Posted by Gabbi on July 9, 2002, at 22:02:05
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by newgirl on April 18, 2000, at 10:46:14
> > Just got sample of Effexor XR.
> I've been on Paxil 20mg. for 1 yr.
> I feel great and my panic attacks are gone.
> BUT --- I keep gaining weight. I told my dr.
> to give me something else.
> Did anyone gain weight on this stuff?
> Does anyone use this for panic attacks.
> My dr. told me I could go right from Paxil
> to Effexor XR, stopping one and starting the
> other with no withdrawl symptoms. ANyone try it. Thanks for any input.
> > >
>
> I was on Paxil for one year also, and it worked
> GREAT for me for the severe PMS mood swings and
> depression I was experiencing. At first I had
> no weight gain, then after about 6 months, I
> suddenly gained 35 pounds in 4 months! The web
> info sites on depression and meds say that the
> SSRI's (Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft) are more apt to
> cause weight loss than weight gain, but I know
> a LOT of people who take them or have taken
> them, and they had the same thing I experienced --
> about 6 months with no problem, then BAM -- a
> big weight gain in 4-6 months without changing
> their eating habits or decreasing their activity
> levels.
>
> I switched to Wellbutrin SR a few weeks ago.
> We'll see how it goes.I originally was on 80mgs of Prozac, and had also tried Paxil, and I did gain weight on both of them, these were prescribed by my family Dr.
They did help with the depression but my anxiety level skyrocketed.
I was admitted to hospital (I am getting to the point here) and luckily was treated by a brilliant Psychopharmacologist, it was a fluke, he was "on tour" but it made me realize just how much of a difference a specialist can make. Anyways the point... He reduced my Prozac to 20mgs and supplemented it with a t4 thyroid hormone. I don't have low thyroid but what it does is increase the antidepressent affects of the SSRI without the side effects of a larger dose, and additionally I ended up losing weight! Surprisingly it did not increase my anxiety. Apparently this works with most SSRI drugs obviously everyones chemistry is different but If you can find a knowledgeble Doctor willing to try it I would definately suggest it.
poster:Gabbi
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020709/msgs/111890.html