Shown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Tony P on September 2, 2001, at 21:38:11
In reply to Wellbutrin - weight loss or appetite gain?, posted by Tony P on September 2, 2001, at 2:47:27
[Reposted - original vanished into archive limbo right after I posted it - got to stop posting so late at night!]
I have seen quite a few posts here associating Wellbutrin with weight loss. Having lost 35 lbs. over the past year (while taking Serzone), primarily I think due to stress and probably some appetite suppression from OTC meds, and now having just started WB, I am not eager to lose a whole lot more weight! At 160-165 lbs & 5'9 1/2, I think I'm not far off where I should be for a 55-year old M. Maybe 5 lbs less would be OK or even 10 if I then gained it back as muscle.
But here's the weird thing. At least in this initial 10 days, I have experienced a huge INCREASE in appetite! Obviously the A/D is working - my zest for life in every department has increased. I'm not sure that I am actually eating MORE total, but the appetite increase is very strong. I don't want to put 35 lbs. back on either!!
Like some others have posted, I tend to graze (translation: eat compulsively) when I'm hyper or anxious, and that's an easy way for me to gain weight without realizing it. No doubt as the "hyper" effect of the WB subsides a bit, so will the grazing.But has anyone experienced weight GAIN as a side effect of Wellbutrin? I guess only time will tell how my body responds, but I am curious if others experienced the appetite increase, and how it turned out in the longer term.
Tony P
Posted by paxvox on September 4, 2001, at 12:13:47
In reply to Wellbutrin - weight loss or appetite gain?, posted by Tony P on September 2, 2001, at 21:38:11
Although I have lost weight on WB, the literature suggests that about 2-3% DO gain weight on WB (Glaxo-Wellcome from PDR). I think it varies depending on your caloric intake and activity level. It's not like I sit around eating bon-bons. I work out lifting weights, and eat sensibly. No alcohol (that's when I really lost weight!).
PAX
Posted by SalArmy4me on September 4, 2001, at 16:01:09
In reply to Wellbutrin - weight loss or appetite gain?, posted by Tony P on September 2, 2001, at 21:38:11
What about the possibility that you will lose weight due to a change in your metabolism on Wellbutrin, regardless of appetite?
Diabetes
Volume 50 SUPPLEMENT 2 June 2001 p A21
Buproprion SR Significantly Enhances Weight Loss When Used with a Moderate-Intensity Lifestyle Intervention:"Preliminary studies suggest that Bupropion SR, approved for depression and smoking cessation, is an effective adjunct to diet for weight loss. We conducted a 6-month multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study to test the safety and efficacy of Bupropion SR as an adjunct to a balanced energy-restricted diet and lifestyle program to treat obese adults. We enrolled 327 women and men, aged 18-65 years, with BMIs of 30-43. We excluded subjects who had a history of seizures, anorexia, bulimia, depression, psychosis, cigarette or substance abuse. After a 2-week run-in period subjects were randomly allocated to placebo, 300 mg/day, or 400 mg/day Bupropion SR. The lifestyle intervention included an energy-restricted diet (600 kcal deficit), use of 2 meal replacements/day, recording miles walked (pedometer), and a lifestyle diary. Subjects received dietetic counseling every 2-4 weeks. Retention rate at 24-weeks was ~70% and was similar in all groups. The weight loss (% of initial weight) and loss of >5% at 6 months (intention to treat analysis) are summarized in table."
Posted by Tony P on September 5, 2001, at 1:32:59
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin - weight loss or appetite gain? » Tony P, posted by SalArmy4me on September 4, 2001, at 16:01:09
Thanks for sharing. I was starting to feel that unnoticed, poor me, feeling when nobody responded right away! Perhaps my experience is uncommon, but bupropion has been so energizing for me that having a huge appetite just seems a natural part of it, so I'm surprised if more people don't experience that. Of course you're right Sal - even if I'm eating more food I might be processing it differently with the effects of the bupropion. I will put it on my list for when I see my MD day after tomorrow.
It occurs to me that if I were responding to someone _else's_ post, I would be inclined to say to them somrthing like, "Trust your body and listen to it, appreciating the pleasure of increased appetite but recognizing when you're full too. And if you build in enough of the other healthy activities, like exercise, leisure of a restorative sort, better sleep habits - you know your own list - your body will mostly look after itself. Don't waste mental energy trying to predict the future! Time will tell, and 10 or 15 lbs on the scale one way or the other is only a number after all - how your body feels and functions is what counts."
Well, that's my self-affirmation for the night; thanks for giving me a chance to say it out loud as it were!
Tony
> What about the possibility that you will lose weight due to a change in your metabolism on Wellbutrin, regardless of appetite?
>
> Diabetes
> Volume 50 SUPPLEMENT 2 June 2001 p A21
> Buproprion SR Significantly Enhances Weight Loss When Used with a Moderate-Intensity Lifestyle Intervention:
>
> "Preliminary studies suggest that Bupropion SR, approved for depression and smoking cessation, is an effective adjunct to diet for weight loss. We conducted a 6-month multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study to test the safety and efficacy of Bupropion SR as an adjunct to a balanced energy-restricted diet and lifestyle program to treat obese adults. We enrolled 327 women and men, aged 18-65 years, with BMIs of 30-43. We excluded subjects who had a history of seizures, anorexia, bulimia, depression, psychosis, cigarette or substance abuse. After a 2-week run-in period subjects were randomly allocated to placebo, 300 mg/day, or 400 mg/day Bupropion SR. The lifestyle intervention included an energy-restricted diet (600 kcal deficit), use of 2 meal replacements/day, recording miles walked (pedometer), and a lifestyle diary. Subjects received dietetic counseling every 2-4 weeks. Retention rate at 24-weeks was ~70% and was similar in all groups. The weight loss (% of initial weight) and loss of >5% at 6 months (intention to treat analysis) are summarized in table."
Posted by sl on September 5, 2001, at 10:28:02
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin - weight loss or appetite gain?, posted by Tony P on September 5, 2001, at 1:32:59
*chuckle* This is a busy time of year.
I'm JUST getting around to answering some of these.Also consider the possibility that depression was killing your appetite and now it's "normal".
For me, Wb immediate-release seems to have much less effect on my appetite than SR did.
My $.02
sl
> Thanks for sharing. I was starting to feel that unnoticed, poor me, feeling when nobody responded right away!
Posted by Tony P on September 6, 2001, at 2:49:48
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin - weight loss or appetite gain?, posted by sl on September 5, 2001, at 10:28:02
I think you're absolutely right, and the depression and some of the "extra" drugs I was taking were indeed killing my appetite. But the switchover was really extreme! As I get a bit more experience with the effects, it seems like I have an excellent, "sharp" appetite, but it's relatively easily satisfied - I'm eating more than I was for sure, but not huge amounts.
I think someone else posted something to the effect that on WB they enjoyed their first helping - they just didn't want seconds!
Tony P
> *chuckle* This is a busy time of year.
> I'm JUST getting around to answering some of these.
>
> Also consider the possibility that depression was killing your appetite and now it's "normal".
>
> For me, Wb immediate-release seems to have much less effect on my appetite than SR did.
>
> My $.02
>
> sl
>
> > Thanks for sharing. I was starting to feel that unnoticed, poor me, feeling when nobody responded right away!
This is the end of the thread.
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