Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 4030

Shown: posts 1 to 25 of 98. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

the weight gain issue

Posted by saintjames on March 26, 1999, at 1:46:56

It is clear that all AD's cause weight gain to some degree in most people. One can play with AD's to find the one that has the least effect....for me it is Effexor.

There is a simple answer here....eat better and excercise. It is ez to do something about the weight
but the dperession is the reason you take the meds. If you make weight gain a litums test all AD's will fail.
I wish doctors would push to see that patients on long term meds get on an excercise program. Even though the answer is simple its application is tuff knot...I still don't excercise.

james

 

Re: the weight gain issue

Posted by pej on March 26, 1999, at 5:40:38

In reply to the weight gain issue, posted by saintjames on March 26, 1999, at 1:46:56

> It is clear that all AD's cause weight gain to some degree in most people. One can play with AD's to find the one that has the least effect....for me it is Effexor.
>
> There is a simple answer here....eat better and excercise. It is ez to do something about the weight
> but the dperession is the reason you take the meds. If you make weight gain a litums test all AD's will fail.
> I wish doctors would push to see that patients on long term meds get on an excercise program. Even though the answer is simple its application is tuff knot...I still don't excercise.
>
> james
>>
>>james,
Wishing doctors would tell us to exercise? If we want to get well, we must take responsibility for our actions and not wait for someone in authority
to 'make us'.
I've just realized recently,again, how much I want to find the perfect med or combo and just let it turn my life around. The other day I started a walk-jog thing again(depressed and all)
did 3 miles and felt better for it. I didn't feel great yet but damnit I will be back out this a.m. etc.
If we are not totally incapacitated with this illness, if we know certain activities make us feel better, then let's just get our sad-assed faces and big butts in some warmups-screw what others think. Shake it, baby!

~phil~

 

Re: the weight gain issue

Posted by saintjames on March 26, 1999, at 14:58:25

In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by pej on March 26, 1999, at 5:40:38

> >>
> >>james,
> Wishing doctors would tell us to exercise? If we want to get well, we must take responsibility for our actions and not wait for someone in authority


James here...

I should of stated this more correctly...docs should warn patients that weight gain will happen and to prepair for it at the start with an excercise program.

What I hear from people is surprize that the meds
cause in some a large weight gain. Why should one
have to be shocked when this is a common side effect ? I realize that a doc wants to first get a person on a med to stablize mood and deal with the side effects after the fact.

I have always been an informed consumer...my doc, who knows me well, just asks if I have any ? about what I have read about a med and do I know the side effects. I do better knowing what might happen and why (and the % in the general population) so I can be prepaired. I realize in many patients a doc is better off not going thru the list of all possible side effects lest they scare someone from taking a very good med.

For me I would perfer to be told..."you are going to gain weight...start shaking the booty NOW !"

j

 

Re: the weight gain issue

Posted by laura on March 26, 1999, at 18:45:24

In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by saintjames on March 26, 1999, at 14:58:25

> > >>
> > >>james,
> > Wishing doctors would tell us to exercise? If we want to get well, we must take responsibility for our actions and not wait for someone in authority
>
>
> James here...
>
> I should of stated this more correctly...docs should warn patients that weight gain will happen and to prepair for it at the start with an excercise program.
>
> What I hear from people is surprize that the meds
> cause in some a large weight gain. Why should one
> have to be shocked when this is a common side effect ? I realize that a doc wants to first get a person on a med to stablize mood and deal with the side effects after the fact.
>
> I have always been an informed consumer...my doc, who knows me well, just asks if I have any ? about what I have read about a med and do I know the side effects. I do better knowing what might happen and why (and the % in the general population) so I can be prepaired. I realize in many patients a doc is better off not going thru the list of all possible side effects lest they scare someone from taking a very good med.
>
> For me I would perfer to be told..."you are going to gain weight...start shaking the booty NOW !"
>
> j

thanks for the advise-- but exercise is not a problem for me. I run 5 miles a day 5 times a week and lift weights 4 times a week. I love to work out and practically live at the gym. Previous to taking prozac I consumed an average of 3000 calories per day, otherwise I would lose weight due to workout regime, now I'm taking in 1200 in hopes of losing weight. No luck, so far. My doctor tested my thyroid and it's fine--he said that 1 in 12 people gain weight on prozac--all I had ever heard/read was that prozac would cause weight loss. The problem is when your messing around with chemicals in the brain your body isn't necessarily going to respond the same way it did before the meds. Unfortunately, docs don't always point this out when writing perscriptions. With that said, shake your yourself silly--it's good for basic health issues, but don't count on weight maintenance or loss if you're on a SSRI.

laura

 

Re: the weight gain issue

Posted by pej on March 27, 1999, at 7:12:20

In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by laura on March 26, 1999, at 18:45:24

> > > >>
> > > >>james,
> > > Wishing doctors would tell us to exercise? If we want to get well, we must take responsibility for our actions and not wait for someone in authority
> >
> >
> > James here...
> >
> > I should of stated this more correctly...docs should warn patients that weight gain will happen and to prepair for it at the start with an excercise program.
> >
> > What I hear from people is surprize that the meds
> > cause in some a large weight gain. Why should one
> > have to be shocked when this is a common side effect ? I realize that a doc wants to first get a person on a med to stablize mood and deal with the side effects after the fact.
> >
> > I have always been an informed consumer...my doc, who knows me well, just asks if I have any ? about what I have read about a med and do I know the side effects. I do better knowing what might happen and why (and the % in the general population) so I can be prepaired. I realize in many patients a doc is better off not going thru the list of all possible side effects lest they scare someone from taking a very good med.
> >
> > For me I would perfer to be told..."you are going to gain weight...start shaking the booty NOW !"
> >
> > j
>
> thanks for the advise-- but exercise is not a problem for me. I run 5 miles a day 5 times a week and lift weights 4 times a week. I love to work out and practically live at the gym. Previous to taking prozac I consumed an average of 3000 calories per day, otherwise I would lose weight due to workout regime, now I'm taking in 1200 in hopes of losing weight. No luck, so far. My doctor tested my thyroid and it's fine--he said that 1 in 12 people gain weight on prozac--all I had ever heard/read was that prozac would cause weight loss. The problem is when your messing around with chemicals in the brain your body isn't necessarily going to respond the same way it did before the meds. Unfortunately, docs don't always point this out when writing perscriptions. With that said, shake your yourself silly--it's good for basic health issues, but don't count on weight maintenance or loss if you're on a SSRI.
>
> laura

>>Good points!! God, just think. An AD w/o weight gain, sexual side effects, constipation, itching, twitching, or bitching. Will there ever be the day? Phil

 

Re: the weight gain issue

Posted by Matt on March 28, 1999, at 6:45:11

In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by laura on March 26, 1999, at 18:45:24

Laura,

Where did the 1/12 number come from? PDR? At first, Prozac was touted as a potential diet drug, but what I've seen lately is that Prozac (and other SSRIs) tend to cause weight loss short-term and weight gain long-term. But I hadn't heard people saying this until the last couple years.

Matt

 

Re: the weight gain issue

Posted by laura on March 29, 1999, at 22:13:21

In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by Matt on March 28, 1999, at 6:45:11

> Laura,
>
> Where did the 1/12 number come from? PDR? At first, Prozac was touted as a potential diet drug, but what I've seen lately is that Prozac (and other SSRIs) tend to cause weight loss short-term and weight gain long-term. But I hadn't heard people saying this until the last couple years.
>
> Matt

Matt-- the 1 in 12 is from my physician. That's exactly what happened to me. The first few months I lost about 10 pounds, within six months I gain 5 back, no problem there. It was after about 10 months that the weight started to pile on, and it came on very quickly all 25 pounds within 2 1/2 months. I hit a plateau after that. I've been off Prozac for 2 weeks, haven't started the celexa yet. So far no withdrawl or anxiety (that's why I was taking it). I'm hoping I'll be able to go drug free for awhile. Unfortunately, I haven't had any weight loss, either. My doc said that weight loss after antidpressent withdrawl is often delayed. I guess your body just needs time to get back to normal. Are you taking an SSRI? If so, which one? What's your experience with it? Thx, Laura

 

Re: the weight gain issue

Posted by v on March 30, 1999, at 6:44:06

In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by laura on March 29, 1999, at 22:13:21

what supposedly causes this to happen... does the medication affect your thyroid function? how does it affect your metabolism? and is there anything that will assist in regaining proper function?

for me, weight gain is an intolerable side effect as the main effect of depression for me is to put on weight and then be filled with self-hate and shame.... and on and on... i've had every eating disorder recorded and a few they probably haven't given names to yet... :(

i've also been involved in many sports activities and work out alot when not involved in a major depression... i need this to survive - it's one of the only good coping mechanisms i have

i'm rambling but have been trying to get myself to write to this forum for months now - to reply to various posts as well as plea for my pain

thanks for reading this far...

v

 

Re: the weight gain issue

Posted by laura on March 30, 1999, at 9:41:13

In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by v on March 30, 1999, at 6:44:06

> what supposedly causes this to happen... does the medication affect your thyroid function? how does it affect your metabolism? and is there anything that will assist in regaining proper function?
>
> for me, weight gain is an intolerable side effect as the main effect of depression for me is to put on weight and then be filled with self-hate and shame.... and on and on... i've had every eating disorder recorded and a few they probably haven't given names to yet... :(
>
> i've also been involved in many sports activities and work out alot when not involved in a major depression... i need this to survive - it's one of the only good coping mechanisms i have
>
> i'm rambling but have been trying to get myself to write to this forum for months now - to reply to various posts as well as plea for my pain
>
> thanks for reading this far...
>
> v

Hi V---
I didn't mean to alarm anyone, some people do lose weight on prozac--whether it's permanent I have no idea. How long have you been on antidepressents? If you've been on them >1yr I would imagine you've beaten the weight gain issue. What kind of eating disorder do you suffer from? Anorexia, Bulimia, Compulsive eating? How is the drug working for you so far? I don't think it affects thyroid function, mine is working fine and I haven't seen many complaints about hypothyroidism. Why it affects the metabolism the way it does is beyond me, but I would guess that it has something to do with elevated seritonin. I hope this helps.. you should really speak to your doctor about your weight gain concerns. If he/she's unsympathatic --dump him/her and find someone who is more understanding! Unless of course, you suffer from anorexia and you need to gain weight to live, in that case make sure you are working with someone who has expertise with that disease. I wish you all the best and keep me posted on your progress. laura

 

Re: the weight gain issue

Posted by Julie on March 31, 1999, at 10:34:45

In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by laura on March 30, 1999, at 9:41:13

I'm so glad the Net is available as a resource. . . until I began roaming around message boards I thought that I was the only one who'd gained a lot of weight on a SSRI. I've worked out consistently for years, always weighed 135 no matter what, and within a year after I began Zoloft (5 years ago) gained 30 pounds. The Zoloft works great, and I have had a couple of severe depression episodes, so I'm going to stay on it and deal with the weight gain. For 3 years, since the weight gained happened, I've been doing 30 plus minutes of cardiovascular exercise 4 or 5 times a week, and trying to eat sensibly. I've lost about 15 of the pounds, but I'm still frustrated by how much heavier I am than I used to be! People can be really nasty about weight gain in this society-- friends, family, everyone seems to assumen it's the patient's fault...grrr!
I'm looking for journal articles about this weight gain issue . . . any leads?
Thanks.

 

Re: the weight gain issue

Posted by harry on March 31, 1999, at 12:38:12

In reply to the weight gain issue, posted by saintjames on March 26, 1999, at 1:46:56

the weight gain issue does NOT lend itself to "a simple answer here....eat better and excercise".
If you really believe this, and have depression, then i have a "simple" answer for THAT illness.."quit yer bitchin, get happy, get off yer ass and quit being depressed".
This is the EXACT same kind of thinking that has added to the already heavy load of guilt and shame carried by those with this illness. If they only acted different, everything would be great. Ignoring the fact that, in cases of severe depression, the patient is UNABLE to even TAKE THESE ACTIONS.
The weight gain issue with SSRI's and other meds (depakote is infamous for this) is REAL, ocurrs without any other seeming change in lifestyle, and is remarkably recalcitrant to deitary or exercise regimens.
The "way out" is to take care of everything we can that, thru introspection and evaluation, that we realize played a role in our getting and staying depressed. I think it is then possible to eventually live without the meds. I said "possible". Better on meds then dead.
It's very similar to alcoholism in my experience.
With help, one may be able to quit drinking.
However, REMAINING sober takes WORK.
AA has some excellent ideas on the actions involved in this. Regardless of where we get our ideas, i genuinely think that, without an intense reevaulation of our lives, we will remain stuck.
Unless we really think our illness isn't actually "Depression" etc, but "Prozac (pr zoloft or paxil or luvox, etc.) Deficiency".

 

Re: the weight gain issue

Posted by laura on March 31, 1999, at 22:51:25

In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by harry on March 31, 1999, at 12:38:12

> the weight gain issue does NOT lend itself to "a simple answer here....eat better and excercise".
> If you really believe this, and have depression, then i have a "simple" answer for THAT illness.."quit yer bitchin, get happy, get off yer ass and quit being depressed".
> This is the EXACT same kind of thinking that has added to the already heavy load of guilt and shame carried by those with this illness. If they only acted different, everything would be great. Ignoring the fact that, in cases of severe depression, the patient is UNABLE to even TAKE THESE ACTIONS.
> The weight gain issue with SSRI's and other meds (depakote is infamous for this) is REAL, ocurrs without any other seeming change in lifestyle, and is remarkably recalcitrant to deitary or exercise regimens.
> The "way out" is to take care of everything we can that, thru introspection and evaluation, that we realize played a role in our getting and staying depressed. I think it is then possible to eventually live without the meds. I said "possible". Better on meds then dead.
> It's very similar to alcoholism in my experience.
> With help, one may be able to quit drinking.
> However, REMAINING sober takes WORK.
> AA has some excellent ideas on the actions involved in this. Regardless of where we get our ideas, i genuinely think that, without an intense reevaulation of our lives, we will remain stuck.
> Unless we really think our illness isn't actually "Depression" etc, but "Prozac (pr zoloft or paxil or luvox, etc.) Deficiency".

I agree--people need to lose the attitude about weight, psychiatric problems...anything that has social stigma attached to it. Sometimes I get the feeling people are more comfortable blaming the person suffering. That way they can attribute it to a lack of self control and feel more secure that it won't happen to them, because they're stronger willed, better adjusted, etc...
Although, I understand it. Getting fat, sweaty and anxiety ridden, while trying to shake depression, IS a scary prospect!! Pardon my prozac humor...

 

Re: the weight gain issue

Posted by Matt on April 1, 1999, at 1:11:12

In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by laura on March 29, 1999, at 22:13:21

I've been on all the SSRIs; I'm on Luvox right now.

Prozac worked wonderfully on anxiety and depresssion for almost three years. Then it pooped out.

Zoloft and Celexa caused hair loss.

I was crawling the walls on 5mg Paxil, so I didn't continue with it.

Matt

 

Re: the weight gain issue

Posted by harry on April 1, 1999, at 2:18:03

In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by laura on March 31, 1999, at 22:51:25

"fat, sweaty, and anxiety ridden"...my kinda woman!

 

Re: the weight gain issue

Posted by v on April 1, 1999, at 4:35:05

In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by laura on March 31, 1999, at 22:51:25

> Although, I understand it. Getting fat, sweaty and anxiety ridden, while trying to shake depression, IS a scary prospect!!

and let's not forget the lovely sexual dysfunction! but who cares when when you're too fat for sex anyway

 

Re: the weight gain issue

Posted by laura on April 1, 1999, at 8:46:00

In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by v on April 1, 1999, at 4:35:05

> > Although, I understand it. Getting fat, sweaty and anxiety ridden, while trying to shake depression, IS a scary prospect!!
>
> and let's not forget the lovely sexual dysfunction! but who cares when when you're too fat for sex anyway

Yeah, exactly. In light of the other side effects, I consider a loss of sex drive a benefit!

 

Re: the weight gain issue

Posted by laura on April 1, 1999, at 8:53:20

In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by harry on April 1, 1999, at 2:18:03

> "fat, sweaty, and anxiety ridden"...my kinda woman!

Well thank you! I knew someone would appreciate my many charms.

 

Re: the weight gain issue

Posted by harry on April 1, 1999, at 11:16:59

In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by laura on April 1, 1999, at 8:53:20

laura LOL..
:-)

 

Re: the weight gain issue

Posted by learn to forget on April 1, 1999, at 11:35:32

In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by harry on March 31, 1999, at 12:38:12

> the weight gain issue does NOT lend itself to "a simple answer here....eat better and excercise".
> If you really believe this, and have depression, then i have a "simple" answer for THAT illness.."quit yer bitchin, get happy, get off yer ass and quit being depressed".
> This is the EXACT same kind of thinking that has added to the already heavy load of guilt and shame carried by those with this illness. If they only acted different, everything would be great. Ignoring the fact that, in cases of severe depression, the patient is UNABLE to even TAKE THESE ACTIONS.
> The weight gain issue with SSRI's and other meds (depakote is infamous for this) is REAL, ocurrs without any other seeming change in lifestyle, and is remarkably recalcitrant to deitary or exercise regimens.
> The "way out" is to take care of everything we can that, thru introspection and evaluation, that we realize played a role in our getting and staying depressed. I think it is then possible to eventually live without the meds. I said "possible". Better on meds then dead.
> It's very similar to alcoholism in my experience.
> With help, one may be able to quit drinking.
> However, REMAINING sober takes WORK.
> AA has some excellent ideas on the actions involved in this. Regardless of where we get our ideas, i genuinely think that, without an intense reevaulation of our lives, we will remain stuck.
> Unless we really think our illness isn't actually "Depression" etc, but "Prozac (pr zoloft or paxil or luvox, etc.) Deficiency".

Add my voice to the chorus of those who gained 20 lbs or more on prozac. I started on celexa and lost about 7, but now, after a couple of weeks, I'm gaining that back.

 

Re: more weight gain postings

Posted by harry on April 1, 1999, at 14:09:09

In reply to the weight gain issue, posted by saintjames on March 26, 1999, at 1:46:56

http://www.thriveonline.com/cgi-bin/webx.cgi?13@^555408@.ee92919

 

Re: the weight gain issue

Posted by saintjames on April 1, 1999, at 14:38:19

In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by learn to forget on April 1, 1999, at 11:35:32

> > the weight gain issue does NOT lend itself to "a simple answer here....eat better and excercise".


James here....

Good lord...did I start this ? My only point is that weight gain is a very common problem and judging from the posts it troubles many. I feel that if people are warned b4 starting AD's about this some many be able to change habits to counter this side effect. I know I did not gain
my AD pounds eating air. The answer is simple but the application is very very hard for many.

j

 

Re: the weight gain issue

Posted by ruth on April 1, 1999, at 14:57:26

In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by ruth on April 1, 1999, at 14:39:54


Very interesting. I started taking prozac when i
turned 28 and have taken it for 3 years. In that
time I slowly gained 15 pounds, even though I
exercise vigorously and regularly and eat healthy.
i was very perplexed and frustrated that the
weight just seemed to "stick" to me no matter
what I did. I thought it was probably just b/c
i was turning 30 and my metabolism was slowing
down...that's what other women in their 30's were
telling me too. But maybe it was the prozac...
What confuses me through reading all these posts
is, however, that i've heard that going off SSRI's
causes weight gain? Is it catch 22--you go on
ssri meds and gain weight, and also gain weight
when you go off? any insights?

 

Re: the weight gain issue

Posted by harry on April 1, 1999, at 15:09:28

In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by ruth on April 1, 1999, at 14:57:26

Ruth,
I read that in like one post in my "net travels".
I concentrated on the weight gain-ssri issue, with secondary weight loss after quitting/changing the meds..since this is what interested me.
I think that ones APETITE may change when quitting the med....what i expect is that the METABOLIC changes will reverse.
This exercise/eating well and watching the weight go UP is insane..i HATE it..and i end up occassionaly quitting exercise because i get so incredibly fed up.

 

Re: the weight gain issue

Posted by Pat on April 1, 1999, at 16:01:49

In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by harry on April 1, 1999, at 15:09:28

I too have experienced the wonderful weight gain on several different AD's. That is one of the main reasons I stopped taking them for now! Nothing makes me more DEPRESSED than being FAT! There is no way I can pick up my mood when I'm working out six days a week and eating like a bird, and still GAINING WEIGHT! I really enjoyed reading this thread though. Some of you guys are really funny. Hope everyone stays well!

 

Re: the weight gain issue

Posted by laura on April 1, 1999, at 18:07:28

In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by ruth on April 1, 1999, at 14:57:26

>
> Very interesting. I started taking prozac when i
> turned 28 and have taken it for 3 years. In that
> time I slowly gained 15 pounds, even though I
> exercise vigorously and regularly and eat healthy.
> i was very perplexed and frustrated that the
> weight just seemed to "stick" to me no matter
> what I did. I thought it was probably just b/c
> i was turning 30 and my metabolism was slowing
> down...that's what other women in their 30's were
> telling me too. But maybe it was the prozac...
> What confuses me through reading all these posts
> is, however, that i've heard that going off SSRI's
> causes weight gain? Is it catch 22--you go on
> ssri meds and gain weight, and also gain weight
> when you go off? any insights?

Weight gain going off SSRI's--oh god, somebody please tell me this is some cruel april fool's joke!

Seriously though, I talked to a woman yesteday who had experienced large weight gains from both prozac and lithium at different points in her life. She had always been a thin person (i've known her since high school, and it's true) she's off meds and seems to be doing okay. She has lost all of the weight-she's in great shape-hate her, hate her, hate her :)- don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating discontinuing needed medication for weight loss but it's nice to know it will come off if you do. Unfortunately, this is the only weight loss after AD discontinuation I know of. Has anybody else heard of it?


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