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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lindsay Rae on February 14, 2004, at 14:03:12
I have read many of the posts about Lexapro and weight gain. I want to add my story to these posts, but I am on a medication that has absolutely, without a doubt cause me to gain weight. So what I want to know is, am I gaining some weight from one drug and more from another? I feel like stopping all meds, one at a time, because I would be a thousand times happier at a normal weight. Here's my regimine:
I am currently on 120 mg Methadone, I was on Zoloft but switched to Lexapro (which one is worse for weight???), I take 1mg Xanax at bedtime which makes me crave sweets insatiably, and I had a baby in September of 2002. I gained the weight after a year on Methadone and AFTER having the baby. I went from 145 down to 120 on a Vodka and Vicodin diet in 2001, and up to 150 with the pregnancy. After giving birth, this past year I've gained upwards of 30 more pounds, and I can't even stand to look in the mirror. I started the Zoloft one year ago. Does anyone think that some of the weight is from the antidepressants? Now that I have Medicaid again, I want to switch to one of those very expensive A/D's that my therapist mentioned (can't think of the names), that don't cause weight gain. As it stands right now, I'm 27 with a 17 month old baby whose dad just died in November, looking for new employment, hopefully at the local mental health/substance abuse facility. My self esteem has all but shattered, and the constipation and stopped menstrual cycle leave me bloated and uncomfortable. I have been happier lately, and I think switching from Zoloft to Lexapro may be the reason. But now that I'm actively looking for jobs that I'll be happy with, a task I've avoided for one reason or another since college graduation, that is a huge contributing factor to my newfound energy and positivity.
So the "chicken or the egg" riddle is what I'm working with now. Does the medication make me feel more confident, or am I feeling good as a result of taking steps towards a new life? I think I should reduce my Methadone dose, try to drop the AD's, and lay down after taking the Xanax, so I'll sleep and not eat cereal till 3 am. If I still don't lose weight, I don't know what I'll do. Something's got to give; does everyone agree that it is a combination of meds and activities that keep me gaining weight?
Sorry for rambling! I'd just like some unbiased input!
Sincerely,
Lindsay
Posted by Flipsactown on February 15, 2004, at 14:56:29
In reply to So Many Meds, So Little Time: double weight gain?, posted by Lindsay Rae on February 14, 2004, at 14:03:12
Hey Lindsay,
I have been on ADs for over 12 years and I agree with you that we are gaining weight because of multiple ADs. I am currently on 100mg prozac, 90mg remeron, 400mg lamictal and 900mg lithium. On top of that I take 160mg of oxy. I have gain at least 50 lbs since I started taking prozac and the others. I watched my diet and walked on a daily basis and no matter what I did to diet, I gained weight. It was either that or depression.
Flipsactown
>I have read many of the posts about Lexapro and weight gain. I want to add my story to these posts, but I am on a medication that has absolutely, without a doubt cause me to gain weight. So what I want to know is, am I gaining some weight from one drug and more from another? I feel like stopping all meds, one at a time, because I would be a thousand times happier at a normal weight. Here's my regimine:
>
> I am currently on 120 mg Methadone, I was on Zoloft but switched to Lexapro (which one is worse for weight???), I take 1mg Xanax at bedtime which makes me crave sweets insatiably, and I had a baby in September of 2002. I gained the weight after a year on Methadone and AFTER having the baby. I went from 145 down to 120 on a Vodka and Vicodin diet in 2001, and up to 150 with the pregnancy. After giving birth, this past year I've gained upwards of 30 more pounds, and I can't even stand to look in the mirror. I started the Zoloft one year ago. Does anyone think that some of the weight is from the antidepressants? Now that I have Medicaid again, I want to switch to one of those very expensive A/D's that my therapist mentioned (can't think of the names), that don't cause weight gain. As it stands right now, I'm 27 with a 17 month old baby whose dad just died in November, looking for new employment, hopefully at the local mental health/substance abuse facility. My self esteem has all but shattered, and the constipation and stopped menstrual cycle leave me bloated and uncomfortable. I have been happier lately, and I think switching from Zoloft to Lexapro may be the reason. But now that I'm actively looking for jobs that I'll be happy with, a task I've avoided for one reason or another since college graduation, that is a huge contributing factor to my newfound energy and positivity.
>
> So the "chicken or the egg" riddle is what I'm working with now. Does the medication make me feel more confident, or am I feeling good as a result of taking steps towards a new life? I think I should reduce my Methadone dose, try to drop the AD's, and lay down after taking the Xanax, so I'll sleep and not eat cereal till 3 am. If I still don't lose weight, I don't know what I'll do. Something's got to give; does everyone agree that it is a combination of meds and activities that keep me gaining weight?
>
> Sorry for rambling! I'd just like some unbiased input!
>
> Sincerely,
> Lindsay
Posted by rainyday on February 16, 2004, at 8:37:01
In reply to Re: So Many Meds, So Little Time: double weight gain? » Lindsay Rae, posted by Flipsactown on February 15, 2004, at 14:56:29
I too have experienced weight gain and had wondered if I was getting heavy because I was depressed or because of the meds (effexor xr, buspar, and xanax) I am taking. I have modified my diet and increased my activity - and now I am not gaining nor am I losing weight. My doctors have stressed that the weight gain IS due to the medication. They do encourage me to continue with the modified diet (no extra sugars, no caffeine, complex carbs if any) and exercise. For me the hardest thing is to look in the mirror and see a body I loathe. Self esteem has to be based on more than just our appearance. This has been the hardest lesson for me to learn.
Posted by lauram on February 16, 2004, at 21:23:58
In reply to Re: So Many Meds, So Little Time: double weight gain?, posted by rainyday on February 16, 2004, at 8:37:01
Since starting Depakote nine months ago I have gained 30 pounds. I have been told that this med often causes weight gain which is something I am willing to put up with if it improves my BP2 moods. My Pdoc is switching me to Lamictal which is supposedly weight neutral. I too look in the mirror and hate what I see. I have never had this problem so it is quite an issue for me.
I am willing to put up with this though if it means my moods will level out. There seem to more medications coming out that may not cause as much weight gain. I will let you know how it goes when I stop my Depakote. Hang in there. Good mental health to you.
Posted by Zoe33 on February 11, 2005, at 11:25:58
In reply to So Many Meds, So Little Time: double weight gain?, posted by Lindsay Rae on February 14, 2004, at 14:03:12
Hey there. I too am on Methadone, 100 mg. I also have stop menstruating and I gained a lot of weight. I am also on A/D's. I also take xanax, about 1 mg at bedtime and it makes me sooo hungry. I thought it was just me. If I take the xanax and stay up longer I too eat a bowl of cereal (make that 2 or 3 sometimes) I would really like to talk to you about this more. I would love to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Zoe33
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