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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by shadowplayers721 on January 15, 2007, at 0:40:03
I didn't notice it right away, but Cymbalta has caused more weight gain than any antidepressant I have ever tried. People say, - 3 months and no weight gain. Give it 11 months and then see. Those trials aren't long enough in my opinion. I can go without eating a thing and the scale doesn't move. I can just drink fluids and the scale doesn't move. Something is wrong. I got my blood work checked and nothing shows. The weight just keeps climbing. I have NEVER been this heavy and this physical in my life. Something is up with this drug. I am wondering if it's in the same class as Remeron on the weight issue or worse. You don't have to eat to continue to gain. I am telling you - something is up with this drug. The FDA just issued a warning about it can affect the liver. It does work wonders for pain relief and depression.
Posted by Bob on January 15, 2007, at 1:20:30
In reply to Cymbalta an almost a year, posted by shadowplayers721 on January 15, 2007, at 0:40:03
> I didn't notice it right away, but Cymbalta has caused more weight gain than any antidepressant I have ever tried. People say, - 3 months and no weight gain. Give it 11 months and then see. Those trials aren't long enough in my opinion. I can go without eating a thing and the scale doesn't move. I can just drink fluids and the scale doesn't move. Something is wrong. I got my blood work checked and nothing shows. The weight just keeps climbing. I have NEVER been this heavy and this physical in my life. Something is up with this drug. I am wondering if it's in the same class as Remeron on the weight issue or worse. You don't have to eat to continue to gain. I am telling you - something is up with this drug. The FDA just issued a warning about it can affect the liver. It does work wonders for pain relief and depression.
I have long felt just what you have described. I gained significant weight on Anafaranil, Effexor, and pretty much all other SSRIs. It doesn't happen right away, but slowly, and insidiously. Just as you have said, no diet changes or amount of exercise seem to stave it off. IMO, weight gain is inevitable for most people on most SSRI/SNRI drugs. There is a misperception about this because the trials are indeed way to short. In fact, many adverse effects from these drugs become much worse and intolerable after long durations - many months or years. There is little data being collected for long term use. The drug companies have no motivation to find out, and many people can't stand to be on the meds that long anyway. Sure, people talk about how this or that med doesn't cause weight gain, or doesn't have as much sexual side effects, and so on, but in the end, if you're on it long enough, there are almost always negative results in these areas. Eventual general apathy and anhedonia is another one.
Posted by Phillipa on January 15, 2007, at 10:14:01
In reply to Re: Cymbalta an almost a year » shadowplayers721, posted by Bob on January 15, 2007, at 1:20:30
Oh so it's now like effexor with the liver warnings. So what do people do that ad's don't work for? Love Phillipa ps yes it did help with pain but not depression was on 60mg for months.
Posted by Reggie BoStar on January 15, 2007, at 20:10:27
In reply to Cymbalta an almost a year, posted by shadowplayers721 on January 15, 2007, at 0:40:03
Hi Shadowplayers72,
I've been on Cymbalta almost since it first came out - at least a few years now. I haven't noticed any weight change from it one way or the other.BUT - I've always been on such a mix of meds that there were times when I couldn't tell what was doing what.
Now I'm losing weight, but I've also been started on Wellbutrin a few months back. I can't tell whether it's the new med or my crappy eating habits this time of year.
As you probably already know, it's very difficult to determine why something is happening with these drugs. It takes a long time to come off them and a long time before a new one kicks in. Using a process of elimination can take months or years before you find out what's causing weight changes or other problems.
Are you taking anything else with it? Maybe I just got lucky with the combinations of meds I've been taking with Cymbalta.
Who knows? You should probably ask your pdoc about this; tell him/her that you're concerned about your weight and you think the Cymbalta is doing it. Maybe for you and your other meds (if any) it really is the Cymbalta.
Good luck,
Reggie BoStar
Posted by flmm on January 15, 2007, at 20:43:11
In reply to Re: Cymbalta an almost a year, posted by Reggie BoStar on January 15, 2007, at 20:10:27
been on it a while, have not gained an ounce!
Posted by shadowplayers721 on January 16, 2007, at 16:21:06
In reply to Re: Cymbalta an almost a year, posted by Reggie BoStar on January 15, 2007, at 20:10:27
I tried Wellbutrin with Lexapro and noticed an immediate weight loss. I got the itches about 3 weeks later. I also shook too much. I was so bummed out. I hope it works out for you. :)
Posted by shadowplayers721 on January 16, 2007, at 16:24:07
In reply to Re: Cymbalta an almost a year, posted by flmm on January 15, 2007, at 20:43:11
That's wonderful! Are you taking it by itself? How long have you been on it? Are you taking any supplements? I am so happy for you. I can't tell you how uncomfortable I feel. I feel full even with a glass of water and I still gain. It's awful.
Posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on January 16, 2007, at 18:17:22
In reply to Re: Cymbalta an almost a year, posted by shadowplayers721 on January 16, 2007, at 16:24:07
Hi Shadow,
sorry about the weight gain.I started taking cymbalta at a point where I had lost some 5 lbs or so from not eating enough (depression/anhedonia). So, I got back to my "normal" weight. Increasing my seroquel from 25-300 mg happened at the same time that I gained 15lbs. now I will probably have to go off of seroquel. I'm about to start a thread about it.
Anyways, I'm sorry that the cymbalta had that effect, despite good lifestyle (I have crappy lifestyle...)
It worked really well for my depression, though.
best,
-Ll
Posted by Phillipa on January 16, 2007, at 19:06:02
In reply to Re: Cymbalta an almost a year » shadowplayers721, posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on January 16, 2007, at 18:17:22
Lurpsie which board? Love Phillipa
Posted by shadowplayers721 on January 16, 2007, at 19:15:06
In reply to Re: Cymbalta an almost a year » shadowplayers721, posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on January 16, 2007, at 18:17:22
Seroquel increased my appetite big time and I had very vivid dreams. I don't mind vivid dreaming. I wasn't on it long, because a neurologist took me off of it. He felt it causes tremors to worsen. I bet I would have been up to 30 lbs more on Seroquel for sure. Thanks for the reply.
Posted by LoTo85 on April 19, 2010, at 16:38:32
In reply to Re: Cymbalta an almost a year, posted by shadowplayers721 on January 16, 2007, at 19:15:06
I've been on Cymbalta for several years now. When I started I was on the low end of the BMI for my height of 5'8" as a male. Over the years I've seen a noticeable weight gain. Especially in my mid-section. It's somewhat of a blessing, since I used to be so skinny. But I understand how others might feel. It is a weight that is difficult to control. I know because I've had no luck trying to get back the 6pack I had in my teens.
Posted by Deneb on April 20, 2010, at 0:44:31
In reply to Re: Cymbalta an almost a year, posted by LoTo85 on April 19, 2010, at 16:38:32
Hello LoTo85!
Welcome to Psycho-Babble! Thanks for sharing your experiences with Cymbalta. A lot of psychiatric meds cause weight gain. Did you notice yourself eating more or was it more of a slowing of metabolism?
I've going from normal weight to just overweight now. I gained 25 pounds in 10 years. It was slow so I am not entirely sure it was due to the meds and not just part of the aging process.
How long did it take for you to gain weight?
Deneb
Posted by LoTo85 on April 20, 2010, at 1:23:17
In reply to Re: Cymbalta an almost a year » LoTo85, posted by Deneb on April 20, 2010, at 0:44:31
It very well could be higher appetite or slower metabolism. I went from my teens to my mid twenties and from dorm food to bachelor-chow. But Like I said, I've been on many different meds for long periods of time (skinny throughout), and my weight gain seemed to coincide with the Cymbalta. I do notice my body reacts most strongly to having and discontinuing (missing a dose) Cymbalta in my system. I just wanted to be sure to let people know I noticed a change, whether it was a coincidence or because of the med.
> Hello LoTo85!
>
> Welcome to Psycho-Babble! Thanks for sharing your experiences with Cymbalta. A lot of psychiatric meds cause weight gain. Did you notice yourself eating more or was it more of a slowing of metabolism?
>
> I've going from normal weight to just overweight now. I gained 25 pounds in 10 years. It was slow so I am not entirely sure it was due to the meds and not just part of the aging process.
>
> How long did it take for you to gain weight?
>
> Deneb
Posted by sweety on April 22, 2010, at 11:42:53
In reply to Re: Cymbalta an almost a year, posted by LoTo85 on April 19, 2010, at 16:38:32
> I've been on Cymbalta for several years now. When I started I was on the low end of the BMI for my height of 5'8" as a male. Over the years I've seen a noticeable weight gain. Especially in my mid-section. It's somewhat of a blessing, since I used to be so skinny. But I understand how others might feel. It is a weight that is difficult to control. I know because I've had no luck trying to get back the 6pack I had in my teens.
I've been on Cymbalta for a year - have had meds cause weight gain (especially seroquel), but no problem with Cymbalta. I realize everyone is different. Hope this helps
Posted by Deneb on April 22, 2010, at 20:10:01
In reply to Re: Cymbalta an almost a year, posted by sweety on April 22, 2010, at 11:42:53
Hello sweety!
Welcome to Psycho-Babble! Thanks for sharing your experience with Cymbalta. As you mentioned, everyone is different. Were you able to attain a healthy weight?
Deneb
Posted by bearfan on April 24, 2010, at 17:48:05
In reply to Re: Cymbalta an almost a year » sweety, posted by Deneb on April 22, 2010, at 20:10:01
I too gained weight on Cymbalta, which was weird because I really didn't eat any differently. It also was in the mid-section. it took about 2 months to notice my clothes were not fitting as well. I would of stayed on Cymbalta if it wasn't for that effect.
Posted by chujoe on April 28, 2010, at 5:40:24
In reply to Re: Cymbalta an almost a year, posted by bearfan on April 24, 2010, at 17:48:05
I've only been on cymbalta a couple of months & I've gained a few pounds, but I had lost so much because of anxiety that I may just be returning to my "normal" weight, which is a little higher than I would like. I may be eating more just because I feel better, though I'm trying to watch what I eat. Anxiety, of course, is a great "diet," but I'd rather be fat than return to that crashing, ratcheting, hyperventilated state of mind. Though if I could find a medication that made me calm and didn't cause weight gain, that would be even better.
Posted by emmanuel98 on April 28, 2010, at 20:36:09
In reply to Re: Cymbalta an almost a year » bearfan, posted by chujoe on April 28, 2010, at 5:40:24
It may be that you're just returning to a base-line weight. I took cymbalta for several months and didn't gain any weight from it. Of course, we're all different.
Posted by chujoe on April 29, 2010, at 14:36:44
In reply to Re: Cymbalta an almost a year, posted by emmanuel98 on April 28, 2010, at 20:36:09
> It may be that you're just returning to a base-line weight. I took cymbalta for several months and didn't gain any weight from it. Of course, we're all different.
Yeah, that may be the case. More exercise! Which makes me feel better anyway. But I'm staying away from mertazipine (sp?) even though I have tremor because they tell you up front it causes weight gain.
This is the end of the thread.
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