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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Paul on Long Island on May 5, 2006, at 23:12:14
Hi, As some of you may know from my earlier posts, I had gone off prozac due to the weight gain and sexual side effects. I went on Emsam, which unfortunately was a total disaster. In another 10 days, I'll be going back on the prozac. What I was wondering is this: Does anyone know of anything I can do while on Prozac to avoid the weight gain issue? Currently, I'm losing weight, and I would most definitely like to continue to do so. Should I just work out like a fiend? Are there any supplements I can take to help avoid the weight issue? I do have to be careful, as I also suffer from anxiety and ocd, so I don't want to do anything that would cause those to flare up once I have them under control again with the prozac. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Paul
Posted by Phillipa on May 6, 2006, at 13:58:48
In reply to Prozac-Avoiding Weight Gain?, posted by Paul on Long Island on May 5, 2006, at 23:12:14
Paul you already know healthy diet and excercise. Don't know of anything else. Can you just accept yourself and be grateful to feel better? Love Phillipa
Posted by jessers11581 on May 6, 2006, at 16:10:40
In reply to Prozac-Avoiding Weight Gain?, posted by Paul on Long Island on May 5, 2006, at 23:12:14
Uh-oh, I didn't know that Prozac causes weight gain. I just stated taking it a couple of weeks ago... But anyway, I've found that the number one way to keep weight off is to exercise--religiously. Diets are no good because then you just get obsessed with food. Also, drink lots of pure water (unsweetened) and stay away from sugar. A supplement I've found to be helpful for curbing appetite is Hoodia, but it may be somewhat expensive. Also, apple cider vinegar in a bit of water taken quickly like a shot can cut sugar cravings (if you have them). Hope this helps!
Posted by Racer on May 6, 2006, at 20:10:33
In reply to Prozac-Avoiding Weight Gain?, posted by Paul on Long Island on May 5, 2006, at 23:12:14
The bad news is that SSRIs do cause weight gain, because of their action on three specific serotonin receptors in the gut. Diet and exercise really won't fix it. Great news, huh?
The better news, which still isn't great, is that there are a couple of medications that can mitigate the problem. The big two are Topomax and Glucophage. Glucophage is used to treat type II diabetes, and Topomax is an anticonvulsant. Topomax is being used to treat binge eating and bulimia, and some of the bulimics I know say it's great for them. Both drugs have some less than pleasant side effects, but my former pdoc said taking bicarbonate of soda with Topomax reduces those side effects.
I'm sorry that ENSAM didn't work out for you. And good luck with the Prozac.
Posted by Phillipa on May 6, 2006, at 21:21:39
In reply to Re: Prozac-Avoiding Weight Gain? » Paul on Long Island, posted by Racer on May 6, 2006, at 20:10:33
That's strange I always lose wt on SSRI's go down at least l0lbs. And I have been up to maximum dose on many. Only talk about the ones I'v used since I joined babble. And a lot of people my sister included and neice didn't gain wt on paxil or zoloft. Maybe we have good body chemistry or we go by the height and wt scale for us or the running helps. So now all gain wt on SSRI's . I know some babblers hear that if they are reading will say the same. Why add another med more money, more foreign substances in your body if you don't need too? And metabolism changes over time. Love Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on May 6, 2006, at 21:26:09
In reply to Re: Prozac-Avoiding Weight Gain?, posted by Phillipa on May 6, 2006, at 21:21:39
Paul are you bulemic you never mentioned that in your e-mails? Love Phillipa
Posted by Racer on May 7, 2006, at 2:18:27
In reply to Re: Prozac-Avoiding Weight Gain?, posted by Phillipa on May 6, 2006, at 21:21:39
Posted by Paul on Long Island on May 7, 2006, at 9:29:48
In reply to Re: Prozac-Avoiding Weight Gain?, posted by Phillipa on May 6, 2006, at 21:26:09
Philipa, I am anything but bulimic. I used to make a joke (stolen from an actual comedian of course) that I'm anorexic...just not very good at it. Growing up I was always skinny as a rail, much like my younger sister and brother, although we certainly ate plenty. When I hit 25, I quit smoking. I went from 125 lbs to about 208 lbs in a year or two. At first, gaining weight seemed kinda neat (strange to think that now), because I had never been able to gain weight. Then it got way out of hand. I don't know really a polite word for this, so I'll just say that I absolutely HATE vomiting on the rare occasion I have a stomach illness, so I'm sure not about to do it when I don't need to. I want to lose the excess weight (not too much, just the excess). I'm not even necessarily looking for other prescription medications to do it...just strategies and I'm even willing to consider certain supplements, like vitamins, though not the diet pills. I did actually try hoodia recently though and found it useless. Of course that may have been the brand. Being unregulated, you never know what you're getting. Anyway, I hope that answered your questions....Paul
Posted by Phillipa on May 7, 2006, at 10:52:23
In reply to Re: Prozac-Avoiding Weight Gain?, posted by Paul on Long Island on May 7, 2006, at 9:29:48
Paul have you heard of Tonalin? It's a supplement supposedly used to lose wt or keep it under check You could post on the Alternative Board and see if anyone has any experience with it. Sorry I don't use it just see it all the time when I get my supplements in the health food store. Love Phillipa
Posted by wildcardII on May 7, 2006, at 15:33:11
In reply to Prozac-Avoiding Weight Gain?, posted by Paul on Long Island on May 5, 2006, at 23:12:14
Posted by Phillipa on May 7, 2006, at 16:11:10
In reply to Re: Prozac-Avoiding Weight Gain?, posted by Paul on Long Island on May 7, 2006, at 9:29:48
Paul I talked with my nutritional ghru and he said to check on alternative board and that Tonalin was more complicated than that. I'm going there now. Will babblmail you his name. Love Phillipa
Posted by Racer on May 7, 2006, at 20:14:46
In reply to i'm sorry PJ...just ignore some people (nm), posted by wildcardII on May 7, 2006, at 15:33:11
Posted by bassman on May 7, 2006, at 20:40:27
In reply to Prozac-Avoiding Weight Gain?, posted by Paul on Long Island on May 5, 2006, at 23:12:14
150 mg Wellbutrin, if your anxiety will stand it (I have panic disorder and am taking Prozac and Wellbutrin). I just started Prozac and have been losing weight, so I'll watch out-supposedly, though, Prozac is "weight neutral". Not for everyone, I guess. Best of luck.
Posted by wildcardII on May 7, 2006, at 21:24:43
In reply to Re: Prozac-Avoiding Weight Gain?, posted by bassman on May 7, 2006, at 20:40:27
prozac combined w/ wellbutrin worked well for me re: weight gain but can cause more anxiety. hope you find what works good for you. take care
Posted by Sobriquet Style on May 8, 2006, at 6:23:10
In reply to yes » bassman, posted by wildcardII on May 7, 2006, at 21:24:43
Hope you guys work it out.
Peace
~
Posted by wildcardII on May 8, 2006, at 12:16:45
In reply to Racer and Phillipa, posted by Sobriquet Style on May 8, 2006, at 6:23:10
Posted by wildcardII on May 8, 2006, at 19:30:29
In reply to Prozac-Avoiding Weight Gain?, posted by Paul on Long Island on May 5, 2006, at 23:12:14
i am 8 months pregnant and had a weight check today. taking 20mg prozac (fear of relapse), with 300mg wellbutrin xr i have dropped 7 pounds. the baby is very healthy and a good size and i have had minimal weight gain. doc says my body got rid of the extra unneeded weight from my 1 year old and what little i have gained is baby weight. i gained at least 60 with my 1st two..lol
Posted by Phillipa on May 8, 2006, at 20:45:50
In reply to wellbutrin w/ prozac works very well » Paul on Long Island, posted by wildcardII on May 8, 2006, at 19:30:29
Congratulaions told you your tummy wasn't big!!!!Love Phillipa
Posted by wildcardII on May 9, 2006, at 7:20:30
In reply to Re: wellbutrin w/ prozac works very well » wildcardII, posted by Phillipa on May 8, 2006, at 20:45:50
This is the end of the thread.
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