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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Alexdra on February 25, 2005, at 20:02:57
I started 75 mg of Effexor one week ago after stopping Wellbutrin.
I have gained 12 pounds!!! I have never been this heavy in my life and my clothes don't fit.
I have not been eating more, in fact my appetite is non-existent and I have been working out. It seems that most of the weight gain is in my stomach, where I have never gained before.
My dr. told me Effexor does not cause weight gain until after long-term use...as in over a year.
Can someone please help? Should I just go off this drug? I am getting more depressed feeling so huge! Thanks.
Posted by krybrahaha78 on February 25, 2005, at 23:40:48
In reply to Sudden and fast weight gain, posted by Alexdra on February 25, 2005, at 20:02:57
i think that these drugs tend to slow down your metabolism, as what my p-doc use to tell me.
Posted by banga on February 26, 2005, at 7:34:53
In reply to Re: Sudden and fast weight gain, posted by krybrahaha78 on February 25, 2005, at 23:40:48
The amount of weight gained so quickly suggests that at least part of it is water--this happened to me with nortryptiline. I however did not stick it out to see if it went away--I switched to an alternate drug, desipramine instead..which now I regret, as now I don't know if nortryptiline is or is not a viable option.....
Posted by Alexdra on February 26, 2005, at 9:44:19
In reply to Re: Sudden and fast weight gain, posted by banga on February 26, 2005, at 7:34:53
Thanks. A lot of it does feel like water weight...It is just terrible. I think I have to stop anti-depressants completely and just try the Omega 3 capsules. Feeling this big is just going to make me depressed!
Posted by stresser on February 26, 2005, at 10:59:00
In reply to Re: Sudden and fast weight gain, posted by Alexdra on February 26, 2005, at 9:44:19
It sounds like you do have water weight, because it takes quite a long time to gain that much weight in pounds. Don't panic. It's not fat. Do you take potassium? You may want to try taking some, because I have great luck with that along with my SSRI's. It's a must have for me, especially with excercise!! (One am, one pm) Drink plenty of water and get some fiber into your diet because you don't want constipation either. See how that goes. -L
Posted by Sarah T. on February 26, 2005, at 23:27:10
In reply to Re: Sudden and fast weight gain, posted by Alexdra on February 26, 2005, at 9:44:19
I think that "banga" is right. It's got to be at least partly water weight at this stage. I'm pretty sure that Effexor can cause weight gain but that usually happens several months later. I didn't stay on Effexor long enough to experience that, but I did get a large belly with some other AD's long before true weight gain started. I'm uncertain what cause the bloated belly. I think it's partly water retention and perhaps a lack of tone in the abdominal muscles as well. What I mean is, I think some of the AD's may do something to the muscles in that region that causes them to lose their tone or tightness almost immediately.
Posted by alexdra on February 27, 2005, at 13:22:37
In reply to Re: Sudden and fast weight gain » Alexdra, posted by Sarah T. on February 26, 2005, at 23:27:10
Yes! Exactly. Must be a ton of water weight.
I feel like I look pregnant. Thank God it's winter so I can hide under baggy sweaters. This is so uncomfortable. I do ab exercises every night. I don't understand but I'm going to quit the Effexor. I will try the potassium pills.
Thank you guys for the tips!!!!
Posted by Maxime on March 2, 2005, at 20:24:17
In reply to Re: Sudden and fast weight gain, posted by alexdra on February 27, 2005, at 13:22:37
Hi
I wouldn't recommend taking potassium pills without your doctor's consent. If your potassium levels go out of whack you can have serious heart problems.
We should all be careful about what we "add on" to our regiment of meds.
Drink lots of water and it will flush out your system. Avoid too much sodium in your diet.
Talk to your doctor about it.
Maxime
> Yes! Exactly. Must be a ton of water weight.
> I feel like I look pregnant. Thank God it's winter so I can hide under baggy sweaters. This is so uncomfortable. I do ab exercises every night. I don't understand but I'm going to quit the Effexor. I will try the potassium pills.
> Thank you guys for the tips!!!!
This is the end of the thread.
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