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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 daizy on September 10, 2003, at 10:53:33
Why do people put on weight when they take antidepressants? Does it do something to your metabolism? More crucially, do you lose the weight when you get off them? any links or whatever would be cool, anyone? Thanx
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on September 10, 2003, at 13:06:18
In reply to Weight gain question?, posted by daizy on September 10, 2003, at 10:53:33
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000729/msgs/42471.html
I happened upon this old post, and it explains it much better than I could. I'm interested in this as well though, so I'm going to continue to look into it. I hope this helps for now, and I'll let you know what else I uncover. :-)
Posted by daizy on September 10, 2003, at 15:51:47
In reply to Re: Weight gain question? » daizy, posted by Ame Sans Vie on September 10, 2003, at 13:06:18
I think all AD's make you crave carbs, but even as Ive cut down on them, Im sure its more a metabolism problem. I wonder how one would increase or speed up the metabolism of certain foods? anyhow, thanks!! I might do some searching too!
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000729/msgs/42471.html
>
> I happened upon this old post, and it explains it much better than I could. I'm interested in this as well though, so I'm going to continue to look into it. I hope this helps for now, and I'll let you know what else I uncover. :-)
Posted by loolot on September 10, 2003, at 18:35:23
In reply to Weight gain question?, posted by daizy on September 10, 2003, at 10:53:33
I gained 30 lbs on effexor. I actually did some research and there are so emerging theories that some antidepressants can effect the hormone which controls feeling full/appetite in your system. I think the name of that hormone is leptin?
Anyway, in my case I think it did slow my entire system/metabolism down. I gained weight an slept all of the time. I also noticed that I had a more fatty body, more cellulite, etc after the effexor.
I have been off for 3 weeks and my system is going back to normal, and Im losing weight pretty quickly.
I have noticed that the meds which involve seratonin are worse as far as weight gain
Posted by Ethel Basset on September 11, 2003, at 20:15:55
In reply to Weight gain question?, posted by daizy on September 10, 2003, at 10:53:33
I agree that ADs (significantly the SSRIs-the ones that affect seritonin) cause weight gain. And it isn't just from craving and eating more food, or from feeling better, thereby eating more. I think that they affect the metabolism in some way. I have heard many people express the same experience of weight gain, including people who are athletes and work out alot and really watch what they eat.
Whatever you do, stay away from PAXIL if you don't want to gain weight. I immediately gained 25 pounds on it and have never taken it off. Everyone that I know that has taken Paxil has gained weight, plus I hear it is a bear to get off of.
Celexa has been neutral for me. I am now off of Celexa and am taking Wellbutrin, alone, hoping that I will lose weight. I haven't lost weight, but I haven't gained, either. But I have experienced the irritability and bitchiness with Wellbutrin that others have described on this board. I am going to cut back to 75 mg and see if that helps reduce the bitchiness, without bringing the depression back.
If any of us find a medication that improves normal weight balance, we should share our experience. I have been doing research on this and if I discover anything, I will let you know.
Good luck to us all.
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on September 11, 2003, at 21:00:07
In reply to Re: Weight gain question?, posted by Ethel Basset on September 11, 2003, at 20:15:55
I came across this article a while back:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030907/msgs/259205.html
"Brain scans show that obese people, just like drug addicts, have fewer receptors for dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps produce feelings of satisfaction and pleasure.
"The finding at the Brookhaven National Laboratory has prompted scientists to theorize that one reason people overeat is to stimulate the dopamine "pleasure" circuits in the brain, just as addicts do by taking drugs."
...
"The researchers found that study subjects with the highest Body Mass Index had the fewest number of dopamine receptors. Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a ratio of weight to height."
Soooo, if SSRIs do in fact decrease the action of dopamine (as so many of us seem to agree they do), the food *cravings* they cause are most likely mediated mostly via this route, though increased *appetite* is probably mediated via 5-HT2c binding. Whatever the case, I still agree 100% that these drugs have to exert some effect on one's metabolism.
This is the end of the thread.
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