Posted by Racer on October 2, 2004, at 21:00:52 [reposted on October 5, 2004, at 3:48:44 | original URL]
In reply to Any ADs cause weight lose? ana?, posted by Christina24 on October 2, 2004, at 14:22:34
I'm guessing that this will be redirected to the Meds board, but here's an answer from another with an ED.
I took Effexor XR and Prozac in combination for about three years, and did gain some weight. The good news about it, though, is that there was no weight gain while I was on Effexor alone, and Prozac is known for causing weight gain. While I was on the Effexor only, though, it helped with some of the symptoms of my ED. I didn't feel so obsessive about food -- although I still cared about my weight -- and it was easier to eat than it had been. Also, the weight gain I experienced was caused by a weird and rare side effect that's only recently been identified: changes to the endocrine system causing blood sugar disregulation. That's a weird side effect that can emerge after very long periods at very high doses -- and it's a rare side effect.
For the most part, though, Effexor is not known for weight gain the way the other drugs are. I don't purge, but from what I remember of the Effexor alone, I'd say it's a good bet to reduce your anxiety enough to help you relax about food a bit.
Here's another question for you, though: are you getting treatment for your ED? If not, maybe it's time to start thinking about it? Not to make you gain weight and get fat, you understand -- just to help you become healthier in all aspects. Believe me, I know it's difficult. I've been struggling with all this on and off for 27 years now. After 27 years, it's only now that I'm finally trying to get treatment *honestly* -- and even with that, I still don't want to gain weight, because I still feel much too fat and still think the numbers on the scale are too high.
Therapy is considered the best approach for eating disorders, and I recommend it highly to you. I hope you can hear that, and that you either are already in therapy or will be soon.
I hope that helps.
poster:Racer
thread:399039
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041002/msgs/399040.html