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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 23 of 23. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by coll81 on June 20, 2006, at 13:50:06
ok im sure that this has been posted by me and a million other people.. but i havent been on in about a year and thought id give it a try again... im desperate to find an antidepressant that wont' cause weight gain.. can everyone give me their feedback on what antidepressants they wre on and if they causeed weight gain? are there any NEW ones out? i know cymbalta was the newest i believe and i havent heard such great things with that one either.. i m becoming so miserable and my depression seems to be getting worse. im currently taking fish oil pills which sometimes seem to help mildly, and also 5-htp which has totally just stopped worknig at this point.. ive also tried lexapro and celexa and they pooped out... zoloft is one that seemed to work yet i started gaining weight and immediately cut my dosage back smaller and smaller. anyone have any ideas?
Posted by Maxime on June 20, 2006, at 14:16:19
In reply to damn weight gain with antidepressants, posted by coll81 on June 20, 2006, at 13:50:06
Wellbutrin and Effexor usually do not cause weight gain.
maxime
Posted by Phillipa on June 20, 2006, at 22:09:02
In reply to Re: damn weight gain with antidepressants, posted by Maxime on June 20, 2006, at 14:16:19
Good idea. Love Phillipa
Posted by Racer on June 21, 2006, at 13:37:27
In reply to Re: damn weight gain with antidepressants, posted by Maxime on June 20, 2006, at 14:16:19
> Wellbutrin and Effexor usually do not cause weight gain.
>
> maximeI gained a lot of weight on Effexor, although I was also taking Prozac with it. The gain might have been caused by the Prozac, although I was only taking 10mg to augment the Effexor.
Wellbutrin seems to be pretty weight neutral for me, mostly, I think.
Isn't Parnate supposed to be weight neutral?
Posted by kimcrazylady on June 21, 2006, at 14:55:17
In reply to Re: damn weight gain with antidepressants, posted by Racer on June 21, 2006, at 13:37:27
> > Wellbutrin and Effexor usually do not cause weight gain.
> >
> > maxime
>
> I gained a lot of weight on Effexor, although I was also taking Prozac with it. The gain might have been caused by the Prozac, although I was only taking 10mg to augment the Effexor.
>
> Wellbutrin seems to be pretty weight neutral for me, mostly, I think.
>
> Isn't Parnate supposed to be weight neutral?Parnate makes me gain weight every time. It may be neutral for some, but it wasn't for me or for my mother. It's the thing I really HATE about the med; however, I'm sure some have different side effects and may lose weight.
Good luck.
Posted by Jost on June 21, 2006, at 20:09:36
In reply to Re: damn weight gain with antidepressants, posted by kimcrazylady on June 21, 2006, at 14:55:17
Parnate and Emsam seem generally not to make people gain weight. (Maybe the jury is out on emsam, but I have a feeling it doesn't, because I've taken it for over a month and haven't felt a tendency to eat more.)
Also wellbutrin, as people have said. And cymbalta, which worked for me, although you and some others haven't found it helpful.
Jost
Posted by Maxime on June 22, 2006, at 19:40:02
In reply to Re: damn weight gain with antidepressants, posted by Maxime on June 20, 2006, at 14:16:19
Some gain on Parnate, others don't. I retain water if I take the dosage too high. My friend gained 30 pounds from Parnate. People think that only Nardil packs on the pounds, but that isn't the case.
Yeah, I think Wellbutrin would be best.
maxie
Posted by Jost on June 22, 2006, at 22:09:45
In reply to Re: damn weight gain with antidepressants, posted by Maxime on June 22, 2006, at 19:40:02
Some do gain weight from Parnate, but only a fairly small percentage gain more than 7-8 lbs. from what my pdoc said. I considered that an acceptable amount, although anything more than that I would have freaked.
I took quite a bit of Parnate and didn't have much or any problem--
Wellbutrin is great if it works, but (again from what my pdoc said), Parnate tends to be effective with more people.
Good luck. Let us know how it goes.
Jost
Posted by Donna Louise on June 23, 2006, at 7:00:54
In reply to Re: damn weight gain with antidepressants, posted by Jost on June 22, 2006, at 22:09:45
Effexor is the only that didn't make me gain weight. Cymbalta did. Along with all the ssri;s. Everyone is so different.
I have gained a few lbs since taking EMSAM but there are other things that could account for this.donna
Posted by coll81 on June 23, 2006, at 9:40:16
In reply to Re: damn weight gain with antidepressants, posted by Jost on June 21, 2006, at 20:09:36
jost, has emsamd worked for you? any s leeping difficulties also on it?
Posted by Jost on June 23, 2006, at 19:29:11
In reply to Re: damn weight gain with antidepressants, posted by coll81 on June 23, 2006, at 9:40:16
> jost, has emsamd worked for you? any s leeping difficulties also on it?
It's worked really well as an AD, but I've had a problem sleeping. I've have insomnia before, so I can't say how much is emsam vs. a bad spate of that. There are also some other factors that could be contributing. But, on the whole, emsam seems partly responsible. Myy energy's better, though, which compensates somewhat.
My state of mind is very noticeably more positive and that's crucial.
Are you using it, or considering it?
Jost
.
Posted by coll81 on June 28, 2006, at 13:19:15
In reply to Re: damn weight gain with antidepressants » coll81, posted by Jost on June 23, 2006, at 19:29:11
I want to use it. i too have trouble sleeping though. im getting intoa dark hole bc i dont like to take antidepressants bc of the weight gain. but im getting very desperate. im only familiar with ssris though. i didnt know they prescribe the old ad's still ... i think my doc might actually not even want to.. do u have to avoid certain foods with that ad? any other side effects u notice?
Posted by Donna Louise on June 29, 2006, at 7:47:52
In reply to Re: damn weight gain with antidepressants » coll81, posted by Jost on June 23, 2006, at 19:29:11
Well, now I am gaining weight with the EMSAM. That is so depressing that it practically eliminates any relief from depression. I can't believe it. With the increased energy and not sleeping all day and being more active and food not changing, I am gaining weight. Sucks big time. I guess I am weird though, I did not gain weight on Paxil and Effexor, two notorious weight gainers. I imagine most will not gain on EMSAM. It is really depressing.
donna
Posted by coll81 on June 29, 2006, at 10:28:26
In reply to Re: damn weight gain with antidepressants » coll81, posted by Jost on June 23, 2006, at 19:29:11
that stinks donna im sorry to hear that. maybe you should switch. its so annoying though isnt it? i cant even find one that wont cause weight gain at all except for the ones that cause extreme insomnia.
Posted by Donna Louise on June 29, 2006, at 11:30:47
In reply to Re: damn weight gain with antidepressants, posted by coll81 on June 29, 2006, at 10:28:26
> that stinks donna im sorry to hear that. maybe you should switch. its so annoying though isnt it? i cant even find one that wont cause weight gain at all except for the ones that cause extreme insomnia.
Can't switch, have tried everything but tricyclics and lithium. They can cause weight gain. At least I have energy on this one. It is better than all the others I have tried depression-wise, hopefully the weight gain will stabilize and it will just be this 5lbs. I am not fat by any means, just paranoid about getting that way, sigh. I want to run again but I have hip flexor giving me fits. Maybe when I can run again, it will help. Only run 2 miles btw.
I so appreciate others understanding how depressing it can be. I have heard others say, be grateful for something that works, and I am, but that does not negate how I feel about weight gain.donna
Posted by Phillipa on June 29, 2006, at 20:31:33
In reply to Re: damn weight gain with antidepressants » coll81, posted by Donna Louise on June 29, 2006, at 11:30:47
Weight gain is depressing. I'd rather be somewhat depressed than fat. My biggest problem is anxiety. I don't know why pdocs shy away from benzos. No wt gain on them. And the AD's cause anxiety for me. Love Phillipa
Posted by coll81 on June 29, 2006, at 20:45:28
In reply to Re: damn weight gain with antidepressants » Donna Louise, posted by Phillipa on June 29, 2006, at 20:31:33
ya well benzos.. thats xanax and valium right? they are very addicting thats why docs shy away, but using them occasionally is fine. for panic attacks that might come at certain times or whatever.
Posted by Phillipa on June 29, 2006, at 21:01:47
In reply to Re: damn weight gain with antidepressants, posted by coll81 on June 29, 2006, at 20:45:28
It's a myth in my opinion I've been on benzos for over 30yrs and when stress is less I just cut back I've never had a problem with them. At one time I gave them up completely. Another time the pdoc said this must be acting as a placebo I was taking .l25 of xanax at bedtime. But my whole family has panic attacks so that's just the way it is and there are no sided effects, no wt gain, no waiting for them to work. Love Phillipa
Posted by Donna Louise on June 30, 2006, at 14:28:30
In reply to Re: damn weight gain with antidepressants » Donna Louise, posted by Phillipa on June 29, 2006, at 20:31:33
> Weight gain is depressing. I'd rather be somewhat depressed than fat. My biggest problem is anxiety. I don't know why pdocs shy away from benzos. No wt gain on them. And the AD's cause anxiety for me. Love Phillipa
Somewhat fat is depressing. No doubt. But I have to take the AD's. I have tried not to and that is way more awful than gaining a few lbs.
My anxiety will lead me to depression. I am lucky I have a pdoc who is not a benzophobe and gives me klonopin. She gets the connection. It is a whole 'nother story for people with real anxiety disorders than the type of people the benzophobes are afraid to prescribe to. They don't get it.donna
Posted by Phillipa on June 30, 2006, at 21:51:07
In reply to Re: damn weight gain with antidepressants » Phillipa, posted by Donna Louise on June 30, 2006, at 14:28:30
It's the whole truth and that is what happens to me I get anxious which leads to depression doing less gaining wt. Saw my old one today cutting down on the Ad and starting the lamictal again. She is around 70 and very good and in all her years she's only seen one case of Stevens Johnson's rash and all the person had to do was stop the med. So I also asked her about mouth sores and she said a rash from the neck up and fever was the real thing. So that's what I going to do now. Now going back to to old one. And its a full day of traveling to see the old one but worth it as she talked for 45minutes to me Love Phillipa
Posted by Donna Louise on July 1, 2006, at 7:18:34
In reply to Re: damn weight gain with antidepressants » Donna Louise, posted by Phillipa on June 30, 2006, at 21:51:07
> It's the whole truth and that is what happens to me I get anxious which leads to depression doing less gaining wt. Saw my old one today cutting down on the Ad and starting the lamictal again. She is around 70 and very good and in all her years she's only seen one case of Stevens Johnson's rash and all the person had to do was stop the med. So I also asked her about mouth sores and she said a rash from the neck up and fever was the real thing. So that's what I going to do now. Now going back to to old one. And its a full day of traveling to see the old one but worth it as she talked for 45minutes to me Love Phillipa
It is well worth the trip to see a good pdoc. I drive 1 1/2 one way to see mine. I have started lamictal also, am only on week 3 with one week being up to 50mg but I felt better right away even on 25mg. The pdoc said that is good but I need higher dose to get really stabilized and to keep going. I have taken it before under different circumstances and couldn't tell if it helped or not. But neither time have I had any inclination of a rash. And even if one should get the dreaded type of rash, it is slow moving with plenty of time to get to the hospital if just quitting the lamictal doesn't stop it. So really, nothing to worry about. The slow titration is supposed to avoid the most cases of the rash. I am glad that you have gone back to this dr. and feel positive that you will be feeling better now.
donna
Posted by Phillipa on July 1, 2006, at 19:52:29
In reply to Re: damn weight gain with antidepressants » Phillipa, posted by Donna Louise on July 1, 2006, at 7:18:34
Donna do you take an Ad with it or something for anxiety? Thanks, Love Phillipa
Posted by Donna Louise on July 1, 2006, at 22:21:03
In reply to Re: damn weight gain with antidepressants » Donna Louise, posted by Phillipa on July 1, 2006, at 19:52:29
> Donna do you take an Ad with it or something for anxiety? Thanks, Love Phillipa
Yes, I take the 12mg Emsam patch, klonopin and provigil. I have reduced the provigil by half and doubled the klonopin. I am trying the lamictal for the irritation, more like rage, and am very hopeful as I felt better with the smallest dose. The pdoc says I have to keep going up, to get to a dose that will hopefully stabilize me. So far, no side effects whatsoever, just not so easily angered, annoyed, enraged, ect.
donna
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