Posted by kashley on July 19, 2003, at 15:20:04
In reply to Re: Galkeepinon -- re Effexor gain » kashley, posted by galkeepinon on July 19, 2003, at 14:16:58
Hi Gal,
Well, don't know how, don't know why, but -- here I am on day five with Topamax and I've lost 2 pounds. Now, that may not sound like any big deal (considering that you can GAIN more than that just being constipated!), but my period is due tomorrow and my weight should be A LOT higher than it is today because I usually swell up like water balloon. So, who knows?
You mentioned some of the many listed side effects of Effexor as being anorexia (decreased appetite) and weight loss. Well, oddly enough, I had an interesting conversation with my mother the other day. My mom has schizo effective disorder and a bit of OCD, has been hospitalized more times than I can count and has been on more meds than I care to recall.
Without conversing with me, my mom's latest doctor during her most recent hospitalization switched her main med to Effexor. She's also taking Lithium and Buspar (did I spell that right?). Anyway, she's been on it for about 8 or 9 months now and the Effexor seems to be working really well for her. She usually decompensates every six months like clockwork, so going for 8 or 9 months is REALLY terrific.
I had a subsequent conversation with her doctor and he told me that if a certain med works well for one family member it (generally) will work well on other family members.
Anyway, the interesting conversation with my mom ... she had a follow up with her doc last week and he asked her (of course) how she was doing and ... had she GAINED any weight from the Effexor!
Now, my mom is 78 years old and her vanity went out the window years ago along with her scale, so she doesn't blink if she goes up or down a clothing size -- plus all of her clothing has lots of elastic or is very free flowing, rather than form fitting. BUT, she did tell me (and her doctor) that she has formed one hell of a spare tire around her waist since she started the Effexor! Granted, my weight gain was overall but I did gain 7 inches in my waist line, compared to only 3 in my hips.
I thought that was interesting!
Kashley
poster:kashley
thread:242302
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030718/msgs/243503.html