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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Joe Schmoe on June 12, 2001, at 8:08:07
I have heard a number of people say they gained weight on Paxil. I am curious if there is any research or anecdotal evidence about who is most likely to be affected by this side effect. In other words, does it tend to make heavy people heavier, or only affect thin people by giving them a heavy person's metabolism, or does it affect everyone equally regardless of your starting metabolism?
Posted by mscrane on June 12, 2001, at 9:45:08
In reply to Paxil weight gain details and trends?, posted by Joe Schmoe on June 12, 2001, at 8:08:07
> I have heard a number of people say they gained weight on Paxil. I am curious if there is any research or anecdotal evidence about who is most likely to be affected by this side effect. In other words, does it tend to make heavy people heavier, or only affect thin people by giving them a heavy person's metabolism, or does it affect everyone equally regardless of your starting metabolism?
I took Paxil for 6 years with considerable weight gain! I started to exercise more and eat better..I cut out salt and processed foods and added a Vitamin B6 daily to help with the water retention...because with me, at least, it seems to be more of that then actual "weight gain"..I also try to keep my sugar intake low and take Chromium GTF to keep my cravings in check...it took me a long time to figure this all out and started with a "food diary" which helped me figure out what foods were making me retain the most water and stuff..my metabolism was fine when I started the Paxil, as I was thin and working out at the time as well..
I am now taking Celexa and the water retention seems..(could just be wishful thinking?) to be going down....
I should also mention that I drink at least 8 glasses of water a day and stay away from any kind of carbonated or sugar/sweetner added drinks..I DO drink too much coffee, though...have tried to stop, but I need at least one vice, right?
I hope this helps...this has been my experience..and even if the Celexa takes the water retention away, I will continue on the way I'm going.......
Ms.Crane
Posted by grapebubblegum on June 12, 2001, at 11:36:09
In reply to Re: Paxil weight gain details and trends?, posted by mscrane on June 12, 2001, at 9:45:08
I have an ongoing problem with my weight; I am basically a skinny person with a thin build but over the years I have put on more than I should carry on my frame. All I can say in regard to the Paxil is that I took it for about six months and my efforts to lose weight got me approximately nowhere. I quit the Paxil about a month ago and now have lost 6 lbs. and counting. SSRIs are supposed to reduce the obsessional craving of food but I strongly suspect that Paxil in particular was doing something to my blood sugar or metabolism that was keeping my weight high despite my reasonable efforts to lay off the junk food.
Since quitting the Paxil, I seem to have found the resolve to avoid excessive eating mainly of sweets (my downfall) and my metabolism just FEELS more "clean-burning," if you will. Of course I cannot substantiate that but I just feel less sluggish and more energetic since stopping the Paxil, and I have developed the newfound ability to see a candy bar but not eat it. I am happy with my weight loss and I feel confident I can keep going till I lose the 30 lbs. needed to reach my "ideal" weight.
Posted by yo-wazzzup on June 12, 2001, at 14:53:45
In reply to Re: Paxil weight gain details and trends?, posted by grapebubblegum on June 12, 2001, at 11:36:09
Hi ya...I started taking paxil 7 months ago, right after the birth of my son. I was @ 160lbs.(due to pregnancy). Prior to pregnancy I was 100 - 110 lbs soak 'n wet :) I'm 5 ft. 1 & 1/2. I take 20 mg per day but I tend to forget if I've taken my dose or not & sometimes end up with 40 mg. in my system (my bad). I weigh aprox. 115lbs. now. I have noticed cravings for junk food that I "normally" wouldn't bother with. For example, I can eat an entire box of chips(200g)in one sitting or 2 chocolate bars or a tub of haggen daaz ice cream...(boy, now that I see it in black & white sounds pretty unhealthy)...I'm a vegetarian & prior 2 paxil was complete vegan (no dairy or meat). I take a multi-vitamin, vit.c, calcium/magnesium/vit.d, high potency b-compound, Co Q10+vit.e, pacific kelp,acidophilus,and vit.B2(antidepressants tend to deplete B2)...I drink TONS of water each day. I like walking but wouldn't say I exercise each day. I think the weight issue is pretty individual.
Posted by tina on June 13, 2001, at 16:02:36
In reply to Re: Paxil weight gain details and trends?, posted by yo-wazzzup on June 12, 2001, at 14:53:45
I've been on and off AD's for ten years and this is the first time I've had weight GAIN from one. I take only 50mgs of Elavil(amytriptiline) a day and I've noticed that over the past 4 months have been steadily gaining and completely unable to overcome the craving for sweets.
I've never had this happen with an AD before and the weight gain is depressing me more than the depression does.
Nonsensical aint it?> Hi ya...I started taking paxil 7 months ago, right after the birth of my son. I was @ 160lbs.(due to pregnancy). Prior to pregnancy I was 100 - 110 lbs soak 'n wet :) I'm 5 ft. 1 & 1/2. I take 20 mg per day but I tend to forget if I've taken my dose or not & sometimes end up with 40 mg. in my system (my bad). I weigh aprox. 115lbs. now. I have noticed cravings for junk food that I "normally" wouldn't bother with. For example, I can eat an entire box of chips(200g)in one sitting or 2 chocolate bars or a tub of haggen daaz ice cream...(boy, now that I see it in black & white sounds pretty unhealthy)...I'm a vegetarian & prior 2 paxil was complete vegan (no dairy or meat). I take a multi-vitamin, vit.c, calcium/magnesium/vit.d, high potency b-compound, Co Q10+vit.e, pacific kelp,acidophilus,and vit.B2(antidepressants tend to deplete B2)...I drink TONS of water each day. I like walking but wouldn't say I exercise each day. I think the weight issue is pretty individual.
Posted by Jen B on June 13, 2001, at 22:20:03
In reply to Paxil weight gain details and trends?, posted by Joe Schmoe on June 12, 2001, at 8:08:07
I am in my late 30's and have weighed 110 lbs my entire adult life. On Paxil, I gained 20 lbs in 6 months or so-- a great deal for someone my size. My appetite did not change, but my metabolism did. I have since switched to Celexa, and with no effort on my part, 10 lbs have come off. Unfortunately, I don't feel that the Celexa address my anxiety nearly as well as the Paxil. I liked Paxil, I just didn't like the weight gain!
> I have heard a number of people say they gained weight on Paxil. I am curious if there is any research or anecdotal evidence about who is most likely to be affected by this side effect. In other words, does it tend to make heavy people heavier, or only affect thin people by giving them a heavy person's metabolism, or does it affect everyone equally regardless of your starting metabolism?
This is the end of the thread.
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