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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Kamikazi_Ladybug on October 27, 2002, at 21:43:37
does that mean a change of metabolism or a change in your appetite? Can the s/e be changed in the way we eat? Just some thoughts I was pondering..
Kamikazi Ladybug
Posted by joy on October 27, 2002, at 22:12:02
In reply to When a s/e says weight gain...., posted by Kamikazi_Ladybug on October 27, 2002, at 21:43:37
In my experience it's been both.
Joy
Posted by IsoM on October 28, 2002, at 0:51:11
In reply to Re: When a s/e says weight gain...., posted by joy on October 27, 2002, at 22:12:02
How & why someone may gain weight when using an AD isn't really clear. Sometimes it's caused by a difference in assimilating the calories. Sometimes from a renewed appetite & interest in food leading to eating more than before. Sometimes a change in metabolism.
But there's many who have said that their eating habits didn't change & their metabolism didn't seem slowed but there's still been a large weight gain. If it was possible to pinpoint the causes, drug designers might be able to overcome the problem, but they still haven't found a good answer for unexplained weight gain.
But just because a possible side effect includes weight gain doesn't mean it will happen. A few will even lose weight, & many remain the same.
Posted by joy on October 28, 2002, at 7:19:57
In reply to Re: When a s/e says weight gain.... » joy, posted by IsoM on October 28, 2002, at 0:51:11
Hi IsoM, Not on Paxil; it must be about 80% gain weight if on it more than a few months........
Joy
Posted by IsoM on October 28, 2002, at 18:14:02
In reply to Re: When a s/e says weight gain.... » IsoM, posted by joy on October 28, 2002, at 7:19:57
Not for all people, Joy. Sadly, too many do gain weight but I used Paxil for 3 years & my weight never changed on it. I know someone else who used Paxil with no weight gain either. Maybe we're the lucky ones but from what I've heard & asked about, if one AD causes weight gain in an individual, they're more likely to gain weight with most other ADs too (but not always).
No AD has ever caused weight gain for me but I've always eaten healthy. I like the taste of the healthy foods more than the high fat, high sugar foods. Maybe that accounts for part of it. In fact, Effexor caused weight loss for me & I couldn't stay on it. It made me severely anorexic. Not a good thing as I'm not very big to begin with.
Posted by LyndaK on October 29, 2002, at 22:32:13
In reply to Re: Paxil and weight gain.... » joy, posted by IsoM on October 28, 2002, at 18:14:02
One thing that this website has really brought to my attention is the fact that two people can take the same drug and have two very different responses/reactions to it. That seems to be true with the weight-gain issue as well. I've been on a long list of AD's and either lost weight or had no change in weight with all but the one I'm on now which is Remeron -- gained 20 lbs. Since it's working so well for the depression I'm just accepting the 20 lbs. I haven't been on one drug where I wasn't looking at some kind of trade-off.
Posted by ST on November 1, 2002, at 0:11:44
In reply to When a s/e says weight gain...., posted by Kamikazi_Ladybug on October 27, 2002, at 21:43:37
My pdoc said that certain ADs turn off the satiety center in the brain that tells you when you're full. So you just keep eating. This was my case with Celexa (35 lbs.) I was putting away just as much as my 6'8" boyfriend! I also have a friend who has gained weight since starting Celexa and she says she can eat like a horse now and can't figure out why!
I don't know if it's true that it can actually slow your metabolism, but some ADs do affect your thyroid function which can cause weight gain.
Sarah
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