![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 8 to 32 of 55. Go back in thread:
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)
Posted by Holly on June 2, 2000, at 7:49:21
In reply to Re: Losing weight after paxil, posted by Shannon on June 1, 2000, at 21:13:09
I never had a weight problem in my life. I weighed in at 110 from the time I was 20 years old. After I had my baby I came out of the hospital weighing 115 and quickly dropped back down to 110. People at work called me Mikey cause I could eat anything and never gain weight. The doctor told me I might lose a little weight on Paxil. The first month or so, I probably did, because it really decreased my appetite. After that, though, I crept up to 116...122...128...135...142 (stayed there for a while)...148....160. I race walk 30 minutes every day. I actually started watching what I eat for the first time in my life. The weight would not come off, and in fact, it kept coming on. From what I've read out here, and from the people I know on Paxil, I think your friend's weight loss is unusual. I'm sure drugs react differently with different people. I've got a really bad attitude about Paxil right now, but I would suggest that if you just started it, you might want to try something else, like Serzone...if for no other reason than if you decide to go off Paxil, the withdrawals are hell. And I've had it easy compared to other's storied I've read.
Posted by kimber on June 7, 2000, at 21:12:06
In reply to Re: Losing weight after paxil, posted by Holly on June 1, 2000, at 10:26:01
> I gained a significant amount of weight recently too. I suffered from a 'situational' depression for lack of a better description. I had an infant and already had weight to lose. Once I finally weaned off - I got severe joint pain and mood swings and worst of all - so much more weight to lose. It seems no matter what I do, it won't come off. NO ONE ADVISED ME OF ANY OF THIS EVEN WHEN I ASKED. When I called my psych after making the connection he said to take 5 mg every 3rd day for 2 weeks. As soon as I took the first 5 mg, the joint pain disappeared. I ABSOLUTELY REFUSE to take Paxil any more, expecially now. I still struggle with whether or not I needed it in the first place and was told there are no problems going off it, etc.!!!!!
NOW, I think I'm depressed!
HELP!
Posted by Tina Stearns on June 13, 2000, at 19:28:40
In reply to Re: Losing weight after paxil, posted by rachel on April 30, 1999, at 16:31:35
I am 28 years old and I have been on 20mg of Paxil for almost 6 years now. I have had 2 children while taking paxil. It was just brought to my attention about 1 month ago that Paxil can cause weight gain. Well, maybe that explains why I've gained about 80lbs in the past 6 years. No matter what I do, the weight just keeps adding up. So, I took it upon myself to start weaning off. I do know from past expierences that I personally can not go cold turkey. I have cut down to 15mg for the past 2 weeks now. I still have a little fuzzy headed feeling at night, I also have had the runs, and now I am having vaginal bleeding. I was going to go to 10mg after 2 weeks, but I think I will stay on 15mg until these symtoms stop. I just hope I can get my girlish figure back. My poor husband, I gained 80lbs, plus no sex drive. wish me luck.
Posted by Nibor on July 16, 2000, at 13:44:58
In reply to Weight loss, posted by Nancy on January 5, 2000, at 22:15:36
>
> > > > > 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.Reactions to these drugs are different for everyone; so if paxil works for your depression, you have to give it some time before refusing it because of the weight issue.
I have been taking paxil (20 mg) for about three years. An initial 6 months on zoloft wasn't good for me--made me too nervous. I have come to believe that I really was suffering from an anxiety problem rather than or in addition to depression. But, in any case, paxil definitely makes me feel more like the person I AM. I do worry about withdrawal, but since it works for me, I don't intend to stop taking it. As far as weight goes: I have been very overweight my whole life, since about age five. Probably because of the stigma, I was on my first diet at about seven. You got it--YO YO, MA MA big time. Probably at my highest (even counting pregnant) when I started ADs. I pretty much stayed at the same weight for two years, very unusual. This last year I have been doing a VERY mini, VERY modified version of High Protein/High Fat, Low Carbs and lost 15 pounds without really trying. And this from a 57-year-old who's never had it easy losing except for one fluke while nursing. Now I'm encouraged to keep going. Who knows? Maybe I can make a bigger dent in the 80 pounds I still need to lose before I can even get into a size large.
Posted by Lorri on July 16, 2000, at 21:21:49
In reply to Re: Weight loss, posted by Nibor on July 16, 2000, at 13:44:58
> I stopped taking Effexor XR 2 weeks ago and was feeling
terrible...Brain 'jiggers', ringing in my ear, vomiting
and just an emotional mess. I had been on Paxil first
and then asked for a change due to weight gain. My
Dr put me on Effexor XR and I gained more weight.
2 1/2 weeks ago I began taking Herbalife and have
already lost 6 1/2 pounds. When I quit the Effexor
I felt terrible, and tried a product called Herbal
Aloe to cleanse my system..by the second day I had no
more withdrawal effects...the jiggers are gone, no more
ringing in my ears, etc. etc.
I was so excited, I decided to sell the product and
help others. If you are interested in trying it, please
give me a call at 888-852-7508> >
> > > > > > 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.
>
> Reactions to these drugs are different for everyone; so if paxil works for your depression, you have to give it some time before refusing it because of the weight issue.
> I have been taking paxil (20 mg) for about three years. An initial 6 months on zoloft wasn't good for me--made me too nervous. I have come to believe that I really was suffering from an anxiety problem rather than or in addition to depression. But, in any case, paxil definitely makes me feel more like the person I AM. I do worry about withdrawal, but since it works for me, I don't intend to stop taking it. As far as weight goes: I have been very overweight my whole life, since about age five. Probably because of the stigma, I was on my first diet at about seven. You got it--YO YO, MA MA big time. Probably at my highest (even counting pregnant) when I started ADs. I pretty much stayed at the same weight for two years, very unusual. This last year I have been doing a VERY mini, VERY modified version of High Protein/High Fat, Low Carbs and lost 15 pounds without really trying. And this from a 57-year-old who's never had it easy losing except for one fluke while nursing. Now I'm encouraged to keep going. Who knows? Maybe I can make a bigger dent in the 80 pounds I still need to lose before I can even get into a size large.
Posted by Cindy W on July 17, 2000, at 0:22:05
In reply to Re: Weight loss, posted by Lorri on July 16, 2000, at 21:21:49
> > I stopped taking Effexor XR 2 weeks ago and was feeling
> terrible...Brain 'jiggers', ringing in my ear, vomiting
> and just an emotional mess. I had been on Paxil first
> and then asked for a change due to weight gain. My
> Dr put me on Effexor XR and I gained more weight.
> 2 1/2 weeks ago I began taking Herbalife and have
> already lost 6 1/2 pounds. When I quit the Effexor
> I felt terrible, and tried a product called Herbal
> Aloe to cleanse my system..by the second day I had no
> more withdrawal effects...the jiggers are gone, no more
> ringing in my ears, etc. etc.
> I was so excited, I decided to sell the product and
> help others. If you are interested in trying it, please
> give me a call at 888-852-7508
>
> > >
> > > > > > > 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.
> >
> > Reactions to these drugs are different for everyone; so if paxil works for your depression, you have to give it some time before refusing it because of the weight issue.
> > I have been taking paxil (20 mg) for about three years. An initial 6 months on zoloft wasn't good for me--made me too nervous. I have come to believe that I really was suffering from an anxiety problem rather than or in addition to depression. But, in any case, paxil definitely makes me feel more like the person I AM. I do worry about withdrawal, but since it works for me, I don't intend to stop taking it. As far as weight goes: I have been very overweight my whole life, since about age five. Probably because of the stigma, I was on my first diet at about seven. You got it--YO YO, MA MA big time. Probably at my highest (even counting pregnant) when I started ADs. I pretty much stayed at the same weight for two years, very unusual. This last year I have been doing a VERY mini, VERY modified version of High Protein/High Fat, Low Carbs and lost 15 pounds without really trying. And this from a 57-year-old who's never had it easy losing except for one fluke while nursing. Now I'm encouraged to keep going. Who knows? Maybe I can make a bigger dent in the 80 pounds I still need to lose before I can even get into a size large.I'm taking Effexor-XR for about 7 months, and have lost ll lbs this month so far (just quit drinking sodas with sugar, no other diet change). Guess everybody reacts differently.
Posted by michelem on September 12, 2000, at 13:03:50
In reply to Re: Weight loss, posted by Cindy W on July 17, 2000, at 0:22:05
I just came across your postings after doing a search on Paxil and thyroid. Thanks everyone for posting -- I too, gained weight on Paxil and would have never known why but for you all.
Regarding thyroid issues, I think everyone ought to know that there is a huge controversy going on about thyroid testing -- most "normal" tests are not normal at all. See the May 2000 issue of the British Medical Journal for some wonderful articles and letters. Also, New England Journal of Medicine ran an article suggesting re-evaluation of the TSH test back in 1997. This of course would have a huge impact on depression cases because hypothyroidism causes depression.
I for one want to get off SSRI's altogether!
BMJ is I think www.bmj.com.
Michele
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.