Posted by elsa on May 4, 2001, at 11:48:31
In reply to Re: What Is It With SSRI's And WEIGHT GAIN???, posted by Bob on January 14, 2001, at 14:08:12
> > After being on Paxil for about 2 years I gained about 15 pounds. I managed to lose some of it by going to the gym and trying to eat healthy foods. AFter 3 years on the stuff I decided to wean myself off it. Then went through the pain of trying different meds as my agoraphobia got worse and worse. Being really depressed, I lost all the weight that I had gained being on Paxil. I decided I would much rather have the extra weight and be happy.
>
> For me, it wasn't just a trade between some extra weight and happiness. In my opinion, SSRIs don't bring real contentment, rather, they provide relief from the terror of anxiety, panic, and depression (not that I'm making light of that). As long as I've been taking these meds, I've had to deal with: weight gain, somnolence, hypersomnia, sexual side-effects (in the case of effexor and some other more egregious offenders this means the loss of the ability to relate to the opposite sex intimately - quite a serious life changing thing if you ask me!!!!), incessant yawning, jaw clenching, constipation, bouts of anger (this one's from effexor)... and the list goes on. I realize every one's different, and I guess what I'm saying is I only wish the choice had been as easy as trading a few pounds for happiness for me!
>
> BobI have been taking Paxil for anxiety for about -5 years. My husband was going through cancer treatments; we are raising teenage grandchildren; and I was working full time. Now things have improved. I am trying to wean myself off Paxil.
I am hoping the jaw-clenching, teeth grinding, always tired even w/naps, and WEIGHT GAIN will go away. These are the things my doctor never told me about. Had to find out myself from the web and this forum.
poster:elsa
thread:51461
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010424/msgs/61615.html