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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by photogirlla on January 31, 2005, at 14:01:07
Hi everyone
I've been on Paxil CR for anxiety/dperession since Oct and in Dec gained about 15 lbs, which no amount of working out and eating healthy is seeming to fix. I normally have a good metabolism, so I'm wondering if psych meds cause weight gain by messing up metabolism as well as causing cravings( which I can override). I like the Paxil, though the weight is intolerable.
My friend gained 20 lbs when she was on CHEMO and unable to eat much of anything at all, so obviously some weight gains or chemical, some are behavioral-- any input appreciated! Are there any meds like Paxil that dont cause this much weight gain?
cheers
Posted by gadman on January 31, 2005, at 17:30:55
In reply to what actually causes weight gain on meds?, posted by photogirlla on January 31, 2005, at 14:01:07
Supposedly Cymbalta will not cause weight gain.
Some even say it will cause weight loss... I can't say first hand yet because I have only been on Cymbalta about 3 Weeks.
Gadman
Posted by banga on February 1, 2005, at 1:53:08
In reply to Re: what actually causes weight gain on meds? » photogirlla, posted by gadman on January 31, 2005, at 17:30:55
I have wondered whether the weight gain on Cymbalta is water weight gain mainly. I myself did not gain weight, but had bad facial edema--I would wake up even puffier than usual in the face, and it would not get better as the day went on......
Posted by Minnie-Haha on February 1, 2005, at 20:31:24
In reply to what actually causes weight gain on meds?, posted by photogirlla on January 31, 2005, at 14:01:07
My opinion is that some meds do actually change your metabolism and others change your mood and therefore your eating habits. For instance, in my case, I took Depakote from 1998-2000. I gained 30 pounds. I think it was mostly metabolism. Now I'm on Cymbalta, which has really relaxed my anxiety and nausea. Now I'm eating more and gaining weight. Just musing...
Posted by Racer on February 1, 2005, at 20:43:47
In reply to Re: what actually causes weight gain on meds?, posted by Minnie-Haha on February 1, 2005, at 20:31:24
According to one of the therapists I saw last year, anti-depressants do not cause weight gain. "It's just like birth control pills -- when you're on them, you eat more and don't exercise as much, but that's not the meds..."
Bwahahaha
Sorry, just had to throw that one in.
Yes, some meds do cause changes to your metabolism, cause weight gain, cause all the misery that goes along with it.
I am probably so far off base with this that it's not even funny, but I wonder if it might have something to do with the fact that about 95% of the serotonin in the body is found in the gut? I mean, if the reuptake of serotonin in the gut is suddenly inhibited, mightn't it change the way digestion works? Probably explain some of the constipation, etc, too.
Anyone know anything about that?
Posted by saw on February 2, 2005, at 1:46:43
In reply to According to a therapist from last year..., posted by Racer on February 1, 2005, at 20:43:47
I wish I knew more about that too. I am convinced that the gut and digestion play a role in my weight gain. From Effexor to Lamictal to Topomax (had the counting error on that one) and now Cymbalta. Since Cymbalta I play and up and down game of about 6lbs a week but have not gained any more. Despite all my health eating (except my weekend binge) I have also not started losing and my stomach continues to swell and stay bloated and large. (All those and's!)
I really think that I simply don't metabolise my AD correctly, whether it is in my gut or liver, I don't know. I think as long as I stay on them (which I am told is for life), I will always fight this sometimes losing battle with weight.
Maybe somebody could invent a "Gut Serotonin non-inhibitor" to be taken alongside the AD.
Sabrina
Posted by banga on February 2, 2005, at 8:52:34
In reply to Re: According to a therapist from last year... » Racer, posted by saw on February 2, 2005, at 1:46:43
Some meds do definitely change metabolism, that I know for sure. ( I only was talking of Cymbalta when musing about water weight gain) When on a high dose of clomipramine, I at one point went on a cabage soup dit ad exersised vigorously every day. Didn't lose an ounce. Now on desipramine, also gaining weight.
On SSRIs though I usually lost weight or they were weight-neutral for me.
We all are truly different!
Posted by linkadge on February 2, 2005, at 14:58:35
In reply to Re: According to a therapist from last year..., posted by banga on February 2, 2005, at 8:52:34
Gut serotonin inhibitors exist. Mainly they are the 5-ht3 receptors in the stomach. This is not the mechanism however, as activation of this receptor would lead to feelings of fullness.
I think it has to do with trying to maintain a dopamine ballence. Eating releases dopamine in certain areas of the brain. This might compensate for reduced dopamine activity caused by long term SSRI use.
Linkadge
Posted by stresser on February 2, 2005, at 15:49:38
In reply to Re: According to a therapist from last year..., posted by linkadge on February 2, 2005, at 14:58:35
Link,
What do you know about Zoloft? Is there an AD that won't cause weight gain, that you know of? I know what the package inserts say, but that's not always the truth. -L
Posted by Minnie-Haha on February 2, 2005, at 16:09:17
In reply to Re: According to a therapist from last year..., posted by linkadge on February 2, 2005, at 14:58:35
> I think it has to do with trying to maintain a dopamine ballence. Eating releases dopamine in certain areas of the brain. This might compensate for reduced dopamine activity caused by long term SSRI use.
Very good theory... So that maybe explains why augmenting with Wellbutrin might be a good idea? What about Cytomel? I've got to do something, I think, cause my appetite is up on Cymbalta. Only gained a couple pounds so far, but I'm nervous.
Posted by linkadge on February 2, 2005, at 19:01:40
In reply to Re: According to a therapist from last year... » linkadge, posted by Minnie-Haha on February 2, 2005, at 16:09:17
The package inserts base their insformation generally on the short clinical trials done.Of the SSRI's, paxil tends to cause the most weight gain, wheras prozac tends to cause the least. Augmenting with wellbutrin or T3 may lead to less weight gain.
Linkadge
Posted by pretty_paints on February 3, 2005, at 2:48:45
In reply to Re: According to a therapist from last year..., posted by linkadge on February 2, 2005, at 19:01:40
Hi,
In my experience, weight gain has always been due to me eating more (loads more!) because I've suddenly gained an appetite. Before all meds, I used to be a picky eater and was rarely hungry. However on the meds, I get starving!
The worst meds for me have been Zyprexa, Remeron and Seroquel. I used to go down for snacks in the night and end up eating about 50 chocolate bars! (ok, exageration, but you know what I mean)
Posted by Phillipa on February 3, 2005, at 16:17:02
In reply to Re: According to a therapist from last year..., posted by pretty_paints on February 3, 2005, at 2:48:45
When I took Paxil, I didn't gain any weight. Phillipa
Posted by stresser on February 3, 2005, at 17:46:52
In reply to Re: According to a therapist from last year..., posted by Phillipa on February 3, 2005, at 16:17:02
Does anyone know if Wellbutrin can be taken along with Zoloft and Trileptal?-L
This is the end of the thread.
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