Posted by Marie416 on May 3, 2002, at 16:09:18
In reply to Re: My story of Effexor » JAG, posted by JANNBEAU on January 30, 2002, at 11:52:18
Hi Jannbeau, its funny you said that because I too started craving sweets and carbs a lot when I started effexor. I was 120lb and now I've gained like 25. Are you on anything now? I am now strictly on Wellbutrin and I can't tell if its doing anything because of the withdrawal from effexor. I've never in my life bought weight loss pills but today I did. Some natural amino acids/herbs, no caffeine, no ephedra. It's so frustrating some mornings when I go to get in my work clothes and I don't know if they are shrinking in the dryer or if I am just getting bigger still. I am just sitting here crying now thinking about it. I worked for years eating healthy and doing my kickboxing and toning exercises. I feel heavy and tired all the time that I can barely muster up the energy to do an intense workout. I thought the wellbutrin would help with this. I just felt like I had to get off the effexor even though it helped with the initial depression I found myself getting depressed over the weight gain and no libido. I have never in my entire life felt disgusted or uninterested at the thought of having sex until I started effexor. Any suggestions?
> >Hi, JAG. I can't tell you how your body will react to Effexor with respect to weight gain or loss, but IN GENERAL - (please understand that, by "in general" I mean the statistical probability that any given therapeutic or side effect will occur with a given medication) - those who gain weight on one psychotrophic med will respond similarly to most of them, while those who lose weight (often people who are lightweight to start with, have difficulty keeping their weight up, and who react to stress, depression, etc., by further DECREASING their caloric intake will also be the ones who lose weight on a medication. It is my personal opinion that this is some type of "hard wiring" in the brain). Of course this is not invariable. If it were, it wouldn't be a probability, but an absolute and doctors would be able to say "you will lose weight with this medication" or "you will gain". At this point, I don't think any doctor can say absolutely that your body will react in a certain way to any medication. He/she can only say "you MAY do or feel or react in such and such a way" based on what is known about the specific medication from others and from research--
>
> The problem for me seems to be one of medication-induced loss of control over what I eat and how much. I crave carbohydrates and sweets on Effexor and don't seem able to fight this.
>
> On the other hand, if your weight is already up, perhaps you will have hit a plateau and won't gain any more. Then, also, if the medication works for your other problems, you might be able to concentrate better on your physical health and lose weight by cutting calories and increasing exercise. Or, you just might be one of the lucky ones who lose weight.
>
> Good Luck and Hang In There!!
>
> Jannbeau
>
> Hello, I just happened to stumble upon this sight while researching information about the new medication that my doctor prescribed for me. I have a variety of conditions that all mesh into one depressed & anxious person. I have been diagnosed to experience PTSD, OCD, Panic attacks, depression, and Bi-polarism. I have tried to take Paxil, Wellbutrin, and Zoloft. I am now on Effexor. I found that the other meds lowered my libido and increased my pants size, which in turn was not good for my depression. Since you mentioned weight gain on Effexor, I am concerned. I know that not everyone reacts the same to medications, but I am still worried. My doctor told me that it was least likely that I would gain added weight. In fact, she told me that I would lose the extra weight that I had gained with the other medications. Even if it is not truely the reason that I may lose weight, I was still hoping for a placebo effect. Should I be worried about my weight as I did on Zoloft? On another note, my doctor also wanted to mix Wellbutrin & Effexor for the added response of the libido. I am leary to go on the two meds at the same time, plus I experienced ringing in the ears with the Wellbutrin and am afraid to try it again. If anyone has any insight to these concerns please let me know. I am fairly new to antidepressants and panic disorder meds (9 trial months). It is nice to know that there are individuals that have had similar experiences. Hope all is well, JAG
poster:Marie416
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020503/msgs/104954.html