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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 25. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Cinderella on November 9, 2004, at 8:49:04
Well, went back to the doc yesterday as I am running out of my Zoloft and wanted to try Wellbutrin instead. Zoloft just turned me into a lump and I have gained 7 lbs of unwanted fat since I've been on it and I am completely numb below the waist. My regular doc is on vacation so the doc I had yesterday argued with me about the Wellbutrin. He said it wouldn't be a good choice for me and and offered me samples of the Effexor instead. He also said he was really surprised that I gained weight from the Zoloft and told me that weight gain is not a predominant side effect. He said I won't gain weight from the Effexor but I don't trust him. So I didn't take it. I threw the samples he gave me away. I have gone a couple of days without any antidepressants and it feels like I am waking up from a long sleep. I am hoping to drop a pound or 2 this weekend since I am dieting again. While on the Zoloft, I couldn't lose a pound even when I really cut my calories AND worked out an hour each day! So....we shall see what happens with my moods now. What a price we pay to feel good, huh??
Posted by sunny10 on November 9, 2004, at 15:21:49
In reply to Refuse to take Effexor!, posted by Cinderella on November 9, 2004, at 8:49:04
I gained 14 pounds in five months on Effexor XR...
Posted by woolav on November 9, 2004, at 18:40:06
In reply to Re: Refuse to take Effexor! » Cinderella, posted by sunny10 on November 9, 2004, at 15:21:49
Hi, unfortunately most ssri's cause weight gain. I heard the least of them was prozac. (which i am now on) paxil was the worst for weight gain. And i have tried effexor and zoloft. did nothing for my problems. I asked my pdoc about wellbutrin also and she suggested prozac. I dont know if wellbutrin is a lower type AD and maybe our docs think it wont work for us..????
I have started exercising now to lose the 20 lbs i have gained since my zoloft, effexor and paxil trials. Good Luck.
S
Posted by Cinderella on November 10, 2004, at 8:13:33
In reply to Re: Refuse to take Effexor!, posted by woolav on November 9, 2004, at 18:40:06
I have now been off the zoloft for 5 days. I am not taking any antidepressants. I have now lost 3 pounds. Yay!!! I have been exercising 30-40 min/day, taking trim spa and vitamins and not eating sugar, fried foods or foods with white flour. My weight is slowly returning to normal again. If you ask me, the weight gain from the SSRI's just isn't worth it!
C
Posted by dove on November 10, 2004, at 9:27:07
In reply to Re: Refuse to take Effexor!, posted by Cinderella on November 10, 2004, at 8:13:33
For me, Prozac causes me to lose weight consistently (due to hunger suppression). Effexor caused me to lose weight for the first few months and then gain a few pounds after being on it for a year and a half. Prozac definitely suppresses my appetite and doesn't interfere with weight loss activities like exercise, more so than any other antidepressant I've taken (especially when comparing the SSRI's).
Wellbutrin didn't increase my appetite, but it made me very nervous, shaky, filled with anxiety and didn't alleviate my depression in any manner. However, I was only able to take it for 2-3 months before going off due to these effects--and/or lack of positive effects.
Best of Luck!
dove
Posted by linkadge on November 10, 2004, at 14:31:26
In reply to Re: Refuse to take Effexor!, posted by dove on November 10, 2004, at 9:27:07
Posted by tom_traubert on November 10, 2004, at 19:23:27
In reply to Refuse to take Effexor!, posted by Cinderella on November 9, 2004, at 8:49:04
I'm not sure how much zoloft you were on or for how long but please be careful taking yourself off medication without weaning. It can be a very bumpy ride, with possible stronger recurrences of the symptoms that caused you to take medication in the first place. The really sad part about this is that it convinces you even more that the drugs are necessary. don't be afraid if things get out of control to medicate again and then to wean off under supervision. Good luck.
Posted by lorilu on November 10, 2004, at 19:34:32
In reply to I'd gain 100lbs if it meant feeling ok (nm), posted by linkadge on November 10, 2004, at 14:31:26
I agree!
Posted by King Vultan on November 10, 2004, at 20:50:36
In reply to Re: I'd gain 100lbs if it meant feeling ok, posted by lorilu on November 10, 2004, at 19:34:32
> I agree!
Interesting how people's perspectives can differ, as I would choose to be thin and depressed--or even take death itself--over gaining 100 lbs. I believe I simply have too much self esteem tied up in the issue, hence my sympathy towards people who are bothered by weight gain on antidepressants, as well as my disdain towards doctors who don't seem to think it's a very important issue.I have my own prejudices, of course. I don't think side effects like constipation and dry mouth are particularly unacceptable and would have a hard time understanding someone not willing to put up with them in order to feel better. Good doctors, on the other hand, will put aside their own biases and tailor a patient's treatment to try to minimize side effects and other negatives that are unacceptable to the individual patient.
Todd
Posted by lorilu on November 10, 2004, at 20:51:21
In reply to Re: Refuse to take Effexor!, posted by Cinderella on November 10, 2004, at 8:13:33
> I have now been off the zoloft for 5 days. I am not taking any antidepressants. I have now lost 3 pounds. Yay!!! I have been exercising 30-40 min/day, taking trim spa and vitamins and not eating sugar, fried foods or foods with white flour. My weight is slowly returning to normal again. If you ask me, the weight gain from the SSRI's just isn't worth it!
> CMy pdoc always said that exercise was just as important as the meds. Good luck to you! I just don't have the willpower; however, I do have a gym in my house. Maybe you will motivate me to use a combination of both. :)
lorilu
Posted by laurie_lu on November 10, 2004, at 21:49:55
In reply to Re: Refuse to take Effexor!, posted by lorilu on November 10, 2004, at 20:51:21
I gained 15 pounds while taking Effexor for 9 months. I can't get rid of it. Maybe I need to add Trim Spa to my pile of supplements I'm already taking.
Posted by lalaland7 on November 10, 2004, at 21:59:58
In reply to Re: I'd gain 100lbs if it meant feeling ok, posted by King Vultan on November 10, 2004, at 20:50:36
> > I agree!
>
>
> Interesting how people's perspectives can differ, as I would choose to be thin and depressed--or even take death itself--over gaining 100 lbs. I believe I simply have too much self esteem tied up in the issue, hence my sympathy towards people who are bothered by weight gain on antidepressants, as well as my disdain towards doctors who don't seem to think it's a very important issue.
>
> I have my own prejudices, of course. I don't think side effects like constipation and dry mouth are particularly unacceptable and would have a hard time understanding someone not willing to put up with them in order to feel better. Good doctors, on the other hand, will put aside their own biases and tailor a patient's treatment to try to minimize side effects and other negatives that are unacceptable to the individual patient.
>
> ToddTodd you are a right on! I feel the same way. I am thankful my Dr is very respectful of my fears of weight gain...however he still feels certain drugs won't cause it....and then they do.....I would rather be a bit spacey than be huge!--
Posted by linkadge on November 11, 2004, at 8:55:38
In reply to Re: I'd gain 100lbs if it meant feeling ok » King Vultan, posted by lalaland7 on November 10, 2004, at 21:59:58
I've been so unexplainably suicidal for as long as I can remember. People always ask me why. I have absolutely no reason. My life is low stress, and I can handle it. I have a supportive family, and friends. I've got enought money to get by.
I have so many things that other depressed people don't have.But what does that do me?
When people say I'd rather be skinny and depressed, that makes no sence to me. Thats like saying I'd rather be attractive and dying of cancer, than perfectly healthy and unattractive.
If you don't have your sanity, nothing else matters.
I'd rather be in a fat man's coffin 20-30 years from now, than a skinny coffin tomorrow.Linkadge
Posted by KaraS on November 11, 2004, at 14:08:05
In reply to when you have a razor to your wrists.., posted by linkadge on November 11, 2004, at 8:55:38
> I've been so unexplainably suicidal for as long as I can remember. People always ask me why. I have absolutely no reason. My life is low stress, and I can handle it. I have a supportive family, and friends. I've got enought money to get by.
> I have so many things that other depressed people don't have.
>
> But what does that do me?
>
> When people say I'd rather be skinny and depressed, that makes no sence to me. Thats like saying I'd rather be attractive and dying of cancer, than perfectly healthy and unattractive.
>
> If you don't have your sanity, nothing else matters.
>
>
> I'd rather be in a fat man's coffin 20-30 years from now, than a skinny coffin tomorrow.
>
>
>
> Linkadge
Very eloquently spoken, Linkadge, but I think you'd have to be a female to understand this one. So much of our self worth in this culture derives from our physical appearance (unfortunately). Even if we got a therapeutic response from an antidepressant, the weight gain would fairly quickly counter or dampen that response. Winning a battle against depression in this way would be a pyrrhic victory at best.
Posted by linkadge on November 11, 2004, at 14:36:33
In reply to Re: when you have a razor to your wrists.. » linkadge, posted by KaraS on November 11, 2004, at 14:08:05
The greatest critique of any person is oneself.
Being overweight (in itself) is not a reason to be suicidal.
But being depressed is a reason to be suicidal.
It depends on where you are at.
Linkadge
Posted by lostforwards on November 11, 2004, at 15:21:25
In reply to image is all in your mind, posted by linkadge on November 11, 2004, at 14:36:33
Posted by lostforwards on November 11, 2004, at 15:31:17
In reply to image goes a long way (nm), posted by lostforwards on November 11, 2004, at 15:21:25
That was a little off topic wasn't it? Oh who cares. It's stupid game to play...
I'll just psycho-babblize this.
Is image really in your mind?
I had a really strange experience when I was really stressed and while I was on an AP at the same time. My arms looked thinner. I had a similar experience after having a mood swing.
Is their brain chemistry behind how you percieve your own body?
Posted by lalaland7 on November 11, 2004, at 19:39:12
In reply to moving on, here's my question, posted by lostforwards on November 11, 2004, at 15:31:17
> That was a little off topic wasn't it? Oh who cares. It's stupid game to play...
>
> I'll just psycho-babblize this.
> Is image really in your mind?
> I had a really strange experience when I was really stressed and while I was on an AP at the same time. My arms looked thinner. I had a similar experience after having a mood swing.
> Is their brain chemistry behind how you percieve your own body?
>
>Absolutely there is brain chemistry involved. Take the example of an anorexic (which is considered to be a psychological affliction) they look in the mirror and see a fat person when they are dying and thin. Also in response to Linkage...being overweight is not considered to be healthy and can kill you in the long run with all the health problems that go along with it. So I still say it is better to be healthy physically and slightly off psychologically(lord knows the rest of the world is!)than to be overweight with physical ailments and a happy brain. Your brain is not the actual part that walks you around goes on vaccations and plays tennis (I know neurologically the brain signals your limbs to move but you know what I am getting at hopefully)All in all my hope is that there is a a happy medium in there for all of us. Take care!
Posted by woolav on November 11, 2004, at 22:02:47
In reply to Re: moving on, here's my question » lostforwards, posted by lalaland7 on November 11, 2004, at 19:39:12
I have gained about 30 lbs over the last year since taking zoloft, effexor and paxil. I now am starting to lose a little since switching to prozac. i think what happens to women is that when we feel* fat or ugly, then it just makes us more unhappy, and more not wanting to be here. i tell my hubby all the time that i am fat and not happy with myself and he assures me that i am still attractive to him. And isnt that all that matters. the support you get. I fight off urges to just go away and die somewhere, but I dont want to do that to my family. I think its very selfish. Even though we go through the torture of depression, its better to die bc God takes you then to end it on your own and be with lucifer..
Thats just my opinion...
Sandy
Posted by BJM on November 12, 2004, at 8:59:23
In reply to Refuse to take Effexor!, posted by Cinderella on November 9, 2004, at 8:49:04
Oh Yeah Right! Like Effexor or Zoloft can't make you gain weight. And there may be some people who claim that gaining weight is worth not being depressed but after coming out of the depression and finding yourself 100lbs heavier there are plenty of other desperate issues that have to be dealt with then also. My husband was given a med known to cause weight gain by a GP and he happens to be a rail. When I told my PDoc about it and said, "Well he is so skinny it shouldn't be too big of a deal", her take on that was any kind of large sudden weight gain med induced or not even if it is on a skinny person is not good for a persons health. And then of course she went on to say that a mans self esteem can be hurt by weight gain but in our society womens self esteem is really wrapped up in it and it is a fact that has to be taking into consideration. If you don't treat the whole person and all the issues you are not bringing back their quality of life.
Posted by linkadge on November 12, 2004, at 15:53:07
In reply to Cinderella and Effexor Weight Gain!, posted by BJM on November 12, 2004, at 8:59:23
I agree that it is unhealty to be overweight. But it is *much* unhealthier to be suicidal.
For me, lithium is the only thing that is helping me reduce my suicidal thinking. The SSRI's didn't do it, they only increased it.
The lithium makes me gain weight. I have to reduce this by exercising (something that helps my mood and my weight) But, like my mother who has gained over 100 pounds on lithium, I wouldn't stop this med just because I have gained weight.
If I stopped it, I would be dead, that is a fact plain and simple. I have a choice, overweight or dead. It is that simple, and that basic for me.
I just cannot imagine letting society tell you who, and what you are. Non depressed people don't care that much about what others think. They find friends that like them for who they are.
Linkadge
Posted by Laree on November 12, 2004, at 16:36:49
In reply to Refuse to take Effexor!, posted by Cinderella on November 9, 2004, at 8:49:04
Hello,
Last year I was switched from 100 mg./Zoloft to Wellbutrin (at my request) because amidst other side effects (and it 'pooping-out'), I believed it was it making me gain weight. When I first took myself off of the Zoloft, initially I felt better and more "like myself" as well.
I have suffered from Anorexia & Bulimia in the past, so I am extremely leery of any potential 'weight gain' side effects from meds. Anyway, about 2 years ago I was put on Effexor XR. I believe that I actually LOST weight on it, probably at least a good 10-15 pounds. I was very active at the time and working a lot, but i was no longer struggling with anorexia/bulimia and was at a stable weight to begin with.
Now, I sympathize with you about pdocs claiming certain meds "shouldn't make you gain weight", are "weight neutral", or whatever, and then you find out otherwise the hard way. It's happened to me before, and what's really helped me since, actually, is to get on these boards on start asking around (before you ditch the med altogether!). Some drugs that do claim to be neutral in regards to weight may very well allow for weight LOSS even.
Right now I'm on Lexapro and I think I've dropped a few pounds since starting it.
Best,
L.Well, went back to the doc yesterday as I am running out of my Zoloft and wanted to try Wellbutrin instead. Zoloft just turned me into a lump and I have gained 7 lbs of unwanted fat since I've been on it and I am completely numb below the waist. My regular doc is on vacation so the doc I had yesterday argued with me about the Wellbutrin. He said it wouldn't be a good choice for me and and offered me samples of the Effexor instead. He also said he was really surprised that I gained weight from the Zoloft and told me that weight gain is not a predominant side effect. He said I won't gain weight from the Effexor but I don't trust him. So I didn't take it. I threw the samples he gave me away. I have gone a couple of days without any antidepressants and it feels like I am waking up from a long sleep. I am hoping to drop a pound or 2 this weekend since I am dieting again. While on the Zoloft, I couldn't lose a pound even when I really cut my calories AND worked out an hour each day! So....we shall see what happens with my moods now. What a price we pay to feel good, huh??
>
Posted by lostforwards on November 12, 2004, at 16:52:14
In reply to you've all been had by society, posted by linkadge on November 12, 2004, at 15:53:07
Ha! Nice subject heading on your post. 'tis cool.
This isn't really related to philosophical issue of weight gain versus suicidal ideation. That's ultimately a choice, a pretty obvious one for some, but it's still a choice.
First, I didn't know you could gain THAT ( 100lbs ) much weight on lithium.
I'm not depressed ( and never have been ) and I care, sometimes to the point of neurosis, what other people think.
While I agree that a symptom of depression is heightened sensitivity to critism, I won't say that non-depressives to a greater extent lack this trait ( quote: "don't care that much" ) or can't have this trait without being clinically depressed.
Of course, I've never been what most people would call depressed so I can't appreciate what "caring too much about what other people think" is.
Posted by jujube on November 12, 2004, at 17:09:31
In reply to moving on, here's my question, posted by lostforwards on November 11, 2004, at 15:31:17
I would say that yes, image is all in your mind. When serotonin levels drop, so do our feelings of self-esteem, regardless of our actual circumstances or accomplishments. With respect to weight loss, constant dieting and depriving the body of proteins, depletes tryptophan as well as the other brain chemicals which can result in depression, compulsive eating, bulimia or anorexia. I read somewhere that extreme dieting is actually the worst way to try to raise self-esteem because the brain can only deteriorate further and become more self-critical as it starves. Even non-dieters who tend not to eat enough protein can suffer from low-protein brain drain.
Tamara
> That was a little off topic wasn't it? Oh who cares. It's stupid game to play...
>
> I'll just psycho-babblize this.
> Is image really in your mind?
> I had a really strange experience when I was really stressed and while I was on an AP at the same time. My arms looked thinner. I had a similar experience after having a mood swing.
> Is their brain chemistry behind how you percieve your own body?
>
>
Posted by linkadge on November 13, 2004, at 9:21:32
In reply to Re: you've all been had by society » linkadge, posted by lostforwards on November 12, 2004, at 16:52:14
All I'm trying to say is that the mind is the most important organ in the body. If things are wrong there, little else matters.
If you're clinically depressed, being skinny will bring little more pleasure than being fat.
But, I guess the most important thing is that if you find a drug that works for your depression, don't ditch it cause there are other ways to battle the weight gain.
Linkadge
This is the end of the thread.
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