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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by stlouisdude on April 22, 2003, at 8:22:21
Just a quick question about Effexor XR and weight gain. I have been working out everyday for 40 minutes on the elliptical and while on the 75mg doses, I lost about 18 pounds in the first month. Again, all of this while working out. My dosage was uped to 150mg, and now I seem to be having a problem losing and I'm doing the same routine that i was doing. I know you hit plateaus when losing weight, but i have gone about 10 days with no weight lose and actually a little bit of a gain. I am eating better, so it is very discouraging. Could the jump from 75 to 150mg be enough to cause me to start gaining? The 150mg is treating me the same as the 75's so I might want to switch back huh? Thanks in advance.
Mark
Posted by ayuda on April 22, 2003, at 12:16:39
In reply to Question about Effexor and weight gain., posted by stlouisdude on April 22, 2003, at 8:22:21
> Just a quick question about Effexor XR and weight gain. I have been working out everyday for 40 minutes on the elliptical and while on the 75mg doses, I lost about 18 pounds in the first month. Again, all of this while working out. My dosage was uped to 150mg, and now I seem to be having a problem losing and I'm doing the same routine that i was doing. I know you hit plateaus when losing weight, but i have gone about 10 days with no weight lose and actually a little bit of a gain. I am eating better, so it is very discouraging. Could the jump from 75 to 150mg be enough to cause me to start gaining? The 150mg is treating me the same as the 75's so I might want to switch back huh? Thanks in advance.
>
> Mark
>Hi Mark!
When I was on Effexor, I gained a total of 40 pounds in six months. Because of an injury, I have not been able to work out for a long time now, but the only thing that stemmed that weight gain was going on the Atkins Diet, and I stayed in the induction phase for 3 months. Most people would lose SOMETHING doing that, I maintained my weight (did not lose even one pound). Other people have had different results -- some people have lost weight on the Effexor without wanting to or doing anything -- I wish I was them!!! I used to work out 5 days a week and keep in great shape, now I am not only suffering from a foot injury that needs extensive (and expensive) treatment before I can work out again, the Effexor weight gain demoralized me for the first time in my life (I started working-out at age 15, stopped at 36 because of injury, so I had 21 years of taking care of myself go down the tubes with the Effexor).If you can, though, DO NOT quit working out. If anything, you can keep from gaining anything more if you add to your workout, maybe a little more aerobic exercise (walking seems to help with depression, too). Keep us posted on whether or not you are having success -- by the time I found this board, I had switched to Lexapro, and had already lost my desire to put things back in order, which I am trying to get back someday.
Posted by stlouisdude on April 22, 2003, at 12:32:07
In reply to Re: Question about Effexor and weight gain. » stlouisdude, posted by ayuda on April 22, 2003, at 12:16:39
That is really interesting. I lost a ton while on 75 mg, but now I can't seem to lose anything. Do you think that the difference between 75-150, could be that great. if it is, then I want to go back to 75mg for sure. I don't workout everyday for now reason..lol. Thanks for the feedback and good luck. All other stories and experiences are welcome.
Mark
Posted by juliat on April 22, 2003, at 13:05:45
In reply to Re: Question about Effexor and weight gain., posted by stlouisdude on April 22, 2003, at 12:32:07
Hi Mark,I'm also on 75mg of effexor, hoping to have the weight loss you did! I am excercising, not as much as you, but trying to do something every day. Thats odd that jumping to 150mg would have that effect on you, I would have though that if anything it would increase the weight loss not gain. Perhaps you should look at every other aspect of your life and see if anything else has changed? I am taking nutrition classes at university, and its very easy to make a very minor change to your eating habits that has a large impact. The simplest thing of eating 50 more calories a day can drastically change your weight. Think about it this way, 3500 calories equals 1 pound. It's alot easier to gain 3500 calories than it is to lose 3500 calories! It could be that you are not burning as many calories as you used to with your excercise routine (your muscles have gotten used to the excercise, so it doesnt take as much energy to work out that way as it used to) or there could be something very minor in your diet that is making the difference. Either way, try mixing it up a little! Add in some weight training, or go to a harder level on the elliptical, and examine your eating (try writing everything down, including time of eating) and look at that. Are you eating late at night? that could also make a difference. Sorry for the length of this, but these are just some ideas to look at, it could be that the effexor was not the cause of the change, it was just coincidence with the timing. Before you change your dose, look at everything else!
Hope it all works out for you,
Julia
Posted by stlouisdude on April 22, 2003, at 20:16:22
In reply to Re: Question about Effexor and weight gain., posted by juliat on April 22, 2003, at 13:05:45
THanks for the input Julia. I have been watching myself, and you're right. I would think 150's would help as much as 75's. I eat really well.. pretty much the same thing everyday for breakfast and lunch and then a sensible dinner. I love working out an I don't expect to lose 20 pounds every month, but when you work out every morning and don't lose, it's tough. Maybe my body is getting used to the workout, but I keep pushing my levels up. Also, I noticed with the 150's that i get pretty consitipated, but to me, shows that my metabolism is decreasing. But maybe not. I will try some of your suggestions. Anyone else?
Posted by Ponder on April 23, 2003, at 1:41:09
In reply to Re: Question about Effexor and weight gain., posted by stlouisdude on April 22, 2003, at 20:16:22
The changing effect on weight/metabolism could be due to the dosage change or it could be due to the length of time on the drug. Somebody on this board more knowledgable than I am about the science could probably comment. I know that Effexor is one of those drugs that acts differently at higher doses than lower doses -- tends to be more activating at higher doses, more sedating at lower ones due to differential impact on various neurotransmitters at various doses.
My impression is that Effexor is just one of those drugs that people often experience an initial weight loss on, but over time it turns around in a big way. Myself....I gained nearly 50 pounds on the stuff.
This is the end of the thread.
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