Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 832543

Shown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

NEWBIE/weight gain

Posted by MiniMom on June 2, 2008, at 16:47:18

Hi, I'm new; just discovered this amazing site last week after watching the PBS special on depression. My problem is the weight gain from so many of these. It is impossible to even judge their effects, because the weight gain is so paralyzingly depressing for me. My doc said only SSRIs have that reputation, so I'm on Wellbutrin (up to 200x2) now. After finally losing the horrible 40 lbs from Paxil last year (I'm only 4'10") now I'm gaining again. Not only that, but I see no diff in depression, anxiety or my terrible irritability (my kids are driving me crazy!). Doc said I should have LOST weight on it. It is possible, I know, that the weight gain is from quitting smoking (a nice perk to this med) and/or just starting menopause. He says if he gives me anything else I'll gain even more than I did already. I have no clothes that fit and can't stand to go to work now. He said an amphetamine now would worsen my anxiety and ADD. . Please help!!

 

Re: NEWBIE/weight gain

Posted by Zyprexa on June 2, 2008, at 18:56:54

In reply to NEWBIE/weight gain, posted by MiniMom on June 2, 2008, at 16:47:18

None of those AD's will decrease anxiety or irritablility. I don't know why they say they do. Maybe paxil would work. or a mood stabilizer, depakot. Your anxiety might also drive you to eat.

 

Re: NEWBIE/weight gain » MiniMom

Posted by Racer on June 2, 2008, at 20:03:19

In reply to NEWBIE/weight gain, posted by MiniMom on June 2, 2008, at 16:47:18

Paxil is known as the SSRI most associated with excessive weight gain. Other SSRIs are less so -- Zoloft, for instance, while it may cause some weight gain, tends to do so less than Paxil.

Wellbutrin won't necessarily cause weight *loss,* but it's generally pretty weight neutral. And for some people, it may contribute to weight loss.

And quitting smoking will absolutely cause weight gain! Nicotine has a major effect on your whole system, and quitting will affect your metabolic rate in a big way. Average weight gain associated with smoking cessation is 8 pounds -- which would be more significant for you, because of your height. Generally speaking, the benefits of quitting smoking are worth the weight gain.

And I absolutely understand your feeling about the weight gain. I've gained between about 40 and 70 pounds on various ADs, and it's my biggest nightmare. (I'm anorexic, which is part of that...) I don't know what to say, beyond the fact that there are various options to mitigate the weight gain. Most of those options are by prescription only, but ranitidine is helpful for some people in avoiding weight gain -- at least, it's helpful for any portion of the weight gain associated with increased appetite. Some of the weight gain is a direct result of the medication itself -- changes in the sensitivity of serotonin receptors, which slow the GI tract AND interfere with satiety signals.

Good luck, and I hope you can find some relief.

 

Re: NEWBIE/weight gain

Posted by elanor roosevelt on June 2, 2008, at 23:42:51

In reply to Re: NEWBIE/weight gain » MiniMom, posted by Racer on June 2, 2008, at 20:03:19

i have gained weight on every AD except Parnate
Lost weight on Parnate


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