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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 55. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by DD on November 29, 1998, at 3:30:50
I was wondering if anyone has lost any of the weight they had gained after taking Paxil. I was on Paxil for about 8 months and weaned myself from it a month ago and need to lose the 25 pounds that I gained while taking the medication. I have never gained this much weight before and it bothers me that my doctor told me that I wouldn't gain weight on it. I have seen a lot of postings regarding people gaining weight on the medication but I have yet to see a post regarding people losing the weight after the medication. I eat low fat and run 3 miles a day, 5 days a week and can't shed a pound. Will my metabolism return to normal? And if so, is it going to take me forever before that happens? Thank you for your input in advance.
Posted by Annie on November 29, 1998, at 9:54:41
In reply to Losing weight after paxil, posted by DD on November 29, 1998, at 3:30:50
> I was wondering if anyone has lost any of the weight they had gained after taking Paxil.
Is this true about Paxil? I was on Paxil for more than a year and gained back the 50 pounds I had lost while on Nardil (after being told I would probably gain on an MAOI). I never made the connection that I haven't been able to lose much weight since then, and that is over a year ago! I was so concerned, I had my thyroid tested, but it was within normal range. Don't be discouraged by my experience. There may be other factors besides Paxil at work in my case. I'm nowhere near as active as you!
Posted by Ann on February 5, 1999, at 12:27:13
In reply to Re: Losing weight after paxil, posted by Annie on November 29, 1998, at 9:54:41
I have been taking Paxil for 3 1/2 months now, it
works wonderfully except I have gained 10 pounds! I was told I would probably lose about 5 pounds, obviously not the case. I couldn't understand the weight gain and now I do! The weight gain is enough for me to stop taking Paxil. I am taking Paxil for stress and anxiety, but the weight gain upsets me more. The original intent was for me to try weaning off at 6 months, I only take 20mg, but I am stopping as of today. Hopefully I will lose that weight!
Posted by Christine on February 23, 1999, at 17:02:58
In reply to Re: Losing weight after paxil, posted by Ann on February 5, 1999, at 12:27:13
>I gained 30 pounds on Paxil. I stopped taking Paxil about 3 weeks ago and haven't lost anything yet. I'm having a hard time watching my diet at this point. I did notice while I was on Luvox then Paxil that although I did gain weight I also gained some muscle. I was able to increase my weight lifting even though I already lifted as much as the average man my age, and I am a woman. My goal at this time is to try to maintain strength but increase my running.
If anyone knows how to get rid of this weight I sure hope they post it!
Posted by harry on March 26, 1999, at 5:33:40
In reply to Losing weight after paxil, posted by DD on November 29, 1998, at 3:30:50
Same experience except with Luvox in my case.
Am withdrawing from it, almost off.
It really is amazing to work out really hard, eat well and GAIN weight!
I have talked with and read many things since i discovered that this weird weight gain/inability to really lose was SSRI associated 3 weeks or so ago.
What i heard people say who went thru and recovered from it was: ..it takes awhile to gain whil taking the meds...will take awhile to lose....seems maybe 6 months....HOWEVER..in almost every case i read or talked directly with people about..the weight DID COME OFF.
Here's to thinking about a thinner me. :-)
Posted by laura on March 29, 1999, at 23:37:26
In reply to Re: Losing weight , posted by harry on March 26, 1999, at 5:33:40
> Same experience except with Luvox in my case.
> Am withdrawing from it, almost off.
> It really is amazing to work out really hard, eat well and GAIN weight!
> I have talked with and read many things since i discovered that this weird weight gain/inability to really lose was SSRI associated 3 weeks or so ago.
> What i heard people say who went thru and recovered from it was: ..it takes awhile to gain whil taking the meds...will take awhile to lose....seems maybe 6 months....HOWEVER..in almost every case i read or talked directly with people about..the weight DID COME OFF.
> Here's to thinking about a thinner me. :-)Same thing with me and prozac--glad to hear you can eventually rid of the weight!!!
Posted by Jen on April 4, 1999, at 11:55:38
In reply to Re: Losing weight , posted by laura on March 29, 1999, at 23:37:26
My husband was on Paxil and gained weight and would fall asleep very early every night. He was switched to Zoloft and the weight is coming off easily and he is not so very tired in the evening.
Posted by kittyhill on April 11, 1999, at 17:43:22
In reply to Losing weight after paxil, posted by DD on November 29, 1998, at 3:30:50
> I was put on Paxil following the birth of my second child for postpartum depression. I weighed the least I had weighed in years. After six months on paxil I had gained 50 pounds and had no sexual desire at all. I was disappointed. I was told weight loss was a side effect not gain. I am now on Celexa and have lost 16 pounds so far. I have a long way to go but I have a good start. Good luck to ya.
Posted by Debbie on April 21, 1999, at 9:31:50
In reply to Re: Losing weight , posted by Jen on April 4, 1999, at 11:55:38
Which is worse; the weight gain or the depression?
I have gained almost 40lbs since being on Paxil for about a year. I checked with my doctor and he said that the weight gain was not from the Paxil. I tried stopping the Paxil myself, but became too depressed. Has anyone stopped their Paxil and lost the weight? Has anyone switched antidepressants....lost the weight.....and still in a good mood....Please help :-0
Posted by Cindi on April 22, 1999, at 8:29:33
In reply to Re: Losing weight after paxil, posted by kittyhill on April 11, 1999, at 17:43:22
I have been taking Paxil for approximately 3 weeks and my life is 1000% better. I started reading all these postings about gaining weight and I am scared to keep taking it now. I am battling obesity so needless to say, gaining more weight would not be good. What is this other drug you switched to? Can you start taking it right after stopping Paxil and have the same effects? Please let me know!!!
Posted by MJ on April 22, 1999, at 14:41:24
In reply to Re: Losing weight after paxil, posted by Cindi on April 22, 1999, at 8:29:33
I have just started taking PAXIL and believe that part of my reason for needeing depression meds is due to my life-long struggle with weight-loss. Needless to say, reading about all this weight gain is scaring the hell out of me. I plan on speaking to my Dr. about this but am wondering, has anyone actually lost weight (or at least maintained their current weight) while taking Paxil?
Posted by Victoria on April 22, 1999, at 20:55:17
In reply to Re: Losing weight after paxil, posted by MJ on April 22, 1999, at 14:41:24
My sister has taken Paxil for about a year and lost weight on it. She finds it curbs her carbohydrate cravings.
> I have just started taking PAXIL and believe that part of my reason for needeing depression meds is due to my life-long struggle with weight-loss. Needless to say, reading about all this weight gain is scaring the hell out of me. I plan on speaking to my Dr. about this but am wondering, has anyone actually lost weight (or at least maintained their current weight) while taking Paxil?
Posted by RCE on April 27, 1999, at 14:35:11
In reply to Re: Losing weight after paxil, posted by Victoria on April 22, 1999, at 20:55:17
I have been on Prozac for nine months and my weight has remained about the same... I may have lost a few pounds. I found that my depression was lifted and I had more "mental" energy to work out, run, bike, etc. I would get in such funks, cry, etc., before Prozac -- I was exhausted! I have always been a regular exerciser, so motivation was not a big issue for me. However, Prozac killed my libido, so now I'm trying Paxil. I really want to quit this antidepressant all together and take another approach... get back into regular therapy, meditation group? I'm especially nervous about continuing on Paxil given the all the previous "weight gain" reports. For me, Prozac worked great. My sister also had much luck with it. If having a "normal" libido at this point in you life is not a priority, I highly recommend it.
Posted by marsha on April 27, 1999, at 23:37:41
In reply to Re: Losing weight after paxil, posted by RCE on April 27, 1999, at 14:35:11
>I have been on paxil for about a year and a half. It was lifechanging for me--night & day difference when I first went on it. However, I'm now trying to get off and it's been 3 weeks since I started the weaning process. I haven't lost any weight yet but feel that my energy level is coming back, almost to the point of not being able to sleep. I'm also hoping my libido returns and I know my husband is hoping for that, too. I sure hope that the weight will come off sometime.
Posted by rachel on April 30, 1999, at 16:31:35
In reply to Re: Losing weight after paxil, posted by MJ on April 22, 1999, at 14:41:24
> gained 40 lbs in 2 years. My doctor also said this would not happen. Exercise and diet has not helped. But hey...no depression.
Posted by Irma on April 30, 1999, at 22:12:40
In reply to Losing weight after paxil, posted by DD on November 29, 1998, at 3:30:50
>I have been taking Paxil for about 3 1/2 years and I have gained 40 lbs. I went from a size 3 to a size 8. I am very depressed and now that I know it has caused other individuals to gain weight I plan to switch to Celexa and hopefully loose some of the weight. I will let you know how it goes. Good Luck!!
Posted by Shannon on January 4, 2000, at 14:12:10
In reply to Re: Losing weight after paxil, posted by Cindi on April 22, 1999, at 8:29:33
> I have been taking Paxil for approximately 3 weeks and my life is 1000% better. I started reading all these postings about gaining weight and I am scared to keep taking it now. I am battling obesity so needless to say, gaining more weight would not be good. What is this other drug you switched to? Can you start taking it right after stopping Paxil and have the same effects? Please let me know!!!
I have a friend who took Paxil three years ago and lost 100 pounds, and she has never gained it back. I maintained my own weight on Prozac, Zoloft, Luvox,and Effexor, but gained on Elavil. I am now going to try Paxil, and I am terrified by what I am reading about all of the women here who have gained weight while taking it! I too am battling a weight problem, and the last thing I need is extra pounds. Please tell me that there are other women out there who have lost weight on Paxil like my friend did.
Posted by roof8 on January 5, 2000, at 15:10:47
In reply to Re: Losing weight after paxil, posted by MJ on April 22, 1999, at 14:41:24
> I have just started taking PAXIL and believe that part of my reason for needeing depression meds is due to my life-long struggle with weight-loss. Needless to say, reading about all this weight gain is scaring the hell out of me. I plan on speaking to my Dr. about this but am wondering, has anyone actually lost weight (or at least maintained their current weight) while taking Paxil?
Yes, me, I know at least 2 people who didn't gain weight on Paxil. Try it first maybe it's all right for you !
Esquisse.
Posted by Nancy on January 5, 2000, at 22:15:36
In reply to thyroid and paxil and, posted by mrkwks@aol.com on January 5, 2000, at 0:28:00
If you are gaining weight with paxil and looking for someone else to try, you could try Prozac. I was taking 20mgs. of that alone and was LOSING so much weight (about 20lbs in 3 weeks) that I had to reduce it to 10 mg because my bones were starting to show and I was just emaciated. Now I still feel like I have to eat everything in the house just to be at a normal weight on 10 mgs! So it might have the same effects with you too, if you are looking to lose weight with an AD you might try that. Thats just my experience though, I dont know if it works like that for everyone. Good luck!
Nancy
> > > > I have been taking Paxil for approximately 3 weeks and my life is 1000% better. I started reading all these postings about gaining weight and I am scared to keep taking it now. I am battling obesity so needless to say, gaining more weight would not be good. What is this other drug you switched to? Can you start taking it right after stopping Paxil and have the same effects? Please let me know!!!
> > >
> > > I have a friend who took Paxil three years ago and lost 100 pounds, and she has never gained it back. I maintained my own weight on Prozac, Zoloft, Luvox,and Effexor, but gained on Elavil. I am now going to try Paxil, and I am terrified by what I am reading about all of the women here who have gained weight while taking it! I too am battling a weight problem, and the last thing I need is extra pounds. Please tell me that there are other women out there who have lost weight on Paxil like my friend did.
Posted by camilla dawn on January 10, 2000, at 2:16:17
In reply to Re: Losing weight after paxil, posted by roof8 on January 5, 2000, at 15:10:47
I gained over thirty five pounds on paxil. The weight gain was immediate and dramatic. I continue to excercise and eat healthily but haven't lost a bit of it. It seems impossible to loose any of the weight gained. I gained between seven to ten pounds each week while on the drug. I got off of it as soon as I could but was stuck with the weight. THe truly distressing thing about it was that at the time I was in peek physical condition with a fast metabolism. That's all changed and I spend every other day infron of the mirror in tears. I don't even want to hear the name of this drug anymore.
Posted by Kellie on May 28, 2000, at 9:30:12
In reply to Re: Losing weight after paxil, posted by camilla dawn on January 10, 2000, at 2:16:17
I took Paxil for 1 1/2 years for major depression and gained nearly 40 pounds. My doctor didn't tell me until after a year that it would do that. I then took Serzone and gained another 30. With major depression, even with medication, it's extremely hard to get moving (no energy). After Serzone I am now taking Effexor. I lost 20 pounds at first, then gained it back when the first "rush" faded. I'm now about 80 pounds overweight. I've heard that most anti-depressents make you gain weight. I'm proof of that, but my mental wellbeing is so much better I'd rather be obese and happy than thin and depressed. Not that I was ever thin. Depression also causes eating-disorders. If anyone has a solution to the weight gain/energy problem, please share it!
Posted by MB on May 30, 2000, at 23:33:28
In reply to Re: Losing weight after paxil, posted by Kellie on May 28, 2000, at 9:30:12
I just switched from Paxil (gained 20lbs)to Serzone, hoping to lose the extra weight. It's definitely a bummer to hear your story. I don't know what it is about these meds that plays such havoc on body composition, but I hate it. Last year, I was taking Wellbutrin. I ran 30min a day and lifted weights for 4 hours a day. I wasn't fat, but I certainly shouldn't have had the excess body fat that I did.
I've heard some positive feedback from people switching to Serzone from Paxil, but your story is unnerving. I'd be interested to hear the experiences of others who have made the SSRI to Serzone switch for the same reason.
MB
Posted by Holly on June 1, 2000, at 10:26:01
In reply to Re: Losing weight after paxil, posted by Christine on February 23, 1999, at 17:02:58
I gained 50 lbs in three years on Paxil. I've been off it for three weeks now and and waiting rather impatiently for the weight to come off. I think I've even gained more, and I work out every day and watch what I eat. I'm still going through the withdrawal symptoms to some extent, but luckily it wasn't nearly as bad as what I read. Has anyone out there experienced the withdrawals? If so, did you have severe allergies all of a sudden. I've been having to take benedryl every day to keep from sneezing my head off, and I rarely have allergy symptoms. I'm wondering if it is related. Also, my joints ache incessantly. Someone said their doctor, who like most will INSIST there are no side effects from going off Paxil, ran tests for fybromyalgia and lupus. It's funny that about the same time my mother went off Paxil, she also was diagnosed first with lupus, then with fibromyalgia, even though the tests were inconclusive. Now, I'm having symptoms for the first time since I went off Paxil. Coincidence? Does this go away????
Posted by Holly on June 1, 2000, at 10:43:17
In reply to Re: Losing weight after paxil, posted by rachel on April 30, 1999, at 16:31:35
I forgot to mention the sleeplessness. Someone else mentioned having the problem after they went off Paxil. Part of the reason I went on it was because I couldn't sleep--you know a common symptom of depression. Well, guess what, three weeks off of Paxil and I can't sleep any more. This is a really tough situation.
Posted by Shannon on June 1, 2000, at 21:13:09
In reply to Re: Losing weight after paxil, posted by Holly on June 1, 2000, at 10:43:17
> I forgot to mention the sleeplessness. Someone else mentioned having the problem after they went off Paxil. Part of the reason I went on it was because I couldn't sleep--you know a common symptom of depression. Well, guess what, three weeks off of Paxil and I can't sleep any more. This is a really tough situation.
I am baffled by all of the responses that I keep reading about gaining weight while taking Paxil or after quitting. One of my friends lost over 100 pounds on Paxil four years ago and never gained any of it back when she stopped taking it. Is she a freak or something? I am taking it now myself and have seen no change in my weight at all, but I become more worried everyday that it is only a matter of time before I start blimping up. Being that I have a weight problem now, God only knows what I might look like if I ever stop taking this medication. Should I stop taking it now just to be safe? (I have only been taking it for a few months)
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