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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by lazylady on February 27, 2006, at 18:23:35
Since I've been on anti-depressants, Prozac specifically, I can't seem to stop eating. I've gained over 30 pounds, and, of course, this isn't helping the depression either. Is gaining weight always a side-effect of anti-depressants? Is there any way to overcome it?
Posted by Maxime on February 27, 2006, at 19:21:35
In reply to Is constant hungar always a side-effect of anti-de, posted by lazylady on February 26, 2006, at 11:16:20
> Since I've been on anti-depressants, Prozac specifically, I can't seem to stop eating. I've gained over 30 pounds, and, of course, this isn't helping the depression either. Is gaining weight always a side-effect of anti-depressants? Is there any way to overcome it?
Most people lose weight on Prozac. So there is probably a med out there that won't make you hungry all the time (and it's not Remeron). Have you tried Effexor or Wellbutrin?
Maxime
Posted by Phillipa on February 27, 2006, at 20:14:27
In reply to Re: Is constant hungar always a side-effect of anti-de, posted by Maxime on February 27, 2006, at 19:21:35
They never made me hungry and I never gained wt on them either. Guess my body is wierd. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on February 27, 2006, at 20:33:46
In reply to Re: Is constant hungar always a side-effect of anti-de, posted by Phillipa on February 27, 2006, at 20:14:27
> They never made me hungry and I never gained wt on them either. Guess my body is wierd. Fondly, Phillipa
No you are not. SSRIs are not notorious for weight gain, although in some cases it does happen.You're the norm.
Maxime
Posted by yxibow on February 27, 2006, at 23:26:03
In reply to Is constant hungar always a side-effect of anti-de, posted by lazylady on February 26, 2006, at 11:16:20
> Since I've been on anti-depressants, Prozac specifically, I can't seem to stop eating. I've gained over 30 pounds, and, of course, this isn't helping the depression either. Is gaining weight always a side-effect of anti-depressants? Is there any way to overcome it?
Prozac does usually cause a drop in weight in most people. You may not be experiencing a drug induced weight gain, but rather, quite possibly a psychological induced one. If its helping you and you feel good -- some people eat more when they're uplifted -- some less. It may not be just the medicine.
And as far as overcoming it... I'm afraid I'm going to make a simplistic statement.. willpower and a strict diet. I know its hard... I'm still losing the weight I gained from Remeron, which is notorious for it. You calculate (there are websites) the number of calories that you need to sustain your weight per day (if you go below it, you lose weight). And either stick to the maintenance calories, or do a simple 30 minute walk every day or jog or anything to lose a few hundred calories, to start to go below the maintenance calories.
Just a suggestion... your miles may vary as they say
Tidings
Jay
Posted by wildcard11 on February 28, 2006, at 4:51:53
In reply to Is constant hungar always a side-effect of anti-de, posted by lazylady on February 26, 2006, at 11:16:20
when i was on prozac i did eat a lot more!! but no, not all a/d's have that effect. for me, effexor xr, wellbutrin xl and the older paxil did not.
Posted by JaclinHyde on February 28, 2006, at 4:54:12
In reply to Is constant hungar always a side-effect of anti-de, posted by lazylady on February 26, 2006, at 11:16:20
I can tell you two that cause weightloss. They are Wellbutrin and Parnate. I love my MAOI's because at least they know how they work. Wellbutrin is an unknown entity. You'll hear a lot of doctors etc. who will tell you 'we don't know how it works it just does'
JH
Posted by lazylady on February 28, 2006, at 8:08:49
In reply to Re: Is constant hungar always a side-effect of anti-de, posted by JaclinHyde on February 28, 2006, at 4:54:12
To all of you who answered my post re hungry all the time--Thanks. I know meds work differently for each person, but for some reason, these darn anti-depressants just increase my appitite something awful. And for a person who has a constant struggle with weight and has been told by her cardiologist that she MUST lose about 30 pounds, this is an extremely difficult fight for me. Over the years my psychiatrist has put me on every one of the anti-depressants, and so far Prozac is the only one that has helped the depression. So, I guess it's a trade-off: help the depression and gain weight or get off the anti-depressants and maybe lose the weight. I don't think I'm ready to get off the pills just yet, so I guess I'm gonna be fighting this for a long time. To the poster who suggested eating fewer calories--of course this is the way to go. But when the hunger pangs hit, it's too easy to give in. Maybe, since I've found this site, I will come here and post instead of giving in to the urge to eat. Wish me luck.
Posted by wildcard11 on February 28, 2006, at 8:11:26
In reply to Re: Is constant hungar always a side-effect of anti-de » JaclinHyde, posted by lazylady on February 28, 2006, at 8:08:49
Posted by JaclinHyde on February 28, 2006, at 10:49:22
In reply to Re: Is constant hungar always a side-effect of anti-de » JaclinHyde, posted by lazylady on February 28, 2006, at 8:08:49
Speak to your doctor about a trial of Topamax. It is used as a mood stabilizer but it is also being investigated as a possible weight loss drug. LOL, that is like saying the Pope is jewish. Possible weightloss? You forget what the word 'food' means. You'll go to bed at night and say 'hmmmm, seems like I forget to do something today...OMG I FORGOT TO EAT!' I lost so much weight so fast I just kept having to trade in my clothes for newer smaller ones.
Anyway, do a bit of research and then see what you think. You can ask you doctor about it...all he can say is no.
JH
Posted by redscarlet on February 28, 2006, at 17:10:40
In reply to Re: Is constant hungar always a side-effect of anti-de, posted by JaclinHyde on February 28, 2006, at 10:49:22
JH ~ Can you PLEASE tell me at what dose/mgs of Topamax you got the weight loss effect on.
I just started at 25mgs a little over a week ago.
Thanks
Posted by Chairman_MAO on February 28, 2006, at 21:57:39
In reply to Is constant hungar always a side-effect of anti-de, posted by lazylady on February 26, 2006, at 11:16:20
Yes, switch to a drug that isn't attenuating the pleasure you feel from intrinsically rewarding activities, and you might feel more sated.
I become a hopeless drug abuser if I'm on an SSRI long enough.
Posted by KarenRB53 on August 20, 2006, at 10:20:41
In reply to Re: Is constant hungar always a side-effect of ant » lazylady, posted by Chairman_MAO on February 28, 2006, at 21:57:39
>Just read this..same with me and Prozac..which SSRI's if any do not do this?
Thanks, Karen
Yes, switch to a drug that isn't attenuating the pleasure you feel from intrinsically rewarding activities, and you might feel more sated.
>
> I become a hopeless drug abuser if I'm on an SSRI long enough.
This is the end of the thread.
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