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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by lynny 2 on April 14, 2000, at 20:55:41
Is weight gain on SSRIs and/or TCAs solely a reult of incresed eating ?I find that even when I'm extremely careful about food intake ,I still gain or have trouble osing. It's usually only 5-8 lbs but is still frustrating and doesn't help the self-esteem issues which contribute to my depression.
Thanks for any input!
lynny2
Posted by Mark H. on April 14, 2000, at 23:01:43
In reply to meds and weight gain, posted by lynny 2 on April 14, 2000, at 20:55:41
That's an interesting observation. I have a speedy metabolism and weighed the same from the age of 19 to about 48 (about 145 pounds at 6 foot 3). Just in the last couple of years, on meds, have I actually put on weight for the first time in my life (pushing 170 now). I can't tell whether it's because I'm 50 and my metabolism is changing, whether it's the hypersomnia, which robs me of the time in which I might exercise, or if it's just the incredible appetite I have on Effexor. It seems like I've always eaten thousands of calories a day more than most people, but it's never put any weight on me before.
I'll be interested to read what other people have to say.
Posted by megs on April 15, 2000, at 2:14:04
In reply to meds and weight gain, posted by lynny 2 on April 14, 2000, at 20:55:41
> Is weight gain on SSRIs and/or TCAs solely a reult of incresed eating ?I find that even when I'm extremely careful about food intake ,I still gain or have trouble osing. It's usually only 5-8 lbs but is still frustrating and doesn't help the self-esteem issues which contribute to my depression.
> Thanks for any input!
> lynny2
I am too very frustrated with the weight gain associated with AD(SSRI's). I have gained significant weight over the past two years. I am currently taking wellbutrin and paxil to see if it will help. I am seeing a definite decrease in appetite, but I have been on the wellbutrin only for about two weeks, so I have not had time to evaluate. If I have a good response I will let you know. I am desperately trying to find out what ssri's cause the least weight gain, but it looks like all have some associated with it. I am waiting for a miracle. Chubby is still better than being depressed, but my normal weight would be nice.
Posted by Cam W. on April 15, 2000, at 3:08:08
In reply to meds and weight gain, posted by lynny 2 on April 14, 2000, at 20:55:41
Lynny - I think that the weight gain seen with SSRIs differs from that of the TCA in some slightly different ways. TCA weight gain may have more to do with anticholinergic effects, while SSRIs may cause weight gain through stimulation of some serotonin receptor. There are also a number of other receptors (maybe adrenergic, muscarinic and some others that I can't think of at the moment) that come into play in both drugs to cause weight gain, as well. It is not a simple process. Perhaps it has a little to do with a decrease in metabolism, couple with a carbohydrate craving. You say you do not eat any different, but keep a log of everything you eat. See if some junk food is sneaking it's way into your diet. I do see that happen a lot. It happened to me on Paxil. I didn't even realize I was eating so many peppermints and crackers as I passed the cupboard. I found that vigorous exercise was the only way to get rid of the weight, as well as keeping a journal of everything (and I do mean everything, even gum) I ate. Hope this helps - Cam W.
Posted by Kathie on April 16, 2000, at 13:09:02
In reply to Re: meds and weight gain, posted by Cam W. on April 15, 2000, at 3:08:08
I would like to complain really loudly about the weight gain associated with SSRIs!! I have asked on this board before if there was anyway to offset the weight gain and didn't get even one response. I have been on Paxil for a little over a year and over this winter I have gained 25 pounds...and now I am hating myself! A good friend of mine was put on Celexa to help her with her grief depression (her husband died suddenly last spring) and she has gained 30 pounds in 3 months!! She is taking herself off the anti-depressants (which she really really needs!) because the self hatred is making her feel worse than the depression! And I can relate. I have increased my activity, I spend part of each day working physically and I really don't eat all that much...still I get fatter and fatter....
Can someone offer some real help?? Or advice??
Please??Kathie
Posted by Julie on April 16, 2000, at 15:20:05
In reply to Re: meds and weight gain, posted by Kathie on April 16, 2000, at 13:09:02
It's REALLY frustrating, isn't it? I loathed watching myself getting fatter and fatter; having to deal with hostile comments from people who should have been nicer, like my parents; eating healthfully and working out a LOT and watching the pounds pile on; and then being told by everything I read and by my psychdoc that "weight gain is not a side effect of Zoloft"! I've stayed on SSRIs, though, because I need to take meds, and other antidepressants didn't work well for me.
I've managed to lose about 12 pounds (out of the 35 I gained-- I'm still heavier than I'd like, at the top of normal range for my height) over the past 5 years. What I do: 40 to 55 minutes of high intensity cardiovascular exercise 4 to 6 times a week-- running, swimming, or machines at the gym. I eat pretty sensibly-- no fast food, lots of fruits, pretzels for snacks- though I occasionally splurge at dinnertime. I know I eat better than I did pre-SSRI, and I think I eat about the same amount. I have noticed intense carbo cravings, though. I spend a lot of time thinking about food and feeling hungry.
Posted by Cam W. on April 16, 2000, at 21:57:40
In reply to Re: meds and weight gain, posted by Kathie on April 16, 2000, at 13:09:02
Kathie - I'm sorry, but there are no magic solutions to SSRI-induced weight gain. Not everyone who takes SSRIs does gain weight, some actually lose it. It is impossible to tell who will or won't gain weight.The experts say it is easier to keep the weight off than to lose once the weight is gained. There are no sure-fire ways to lose this weight. A carefully watched diet and vigorous exercise have been the only proven methods to lose weight and this does not work in everyone.
I am sorry I cannot offer you any more help than this, as there is no literature that deals with safe and effective ways to lose weight (under any circumstances), outside of the method I have mentioned above. Many times even changing to an antidepressant that has a less propensity for weight gain (eg Wellbutrin) does not help one lose the weight that they had gained on another antidepressant. - Sincerely - Cam W.
Posted by Leighwit on April 17, 2000, at 10:51:32
In reply to Re: meds and weight gain, posted by Kathie on April 16, 2000, at 13:09:02
There are so many knowledgeable (and a few professional) posters here, that I don't post much, but I read here every day. Since you didn't receive posts before, I thought I'd reply. My experience is only personal and anecdotal, though.
Paxil is known for weight gain side effects and I think of the SSRIs, it has the highest incidence of significant weight gain. I gained a lot of weight on it very rapidly.
I've just started Celexa and am concerned about it in this area, too.
I know what you mean about the emotional stress of weight gain(s). It's upsetting and I don't think it always has anything to do with an appetite change. As a diabetic, I have to watch what I eat, and on Paxil, I know for a fact that I gained weight without an increase in calorie consumption.
I take Wellbutrin also. When I took it alone, I didn't gain anything, in fact I lost some weight.
It also seems to be more effective for me than the SSRIs and I have taken all of them. You might discuss it as an option with your Pdoc, if you haven't tried it before.Laurie (Leighwit)
Posted by Kelly on April 18, 2000, at 11:07:19
In reply to Re: meds and weight gain, posted by Leighwit on April 17, 2000, at 10:51:32
I would like to say that I took Paxil for three months and gained ten pounds in a month! I was shocked to see this on the docs scale because I thought I was losing! I have definately lost weight in my hands, legs and feet because my clothes and shoes are looser. I have panic anxiety disorder and have been hearing that weight sneaks up on you with Paxil rather fast. But I'm not chubby or fat. In fact I'm quite thin. Where did the weight go? I am worried now that I have some strange 10 pound growth despite my doc telling me I'm fine.
Very frustrated and anxious,
Kelly (kbryant@pnbi.com) someone please respond!
Posted by Kathie on April 19, 2000, at 22:44:38
In reply to What's up with PAXIL???, posted by Kelly on April 18, 2000, at 11:07:19
I wish I knew all the answers, but thanks for all the responses. When I was seriously suffering from depression and rarely left my bed I didn't gain weight, and you wanna talk about inactive!! Sheesh!! So I go on the meds....start feeling better within a couple of weeks..start spending more and more time out of bed...after a few weeks I was almost up to being out of bed all day...way way more active....and I get fat??? I can't figure it...my only question now...CamW?....could it be helpful to reduce the dosage a little bit? I take 20mg one day and 30mg the next...we can't get smaller that 20mg tabs in my tiny rural community and quartering a pill is impossible...
I know there is no magic way to lose weight..but how come there is a magic way to gain it????? Huh? Huh? Am I sounding like I am obsessing a little?? A lot??? Yes! I am!! I am getting scared as the scale is getting closer and closer to 170! I am heavier than I was when I was 9 months pregnant..yikes! This isn't a good thing.Kathie
Posted by Cam W. on April 20, 2000, at 0:00:39
In reply to Re: What's up with PAXIL???, posted by Kathie on April 19, 2000, at 22:44:38
Kathie - Like Penn and Teller say, there is no real magic. The weight gain isn't magic, just poorly understood pharmacology. A dosage reduction may be in order, but it is difficult to assess this in cyberspace. Ask you doc about a dosage reduction (eg 20mg and 30mg on alternate days), but be wary of a relapse of your depression. I agree, weight gain is not a good thing.The only other option is to switch to something like Wellbutrin or perhaps one of the TCAs. I don't like to see this done because I believe that if it ain't broke, don't fix it (the resolution of the depression that is).
Many people have trouble finding an antidepressant to resolve the symptoms of their depression. You can consider yourself lucky in this regard. It ain't much, but it's something positive.
- Cam W.
Posted by megs on April 20, 2000, at 15:04:36
In reply to Re: Paxil and Magic, posted by Cam W. on April 20, 2000, at 0:00:39
Kathy, it is funny you should mention that you weigh more now than you were when you were full term pregnant. I definitely am as well. I agree with Cam that we are lucky to find an antidepressant that works. I did try to go off paxil because of the weight gain and I had to go back on because of recurring depression. I have recently decreased my dosage of paxil to 10mg and have added wellbutrin. I definitely feel more energized and my appetite has decreased.
This is the end of the thread.
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