![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 5 to 29 of 29. Go back in thread:
Posted by LISABECK on January 11, 2001, at 21:27:36
In reply to Re: What Is It With SSRI's And WEIGHT GAIN???, posted by r.anne on January 11, 2001, at 19:07:21
ANNE, I have to tell you...This is NOT about self-esteem-that is for sure. I am forever complimented on how gorgeousI am and all that nonsense. My entire life, I'm now 36, I have been hit on my men non stop. I love the way I look. As a matter of fact, most people think I'm 25. And, I don't even care about all that because when you suffer from panic disorder/depression or anything, it doesn't matter a damn bit how you look. However, I don't feel good at this weight since for 29 years of my 36, I have been 50lbs less. I feel very tired with low energy, and I have major low back problems. I was really just reaching out to see if there is a solution that anyone has found.
Posted by MarkinBoston on January 11, 2001, at 22:25:12
In reply to What Is It With SSRI's And WEIGHT GAIN???, posted by LISABECK on January 11, 2001, at 15:56:29
> I am so digusted with this weight gain issue with SSRI's.
I know what you mean and used to think that the weight gain was OK, but accepting that I will have to deal with depression for the rest of my life, excess weight leads to higer risk for heart disease, diabetes, and celebacy - none of which are heartening.
Elevated cortisol hormone levels are associated with depression and panic attacks. Cortisol also favors gaining fat, some of it indirectly with suppressed growth hormone levels, which decline with age anyway.
High estrogen levels are also associated with fat increase.
Worse, fat begets more fat via its influence on hormone levels. The only nice thing is that beta endorphin (natural opiates) are higher with more fat.
As a man and depressed, my testosterone level was measured as just under normal and I was able to get a script for a level that put me at borderline high-normal. It made me feel good enough to go back to the gym and I gained muscle AND lost 30 lbs in 2 months.
The hard part is wanting an endocrinologist help manage several hormones at healthy levels. Supplimenting testosterone cased my estrogen to be triple that of an average man, but managing that with one more drug was rocket science to my doc. Its in research papers, new books, common practice for athletes, but alien to most endocrinolists. There's tools to be used but arn't.
There's probably a dozen or more Women's health centers in and around Boston, but no Men's health center. We still have a way to go for the awareness to happen.
Posted by r.anne on January 11, 2001, at 23:12:18
In reply to Re: What Is It With SSRI's And WEIGHT GAIN???, posted by Joy on January 11, 2001, at 20:21:14
Don't knock it if you haven't tried it! It works for many people. Break out of the media and societal "molds" of what people should look like. Try something new. There are many happy and healthy larger people. Don't flame my opinions, thank you.
> Self-Esteem Comes in All Sizes by Karen A.Johnson. A book about a new way to view your size.
Posted by r.anne on January 11, 2001, at 23:16:17
In reply to Re: What Is It With SSRI's And WEIGHT GAIN???, posted by LISABECK on January 11, 2001, at 21:27:36
> ANNE, I have to tell you...This is NOT about self-esteem-that is for sure. I am forever complimented on how gorgeousI am and all that nonsense. My entire life, I'm now 36, I have been hit on my men non stop. I love the way I look. As a matter of fact, most people think I'm 25. And, I don't even care about all that because when you suffer from panic disorder/depression or anything, it doesn't matter a damn bit how you look. However, I don't feel good at this weight since for 29 years of my 36, I have been 50lbs less. I feel very tired with low energy, and I have major low back problems. I was really just reaching out to see if there is a solution that anyone has found.
*****
I was suggesting another option of changing ones attitude toward weight gain. My message was not to you anyways, it was to the founder of this thread. I suggest you stop flaming me, too.
Posted by r.anne on January 11, 2001, at 23:19:32
In reply to Re: What Is It With SSRI's And WEIGHT GAIN???, posted by LISABECK on January 11, 2001, at 21:27:36
Okay I see you posted this thread. I have a right to my opinion and to suggest something, too. I suggested a good book that is good for anyone to read-it helped me a lot. I took the time to think of you and answer your thread and you were not very nice to me.
Posted by dennis on January 12, 2001, at 0:21:09
In reply to What Is It With SSRI's And WEIGHT GAIN???, posted by LISABECK on January 11, 2001, at 15:56:29
I am going to become a distributor of herbal health products soon, you could be my first customer, many people have lost weight with these products, let me know if you want to try them, you dont have to buy anything, I will send you free samples.
Posted by Joy on January 12, 2001, at 7:46:19
In reply to Re: What Is It With SSRI's And WEIGHT GAIN???, posted by dennis on January 12, 2001, at 0:21:09
Let's be honest and not politically correct here. I meant no disrespect to r.anne at all. The reality is that people who gain 30, 40 and 50 pounds on SSRIs and other ADs are often very unhappy with the way they look [and many stay depressed because of this]. They did not have this problem before taking the meds. If a book, or anything else helps self esteem, I'm all for it, but we live in a physical/material world, and most people are not happy with massive weight gain. This is a very serious situation for a lot of people. I apologize to r.anne for being a bit curt about her recommended book. My annoyance is with the drug companies actually; putting in their literature that these meds may cause weight loss; now there's a laugh...especially as a side effect of Paxil!
Posted by lissy on January 12, 2001, at 8:24:05
In reply to Re: What Is It With SSRI's And WEIGHT GAIN???, posted by Joy on January 12, 2001, at 7:46:19
> Let's be honest and not politically
Yes I agree that is nice that there is a book out there to try to help people deal w/ their weight gain but that completely sidesteps the issue that the weight gain should not have happened in the first place and that the drug companies should be held accountable for their lies. Also, even if we are happy w/ourselves being fat it skirts the issue that it will screw up our health and also shorten our lives. I have gained a total of 75 pounds between being on paxil and effexor and have been off a.ds for a month now and dieted and exercised constantly and my weight has'nt budged no book is going to make me feel better about that. And I am sick of the drug companies claiming weight loss on all these a.ds but they know if they were to disclose the truth people would'nt touch the damn things. And I don't mean to spout off but has anyone noticed a correlation that we keep hearing americans are fatter than ever when there is more people on antidepressants than ever?? I am also so sick of all the doctors and pharmacists that i complain to about the weight gain from a.ds act like I am crazy and tell me that is not possible they are known for weight loss. I think the drug companies put that so people will be eager to try them. Sorry to sound so paranoid and angry but no book is going to bring back my husband wanting to have sex w/ me cuz he is not turned on by fat and other kid's making fun of my kids because their mom is huge now. I was fine w/weight before antidepressants and i am so sick of being told that my appetite must have just gotten better because I must be happier. Bull----!! I had a normal appetite even when I was depressed. If anyone has any ideas of what I can do to help speed up my metabolism w/ my dieting and exercising let me know and I get my thyroid checked every 3 months and am on the correct dosage so my hypothyroidism can't be it since i have been on thyroid meds longer than before the a.ds so my weight gain started w/the a.ds not from low thyroid. Again I apologize for bending everyone's ear too long and probably giving out too much information but I have had it w/all the deception about a.ds!!!
Posted by LISABECK on January 12, 2001, at 11:05:12
In reply to Re: What Is It With SSRI's And WEIGHT GAIN???, posted by r.anne on January 11, 2001, at 23:16:17
Anne, I am not flaming you! I'm just trying to point out to you that my issue with weight does NOT come from a lack of self-esteem!
Posted by LISABECK on January 12, 2001, at 11:12:40
In reply to Re: What Is It With SSRI's And WEIGHT GAIN???, posted by Joy on January 12, 2001, at 7:46:19
Hi Joy...You're absulutely right! I do not mean any disrespect to Anne either; however, for me, it's just not so much about not wearing a size 5/6 or 7/8 anymore. As a matter of fact, I was too thin. On the other hand, and like I said in my previus mail, it's hard to carry around an extra 50lbs! It's hard physically as well as emotionally. And for me, I don't even look my weight because I carry it very well, and I'm tall, but I can feel it. And, I don't want to gain more. And as for Paxil, I hate the stuff. Take Prozac for example. All I have ever heard from every doctor and pharmacist I have every spoken too, is that it causes weight loss, but I gained 40lbs..It's just a bunch of crap with all the Pharmaceutical companies...All lies
Posted by LISABECK on January 12, 2001, at 11:19:00
In reply to Re: What Is It With SSRI's And WEIGHT GAIN???, posted by lissy on January 12, 2001, at 8:24:05
Lissy, I hear you loud and Clear! I'm sorry and I emphathize completely.
The only thing that has helped me to lose any weight at all, has been Topamax! My doctor gave it to me to take with Paxil because it curbs the appetite. I have acutally lost 7lbs in the past 2 months. I went through one entire year of doing major aerobics for 1.5 hours a night, 5 nights a week, and dieting. After the year was up, my weight had not budged! This is when I was on Prozac...I have drank and still drink 8-10 glasses of water a day-THAT MADE NO DIFFERENCE. I have starved myself-THAT MADE NO DIFFERENCE..IT'S TOTAL CRAP-WE TRY TO REACH OUT TO THE MEDICAL PROFESSION AND WE TAKE THESE MEDICATIONS TO HELP OURSELVES AND THEN WE END UP WITH ANOTHER ISSUE...
Posted by bissie66 on January 12, 2001, at 11:40:57
In reply to Re: What Is It With SSRI's And WEIGHT GAIN???, posted by LISABECK on January 12, 2001, at 11:19:00
> Lissy, I hear you loud and Clear! I'm sorry and I emphathize completely.
> The only thing that has helped me to lose any weight at all, has been Topamax! My doctor gave it to me to take with Paxil because it curbs the appetite. I have acutally lost 7lbs in the past 2 months. I went through one entire year of doing major aerobics for 1.5 hours a night, 5 nights a week, and dieting. After the year was up, my weight had not budged! This is when I was on Prozac...I have drank and still drink 8-10 glasses of water a day-THAT MADE NO DIFFERENCE. I have starved myself-THAT MADE NO DIFFERENCE..
>
> IT'S TOTAL CRAP-WE TRY TO REACH OUT TO THE MEDICAL PROFESSION AND WE TAKE THESE MEDICATIONS TO HELP OURSELVES AND THEN WE END UP WITH ANOTHER ISSUE...I'm on SSRIs and I'm thinner now than I've been in years -- my pdoc thinks I'm underweight. I wonder what percentage of people really do gain weight on SSRIs? Does anyone know?
Posted by lissy on January 12, 2001, at 12:50:54
In reply to Re: What Is It With SSRI's And WEIGHT GAIN???, posted by bissie66 on January 12, 2001, at 11:40:57
> > Lissy, I hear you loud and Clear! I'm sorry and I emphathize completely.
> > The only thing that has helped me to lose any weight at all, has been Topamax! My doctor gave it to me to take with Paxil because it curbs the appetite. I have acutally lost 7lbs in the past 2 months. I went through one entire year of doing major aerobics for 1.5 hours a night, 5 nights a week, and dieting. After the year was up, my weight had not budged! This is when I was on Prozac...I have drank and still drink 8-10 glasses of water a day-THAT MADE NO DIFFERENCE. I have starved myself-THAT MADE NO DIFFERENCE..
> >
> > IT'S TOTAL CRAP-WE TRY TO REACH OUT TO THE MEDICAL PROFESSION AND WE TAKE THESE MEDICATIONS TO HELP OURSELVES AND THEN WE END UP WITH ANOTHER ISSUE...
>
> I'm on SSRIs and I'm thinner now than I've been in years -- my pdoc thinks I'm underweight. I wonder what percentage of people really do gain weight on SSRIs? Does anyone know?Bissie, you are one of very few people i have heard who have lost just looking at this website alone and the archives let alone all the other places I have researched or people I have talked to. And just from a very small percentage of people who lose the drug companies think they have the right to tout that it causes weight loss and not present or deeply bury the facts in small tiny print about what they call "change it weight or change in appetite". Another thought that pops up in my mind which may also sound paranoid is that you have to wonder if the drug companies that produce the anti depressants the ones who produce the diet drugs are profiting from each other I.e: Someone gains weight on a.ds goes on the diet pills next. How convenient would that be. I think I will go check and see which of the drug companies are producing both. They would be making quite a nifty profit would'nt they?
Posted by Jackster on January 12, 2001, at 16:05:39
In reply to Re: What Is It With SSRI's And WEIGHT GAIN???, posted by lissy on January 12, 2001, at 12:50:54
After being on Paxil for about 2 years I gained about 15 pounds. I managed to lose some of it by going to the gym and trying to eat healthy foods. AFter 3 years on the stuff I decided to wean myself off it. Then went through the pain of trying different meds as my agoraphobia got worse and worse. Being really depressed, I lost all the weight that I had gained being on Paxil. I decided I would much rather have the extra weight and be happy.
Posted by LISABECK on January 14, 2001, at 12:46:05
In reply to Re: What Is It With SSRI's And WEIGHT GAIN???, posted by Jackster on January 12, 2001, at 16:05:39
Jackster...I hear you loud and clear. I suffer from Agoraphobia too. I just started Celexa though about 2 weeks ago, and I feel a little better already. I weaned the Paxil down to 5mgs a day..Somehow, I've already lost 10lbs. Go figure!
I don't mind gaining some weight-50lbs is a lot for anyone to handle though! On the other hand, suffering from panic attacks, high levels of anxiety, agoraphobia, and then depression from having all the anxiety is worth some extra weigh-MOST DEFINITELY
Posted by Bob on January 14, 2001, at 14:08:12
In reply to Re: What Is It With SSRI's And WEIGHT GAIN???, posted by Jackster on January 12, 2001, at 16:05:39
> After being on Paxil for about 2 years I gained about 15 pounds. I managed to lose some of it by going to the gym and trying to eat healthy foods. AFter 3 years on the stuff I decided to wean myself off it. Then went through the pain of trying different meds as my agoraphobia got worse and worse. Being really depressed, I lost all the weight that I had gained being on Paxil. I decided I would much rather have the extra weight and be happy.
For me, it wasn't just a trade between some extra weight and happiness. In my opinion, SSRIs don't bring real contentment, rather, they provide relief from the terror of anxiety, panic, and depression (not that I'm making light of that). As long as I've been taking these meds, I've had to deal with: weight gain, somnolence, hypersomnia, sexual side-effects (in the case of effexor and some other more egregious offenders this means the loss of the ability to relate to the opposite sex intimately - quite a serious life changing thing if you ask me!!!!), incessant yawning, jaw clenching, constipation, bouts of anger (this one's from effexor)... and the list goes on. I realize every one's different, and I guess what I'm saying is I only wish the choice had been as easy as trading a few pounds for happiness for me!
Bob
Posted by S. Howard on January 16, 2001, at 18:13:04
In reply to What Is It With SSRI's And WEIGHT GAIN???, posted by LISABECK on January 11, 2001, at 15:56:29
Just read something interesting in a book called the "The Serotonin Solution", thought I would pass it on:HOW DOES DEXFENFLURAMINE (REDUX) WORK?
Like carbohydrates, dexfenfluramine reduces the appetite by working on the serotonin stress-management system, but it does this in a way quite distinct from carbohydrates. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter stored in certain brain cells until needed, becomes active when stimulated by other brain cells, leaves its storage place, and moves to a space between the cells. In this active state, serotonin is like a phone reciever with a working dial tone, ready to send messages. But after a short time, certain biochemical events occur that force serotonin back into the cells where it is stored. This reuptake of serotonin shuts off its activity as effectively as hanging up a phone breaks the connection.
Dexfenfluramine prolongs the transmission, or activity, of serotonin in two ways: by increasing the amount of serotonin that leaves the storage sites, which is known as enhancing the release of serotonin, and by keeping serotonin from returning back into the cells too soon, which is called inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin.
* * * * * *Now, if Redux is an SSRI, it follows that all SSRIs should cause weight loss. This is why doctors seem to be incredulous when we complain about weight gain and why drug companies claim that SSRIs may cause weight loss. This, as we all know, is very untrue. There is SOMETHING ELSE THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT going on with these SSRIs!
I gained almost 40 pounds in 6 months on Paxil and Prozac with no changes in my eating patterns or activities.Sorry this isn't a solution, just info on what your doctor knows, or believes, about SSRIs. BTW,
the "Serotonin Solution", which is a high-carbohydrate diet, not only didn't work for me, it made me feel lousy.Gracie
Posted by elsa on May 4, 2001, at 11:48:31
In reply to Re: What Is It With SSRI's And WEIGHT GAIN???, posted by Bob on January 14, 2001, at 14:08:12
> > After being on Paxil for about 2 years I gained about 15 pounds. I managed to lose some of it by going to the gym and trying to eat healthy foods. AFter 3 years on the stuff I decided to wean myself off it. Then went through the pain of trying different meds as my agoraphobia got worse and worse. Being really depressed, I lost all the weight that I had gained being on Paxil. I decided I would much rather have the extra weight and be happy.
>
> For me, it wasn't just a trade between some extra weight and happiness. In my opinion, SSRIs don't bring real contentment, rather, they provide relief from the terror of anxiety, panic, and depression (not that I'm making light of that). As long as I've been taking these meds, I've had to deal with: weight gain, somnolence, hypersomnia, sexual side-effects (in the case of effexor and some other more egregious offenders this means the loss of the ability to relate to the opposite sex intimately - quite a serious life changing thing if you ask me!!!!), incessant yawning, jaw clenching, constipation, bouts of anger (this one's from effexor)... and the list goes on. I realize every one's different, and I guess what I'm saying is I only wish the choice had been as easy as trading a few pounds for happiness for me!
>
> BobI have been taking Paxil for anxiety for about -5 years. My husband was going through cancer treatments; we are raising teenage grandchildren; and I was working full time. Now things have improved. I am trying to wean myself off Paxil.
I am hoping the jaw-clenching, teeth grinding, always tired even w/naps, and WEIGHT GAIN will go away. These are the things my doctor never told me about. Had to find out myself from the web and this forum.
Posted by Laura Jane on May 6, 2001, at 11:35:08
In reply to What Is It With SSRI's And WEIGHT GAIN???, posted by LISABECK on January 11, 2001, at 15:56:29
I, too, am disgusted. I started on zoloft two years ago and I was shocked when I discovered I was gaining weight, because I was not doing anything different. I stopped Zoloft (slowly) and experienced the same irritation and anger that put me on it in the first place so I went on Prozac, and I have been on it for a year. Of all the stupid side effects, weight gain is the one this former bulimic cannot handle. I keep thinking that someday I'll go off the Prozac and exercise and eat better and everything will be fine. I don't know when that will be since there never seems to be a good time for ad withdrawal. Hmmm, maybe I should try cocaine? Just kidding, but I feel that desperate sometimes. I am thankful that I'm not where I used to be emotionally, and I can handle my bad moods now. Though sometimes I feel like the Prozac isn't working.
What a stupid trade-off.
Posted by Rea on May 12, 2001, at 0:36:50
In reply to Re: What Is It With SSRI's And WEIGHT GAIN???, posted by Laura Jane on May 6, 2001, at 11:35:08
I've been on SSRI's on and off for a while and have gained over 40 pounds. I am just about at my wits end because I feel like I need the SSRI, but I get more depressed when I gain weight. I'm trying desparately to find something that will help without weight gain. I tried 5-HTP and St. John's Wort but spiraled down and am afraid I'll have to go back to an SSRI and gain even more weight. It's frustrating because some doc's (especially some male docs) don't seem to take this seriously.
I know this may sound a bit extreme, but I wonder if someone could sue the drug companies and win. I could understand if I had been informed that these drugs could cause weight gain and to watch for that. But no one said a thing and the literature that came with it said nothing about possible weight gain. For a long time I thought it was just me, but when my dose of Paxil was raised I gained 15 pounds in a very short time and couldn't stop eating. It's been an ongoing source of frustration and depression.
> I, too, am disgusted. I started on zoloft two years ago and I was shocked when I discovered I was gaining weight, because I was not doing anything different. I stopped Zoloft (slowly) and experienced the same irritation and anger that put me on it in the first place so I went on Prozac, and I have been on it for a year. Of all the stupid side effects, weight gain is the one this former bulimic cannot handle. I keep thinking that someday I'll go off the Prozac and exercise and eat better and everything will be fine. I don't know when that will be since there never seems to be a good time for ad withdrawal. Hmmm, maybe I should try cocaine? Just kidding, but I feel that desperate sometimes. I am thankful that I'm not where I used to be emotionally, and I can handle my bad moods now. Though sometimes I feel like the Prozac isn't working.
> What a stupid trade-off.
Posted by Christina on May 14, 2001, at 14:15:30
In reply to Re: What Is It With SSRI's And WEIGHT GAIN???, posted by Rea on May 12, 2001, at 0:36:50
These responses could have been written by me. I am in the same boat and I am very frustrated. I recently quit taking Celexa (after 6 yrs on various ADs) to see if I could drop some of the 40 hideous pounds I've gained. Haven't lost anything, and I feel like shit.
I'm still suffering from withdrawal effects that are getting worse.. not better. The worst is now that I slur my words and have a hard time communicating with people. THIS SUCKS!I would love to sue someone for screwing up my system so bad... but where would I start?
> I've been on SSRI's on and off for a while and have gained over 40 pounds. I am just about at my wits end because I feel like I need the SSRI, but I get more depressed when I gain weight. I'm trying desparately to find something that will help without weight gain. I tried 5-HTP and St. John's Wort but spiraled down and am afraid I'll have to go back to an SSRI and gain even more weight. It's frustrating because some doc's (especially some male docs) don't seem to take this seriously.
>
> I know this may sound a bit extreme, but I wonder if someone could sue the drug companies and win. I could understand if I had been informed that these drugs could cause weight gain and to watch for that. But no one said a thing and the literature that came with it said nothing about possible weight gain. For a long time I thought it was just me, but when my dose of Paxil was raised I gained 15 pounds in a very short time and couldn't stop eating. It's been an ongoing source of frustration and depression.
>
>
>
> > I, too, am disgusted. I started on zoloft two years ago and I was shocked when I discovered I was gaining weight, because I was not doing anything different. I stopped Zoloft (slowly) and experienced the same irritation and anger that put me on it in the first place so I went on Prozac, and I have been on it for a year. Of all the stupid side effects, weight gain is the one this former bulimic cannot handle. I keep thinking that someday I'll go off the Prozac and exercise and eat better and everything will be fine. I don't know when that will be since there never seems to be a good time for ad withdrawal. Hmmm, maybe I should try cocaine? Just kidding, but I feel that desperate sometimes. I am thankful that I'm not where I used to be emotionally, and I can handle my bad moods now. Though sometimes I feel like the Prozac isn't working.
> > What a stupid trade-off.
Posted by Rea on May 14, 2001, at 14:55:47
In reply to Re: What Is It With SSRI's And WEIGHT GAIN???, posted by lissy on January 12, 2001, at 8:24:05
I couldn't agree with you more, Lissy. I think the drug companies should be sued. I think maybe they didn't know right away for the first year or so that ssri's caused weight gain, but I think they've known for many years now after that and haven't made this information available because of the millions (or is it billions now?) of dollars they're making in sales.
It is criminal to withhold information that makes so many depressed patients so much more depressed and less healthy in the long run.
> > Let's be honest and not politically
>
>
> Yes I agree that is nice that there is a book out there to try to help people deal w/ their weight gain but that completely sidesteps the issue that the weight gain should not have happened in the first place and that the drug companies should be held accountable for their lies. Also, even if we are happy w/ourselves being fat it skirts the issue that it will screw up our health and also shorten our lives. I have gained a total of 75 pounds between being on paxil and effexor and have been off a.ds for a month now and dieted and exercised constantly and my weight has'nt budged no book is going to make me feel better about that. And I am sick of the drug companies claiming weight loss on all these a.ds but they know if they were to disclose the truth people would'nt touch the damn things. And I don't mean to spout off but has anyone noticed a correlation that we keep hearing americans are fatter than ever when there is more people on antidepressants than ever?? I am also so sick of all the doctors and pharmacists that i complain to about the weight gain from a.ds act like I am crazy and tell me that is not possible they are known for weight loss. I think the drug companies put that so people will be eager to try them. Sorry to sound so paranoid and angry but no book is going to bring back my husband wanting to have sex w/ me cuz he is not turned on by fat and other kid's making fun of my kids because their mom is huge now. I was fine w/weight before antidepressants and i am so sick of being told that my appetite must have just gotten better because I must be happier. Bull----!! I had a normal appetite even when I was depressed. If anyone has any ideas of what I can do to help speed up my metabolism w/ my dieting and exercising let me know and I get my thyroid checked every 3 months and am on the correct dosage so my hypothyroidism can't be it since i have been on thyroid meds longer than before the a.ds so my weight gain started w/the a.ds not from low thyroid. Again I apologize for bending everyone's ear too long and probably giving out too much information but I have had it w/all the deception about a.ds!!!
Posted by Rea on May 14, 2001, at 15:06:00
In reply to Re: What Is It With SSRI's And WEIGHT GAIN???, posted by Jackster on January 12, 2001, at 16:05:39
If someone needs the ssri and is okay with being overweight, that's one thing, at least it won't make them feel worse. But being overweight isn't healthy, as others have pointed out here. It also doesn't make it okay for the drug companies to "not bother" telling people that this is a possible side effect. And even if it wasn't unhealthy to be overweight, many depressed people will feel worse. I don't have anything against overweight people at all, but I don't want to be overweight, I want to have control of my own body. I joined a gym and do long distance biking and worked very hard and have seen little results. Now I see there is evidence that ssri's slow down your metabolism and make it hard to lose weight. I just want to scream sometimes. This male doc I USED to go to was like "well you can try diet and exercise" and did this little dance. Argh. I and others have enough other things, asthma, IBS, serious family matters and other crap going on to have to worry about this, too.
> After being on Paxil for about 2 years I gained about 15 pounds. I managed to lose some of it by going to the gym and trying to eat healthy foods. AFter 3 years on the stuff I decided to wean myself off it. Then went through the pain of trying different meds as my agoraphobia got worse and worse. Being really depressed, I lost all the weight that I had gained being on Paxil. I decided I would much rather have the extra weight and be happy.
Posted by Joy on May 14, 2001, at 21:11:35
In reply to I totally relate.... sign me Fat Ass!, posted by Christina on May 14, 2001, at 14:15:30
I have lost a few pounds on Prozac. Paxil made me very hungry all the time. Prozac seems to curb my appetite a little. Sometimes I don't feel like eating a lot, though I enjoy my chocolate and have a little every day. If you are not feeling all that great on Prozac, you may want to ask your doc/pdoc about raising your dose a little. I went to 40 mgs with no problems and still have that weight loss which is fine with me. Good luck.
Joy
> These responses could have been written by me. I am in the same boat and I am very frustrated. I recently quit taking Celexa (after 6 yrs on various ADs) to see if I could drop some of the 40 hideous pounds I've gained. Haven't lost anything, and I feel like shit.
> I'm still suffering from withdrawal effects that are getting worse.. not better. The worst is now that I slur my words and have a hard time communicating with people. THIS SUCKS!
>
> I would love to sue someone for screwing up my system so bad... but where would I start?
>
>
> > I've been on SSRI's on and off for a while and have gained over 40 pounds. I am just about at my wits end because I feel like I need the SSRI, but I get more depressed when I gain weight. I'm trying desparately to find something that will help without weight gain. I tried 5-HTP and St. John's Wort but spiraled down and am afraid I'll have to go back to an SSRI and gain even more weight. It's frustrating because some doc's (especially some male docs) don't seem to take this seriously.
> >
> > I know this may sound a bit extreme, but I wonder if someone could sue the drug companies and win. I could understand if I had been informed that these drugs could cause weight gain and to watch for that. But no one said a thing and the literature that came with it said nothing about possible weight gain. For a long time I thought it was just me, but when my dose of Paxil was raised I gained 15 pounds in a very short time and couldn't stop eating. It's been an ongoing source of frustration and depression.
> >
> >
> >
> > > I, too, am disgusted. I started on zoloft two years ago and I was shocked when I discovered I was gaining weight, because I was not doing anything different. I stopped Zoloft (slowly) and experienced the same irritation and anger that put me on it in the first place so I went on Prozac, and I have been on it for a year. Of all the stupid side effects, weight gain is the one this former bulimic cannot handle. I keep thinking that someday I'll go off the Prozac and exercise and eat better and everything will be fine. I don't know when that will be since there never seems to be a good time for ad withdrawal. Hmmm, maybe I should try cocaine? Just kidding, but I feel that desperate sometimes. I am thankful that I'm not where I used to be emotionally, and I can handle my bad moods now. Though sometimes I feel like the Prozac isn't working.
> > > What a stupid trade-off.
Posted by jentle on May 15, 2001, at 3:19:39
In reply to Re: I totally relate.... sign me Fat Ass! » Christina, posted by Joy on May 14, 2001, at 21:11:35
I can't tell you how shocked, surprised, and thrilled I was to find this post!
Let me explain... this is my story and someone else wrote it. That means I'm not the only one with this
problem. I take 100mg of zoloft and 300mg of wellbutrin every day. In the 2 1/2 years I've been taking these,
I've gained 30 pounds. My eating habits have not changed, and if anything, I'm getting more excercise than
before. I too, went off the meds for awhile, but went right back to the anger, the tears for no apparent
reason, and all the other fun stuff that goes with my depression. I have yet to decide which is worse... the
crying, anger, etc., or having to continually buy new clothes because nothing fits.
For now, I guess I'll be fat...
It's better than being emotionally out of control...
kind of...> I have lost a few pounds on Prozac. Paxil made me very hungry all the time. Prozac seems to curb my appetite a little. Sometimes I don't feel like eating a lot, though I enjoy my chocolate and have a little every day. If you are not feeling all that great on Prozac, you may want to ask your doc/pdoc about raising your dose a little. I went to 40 mgs with no problems and still have that weight loss which is fine with me. Good luck.
> Joy
>
>
>
>
> > These responses could have been written by me. I am in the same boat and I am very frustrated. I recently quit taking Celexa (after 6 yrs on various ADs) to see if I could drop some of the 40 hideous pounds I've gained. Haven't lost anything, and I feel like shit.
> > I'm still suffering from withdrawal effects that are getting worse.. not better. The worst is now that I slur my words and have a hard time communicating with people. THIS SUCKS!
> >
> > I would love to sue someone for screwing up my system so bad... but where would I start?
> >
> >
> > > I've been on SSRI's on and off for a while and have gained over 40 pounds. I am just about at my wits end because I feel like I need the SSRI, but I get more depressed when I gain weight. I'm trying desparately to find something that will help without weight gain. I tried 5-HTP and St. John's Wort but spiraled down and am afraid I'll have to go back to an SSRI and gain even more weight. It's frustrating because some doc's (especially some male docs) don't seem to take this seriously.
> > >
> > > I know this may sound a bit extreme, but I wonder if someone could sue the drug companies and win. I could understand if I had been informed that these drugs could cause weight gain and to watch for that. But no one said a thing and the literature that came with it said nothing about possible weight gain. For a long time I thought it was just me, but when my dose of Paxil was raised I gained 15 pounds in a very short time and couldn't stop eating. It's been an ongoing source of frustration and depression.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > > I, too, am disgusted. I started on zoloft two years ago and I was shocked when I discovered I was gaining weight, because I was not doing anything different. I stopped Zoloft (slowly) and experienced the same irritation and anger that put me on it in the first place so I went on Prozac, and I have been on it for a year. Of all the stupid side effects, weight gain is the one this former bulimic cannot handle. I keep thinking that someday I'll go off the Prozac and exercise and eat better and everything will be fine. I don't know when that will be since there never seems to be a good time for ad withdrawal. Hmmm, maybe I should try cocaine? Just kidding, but I feel that desperate sometimes. I am thankful that I'm not where I used to be emotionally, and I can handle my bad moods now. Though sometimes I feel like the Prozac isn't working.
> > > > What a stupid trade-off.
This is the end of the thread.
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