Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 754799

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going off SSRIs- will I lose all this xtra weight?

Posted by olysi79 on April 30, 2007, at 23:20:42

I am going off Zoloft after the SSRI merry-go-round and am going to do Parnate. My PDOC and I are slowly tapering me down off of the ZOLOFT.
I have gained over 60 POUNDS from these SSRIS over the past 5 years. Will I lose this weight naturally? I am naturally fairly thin and if I eat bad I can put on a few, but not like this!!!!
Anyone have any testimonials that they can offer as hope?

 

Re: going off SSRIs- will I lose all this xtra weight? » olysi79

Posted by Phillipa on May 1, 2007, at 11:40:23

In reply to going off SSRIs- will I lose all this xtra weight?, posted by olysi79 on April 30, 2007, at 23:20:42

My question doesn't have to do with the weight but did the SSRI's work for you and did you take more than one to get or find one to work? No weight gain on Parnate? Love Phillipa ps I don't know the answers bear with me please

 

Re: going off SSRIs- will I lose all this xtra weight? » olysi79

Posted by jealibeanz on May 1, 2007, at 12:04:39

In reply to going off SSRIs- will I lose all this xtra weight?, posted by olysi79 on April 30, 2007, at 23:20:42

> I am going off Zoloft after the SSRI merry-go-round and am going to do Parnate. My PDOC and I are slowly tapering me down off of the ZOLOFT.
> I have gained over 60 POUNDS from these SSRIS over the past 5 years. Will I lose this weight naturally? I am naturally fairly thin and if I eat bad I can put on a few, but not like this!!!!
> Anyone have any testimonials that they can offer as hope?


Yes, I've done it before. I gained 20 lbs on Wellbutrin and 20 lbs on Effexor. Once I stopped the medication, the weight gain stopped.

I never documented or tracked my progress, but it seemed like I had a plateau for a month, where I was exercising and eating healthy foods, but not losing weight. After that, I could lose the weight as long as I was active and ate well.

For me, it was difficult. It seemed like losing weight was more of a struggle and slower than it would normally be when not related to the AD's. Eventually my metabolism was up to speed, but it took months.

So, I'd say it's not impossible. You just need to be patient and don't be discouraged during the first month or so. I don't think I'm the only person who thought the beginning was the most difficult or saw no progress.

 

Re: going off SSRIs- will I lose all this xtra weight? » jealibeanz

Posted by olysi79 on May 1, 2007, at 14:38:04

In reply to Re: going off SSRIs- will I lose all this xtra weight? » olysi79, posted by jealibeanz on May 1, 2007, at 12:04:39

Thanks for your personal experience with this.
It seems to make perfect sense. I am doing a SLOOOOWWWW taper now, so I probably won't see weight loss for months, which is ok. I am going to be patient with it and do my my best.

> > I am going off Zoloft after the SSRI merry-go-round and am going to do Parnate. My PDOC and I are slowly tapering me down off of the ZOLOFT.
> > I have gained over 60 POUNDS from these SSRIS over the past 5 years. Will I lose this weight naturally? I am naturally fairly thin and if I eat bad I can put on a few, but not like this!!!!
> > Anyone have any testimonials that they can offer as hope?
>
>
> Yes, I've done it before. I gained 20 lbs on Wellbutrin and 20 lbs on Effexor. Once I stopped the medication, the weight gain stopped.
>
> I never documented or tracked my progress, but it seemed like I had a plateau for a month, where I was exercising and eating healthy foods, but not losing weight. After that, I could lose the weight as long as I was active and ate well.
>
> For me, it was difficult. It seemed like losing weight was more of a struggle and slower than it would normally be when not related to the AD's. Eventually my metabolism was up to speed, but it took months.
>
> So, I'd say it's not impossible. You just need to be patient and don't be discouraged during the first month or so. I don't think I'm the only person who thought the beginning was the most difficult or saw no progress.
>
>

 

Re: going off SSRIs- will I lose all this xtra weight? » olysi79

Posted by jealibeanz on May 1, 2007, at 15:02:21

In reply to Re: going off SSRIs- will I lose all this xtra weight? » jealibeanz, posted by olysi79 on May 1, 2007, at 14:38:04

I missed the part about you starting Parnate. Are you stopping the Zoloft because it's no longer helping or because of the weight gain?

I completely emphathize with you about the weight and the depression. I never felt that the added weight, which made me feel helpless b/c it was not caused by my behaviors, was a good trade off for depression/anxiety relief, but then again, I didn't *love* the way AD's made me feel... just sorta numb and not myself. So, the added "helplessness" feeling that is already tied in to depression coupled with a cloudy/fuzzy/absent sense of emotion caused me to stop.

I don't mean to scare you, but you can't be 100% certain that Parnate won't cause weight gain or at least hinder you from losing those 60 lbs. from Zoloft. Don't base your decision on this statement, but be prepared. Knowing this could happen made for less of a shock on my several AD trials.

BTW... is Zoloft the only medication you've tried? Have you ever given Wellbutrin a thought? (most people lose weight on it, unlike me)

 

Re: going off SSRIs- will I lose all this xtra weight? » jealibeanz

Posted by olysi79 on May 1, 2007, at 17:27:30

In reply to Re: going off SSRIs- will I lose all this xtra weight? » olysi79, posted by jealibeanz on May 1, 2007, at 15:02:21

Hi there,
The Zoloft does help, and indeed I have tried 'em all. They work, but the side effect of weight gain has taken more of a physical toll than vanity now. I am now prediabetic and also am experiencing joint problems.
Wellbutrin did cause weight loss, but I want to get a bit more than what it offers, and I also have anxiety issues, so I need energy, but also need a buffer against anxiety that I can use daily.

I understand about holding out hopes. I think I woudl be happy if I could lose at least half of the weight. I want to keep realistic. Parnate hits EVERYTHING so I will have to hope it doesn't do more damage than good.

 

Re: going off SSRIs- will I lose all this xtra weight?

Posted by jealibeanz on May 1, 2007, at 18:01:58

In reply to Re: going off SSRIs- will I lose all this xtra weight? » jealibeanz, posted by olysi79 on May 1, 2007, at 17:27:30

> Hi there,
> The Zoloft does help, and indeed I have tried 'em all. They work, but the side effect of weight gain has taken more of a physical toll than vanity now. I am now prediabetic and also am experiencing joint problems.
> Wellbutrin did cause weight loss, but I want to get a bit more than what it offers, and I also have anxiety issues, so I need energy, but also need a buffer against anxiety that I can use daily.
>
> I understand about holding out hopes. I think I woudl be happy if I could lose at least half of the weight. I want to keep realistic. Parnate hits EVERYTHING so I will have to hope it doesn't do more damage than good.

Well... if the Parnate doesn't work out, you could go back to Wellbutrin and add a daily benzodiazepine if your doctor is willing.

You're braver than me. :)

I gave up on the AD avenue and am settling for sub-optimal treatment for my anxiety/ADHD (and depression). I'm striving for future improvements in myself and in pharmaceuticals. I've got time. I'm fairly young, healthy, resilient, and idealistic... and hoping to stay that way.

Good luck to you with whatever you end up with. I'm sure you'll find a plan that is best for you.

 

Re: going off SSRIs- will I lose all this xtra wei » olysi79

Posted by Racer on May 2, 2007, at 14:45:35

In reply to Re: going off SSRIs- will I lose all this xtra weight? » jealibeanz, posted by olysi79 on May 1, 2007, at 14:38:04

When I tapered off Effexor XR (combined with Prozac), I lost weight. I didn't change anything at all, except the medication, and the weight came off. I didn't notice it, because it was gradual, but I lost about 25 pounds without doing anything at all.

That's obviously only one person's experience, but at least I hope it will give you some hope.

Good luck!

 

Re: going off SSRIs- will I lose all this xtra weight? » olysi79

Posted by Bonnie_CA on May 2, 2007, at 23:31:30

In reply to going off SSRIs- will I lose all this xtra weight?, posted by olysi79 on April 30, 2007, at 23:20:42

Yes, but don't expect it to happen overnight. When I was on a very low dose at one point, I lost all the weight, and it didn't happen for several months. If you've put on weight for five years, it might take that long to have it fall off. I would suppose diet and exercise could expedite the process.

Good luck!

-Bonnie

 

Re: going off SSRIs- will I lose all this xtra weight?

Posted by jealibeanz on May 3, 2007, at 4:13:00

In reply to Re: going off SSRIs- will I lose all this xtra weight? » olysi79, posted by Bonnie_CA on May 2, 2007, at 23:31:30

> Yes, but don't expect it to happen overnight. When I was on a very low dose at one point, I lost all the weight, and it didn't happen for several months. If you've put on weight for five years, it might take that long to have it fall off. I would suppose diet and exercise could expedite the process.
>
> Good luck!
>

A healthy diet and exercise are great choices whether or not you want to lose weight! Being active feels like an accomplishment... even if you have joint problems, there's exercise you can do (water aerobics/jogging, swimming, elliptical, walking, weight lifting).
> -Bonnie

 

Re: going off SSRIs- will I lose all this xtra wei

Posted by elanor roosevelt on May 4, 2007, at 21:42:08

In reply to Re: going off SSRIs- will I lose all this xtra weight? » olysi79, posted by jealibeanz on May 1, 2007, at 12:04:39

you will lose weight with parnate
as easily as you gained it with the ssri's


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