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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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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!
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
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 anywayYeah, exactly. In light of the other side effects, I consider a loss of sex drive a benefit!
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.
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..
:-)
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.
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
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
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?
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.
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!
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?
Posted by Pat on April 1, 1999, at 18:30:13
In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by laura on April 1, 1999, at 18:07:28
OH PLEASE somebody tell me you can lose the weight after you stop the AD!
Posted by laura on April 1, 1999, at 18:37:16
In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by saintjames on April 1, 1999, at 14:38:19
> > > 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.
>
> jWell, maybe you did gain your weight from overeating and lack of exercise. That's just not true for everyone though. I worked out regularly and eate right before I went on Prozac and have continued to do that while taking prozac. In the last 6 weeks I've eaten much less (1200 cals per day) without any significant weight loss. The formula is to expend more calories than you you take in. I know how it works-- been using it successfully for many, many years. Since I have been on prozac it no longer works. I still have good muscle tone but it is now cover by fat (settle down, harry, i know how you like that kind of talk :)) so explain what i'm doing wrong, pleeease.
Posted by harry on April 1, 1999, at 18:57:58
In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by laura on April 1, 1999, at 18:37:16
LOL laura....muscle covered by fat!..oooh baby!....SOMEBODY STOP ME!
james..what you say is uninformed and damaging..PLEASE check the available medical info....there are personal testimonies here ( a priceless gift)..medical references i left and others that can be referenced on your own.
what laura, myself, and many many many others have said here and in the forums i left, and medical references sited....is that this weight gain involves some alteration of metabolism..the gain is OUT OF CONTROL OF THE PATIENT...and..even with severe, rigorous exercise and dietary regimens is REMARKABLY recalcitrant to regular recovery methods..its bad enough experiencing this side effect...the LAST thing people need is to think its THEM CAUSING IT (eg "I did not gain
> my AD pounds eating air. The answer is simple but the application is very very hard for many"..this is crap)
>
....it's better to be quiet and listen when one hasn't any personal or accurate information to add...
are you aware of the basic tenet of medical
care?
"PRIMUM NON NOCERE"....(above all else..do no harm)
Posted by learn to forget on April 1, 1999, at 18:58:20
In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by laura on April 1, 1999, at 18:37:16
> > > > 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
>
> Well, maybe you did gain your weight from overeating and lack of exercise. That's just not true for everyone though. I worked out regularly and eate right before I went on Prozac and have continued to do that while taking prozac. In the last 6 weeks I've eaten much less (1200 cals per day) without any significant weight loss. The formula is to expend more calories than you you take in. I know how it works-- been using it successfully for many, many years. Since I have been on prozac it no longer works. I still have good muscle tone but it is now cover by fat (settle down, harry, i know how you like that kind of talk :)) so explain what i'm doing wrong, pleeease.I'm like laura. I have been a fanatic about exercise -- an OCD. There's something about ssri's. Maybe its that we're now all alpha males and females, per "Listening to Prozac", so nature requires us to be big and strong... Any darwinians care to comment?
Posted by laura on April 1, 1999, at 19:01:31
In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by Pat on April 1, 1999, at 16:01:46
> 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!
I hear ya sister!! I'm getting on the treadmill right now, in the hope that my posterior will be appreciably smaller by summer. Wish me luck!!!
Posted by Matt on April 1, 1999, at 22:22:06
In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by Pat on April 1, 1999, at 16:01:49
Pat,
I lost weight coming off Prozac twice. So at least one person has lost weight coming off an a-d. (He says while munching on (yet another) lowfat granola bar.)
Matt
Posted by saintjames on April 2, 1999, at 0:02:00
In reply to the weight gain issue, posted by saintjames on March 26, 1999, at 1:46:56
Hmmmm....
I find these reports of weight gain despite intake restriction anf excercise intresting.
For me ( and 2 other friends that went on AD's
at the same time) the AD's (Doxipin, the worst)
caused inreased appetite, and hince weight gain.
Doxipin was the worst because it made us crave sweets (the doc reported this was common) esp. chocolate. I personally have been able to lose weight while on AD's thru low fat diet (but by no means stavation, just proper diet) and walking several miles a day.I'm sorry to hear that some of you are not so lucky. The web pages were intresting on this subjuct but inconclusive. Dr. Bob, any thoughts ?
j
Posted by saintjames on April 2, 1999, at 0:11:19
In reply to the weight gain issue, posted by saintjames on March 26, 1999, at 1:46:56
There is some intresting info on Dr Bob's site
http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/tips.html
Enter "weight" in the search box
j
Posted by Pat on April 2, 1999, at 8:21:54
In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by saintjames on April 2, 1999, at 0:11:19
Thanks for the reassurance Matt! I'm off AD's now and hoping to lose the weight. The prospect of being able to lose weight is one of the few things that keeps me going about getting off the AD! Right now, being off only a few days, I'm a little scared, AND depressed that yet another drug trial failed.
Posted by DALE on April 2, 1999, at 11:15:51
In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by Pat on April 2, 1999, at 8:21:54
WOW! WHAT A BANDWAGON. I'VE BEEN ON ZOLOFT FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND HAVE GAINED ABOUT 25 POUNDS. I, LIKE MANY ON THIS THREAD HAVE BEEN WORKING OUT REGULARLY FOR YEARS AND KNOW ALL THE INS AND OUTS OF CARB, PROTEIN AND FAT INTAKE AND MONITORING. WHAT I'VE NOTICED IS AN INCREASE IN MY CRAVING FOR CARBOHYDRATES, WHICH I WOULD GUESS IS A SIDE EFFECT OF THE INCREASED SERITONIN LEVELS. ITS IRONIC THAT MY EXCERCISE ROUTINE, WHICH WAS MY WEAPON AGAINST DEPRESSION IN THE PAST, NOW PROVES TO BE INEFFECTIVE. THE DEPRESSION FROM THE WEIGHT GAIN SEEMS TO HAVE CANCELED OUT THE POSITIVE EFFECTS OF THE ZOLOFT, AND IN TURN THE ZOLOFT HAS KILLED THE OCD TENDENCIES I RELIED ON TO WORK OUT EFFECTIVLY.
DALE
Posted by Terry on April 2, 1999, at 21:05:12
In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by saintjames on April 2, 1999, at 0:02:00
Weight gain is a problem with many psychotropic drugs. I'm on Depakote and have gained about 25 pounds on it in about two years. I hate the weight gain, because I started out heavy and now I'm even heavier. It seems to slow me down and I crave carbohydrates on it. On the other hand, if I didn't take the Depakote, I would be manic, and I would dislike that even more. It distresses me to see people getting off drugs that help them because of weight gain. It's a side effect that none of us likes, but it's better than being depressed/manic/psychotic, etc. I think striving to accept ourselves as we are is important. And trying to eat healthy and exercise is important too, just as it is for anyone, large or small, mentally ill or not. There is evidence that one can be healthy and large, so I eat my fruits and vegies and follow the food pyramid and work out 4-5 times a week. That's good advice for anyone, large or small. And yes, it's distressing to look at myself in the mirror and see a much larger version of myself than two years ago, but I also see a much more together person and a happier person. If I had to choose between the two, I'd rather be happy than thin. Terry
> Hmmmm....
>
> I find these reports of weight gain despite intake restriction anf excercise intresting.
> For me ( and 2 other friends that went on AD's
> at the same time) the AD's (Doxipin, the worst)
> caused inreased appetite, and hince weight gain.
> Doxipin was the worst because it made us crave sweets (the doc reported this was common) esp. chocolate. I personally have been able to lose weight while on AD's thru low fat diet (but by no means stavation, just proper diet) and walking several miles a day.
>
> I'm sorry to hear that some of you are not so lucky. The web pages were intresting on this subjuct but inconclusive. Dr. Bob, any thoughts ?
>
> j
Posted by Matt on April 3, 1999, at 3:43:31
In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by DALE on April 2, 1999, at 11:15:51
There's some discussion of SSRIs affecting exercise drive on psych tips--the upshot is just what you say, Dale, that some people who were compulsive about their exercising no longer are on SSRIs.
Harry had referenced an interesting article on the possible biology of SSRI weight gain, btw.
Matt
Posted by laura on April 3, 1999, at 10:53:19
In reply to Re: the weight gain issue, posted by Matt on April 3, 1999, at 3:43:31
> There's some discussion of SSRIs affecting exercise drive on psych tips--the upshot is just what you say, Dale, that some people who were compulsive about their exercising no longer are on SSRIs.
>
> Harry had referenced an interesting article on the possible biology of SSRI weight gain, btw.
>
> MattHi Matt--
I have a problem getting started when I work out. What I've found that works for me is--When I'm at home working out, I set an egg timer for 10 minutes and tell myself that I'll only work out for the 10 minutes and if I want to quit after the timer goes off I can. I don't think I've ever quit after the timer goes off, by then I'm into it. When I go to the gym, I just promise myself that I'll go, change and at least walk around and if I want to go home I can. That works for me too.
Hey, which article were you refering to about the SSRI and weight gain?
Thx,
laura
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