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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by sassy on August 25, 1999, at 0:34:28
In reply to Re: Damn Weight Gain, posted by nancy on July 31, 1999, at 18:10:04
dr. bob
Is celexa known to cause weight gain at a specific dose?
Can you identify the thread that mostly answer this weight problem?
I've read superenergy and weight loss for some, while weight gain for others.
Does this medicine affect the thyroid, adrenals.
What causes the weight gain?
Sassy
I too am having a serious problem with this> I did the exact same. I decided that if I were going to be a "bigger version of my typical self", then at least I was going to be toned and shapely!
>
>
> > Jeff,
> > True, most of what these people have said is correct. Although most anti-depressants help, there is that stupid side effect of weight gain that almost flips you 360 right back to being depressed. They also do slow down your metabolism which makes exercise and dieting (even healthy wise not starving) EXTREEMLY difficult and horribly unrewarding. I have been dealing with this same problem for 5 years now and I am sick of it. Do you ever just weigh the conquences- thin and unstable or fat and mentally okay? I am at that stupid point again and I wish there were more studies on finding a drug that has less side effects. Best advice I can give is to sit down and really write out on a piece of paper what you really want to do. Like, loose 10 or 100 pounds or to start to be more active. Thats all we really can do because were not the chemists coming up with these new wonder drugs. I struggle every single day - this one being the worst in 2 months - so trying to help somebody else helps me in a way too. There is a lot of us out there, just take it one day at a time and try hard to eat smaller portions and less fatty foods! Oh and walk instead of driving when ever you can - just try and stay moving!
> >
> > Hope this helped somewhat...Jen ; )
Posted by Kim on August 25, 1999, at 3:00:11
In reply to Re: Damn Weight Gain- to Dr. Bob, posted by sassy on August 25, 1999, at 0:34:28
I am glad to know the weight gain problem isn't mine alone! We moved a year ago so I have a new psych doctor and he tells me to do aerobics 5 days a week--and some days it's all I can do to get out of bed. Sometimes I think I'm depressed because I look like the Blob! I asked about the new weight loss medication (that replaced the fen-phen) and he just told me if I'd do 40 minutes of aerobics 5 times a week I could lose a pound a MONTH. At a pound a month, I'll likely die of something else before I take off all the weight I've gained on ADs.
Kim
Posted by Sassy on August 26, 1999, at 19:24:31
In reply to Re: Damn Weight Gain- to Dr. Bob, posted by sassy on August 25, 1999, at 0:34:28
> dr. bob
>
> Is celexa known to cause weight gain at a specific dose?
>
> Can you identify the thread that mostly answer this weight problem?
>
> I've read superenergy and weight loss for some, while weight gain for others.
>
> Does this medicine affect the thyroid, adrenals.
>
> What causes the weight gain?
>
> Sassy
>
> I too am having a serious problem with this> I did the exact same. I decided that if I were going to be a "bigger version of my typical self", then at least I was going to be toned and shapely!
> >
> >
> > > Jeff,
> > > True, most of what these people have said is correct. Although most anti-depressants help, there is that stupid side effect of weight gain that almost flips you 360 right back to being depressed. They also do slow down your metabolism which makes exercise and dieting (even healthy wise not starving) EXTREEMLY difficult and horribly unrewarding. I have been dealing with this same problem for 5 years now and I am sick of it. Do you ever just weigh the conquences- thin and unstable or fat and mentally okay? I am at that stupid point again and I wish there were more studies on finding a drug that has less side effects. Best advice I can give is to sit down and really write out on a piece of paper what you really want to do. Like, loose 10 or 100 pounds or to start to be more active. Thats all we really can do because were not the chemists coming up with these new wonder drugs. I struggle every single day - this one being the worst in 2 months - so trying to help somebody else helps me in a way too. There is a lot of us out there, just take it one day at a time and try hard to eat smaller portions and less fatty foods! Oh and walk instead of driving when ever you can - just try and stay moving!
> > >
> > > Hope this helped somewhat...Jen ; )Thanks for everyones comments. I think I will
wean myself off this medication. Since I've always had a weight problem, overweight is an issue for me.I will keep checking out the site for any new
leads that may help.Much success to everyone.
Sassy
Posted by Linda on March 31, 2000, at 16:52:25
In reply to Re: Damn Weight Gain- to Dr. Bob-Thanks Everyone!, posted by Sassy on August 26, 1999, at 19:24:31
I just wrote a book and think I lost it here is the short version. If you have gained weght on antidepressants get the book 5-Htp by dr. michael Murray, N.D. Readit and you will have your answers to loose the weight, keeping sane off antidepressants and many other things you may dealing with migranes sexuall dysfunction exaustion and on and on. I have spent hours researching this before I started my journey to true health and happiness.
> > God Bless Linda
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > What causes the weight gain?
> >
> > Sassy
> >
> > I too am having a serious problem with this> I did the exact same. I decided that if I were going to be a "bigger version of my typical self", then at least I was going to be toned and shapely!
> > >
> > >
> > > > Jeff,
> > > > True, most of what these people have said is correct. Although most anti-depressants help, there is that stupid side effect of weight gain that almost flips you 360 right back to being depressed. They also do slow down your metabolism which makes exercise and dieting (even healthy wise not starving) EXTREEMLY difficult and horribly unrewarding. I have been dealing with this same problem for 5 years now and I am sick of it. Do you ever just weigh the conquences- thin and unstable or fat and mentally okay? I am at that stupid point again and I wish there were more studies on finding a drug that has less side effects. Best advice I can give is to sit down and really write out on a piece of paper what you really want to do. Like, loose 10 or 100 pounds or to start to be more active. Thats all we really can do because were not the chemists coming up with these new wonder drugs. I struggle every single day - this one being the worst in 2 months - so trying to help somebody else helps me in a way too. There is a lot of us out there, just take it one day at a time and try hard to eat smaller portions and less fatty foods! Oh and walk instead of driving when ever you can - just try and stay moving!
> > > >
> > > > Hope this helped somewhat...Jen ; )
>
> Thanks for everyones comments. I think I will
> wean myself off this medication. Since I've always had a weight problem, overweight is an issue for me.
>
> I will keep checking out the site for any new
> leads that may help.
>
> Much success to everyone.
>
> Sassy
Posted by Stephanie on January 14, 2001, at 17:09:19
In reply to Re: Damn Weight Gain, posted by katie on July 25, 1999, at 17:53:21
HI,When I was 11 years old (1982).I had both my legs run over by a car,I broke my right ankle in 2 places and broe my tibia.Back then I was really thin now I am about (90lbs.) over weight.I have Perenneal Nerve Damage in my right leg & it takes seizures.I was on Neurotin for them but it made me sleep to long.I also have Fibromyalgia.I am going to a Neurolgist,He says because Neurotin was not helping the seizures so he put me on Topamax a couple of weeks ago.I only take one at bedtime.I lost 13 pounds alreay & it helps my leg seizures.I just wanted everyone to know how it is working for me. Thank You Very Much,
Posted by Alli on January 16, 2001, at 14:06:26
In reply to Re: Damn Weight Gain, posted by Stephanie on January 14, 2001, at 17:09:19
Topamax at bedtime. I lost 13 pounds already & it helps my leg seizures.I just wanted everyone to know how it is working for me. Thank You Very Much,
What exactly is Topamax prescribed for? Is it an anti-depressant? Thanks for the info! Alli
Posted by KarenK on January 18, 2001, at 13:15:08
In reply to Re: Damn Weight Gain, posted by greg on August 2, 1999, at 14:32:18
> > I have a relative who gained 90 pounds on Depakote.
> After stopping the Depakote she was unable to lose
> the weight...maybe because she continued taking
> Prozac. Her psy then switched her to Wellbutrin.
> In the 7 months she has been on Wellbutrin she has
> lost 75 pounds and intends to stay on the stuff
> until she loses the entire 90 pounds that she had
> gained. The Wellbutrin (and maybe the dieting)
> does make her very irritable and exacerbates her
> paranoia, but it sure did solve the weight problem!I'm in the process of getting off depakote now that in on topamax and the nasty side effects have gone away but I gained 30lbs on the stuff as if I wasn't fat enough! I'm still on prozac and I have lost 7lbs in 2 weeks. I don't have the cravings for ice cream and custards like I used to. Fruit will satisfy a sweet tooth now. I'm just hoping I can keep going.
KarenK
Posted by bruce_w6 on March 8, 2004, at 19:35:21
In reply to Re: Damn Weight Gain, posted by katie on July 25, 1999, at 17:53:21
Has anyone found any Solutions to the Weight Gain problem from meds?
Posted by platinumbride on March 9, 2004, at 7:48:40
In reply to Solutions - Weight Gain, posted by bruce_w6 on March 8, 2004, at 19:35:21
I'm sorry to say that I never did find a way to not gain weight when on ssris. I could never figure out if it was the med or me eating a lot more. But I do know that while on paxil, I ate a lot more, but I was still a gym rat.
Maybe adding wellbutrin could help...
Surely adding a stimulant would help if you can stand it and/or if your doc would prescribe it.Good Luck,.
Diane
Posted by delna on March 10, 2004, at 9:15:19
In reply to Re: Solutions - Weight Gain, posted by platinumbride on March 9, 2004, at 7:48:40
Hi
I find the weight gain really awful. My experience with ritalin was that, yes i lost 6 pounds rapidly (month)despite the ssri but it came back as soon as i stopped.
I know this is really unhealthy but to lose weight i go on these really low cal diets- like under 800. this is the only way it will come down. i do it for a month and i do lose a few pounds which dont really come back unless i am bingeing ie: eating a chocholate cake a day
also i am now going to try combing exercise- i was way too ill before.
goodluck all
Posted by bruce_w6 on March 10, 2004, at 9:49:56
In reply to Re: Solutions - Weight Gain, posted by delna on March 10, 2004, at 9:15:19
Anyone have any more ideas on how to lose the weight?
> Hi
> I find the weight gain really awful. My experience with ritalin was that, yes i lost 6 pounds rapidly (month)despite the ssri but it came back as soon as i stopped.
> I know this is really unhealthy but to lose weight i go on these really low cal diets- like under 800. this is the only way it will come down. i do it for a month and i do lose a few pounds which dont really come back unless i am bingeing ie: eating a chocholate cake a day
> also i am now going to try combing exercise- i was way too ill before.
> goodluck all
Posted by awatts on March 11, 2004, at 16:54:56
In reply to Re: Solutions - Weight Gain, posted by bruce_w6 on March 10, 2004, at 9:49:56
> Anyone have any more ideas on how to lose the weight?
On 450mg of Wellbutrin XL I had no appetite. Lost over 40 pounds in 6 months.
Posted by CareBear04 on March 11, 2004, at 16:58:06
In reply to Re: Solutions - Weight Gain, posted by awatts on March 11, 2004, at 16:54:56
hey awatts,
i just went up to 450mg of wellbutrin. i'd been on 150 and 300 previously. do you find that the amount of appetite suppression is dose dependent? are you less hungry on 450 than you were on a lower dose?
thanks, cb
Posted by bruce_w6 on March 28, 2004, at 19:44:26
In reply to Solutions - Weight Gain, posted by bruce_w6 on March 8, 2004, at 19:35:21
Has anyone found any Solutions to the Weight Gain problem from meds?
Posted by PoohBear on March 29, 2004, at 11:19:44
In reply to Solutions - Weight Gain, posted by bruce_w6 on March 28, 2004, at 19:44:26
> Has anyone found any Solutions to the Weight Gain problem from meds?
I have not found a solution other than watching diet and trying to include moderate exercise. I feel that personally I've allowed my weight to go up and used the meds as an excuse for my behavior, which I'm now trying to correct.Tony
Posted by Sebastian on March 29, 2004, at 11:57:55
In reply to Solutions - Weight Gain, posted by bruce_w6 on March 28, 2004, at 19:44:26
Wellbutrin
Posted by flyingdreams on March 29, 2004, at 13:35:08
In reply to Re: Damn Weight Gain- to Dr. Bob-Thanks Everyone!, posted by Linda on March 31, 2000, at 16:52:25
What exactly do you do to keep the weight off, can you give us a brief idea of what to do without having to read the whole book? How much 5-htp do you take and how long does it take for one's metabolism to get back to normal after getting of ssri's???????????? Please HELP...
Any more info would be greatly appreciated!
Posted by flyingdreams on March 29, 2004, at 13:37:16
In reply to Re: Damn Weight Gain- to Dr. Bob, posted by sassy on August 25, 1999, at 0:34:28
Weight gain is caused by the ssri's which slow your metabolism so far down that no matter how hard you work out and exercise you'll gain weight! It's horrible! You can run 5 miles a day for a month and still gain weight!
Posted by flyingdreams on March 29, 2004, at 13:38:27
In reply to Re: Damn Weight Gain--to Hyde, posted by claudeah on August 13, 1999, at 0:48:52
I had the same problem, off Effexor for 11 weeks now and still waiting for my metabolism to get back to normal. I ran 5 miles and day and still gained weight and ate normaly!
Posted by LynneDa on March 29, 2004, at 14:56:40
In reply to Re: Solutions - Weight Gain, posted by Sebastian on March 29, 2004, at 11:57:55
UGH! I can now relate to the weight gain issue. I've been on Lexapro for 5 months and have put on about 10 pounds. I've never had to diet before and never have I been this hungry - is it just being happy finally or is it something with SSRIs?!?!
I just started with a treadmill, so we'll see. I asked my doctor about adding Wellbutrin and he won't do it if it's just to stabilize/speed up my formerly fast metabolism. Lex has worked to stabilize my anxiety and reduce my depression, but do I have to trade it for another (less debilitating, but still depressing) problem!
Good luck everyone!
~ Lynne
Posted by ramsea on March 30, 2004, at 5:14:39
In reply to Re: Solutions - Weight Gain » Sebastian, posted by LynneDa on March 29, 2004, at 14:56:40
Glad you are feeling better. Lexapro, Ceexa, Prozac and Seroxat never made me happy, just fat and manic. Now I can't take them at all. Doctors used to always say that the reason these meds caused weight gain is we were all feeling better and thus eating more--poppytosh!!! for most of us, anyway, nonsense.
These drugs do effect insulin, metabolism,which affects layering down fat cells, appetite problems, also can cause carbo cravings. But because it is a craving, this doesn't mean it isn't a nasty side effect. Some people get this just a little, so it's not so bad. Maybe you have this? You may well be able to keep it under control. We are all unique. Some people lose weight on SSRIs, though the longer they take them the more likely it will be that they gain weight.
Cravings happened to me--a terrible surprise. For some of us the cravings are a kind of torture. It's not just feeling a little greedy for a piece of chocolate. It's like a person who can never relax enough to sleep though desperate for rest, and for the craver no matter how hard they try and wish, pray and actually eat, they eat but are never full. They go to sleep feeling hungry, in my case I was witnessed on numerous occasions sleepwalking and eating other people's food--something I would never, ever, ever do in my conscious state, eat but wake hungry, eat to stop the mind-destroying craving but nothing helps.
It has nothing to do with will power, and any doctor or person who dismisses a patient with this side effect is ignorant or cruel. It is a very nasty mental state to never feel full but always feel stark ravingly hungry. Think about it--our human history is full of famine and our bodies are built to react strongly to hunger. Feeling severe cravings for hunger 24/7 is no way to live.
On the good side, many people find ways to cope. I recommend a good book on this subject--t"The Anti-depressant Survival Guide", by psychiatrist Hedaya. He is compassionate, tells the truth (i.e., isn't dismissive and blaming-the-victim about the subject of weight gain via psych meds), and has a plan to keep the weight off. And also improve sex life if that's ever a side effect (very commonly is).
Posted by LynneDa on March 30, 2004, at 9:20:22
In reply to SSRIs no happy, try a pdoc book, posted by ramsea on March 30, 2004, at 5:14:39
Thanks for your post Ramsea, you bring out some very valid points about cravings - something I never had before. I will look up the book you recommend. I'm open to anything at this point! Just curious, since SSRIs don't work for you, what do you do?
~ Lynne
Posted by ST on March 30, 2004, at 17:33:42
In reply to Re: Damn Weight Gain, posted by katie on July 25, 1999, at 17:53:21
Hi,
I gained thirty pounds on Celexa a few years ago and acupuncture really helped me while I was dieting and exercising.
The acupuncture can stimulate your system to get rid of waste and toxins more efficiently as well as curb your appetite (Celexa turned off my "I am full" button!!). I believe your body chemistry changes with meds as well as your brain chemistry. All acupuncture does is stimulate your own body to heal itself & work more efficiently. Yes, it really does work. Trying it once or twice won't do it. Committing and going at least 4 times if not more gets your body in to a rythm; it's accumulative treatment as well as preventative.
(For those skeptics out there, I worked in an acupuncurist's office for years and saw many people get better through acupuncture. Acupuncture also has nearly obliterated all my asthma symptoms)
Good luck!! And keep exercising!!
Sarah
Posted by Sebastian on March 30, 2004, at 19:18:41
In reply to Re: Solutions - Weight Gain » Sebastian, posted by LynneDa on March 29, 2004, at 14:56:40
Tell your doctor that the weight gain is making you depressed?
I think that pills enhance the flavor of food and give the feeling of being hungary.
Posted by Englebrite on March 31, 2004, at 0:04:20
In reply to Re: Solutions - Weight Gain » LynneDa, posted by Sebastian on March 30, 2004, at 19:18:41
> Tell your doctor that the weight gain is making you depressed?
I went to my GP doc for a routine exam and he ordered blood work. Never having any major physical problems, I was really in for a surprise by those test results. Come to find out, I have hypothyroidism which is partly why I'm having these crazy emotional freak outs and (you got it) weight gain (when I'm depressed, I EAT!!!) I put on over 20 lbs in less in 6 mos. You talk about depressed! So, maybe you can discuss this with your doctor. He/she might schedule a check up just to make sure you're not having some physical problems that could contribute to weight gain.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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