Posted by S. Howard on January 16, 2001, at 18:13:04
In reply to What Is It With SSRI's And WEIGHT GAIN???, posted by LISABECK on January 11, 2001, at 15:56:29
Just read something interesting in a book called the "The Serotonin Solution", thought I would pass it on:HOW DOES DEXFENFLURAMINE (REDUX) WORK?
Like carbohydrates, dexfenfluramine reduces the appetite by working on the serotonin stress-management system, but it does this in a way quite distinct from carbohydrates. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter stored in certain brain cells until needed, becomes active when stimulated by other brain cells, leaves its storage place, and moves to a space between the cells. In this active state, serotonin is like a phone reciever with a working dial tone, ready to send messages. But after a short time, certain biochemical events occur that force serotonin back into the cells where it is stored. This reuptake of serotonin shuts off its activity as effectively as hanging up a phone breaks the connection.
Dexfenfluramine prolongs the transmission, or activity, of serotonin in two ways: by increasing the amount of serotonin that leaves the storage sites, which is known as enhancing the release of serotonin, and by keeping serotonin from returning back into the cells too soon, which is called inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin.
* * * * * *Now, if Redux is an SSRI, it follows that all SSRIs should cause weight loss. This is why doctors seem to be incredulous when we complain about weight gain and why drug companies claim that SSRIs may cause weight loss. This, as we all know, is very untrue. There is SOMETHING ELSE THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT going on with these SSRIs!
I gained almost 40 pounds in 6 months on Paxil and Prozac with no changes in my eating patterns or activities.Sorry this isn't a solution, just info on what your doctor knows, or believes, about SSRIs. BTW,
the "Serotonin Solution", which is a high-carbohydrate diet, not only didn't work for me, it made me feel lousy.Gracie
poster:S. Howard
thread:51461
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010111/msgs/51819.html