Antidepressant and weight gain.

[somethingcleverer]

Well it's no secret I've been struggling with my weight for awhile and I'm almost positive it's due to my antidepressant. I've been eating better (but not perfect) and increased my exercise and I'm still gaining. I'm trying to get my eating better but it's kind of a vicious cycle. I get down about my weight and I want to have a glass of wine or a cookie because I feel like eating right is no use right now. So my question is- has anyone else gone through this? Did you switch or go off antidepressants?

I'm using an ssri for my anxiety but I'm getting extremely depressed about my weight gain. This is the second ssri I've tried and I'm not sure if the other choices my dr suggested at my last appointment will really be any different. Sorry for the book I'm just feeling so frustrated with this right now.

[MissMusic]

I don't know much about anti-deps at this point, but I took them for years. For me, it was the opposite because I couldn't bring myself to eat when I was depressed and sometimes meds made me nauseated. Weight gain or loss are common side effects of SSRIs.

You have to find meds or a combo of meds that works for you. Weight gain is certainly a side effect,and if its making you feel WORSE because of weight gain then its something that is backfiring!

I know that Prozac was AWFUL for me. I was switched to Wellbutrin and felt 100% better, plus it helped with fatigue. You can ask your doc about something like that, since I know it works differently than other SSRIs.

Big hugs, hang in there, good luck!

[somethingcleverer]

Thanks MissMusic. I guess I already know what I need to do but I just don't want to go back to the dr and tell him I'm even fatter than last time and ask to try something else. I feel like he thinks I'm being lazy (he's not a jerk I think I'm just projecting) grr. I just wish I could get off them but I still have quite a bit of anxiety while on the lexapro. I was on Wellbutrin before and I didn't gain on it but I did get a bad taste in my mouth lol. At least I can use mints for that I guess I'll see what my doc thinks.

[MissMusic]

Jun 17, 2015 21:58:21 GMT -5 somethingcleverer said:

Thanks MissMusic. I guess I already know what I need to do but I just don't want to go back to the dr and tell him I'm even fatter than last time and ask to try something else. I feel like he thinks I'm being lazy (he's not a jerk I think I'm just projecting) grr. I just wish I could get off them but I still have quite a bit of anxiety while on the lexapro. I was on Wellbutrin before and I didn't gain on it but I did get a bad taste in my mouth lol. At least I can use mints for that I guess I'll see what my doc thinks.

But see, getting on the right meds will help you think differently!  No one WANTS to be on meds, and you can definitely feel shitty about yourself just because you have a script, but the fact of the matter is that you are doing what you need to do to get healthy mentally--which will affect you physically--which will affect you mentally again.  You deserve to feel better.

[summergirl1211]

somethingcleverer, I'm not familiar with specific antidepressants but my SIL has taken them for quite awhile. She also gained quite a bit of weight and she used to be super skinny and in really good shape. I agree with MissMusic that while the side effect is common, if it's making you feel worse then something is wrong. I'd definitely mention it to your doctor and see if they have other suggestions for you. GL!

[aylafsu1881]

Not sure about all antidepressants but I will give my experience I was on Effexor for about 6-8 months due to anxiety and stress. I took a small dose (I thin 25-40 mg per day) and did not have any weight gain or issues with it. It did make me feel more loopy, happy in general which was nice. Maybe it is a dose thing? I know they wanted me on a higher dose but I was fine with the smaller dose.

[somethingcleverer]

Jun 18, 2015 8:49:10 GMT -5 aylafsu1881 said:

Not sure about all antidepressants but I will give my experience I was on Effexor for about 6-8 months due to anxiety and stress. I took a small dose (I thin 25-40 mg per day) and did not have any weight gain or issues with it. It did make me feel more loopy, happy in general which was nice. Maybe it is a dose thing? I know they wanted me on a higher dose but I was fine with the smaller dose.

I believe Effexor was one of the other ones my dr mentioned. The one I'm on is supposed to be "weight neutral" but obviously not for me. It's nice to know Effexor helped with the anxiety. I feel like those are not used as much for anxiety. I actually feel fine on the medication, not tired, not overly "loopy" but I can't take the gain anymore. I'm pretty close to the weight I was at when I had Aubrey. Even with exercise and diet changes.

[aylafsu1881]

somethingcleverer, Yeah. I do not know much about it. I had a bunch of dental work in 2013-2014 and developed TMJ and nerve issues. My primary recommended it since I was stressed the F out and it was a 4 month wait to get in with the TMJ guy. Her theory was that I was grinding and clinching which was only making the TMJ worse while I was waiting to get in. Plus having a toddler and work did not help things.

Weight sucks and I am sorry you are dealing with it. I remember when I went off BC in 2011 to TTC I gained 15 lbs! I mean most people lose weight when they stop BC but not me. I gained, which sucked. The good thing was my body adjusted but it took awhile.

[mightythorgi]

somethingcleverer, I just started back on the lowest dose of cymbalta (though it is generic--duloxetine). The soonest I could get with the psychiatrist the hospital referred is mid-July so we will revisit drugs/dosages then. I am also taking a low dose of clonazepam and while it keeps the anxiety at bay I have a feeling it is making me a little sluggish, already.

I will let you know if I learn anything at my appointment

[somethingcleverer]

Thanks mightythorgi cymbalta was the other one my doctor mentioned. The clonazepam can definitely cause drowsiness so that could be making you feel sluggish.

Thanks for all the responses! Even though I should know all about the antidepressants it's nice to just to hear other people's experiences with the medications. Makes me feel better about my experience.

[USCgirl]

I took Wellbutrin for several years and it actually made me lose weight, which was not good since I am slim to begin with. I did feel it worked very well, even at the lowest dosage. The only one thing I warn about with Wellbutrin is jaw problems. I would constantly clench my jaw without knowing it and it caused many issues for years after, including bad headaches.

Good luck to you! Depression sucks, period! I do find that meditation has helped tremendously, specifically mindfulness meditation. There are a few good short ones on YouTube you can check out.

[orangebird]

Lurker here.  I have been on anti-depressants for most of my adult life, as I have a major depressive disorder.  Effexor is what has worked best for me; it does not seem to have any of the "typical" unpleasant side effects (weight gain, sleepiness).  HOWEVER, please be aware that some people experience very severe withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing Effexor.  This may not be something that would affect you, but it's worth considering as you weigh pros / cons.  With Effexor it is very important that if you discontinue, you do so VERY gradually.  I would also say that because of the potential withdrawal symptoms, it is very important not to miss a dose.  Effexor continues to be my "go-to" antidepressant, but I made a major mistake in quitting cold turkey when I got pregnant and paid a hefty price for it.  Ultimately I ended up going back on it in month 4 and had a healthy daughter.  I don't know whether I would have been able to go without anti-depressants for the duration of my pregnancy had I tapered off gradually, but quitting cold turkey certainly did not help.

If you want more information on this, there's a ton of info on the web on Effexor and withdrawal.  Again, not everyone experiences withdrawal, but Effexor is generally considered to be the anti-depressant with the greatest risk of withdrawal issues.  Despite this, I would still highly recommend it for anyone who has been struggling to find an anti-depressant that works and does not present significant side effects on a day-to-day basis.  Just be very careful if and when you decide to discontinue.