Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 10293

Shown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Weight gain on SSRIs

Posted by Nancy on August 18, 1999, at 15:41:46

I have been taking Prozac for 3 years for depression. It has worked wonderfully, but I have also gained 25 pounds. I asked my Dr. to switch me to Wellbutrin, since I have heard that it doesn't cause the weight gain. I have been taking it for about a month now and lost almost 8 pounds, but I feel crabby. irritable, and some of the old symptoms of my depression, (stomach aches, nausea, aching legs), seem to be coming back. Has anyone else made the switch from Prozac to Wellbutrin and had success in terms of combating their depression and NOT gaining weight? What about Celexa? Has anyone been on that for an extended period of time and experienced weight gain or loss? Any info would be appreciated.

 

Re: Weight gain on SSRIs

Posted by James Justice on August 23, 1999, at 10:42:39

In reply to Weight gain on SSRIs, posted by Nancy on August 18, 1999, at 15:41:46

> I have been taking Prozac for 3 years for depression. It has worked wonderfully, but I have also gained 25 pounds. I asked my Dr. to switch me to Wellbutrin, since I have heard that it doesn't cause the weight gain. I have been taking it for about a month now and lost almost 8 pounds, but I feel crabby. irritable, and some of the old symptoms of my depression, (stomach aches, nausea, aching legs), seem to be coming back. Has anyone else made the switch from Prozac to Wellbutrin and had success in terms of combating their depression and NOT gaining weight? What about Celexa? Has anyone been on that for an extended period of time and experienced weight gain or loss? Any info would be appreciated.

Wellbutrin works in a completely different way than Prozac. It works on dopamine receptors in the brain whereas Prozac works on the serotonin system. You experienced a positive change with the Prozac, so maybe medications that work on the serotonin system are the ones you should try. Those drugs include Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, and others. These drugs all work in pretty much the same way. Anyone might be the one for you. These drugs are not normally associated with weight gain the way that other antidepressants like Remeron are. I don't really think your doctor is going in the right direction...
Think about your situation for awhile. The Prozac worked for you. Decide if feeling better and happier is worth an extra few pounds. For many, it is. But if you really don't want to take Prozac, try Zoloft and Paxil next. These drugs work on the serotonin system like Prozac does and may not have the side effect of weight gain for you.

Good Luck!
James

 

Re: Weight gain on SSRIs

Posted by LKP on August 23, 1999, at 10:56:14

In reply to Re: Weight gain on SSRIs, posted by James Justice on August 23, 1999, at 10:42:39

> > I have been taking Prozac for 3 years for depression. It has worked wonderfully, but I have also gained 25 pounds. I asked my Dr. to switch me to Wellbutrin, since I have heard that it doesn't cause the weight gain. I have been taking it for about a month now and lost almost 8 pounds, but I feel crabby. irritable, and some of the old symptoms of my depression, (stomach aches, nausea, aching legs), seem to be coming back. Has anyone else made the switch from Prozac to Wellbutrin and had success in terms of combating their depression and NOT gaining weight? What about Celexa? Has anyone been on that for an extended period of time and experienced weight gain or loss? Any info would be appreciated.
>
> Wellbutrin works in a completely different way than Prozac. It works on dopamine receptors in the brain whereas Prozac works on the serotonin system. You experienced a positive change with the Prozac, so maybe medications that work on the serotonin system are the ones you should try. Those drugs include Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, and others. These drugs all work in pretty much the same way. Anyone might be the one for you. These drugs are not normally associated with weight gain the way that other antidepressants like Remeron are. I don't really think your doctor is going in the right direction...
> Think about your situation for awhile. The Prozac worked for you. Decide if feeling better and happier is worth an extra few pounds. For many, it is. But if you really don't want to take Prozac, try Zoloft and Paxil next. These drugs work on the serotonin system like Prozac does and may not have the side effect of weight gain for you.
>
> Good Luck!
> James

I took Paxil for about 3 years and gained 20 lbs. I have also seen several postings of folks who took Paxil and had weight gain. Just wanted to let you know of my experience with another SSRI and the weight. Good luck!

 

Re: Weight gain on SSRIs

Posted by Nancy on August 23, 1999, at 21:06:24

In reply to Re: Weight gain on SSRIs, posted by LKP on August 23, 1999, at 10:56:14

> > > I have been taking Prozac for 3 years for depression. It has worked wonderfully, but I have also gained 25 pounds. I asked my Dr. to switch me to Wellbutrin, since I have heard that it doesn't cause the weight gain. I have been taking it for about a month now and lost almost 8 pounds, but I feel crabby. irritable, and some of the old symptoms of my depression, (stomach aches, nausea, aching legs), seem to be coming back. Has anyone else made the switch from Prozac to Wellbutrin and had success in terms of combating their depression and NOT gaining weight? What about Celexa? Has anyone been on that for an extended period of time and experienced weight gain or loss? Any info would be appreciated.
> >
> > Wellbutrin works in a completely different way than Prozac. It works on dopamine receptors in the brain whereas Prozac works on the serotonin system. You experienced a positive change with the Prozac, so maybe medications that work on the serotonin system are the ones you should try. Those drugs include Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, and others. These drugs all work in pretty much the same way. Anyone might be the one for you. These drugs are not normally associated with weight gain the way that other antidepressants like Remeron are. I don't really think your doctor is going in the right direction...
> > Think about your situation for awhile. The Prozac worked for you. Decide if feeling better and happier is worth an extra few pounds. For many, it is. But if you really don't want to take Prozac, try Zoloft and Paxil next. These drugs work on the serotonin system like Prozac does and may not have the side effect of weight gain for you.
> >
> > Good Luck!
> > James
>
> I took Paxil for about 3 years and gained 20 lbs. I have also seen several postings of folks who took Paxil and had weight gain. Just wanted to let you know of my experience with another SSRI and the weight. Good luck!

Thanks for the advice about meds. I DO want to feel better but not gain weight!! It makes me angry that they can't come up with an SSRI that doesn't cause long-term weight gain. Almost everyone I've talked to on SSRI meds for an extended period of time has gained weight. Does anyone else experience nausea, aching legs, and a feeling of being anxious and disconnected when they're going through a depresive episode? Sometimes I wonder if it isn't anxiety. Maybe I should be taking Buspar or something. I wonder what would happen if I stopped taking antidepressants and started on an anti-anxiety drug? Any input or suggestions from anyone?

 

Re: Weight gain on SSRIs

Posted by Shelley (Seattle) on August 26, 1999, at 14:32:01

In reply to Re: Weight gain on SSRIs, posted by Nancy on August 23, 1999, at 21:06:24

I have been on Celexa (now at 80mg/day) for 9 months now, and BuSpar (30mg) for 7. Most of the side effects have passed (sexual delay only happens about one in 10 times, not bad!) I feel much better, but I am not at what you'd call 100%. I am pissed off at having gained weight from these meds, pissed that I have to make the choice of feeling better or having extra weight on my body, which causes me to have self-esteem issues. I gained weight while depressed, which was devastating to me... prior to the 5-year pit I found myself in, I used to run marathons and was training for my 1st triathlon. I even used to teach aerobics classes! I have been making better food choices and trying to get as much exercise as I can, but I am STILL gaining weight. But I feel like a human being for the first time in ages, how can I stop the meds? When I started Celexa, it was a last resort for me. I had tried other SSRIs, etc. and had no real success. I was really ready to end it all, I was in so much pain… and now, I have this weight issue to deal with. It's very disheartening. I am trying to accept myself just the way I am, and I think much of the time I do; the problem is with others. People are very insensitive sometimes. None of us need or deserve that, after we survive the very depths of hell and live to tell about it.

Sorry if I was ranting, but I am acutely aware of this topic today in my personal life.

Feel free to write me if you want to talk about this, any of you. I haven't been posting much lately, but I still appreciate all of your ideas and input :)

Shelley

 

Re: Weight gain on SSRIs

Posted by Nancy on August 27, 1999, at 18:47:51

In reply to Re: Weight gain on SSRIs, posted by Shelley (Seattle) on August 26, 1999, at 14:32:01

> I have been on Celexa (now at 80mg/day) for 9 months now, and BuSpar (30mg) for 7. Most of the side effects have passed (sexual delay only happens about one in 10 times, not bad!) I feel much better, but I am not at what you'd call 100%. I am pissed off at having gained weight from these meds, pissed that I have to make the choice of feeling better or having extra weight on my body, which causes me to have self-esteem issues. I gained weight while depressed, which was devastating to me... prior to the 5-year pit I found myself in, I used to run marathons and was training for my 1st triathlon. I even used to teach aerobics classes! I have been making better food choices and trying to get as much exercise as I can, but I am STILL gaining weight. But I feel like a human being for the first time in ages, how can I stop the meds? When I started Celexa, it was a last resort for me. I had tried other SSRIs, etc. and had no real success. I was really ready to end it all, I was in so much pain… and now, I have this weight issue to deal with. It's very disheartening. I am trying to accept myself just the way I am, and I think much of the time I do; the problem is with others. People are very insensitive sometimes. None of us need or deserve that, after we survive the very depths of hell and live to tell about it.
>
> Sorry if I was ranting, but I am acutely aware of this topic today in my personal life.
>
> Feel free to write me if you want to talk about this, any of you. I haven't been posting much lately, but I still appreciate all of your ideas and input :)
>
> Shelley
Hi Shelley,
I related to your letter. It pisses me off too. I am very concerned about the way I look, and I don't think we should have to make the choice between feeling like shit or looking chubby. I HATE it!!! I am going to try a VERY STRICT diet starting Monday. I am drinking only Slim-Fast for breakfast and lunch, and then having a portion of protein and a fruit or veggie for supper. I'll keep you posted on what happens. Meanwhile, all of us should be banding together and giving shit to the research industry about trying harder to come up with an AD that doesn't cause weight gain. HAS ANYONE OUT THERE NOT GAINED WEIGHT FROM SSRI MEDS?

 

Re: Weight gain on SSRIs

Posted by Anita on March 8, 2000, at 4:01:08

In reply to Re: Weight gain on SSRIs, posted by Shelley (Seattle) on August 26, 1999, at 14:32:01

> I have been on Celexa (now at 80mg/day) for 9 months now, and BuSpar (30mg) for 7. Most of the side effects have passed (sexual delay only happens about one in 10 times, not bad!) I feel much better, but I am not at what you'd call 100%. I am pissed off at having gained weight from these meds, pissed that I have to make the choice of feeling better or having extra weight on my body, which causes me to have self-esteem issues. I gained weight while depressed, which was devastating to me... prior to the 5-year pit I found myself in, I used to run marathons and was training for my 1st triathlon. I even used to teach aerobics classes! I have been making better food choices and trying to get as much exercise as I can, but I am STILL gaining weight. But I feel like a human being for the first time in ages, how can I stop the meds? When I started Celexa, it was a last resort for me. I had tried other SSRIs, etc. and had no real success. I was really ready to end it all, I was in so much pain… and now, I have this weight issue to deal with. It's very disheartening. I am trying to accept myself just the way I am, and I think much of the time I do; the problem is with others. People are very insensitive sometimes. None of us need or deserve that, after we survive the very depths of hell and live to tell about it.
>
> Sorry if I was ranting, but I am acutely aware of this topic today in my personal life.
>
> Feel free to write me if you want to talk about this, any of you. I haven't been posting much lately, but I still appreciate all of your ideas and input :)
>
> Shelley

Hi Shelley

Well what can I say - yet another case of weight gain from SSRI or related type drugs.

They (the so called experts) are now discovering that these type of drugs once thought to not alter weight are in fact causing weight gain just like the older tricylic antidepressants.

Apparently it is a delayed reaction, so in other words you may not notice the weight gain until several months in to the medication. I was prescribed Paxil (one of the worst for weight gain I believe) and was taking this medication for approx 15 months.

When I had been taking it for about 5 months I started to notice the weight gain, and then kept gaining the longer I was on it. Prior to shitty Paxil I was 50 kilos (don't know what that is in pounds, we use Kilos in Australia) anyway I went up to 65 kilos. I had never experienced a weight problem in my life - my mums side of the family are all thin and I followed suit (obviously a high metabolism).

These drugs apparently cause a change in metabolism and an increase in appetite. The usual practice of calorie-fat counting and exercise is ineffective in losing weight whilst on this medication. Whatever you do, do not take Paxil and apart from the weight gain it causes severe drousiness/tiredness and the withdrawal off this drug is horrendous (actually compares to coming off heroin) great hey, why don't they research more into these drugs. I feel as though we are all guinea pigs for the pharmaceutical companies.

Another bit of interesting info. It is not known if all these so called "Wonder Drugs" actually work long term, so if you are taking the drug for 5 or more years it may just stop working one day.

I'd say its Celexa causing the weight gain. I don't know much about Buspar to comment on that one. I do know one thing though, I can certainly relate to how you feel. I was on Paxil for anxiety and ended up depressed because of the weight gain, sort of defeats the purpose hey. I have been off Paxil since 26 August 1999 and it has taken me this long to lose the weight that I gained. I am now taking a medication called Aurorix but it is not working at all, so I'm back to the Doctors on Friday to discuss something else (which does not cause weight gain)

Good luck to you

Reply back and let me know how you are going

Anita


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