weight on it, in fact I gained a little. Even as I was dieting and exercising. My doc switched meto wellbutrin which was supposed to be better for losing weight, but apparently all depression meds have the issue of weight gain. I was able to lose a little on wellbutrin, but it didn't work as well as paxil for reducing my anxiety. There has to be something that is effective and doesn't cause weight gain. Can someone offer any advice? I've tried the natural route... St. Johns Wort... didn't work for me. |
|
|
Unanswered Thread: VRIELLIS PLEASE READ posted by Synapse 13 days ago |
|
|
Sarah
Joined: May 11, '09
Status: New User |
2009-05-17 15:18:18 |
| Nobody has anything to tell me?? I can't be the only depressed person around... | |
|
disorderguy
Joined: May 5, '09
Status: Admin |
2009-05-18 10:32:47 |
| I wish I had something to add. Maybe someone more familiar with this topic will come along. These forums are pretty new and we're just getting off the ground. | |
|
Victor
Joined: Jun 25, '09
Status: New User |
2009-06-25 04:58:30 |
|
Sarah, I actually I seem to understand ur plight, I have a friend who having been on antidepressant medications (Stelacin, Atane) gained weight from 67kg to 88kg. He has stoped medication and due to reduction in nutrition/and increase exercise is at yesterday 77.5kg. I would want to say more about him, but I want to hear from u too. Victor |
|
|
disorderguy
Joined: May 5, '09
Status: Admin |
2009-06-25 15:28:09 |
|
Some basic information.. weight gain is a common side-effect of the SSRI class of drugs, which includes Lexapro, Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft. Paxil in particular is problematic for weight gain. The MAOI class of anti-depressant is even worse. Luckily MAOIs are not used as a first-line defense against depression anymore. Decreased appetite is associated with drugs in the SNRI class, which includes Cymbalta and Effexor. Make of that what you will. NDRIs, including Wellbutrin and Zyban, are not associated with weight gain. In fact, these anti-depressants have been prescribed to treat obesity. Talk to your psychologist about your options if weight gain is a concern when treating depression. SSRIs, which are incredibly common, seem like a bad bet. Different people respond differently, but NDRIs and SNRIs seem like a good place to start. Hopefully this was helpful! |
|
|
cilia
Joined: Jul 18, '09
Status: New User |
2009-07-19 16:19:09 |
|
Apparently this is not reported in medical findings, but when I was taking Wellbutrin I gained weight, and I wasn't able to lose it until I went off of it. I think it might have slowed my metabolism or something while I was on it, because I was hungrier and ate more after I went off of it. My boyfriend noticed that I ate less when I was on it even though I gained some weight. I guess the only good news I have is most people I know who have been on antidepressants had little trouble losing weight when they went off of their antidepressants. I agree that Wellbutrin definitely isn't as effective but I thought it was worth it due to its lower incidence of other side effects. |
|
|
cilia
Joined: Jul 18, '09
Status: New User |
2009-07-19 16:22:50 |
|
Apparently this is not reported in medical findings, but when I was taking Wellbutrin I gained weight, and I wasn't able to lose it until I went off of it. I think it might have slowed my metabolism or something while I was on it, because I was hungrier and ate more after I went off of it. My boyfriend noticed that I ate less when I was on it even though I gained some weight. I guess the only good news I have is most people I know who have been on antidepressants had little trouble losing weight when they went off of their antidepressants. I agree that Wellbutrin definitely isn't as effective but I thought it was worth it due to its lower incidence of other side effects. |
|
|
mandz
Joined: Jul 29, '09
Status: New User |
2009-07-29 05:31:53 |
| Hi all, I have switched from Cipramil to Lexipro about 3 months ago and since being on both for last year have gained 12 kilos this is making me really depressed again but the full extent of the depression is being 'pulled back' by the meds...I've read that Efexor-xr is an anti d that helps with appetite reduction and weight loss does anyone know if this is true..I can't imagine getting off anti D's just yet but can't stand the wieght issue...would really appreaciate any wisdon here thanx Mandz | |
|
disorderguy
Joined: May 5, '09
Status: Admin |
2009-07-29 05:39:38 |
| Effexor could prove helpful. The problem seems to be that different people respond differently to anti-depressants. The same pill that curbs one person's appetite won't have that same effect on another person. It's frustrating, because trial and error--switching from one pill to the next--is no simple prospect. It takes weeks, even months, before you can even tell how well the depression is being managed, once you start a new pill. I wish there was an easier way. | |
|
sunrise
Joined: Aug 1, '09
Status: New User |
2009-08-01 18:06:27 |
| Sarah, please don't despair. I, too, have tried various antidepressants. Paxil was the best, in that it made me feel so light-hearted & happy. I recall saying, "This is what I would be like, if nothing bad had ever happened to me." But Paxil was also the worst, in that it awakened a ravenous appetite in me that I'd never experienced before, especially for sweets. So, Paxil took away the depression, but at the cost of my gaining about 40 lbs. The Paxil company really needs to fix this! Wellbutrin gave me headaches. Prozac seemed to do nothing. Then, a psychiatrist suggested sibutramine (Meridia), mostly used for weight loss, but it also gives you an energizing feeling. I tried it & it's been great. It got me out of bed. It got me to turn the TV off. It got me to de-clutter my house & de-clutter my emotions by getting me out of the house. I wanted to go outside & walk. I wanted to work off this sense of energy and vibrancy, so I started going to the YMCA, where I used the machines, lifted weights & showed up for group exercise classes. The group dance classes are the best because the music makes you feel happy. And being around other people dancing as exercise makes you feel more like being social. At my Y, there's Zumba, bellydancing, tai chi. Now, I'd like to find a barefoot ballet class, too. Sarah, find someone to prescribe Meridia as an anti-depressant. Meanwhile, use body motion. I've learned that it's almost impossible to feel depressed if you're moving, whether it's walking, biking, jogging, dancing, gardening, exercising at home to music. Also, remind yourself to feel happy. I smile, even if I don't initially feel like it. After a few moments, I feel better and, eventually, smiling for no reason at all, feels good in itself. Make smiling a habit & give yourself permission to feel happy & light-hearted. Don't wait for something, anything, or anybody, to happen before you feel happy. Just feel happy. Think "happy." Make happiness your modus operandi. Approach your every moment with a sense of optimism, even if you have no reason or motivation to do so. Pretty soon, this positiveness will become your new personality. Grow your happiness. This will be you. You will be happy. I do this everyday, Sarah. I do this every minute, whenever I think of it. Please, do this for you. You're worth it. | |
|
MurphysGirl
Joined: Nov 11, '09
Status: New User |
2009-11-11 12:33:54 |
| Last time I was on Paxil CR I lost weight. I went from a size 10 to a 4. I am off the meds but going back on them again for situational depression. Right now I am a size 10 again as I should be since I am 5'9" tall. | |
|
Hip
Joined: Aug 10, '09
Status: Senior User |
2009-11-11 23:37:42 |
|
Depression: the price you pay for having no hobbies and no life. The price you pay for consuming corporate manufactured garbage (meds) in an attempt to be an insanely happy person doing... nothing but standing around, is you get to be a fat, ugly freak for the rest of your prozac tripping span. Didnt mommy ever teach you that drugs are bad for you mkay? |
|
|
K8bpd
Joined: Oct 25, '09
Status: Junior User |
2009-11-12 07:30:49 |
| I gained a ton of weight...like 100lbs on an antipsychotic called seroquel...STAY AWAY FROM IT...if you dont want to be a fatass like me! I was in the hospital and they just kept giving it to me...I was in a daze and I was eating an enormous amount of food without even knowing. | |
|
fantasy
Joined: Jul 28, '09
Status: Senior User |
2009-11-13 09:18:42 |
|
Hip, I don't know if you're serious or joking, but either way that attitude has no place here. Depression does NOT occur from "having no hobbies and no life". It's the other way. Depression causes lack of interest in hobbies and lack of interest in maintaining your life. If you have never been depressed, it might be hard for you to understand. And, for some people, "corporate manufactured garbage" is the only option for them to be happy. You have no right to call people on antidepressant medication "fat ugly freaks trippin on prozac". Your tone of voice is really, REALLY insulting and offensive. People on antidepressant meds have enough to feel bad about without you calling them lazy fat freaks. Please, if you don't understand, just stay quiet. |
|
|
Unanswered Thread: OCD Bracelet Fund Raiser posted by vbaz 34 days ago |
|
|
Need to see a psychologist? Find reviews on the best doctors in your area at Angie's List
(Get access to thousands of reviews for a small charge) |
|