Posted by deimos/phobos on September 4, 2002, at 19:33:19
Hello everybody ---
I promised myself over a year ago that if I ever succeeded in losing the weight that I gained on Paxil I would let the world know - to give others hope who may have gained tons of weight on any SSRI and fear that they'll never get "their old body back." I was on 10mg. of Paxil (a low dose) for about 4 1/2 months and gained 25 lbs. despite all efforts to lose or just maintain weight during that time. When I weaned off, I immediately began a strict gym/diet regimen and had absolutely no success in dropping more than 5 lbs. in 3 months. I pretty much quit going to the gym, as it was too frustrating to put forth such effort and get no results. About 1 yr. later, I began another gym blitz, and noticed that the weight starting coming off, just the way it did before I took Paxil... I am now back to my pre-Paxil weight - HOORAY!!!!!!!
So - it took me about a little more than a year, but the weight DID come off. That weight gain was an ENORMOUS blow to my self-esteem, and made me genuinely depressed (I took Paxil for anxiety and panic attacks - and wound up extremely depressed when I wound up a big fatty!) But - to those of you are are wondering if your bodies are permanently altered and the fat will never get burned off - THERE IS HOPE, and apparently, IT JUST TAKES TIME!!!
BTW - an as-needed benzo is all I need to control my panic and anxiety, and I only take a Xanax (0.25 mg) or a klonopin (0.5 mg) about once every 3 weeks. I find that I take them less and less as I gain confidence over my ability to cope with my anxiety. But - thank GOD they're there just in case!!! I just wish that my doc had never put me on an SSRI and just given me the benzo from the beginning - I certainly NEVER got addicted... but I guess that's for another forum. If you're reading this Alan - I'm with you buddy, and thanks for the wisdom you've shared about the safety and efficacy of benzos for PD!!!
poster:deimos/phobos
thread:118815
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020829/msgs/118815.html