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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Ruthie Rosia on March 17, 2014, at 1:54:33
I truly do realize that "calories in/calories out" is the bottom line of weight gain, but on Effexor XR at 300 mgs, I REALLY seem to pack weight on. I believe it messes with my leptin levels, decreasing the "full" feeling and leaving me constantly hungry. Just my guess. Plus it has a direct effect on thyroid that is not emphasized in the literature since the trials were not long-term enough. So my metabolism is slowed, yet I'm always hungry . . . not a good combo.
My question - since I am 170 pounds and so discouraged about it - are there any medications besides Alli that can help with weight loss that people on this board use with success? The danger of the weight gain is that I find myself deliberately going off my meds (surprise - I'm Bipolar! I need little excuse to get off my meds)in order to lost weight. Then I get destabilized, sick to my stomach when it comes to the Effexor, etc.
Thanks for any input. I've seen people state that it was their overeating causing the weight gain, and that exercise and a low carb diet really helped, but I will be honest - I need bigger guns. My one common denominator has always been Effexor. Each time during my life I was on it, I ballooned up to 170. I am rather trapped on it currently. The withdrawals from being on 300 mgs are so horrendous I have stopped attempting to get off the stuff.
Posted by Partlycloudy on March 17, 2014, at 14:53:40
In reply to Weight Gain - Medication to help control it?, posted by Ruthie Rosia on March 17, 2014, at 1:54:33
Hi, Ruthie, welcome to Babble.
In my experience, and in others' I have read of here, antidepressants, they work not only on the brain receptors but mostly through the gut. For me, weight gain and successfully fighting depression have been hand in hand.I am sure others with more knowledge will chime in.
Again, welcome!
PC
Posted by Ruthie Rosia on March 17, 2014, at 18:01:01
In reply to Re: Weight Gain - Medication to help control it? » Ruthie Rosia, posted by Partlycloudy on March 17, 2014, at 14:53:40
Maybe it's wishful thinking. The weight gain is causing my depression to be even worse because nobody likes to look like a white whale, and I am starting to. :( :( :( This can't be all there is! In 2014! Depression and being unhealthy by weight gain - argh.
Thanks for your response - yeah, the gut and serotonin are very related since there is more in our gut than our brain! But I still don't think it should cause weight gain because . . . because . . . because I'm in denial, that's why! :)
Posted by PeterMartin on March 18, 2014, at 1:33:10
In reply to But surely there is some 'extra' help out there?, posted by Ruthie Rosia on March 17, 2014, at 18:01:01
The FDA approved Belviq last year. Works on receptors in the brain. That's the med I'm really hoping to try to lose weight if I ever come off the MAOI I'm on.
Drugs.com reviews have been great:
http://www.drugs.com/comments/lorcaserin/belviq.html
I asked about it here a while back but no one responded. If anyone has any experience please post!!
Posted by Ruthie Rosia on March 18, 2014, at 3:56:59
In reply to Re: But surely there is some 'extra' help out there?, posted by PeterMartin on March 18, 2014, at 1:33:10
Excellent! A 9.3 rating?? Unheard of! People are loving it!
I will bring it up with my Psychiatrist on Wednesday, or else my regular doctor. Thank you so much!
I have also heard that Topamax is added to people's psych med cocktails for weight loss with good results at a high enough dose, but it does make people "dopey" and forget things, etc.
Posted by Partlycloudy on March 18, 2014, at 6:53:31
In reply to Yes! Belviq! Now that's what I'm talking about!! » PeterMartin, posted by Ruthie Rosia on March 18, 2014, at 3:56:59
Yes, Ruthie, I neglected to say that I tried "Stupamax" and though it curbed my appetite well, I became idiotic. Lost words, couldn't write simple notes or shopping lists.
I hope you are able to find some answers!
PC
Posted by PeterMartin on March 18, 2014, at 8:03:58
In reply to Yes! Belviq! Now that's what I'm talking about!! » PeterMartin, posted by Ruthie Rosia on March 18, 2014, at 3:56:59
> Excellent! A 9.3 rating?? Unheard of! People are loving it!
>
> I will bring it up with my Psychiatrist on Wednesday, or else my regular doctor. Thank you so much!
>
> I have also heard that Topamax is added to people's psych med cocktails for weight loss with good results at a high enough dose, but it does make people "dopey" and forget things, etc.
--Great! Please post how it goes if you do give it a trial.
The FDA also approved a weight loss drug just before Bekviq called Qsymia which is Topamax + another drug. But yea on the surface that seems less hopeful (and its not doing as well). Just so you're aware of what that is in case it's suggested.
I tried Topamax in 2006 (for bipolar not to lose weight). I did lose some weight but I did experience cognitive impairment. It also made some things like soda taste horrid. Good to have options though.
Belviq is expensive if you can't get your insurance to cover it but I think they have some coupons (and a 15day trial) if you check their site.....
Good luck!
Posted by Ruthie Rosia on March 18, 2014, at 22:19:40
In reply to Re: Yes! Belviq! Now that's what I'm talking about!!, posted by PeterMartin on March 18, 2014, at 8:03:58
So apparently Belviq simply cannot be taken while someone is on any form of psych med, period. It is too dangerous because of Serotonin syndrome. Blech!
That leaves the Topamax medication but the cognitive impairments are indeed probably more than I would tolerate for weight loss that is most likely pretty darn modest. Qsymia also is half phentermine. As in, heart valve problems phentermine. But Qsymia, according to the studies I read, is far more effective than even Belviq! And more so at lower doses, which is always a good thing.
I think I'll try asking for it. I'll let y'all know! For sure!
Posted by ed_uk2010 on March 20, 2014, at 4:59:59
In reply to Well, Belviq is out. Serotonin Syndrome!, posted by Ruthie Rosia on March 18, 2014, at 22:19:40
>That leaves the Topamax medication but the cognitive impairments are indeed probably more than I would tolerate for weight loss that is most likely pretty darn modest.
The weight loss is indeed modest in many cases, but some people do lose a lot of weight on it. In order to reduce the risk of side effects, it's recommended to start with a very low dose and increase over a period of several weeks. The final dose is still normally quite low when used as an aid to weight loss, similar to the doses used to prevent migraine and less than the doses used in epilepsy.
Topamax is not approved for weight loss and the doses prescribed are variable, but a typical dose schedule would be as follows:
25mg at night for 14 days, then 25mg twice a day. Assess weight loss after three months. If good effect, continue, if not, increase to 25mg in the morning and 50mg at night for 14 days, then 50mg twice a day. Assess weight again after three months. If good effect, continue, if not, gradually reduce the dose and stop the medication. If side effects are a problem, dose reduction (or more gradual increase) may be helpful. Cognitive disturbances and fatigue are sometimes a problem. The most common side effect of all is a 'pins and needles' or tingling feeling, often in the arms or legs. There is also a risk of rare side effects like kidney stones.
Hope this helps.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on March 20, 2014, at 5:08:12
In reply to Well, Belviq is out. Serotonin Syndrome!, posted by Ruthie Rosia on March 18, 2014, at 22:19:40
I forgot to mention, you may also experience taste changes while on Topamax. In particular, fizzy drinks may taste strange.
Posted by Ruthie Rosia on March 21, 2014, at 0:10:52
In reply to Topamax for weight loss » Ruthie Rosia, posted by ed_uk2010 on March 20, 2014, at 4:59:59
Wow, I'm being put on 50 mgs daily for a week, then bumped right up to 100 mgs daily, taken twice a day. But frankly I trust what I read on here more than my Doc (sorry, Doc), so today I took my first dose as 1/2 of the 50 mg pill in the evening. With a FULL glass of water. I will stay at 25 mgs for a week, then up to 50, then 75, then 100. The studies done on weight loss were 92 mgs, and that was only 6.30% of a person's body weight in 28 weeks. Not very much if you ask me. This whole adventure might not be worth it - if I don't get a DOUBLE value out of this psych med - mood stabilization plus weight loss, I'm scrapping it. But I'll give it a fair trial. The next mood stabilizer he wants to try is Depakote, which is scary to me.
Posted by PeterMartin on March 21, 2014, at 6:11:58
In reply to Re: Topamax for weight loss, posted by Ruthie Rosia on March 21, 2014, at 0:10:52
Are you taking Qsymia or just Topamax?
Posted by ed_uk2010 on March 21, 2014, at 13:42:02
In reply to Re: Topamax for weight loss, posted by Ruthie Rosia on March 21, 2014, at 0:10:52
> Wow, I'm being put on 50 mgs daily for a week, then bumped right up to 100 mgs daily, taken twice a day.
You can do that, but side effects are more likely. You may have to adjust according to how you are feeling.
Posted by Ruthie Rosia on March 21, 2014, at 13:46:46
In reply to Re: Topamax for weight loss, posted by ed_uk2010 on March 21, 2014, at 13:42:02
Hmm - tried to post by cell phone but it keeps saying I am not registered ... I am only taking the Topamax. Not Qysmia. And I was very grateful to read your suggestion for titrating upward, so I am following that schedule instead of jumping right in!
Posted by Ruthie Rosia on March 23, 2014, at 22:16:27
In reply to Re: Topamax for weight loss, posted by Ruthie Rosia on March 21, 2014, at 13:46:46
Well even on 25 mgs this medication is not going to work for me. Today I went to the gym and started a low calorie diet - I guess I will have to shed my weight the old fashioned way. ;) BUT I sure learned a lot! Thanks everyone - hopefully someone else will stumble across this thread and learn something as well. Nothing was majorly bad for me, in fact I couldn't tell I was taking it. It was reading about the POTENTIAL side effects. Scared me away. Especially the bit about hair loss and kidney stones. :(
This is the end of the thread.
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