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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by MaKi on January 5, 2002, at 10:23:08
I've been taking Effexor XR now for the last 4 weeks to help
treat my panic and anxiety disorders.
Since that time, I've noticed a major weight loss.
At the end of my pregnancy almost 10 months ago, I weighed
173lbs and now since I've been on Effexor XR, I'm down
to 135lbs. People keep asking me what I'm doing to lose
all of the weight and I never really thought about how it's
been happening until now. I was checking out a website out of
curiosity and read somewhere that a few people have either
been losing the weight or gaining it. For all it's worth, this
is the first medication that I've been able to take without
experiencing any symptoms(nausea). At this time, I feel great
about myself, more since the weight loss, and I've been able to
do more things without having any panic attacks. This medication
is great and I plan on sticking with it until my Dr. advises me
otherwise.Please feel free to email me if you have any questions, comments,
advice or even just to exchange information.Good Luck,
Maki (sloan2000@sympatico.ca)
Posted by MB on January 5, 2002, at 14:05:18
In reply to Losing Weight with Effexor XR, posted by MaKi on January 5, 2002, at 10:23:08
That's great that you've found something that works for you (and no weight gain!! Yippee!)
Anyway, I lost a lot of weight when I was on a high dose of Effexor...almost too much, I was pale and skinny and looked like a junky because I couldn't eat or sleep. Be careful that you don't malnourish yourself. Anyway, I lowerd my dose and added some Zoloft. The weight came back, but my heart stopped beating up out of my mouth like the heart of a frightened cartoon animal. This was years ago...no more Zoloft for me!Good luck!!
MB
Posted by MaKi on January 5, 2002, at 14:51:04
In reply to Re: Losing Weight with Effexor XR » MaKi, posted by MB on January 5, 2002, at 14:05:18
Not to worry, I am not taking up bad eating habits. I still eat
like I normally would before I started taking the medication, only
my appetite isn't quite the same now. It seems that for the first
four weeks on the medication decreased my appetite but for some reason,
I've been quite hungry this past week. Maybe my appetite is getting
back to normal and maybe this will make me gain the weight back
(I'm praying God it won't). Anyways, the purpose of the medication
is to treat my panic and anxiety disorders, and right now that's my
main concern.
Earlier you mentioned Zoloft, that is the same medication that I tried
right before the Effexor XR and I had bad experiences, same for the
Paxil. I'm just happy this one is working out for me.Thanks again,
MaKi
Posted by ST on January 5, 2002, at 21:23:09
In reply to Losing Weight with Effexor XR, posted by MaKi on January 5, 2002, at 10:23:08
Hi,
That's great for you that Effexor SR is working - and encouraging for me. I've been on it for almost two weeks now and have definitely lost weight. I'm at 150 mgs. right now. Celexa made me gain 30 lbs. over a three month period!
How many mgs. per day are you at? And are you exercising as well as eating smaller portions?Thanks,
Sarah> I've been taking Effexor XR now for the last 4 weeks to help
> treat my panic and anxiety disorders.
> Since that time, I've noticed a major weight loss.
> At the end of my pregnancy almost 10 months ago, I weighed
> 173lbs and now since I've been on Effexor XR, I'm down
> to 135lbs. People keep asking me what I'm doing to lose
> all of the weight and I never really thought about how it's
> been happening until now. I was checking out a website out of
> curiosity and read somewhere that a few people have either
> been losing the weight or gaining it. For all it's worth, this
> is the first medication that I've been able to take without
> experiencing any symptoms(nausea). At this time, I feel great
> about myself, more since the weight loss, and I've been able to
> do more things without having any panic attacks. This medication
> is great and I plan on sticking with it until my Dr. advises me
> otherwise.
>
> Please feel free to email me if you have any questions, comments,
> advice or even just to exchange information.
>
> Good Luck,
>
> Maki (sloan2000@sympatico.ca)
Posted by MaKi on January 6, 2002, at 7:50:27
In reply to Re: Losing Weight with Effexor XR, posted by ST on January 5, 2002, at 21:23:09
Hi Sarah,
To answer your question, at this time I'm taking
37.5mg per day. Two weeks ago, my doctor suggested
I increase to 75mg per day but I haven't done so
yet, only because I'm afraid to experience side
effects.
As for exercising, I can't say that I have been,
although I do have a three and a half year old and
a ten month old so maybe running around after them
all day long might be considered exercising! Haha
During the four weeks that I have been on Effexor XR,
I have lost quite a bit of weight but I just noticed
in the last few days that my appetite has increased,
hopefully that doesn't mean I'll be gaining the
weight back. I guess I'll just have to keep my fingers
crossed, in hopes that the drug helps me recover in full
so I can be my normal self again, and not gain 50 lbs!I wish you the best of luck,
MaKi
Posted by ST on January 6, 2002, at 19:41:50
In reply to Re: Losing Weight with Effexor XR, posted by MaKi on January 6, 2002, at 7:50:27
Hi Maki,
I experienced no side effects going from 75 mg. to 150 mg. I did experience the intial side effects when I started out on 75mg.
Good luck!
Sarah
> Hi Sarah,
>
> To answer your question, at this time I'm taking
> 37.5mg per day. Two weeks ago, my doctor suggested
> I increase to 75mg per day but I haven't done so
> yet, only because I'm afraid to experience side
> effects.
> As for exercising, I can't say that I have been,
> although I do have a three and a half year old and
> a ten month old so maybe running around after them
> all day long might be considered exercising! Haha
> During the four weeks that I have been on Effexor XR,
> I have lost quite a bit of weight but I just noticed
> in the last few days that my appetite has increased,
> hopefully that doesn't mean I'll be gaining the
> weight back. I guess I'll just have to keep my fingers
> crossed, in hopes that the drug helps me recover in full
> so I can be my normal self again, and not gain 50 lbs!
>
> I wish you the best of luck,
>
> MaKi
Posted by sid on January 6, 2002, at 20:38:27
In reply to Re: Losing Weight with Effexor XR, posted by MaKi on January 6, 2002, at 7:50:27
My doctor told me that once side effects have subsided at 37.5mg, I should not have them when I increase dosage. She might have said that to calm the anxious side of me, but then, there might be some truth to it. We have not increased my dosage yet, so I can't say from experience.
> Hi Sarah,
>
> To answer your question, at this time I'm taking
> 37.5mg per day. Two weeks ago, my doctor suggested
> I increase to 75mg per day but I haven't done so
> yet, only because I'm afraid to experience side
> effects.
> As for exercising, I can't say that I have been,
> although I do have a three and a half year old and
> a ten month old so maybe running around after them
> all day long might be considered exercising! Haha
> During the four weeks that I have been on Effexor XR,
> I have lost quite a bit of weight but I just noticed
> in the last few days that my appetite has increased,
> hopefully that doesn't mean I'll be gaining the
> weight back. I guess I'll just have to keep my fingers
> crossed, in hopes that the drug helps me recover in full
> so I can be my normal self again, and not gain 50 lbs!
>
> I wish you the best of luck,
>
> MaKi
Posted by girlie on January 7, 2002, at 11:26:03
In reply to Losing Weight with Effexor XR, posted by MaKi on January 5, 2002, at 10:23:08
I posted this to you above, but then I saw the thread repeated, so I thought I'd post it here in case you didn't see it! : )
I lost a lot of weight the first few months on Effexor as well. Without trying...when I think back on it now, I can't even remember if I just wasn't hungry or what it was.
After about 5 months the weight started piling on. I'm sure some of it has to do with the fact that I'm now in my mid 30's, but I can't budge any of this weight off at all. I think December was the first month in a long time that I didn't gain weight. I have been weaning off Effexor since June 2001 and today is my first day on just the Prozac (to help with Effexor withdrawal) and no Effexor.I'm hoping that I can lose some weight once off the Effexor.
So, I guess what I'm saying is....enjoy the weight loss now, just be careful around month 4 or 5! : )
> I've been taking Effexor XR now for the last 4 weeks to help
> treat my panic and anxiety disorders.
> Since that time, I've noticed a major weight loss.
> At the end of my pregnancy almost 10 months ago, I weighed
> 173lbs and now since I've been on Effexor XR, I'm down
> to 135lbs. People keep asking me what I'm doing to lose
> all of the weight and I never really thought about how it's
> been happening until now. I was checking out a website out of
> curiosity and read somewhere that a few people have either
> been losing the weight or gaining it. For all it's worth, this
> is the first medication that I've been able to take without
> experiencing any symptoms(nausea). At this time, I feel great
> about myself, more since the weight loss, and I've been able to
> do more things without having any panic attacks. This medication
> is great and I plan on sticking with it until my Dr. advises me
> otherwise.
>
> Please feel free to email me if you have any questions, comments,
> advice or even just to exchange information.
>
> Good Luck,
>
> Maki (sloan2000@sympatico.ca)
Posted by MaKi on January 7, 2002, at 13:34:48
In reply to Re: Losing Weight with Effexor XR » MaKi, posted by girlie on January 7, 2002, at 11:26:03
Girlie,
Thanks for sharing your information with me. I have heard
from many other people that they have lost weight while
taking Effexor XR, and also gained weight back a few months
later. I have been quite happy with myself, even more
since the weight loss but I'm also afraid to gain the weight
back. I guess all I can do is get myself better by continuing
the medication, but at the same time I will definately keep an
eye on my eating habits.Thanks again, and good luck to you on getting off Effexor.
MaKi
Posted by eve159 on August 9, 2006, at 8:27:43
In reply to Losing Weight with Effexor XR, posted by MaKi on January 5, 2002, at 10:23:08
I am on my 2nd month of Effexor XR at 225 mg and I've lost a lot of weight because I'm never hungry. I weigh about 98lbs. right now. However, I am not underweight because I am only 5' tall. But I was at about 105 lbs. earlier. I've noticed that my clothes aren't fitting as well and have had to increase my belt by 2 notches to keep my pants on.
This is the end of the thread.
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