Posted by Cybele on April 12, 2005, at 8:05:09
In reply to meds and weight gain...how long does it take?, posted by ants on March 16, 2005, at 9:23:13
> For those who gained weight on Effexor or other meds, how long were you on it before you started gaining weight? Was it immediate? Also, did you lose the weight after you stopped the medication (if you did stop)?
>I was on Effexor for 5 months and gained about one pound a week, 20 pounds altogether. The weight gain started within the first few weeks. I've been off of it for 7 months and am still struggling to lose the weight. While I was taking Effexor it did improve my dysthymia, but the weight gain was so unacceptable I could not stay on it. During that time I was not eating much more than before, and I had even increased my aerobic exercise which should have compensated. It was incredibly frustrating to be taking 3 grueling spinning classes a week, eating normally, and still be gaining weight! I went from 200 to 220 pounds and I am a 44-year old woman. I am a 44-year old 220 pound woman in incredibly good cardio condition (I also do weights), but frustrated as hell that I can't lose that weight.
The weight gain of Effexor really caught me by surprise. Now that I am off Effexor I am not handling stress as well, so I do a lot "stress eating." (The kids start fighting with each other, or arguing with me, and I think "Seven Layer Bar from Starbucks!" or "Chipotle Grill Carnitas Burrito!" or "A Cosmopolitan and cheese and cracker plate!") I am maintaining my Effexor weight gain but eating *a lot* more than I was while taking it, so Effexor clearly was the culprit. Exercise has remained constant. My metabolism definitely tanked on Effexor.
poster:Cybele
thread:471616
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050408/msgs/483211.html