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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 28. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Haley on December 13, 2001, at 15:42:47
I just started taking efexxor. I have heard efexxor can cause weight loss. Has anyone ever experienced weight loss with efexxor?
Posted by janejj on December 13, 2001, at 15:47:02
In reply to weight loss with efexxor, posted by Haley on December 13, 2001, at 15:42:47
Yep, I only took 75mg for a week and i lost about 6-7 pounds. I don't know if it would have stayed off in the long term if I had continued. I actually wanted to lose that exact amount, so it was quite handy really !
Good Luck
Jane
I just started taking efexxor. I have heard efexxor can cause weight loss. Has anyone ever experienced weight loss with efexxor?
Posted by Bob on December 13, 2001, at 16:08:22
In reply to Re: weight loss with efexxor » Haley, posted by janejj on December 13, 2001, at 15:47:02
If you stay with Effexor long term, there is a high probability the weight will stabilize, and possibly even start creeping up. The effects you get in the first few days sometimes don't have much to do with what happens down the road.
I took if for a year and a half. The first few weeks I was elated because there seemed to be no appetite increase etc. After a year and a half, I had gained as much weight as with any other drug and my appetite was never voracious.
Some people claim they lose weight or stay the same on it. I believe this is either amazing self-control, or people reporting effects in the short term. I've been wrong before.
Posted by Cam W. on December 13, 2001, at 16:35:43
In reply to weight loss with efexxor, posted by Haley on December 13, 2001, at 15:42:47
Haley - In the short term Effexor™ (venlafaxine) seems to be associated with weight loss, but as the depression begins to resolve, many people do seem to gain weight on the drug. This is probably partially due to the fact that most people, when they are depressed, lose their appetite, and when the depression resolves, they gain back their appetite and tend to overcompensate. Effexor does not block anticholinergic receptors, which is thought to contribute to the weight gain seen with Paxil™ (paroxetine). Also, the noradrenergic reuptake blocking effects of Effexor may offset some of the weight gain seen with the SSRIs in general.
The weight gain I have seen with Effexor is nowhere near what I see with Paxil or Zoloft™ (sertraline), but it can happen. As long as you watch what you eat (sensible diet, low in fat, minimum of junk food) you should not gain weight.
I have been taking Effexor since May, and I weigh less than I did when I started. I have yo-yoed up and down since May, but since I stopped drinking Coke at work, and snack on veggies instead of beef jerky, my weight has stayed down (although I do seem to be hungry for junk, but it may be psychological because I am not letting myself have any - I am trying to practice what I preach, and it ain't easy). - Cam
Posted by Elizabeth on December 13, 2001, at 20:37:44
In reply to weight loss with efexxor, posted by Haley on December 13, 2001, at 15:42:47
Yes, while I was taking Effexor XR in 1998 (up to 225 mg/day), I noticed decreased appetite and some weight loss. I had been losing weight anyway (since I was depressed -- "the depression diet," I call it), but the Effexor definitely further lessened my appetite. (I'd gained a lot of weight on Nardil, so weight loss was *not* a problem for me at the time!)
-elizabeth
Posted by bob on December 14, 2001, at 0:24:47
In reply to weight loss with efexxor, posted by Haley on December 13, 2001, at 15:42:47
I'd like to clarify my previous post. I said "my appetite was never voracious". What I meant to say was that my appetite was never MORE voracious. Cam... I don't think craving the junk is in your mind -- carbs (remember sugar is one also) are a major, major craving on some of these drugs. It was an extreme excercise in self-control for me... and I often lost.
Posted by Cam W. on December 14, 2001, at 2:43:29
In reply to Re: weight loss with efexxor, posted by bob on December 14, 2001, at 0:24:47
bob - I don't get that carb craving with Effexor. I think that I got it more with Paxil, but I was only on it a couple months. I am hungry, but that is a cultural thing, I think (ie. being bombarded with fast food commercials every 5 minutes on the radio or T.V.).
I have seen some people pack on the pounds with Effexor, but it is no where near what you see with the atypical antipsychotics or even the SSRIs (in my observations, anyways).
- Cam
Posted by jay on December 14, 2001, at 6:43:56
In reply to weight loss with efexxor, posted by Haley on December 13, 2001, at 15:42:47
> I just started taking efexxor. I have heard efexxor can cause weight loss. Has anyone ever experienced weight loss with efexxor?
Going back in a search through posts on this site, as well as other places on the internet, I found that in particular in the long run, some people could gain as much as on the SRI's and tricyclics. Mind you, this is again over the long-term, with people often haven taken the drug for a number of years.
I am not sure that the norepinephrine reuptake makes much difference, as wouldn't eventual regulation of the receptors be the reason for the intital weight loss, than possible gain? (Much like the serotonin regulation?) Also, I don't think the NRI reboxetine does much in the way of long term weight loss.
The only reason I mention this is so hopefully nobody has to go through the sad hope of taking a drug just for it's said weight-loss potential, only to be let down.(And also going through the often painful process of weaning on and off the drug.) Of course, if the drug helps the depression and anxiety, then that is really the major plus, but I do deeply understand the desire to find a drug that helps with weight loss AND depression, as I am currently searching myself.
I'd like to post more on this, as I have expressed in the past a very deep concern about weight gain and meds. I am not talking about just a few pounds, but to the point you are considered obese. Also, our weight and looks DO have an impact about how we feel about our bodies, and our psychological and social being. (I know it really shouldn't, but that is beyond our control.)
Regardless of what we think the causes are or are not, it is still a hotly debated item.
Jay
Posted by cmcdougall on December 14, 2001, at 8:31:05
In reply to Re: weight loss with efexxor, posted by jay on December 14, 2001, at 6:43:56
I was on EffexorXR 300mg for 18 months and I gained 40lbs! I have always been really skinny, so at first it didn't bother me. What DOES bother me is that when you wear larger than a size 14, the clothes aren't cute!
I started celexa 40mg about 8 weeks ago (along with other new meds) and have lost about 12lbs. so far. I don't know if I'll continue to lose - I hear lots of folks gain on celexa.... I can always hope ;-).
Carly
> > I just started taking efexxor. I have heard efexxor can cause weight loss. Has anyone ever experienced weight loss with efexxor?
>
> Going back in a search through posts on this site, as well as other places on the internet, I found that in particular in the long run, some people could gain as much as on the SRI's and tricyclics. Mind you, this is again over the long-term, with people often haven taken the drug for a number of years.
>
> I am not sure that the norepinephrine reuptake makes much difference, as wouldn't eventual regulation of the receptors be the reason for the intital weight loss, than possible gain? (Much like the serotonin regulation?) Also, I don't think the NRI reboxetine does much in the way of long term weight loss.
>
> The only reason I mention this is so hopefully nobody has to go through the sad hope of taking a drug just for it's said weight-loss potential, only to be let down.(And also going through the often painful process of weaning on and off the drug.) Of course, if the drug helps the depression and anxiety, then that is really the major plus, but I do deeply understand the desire to find a drug that helps with weight loss AND depression, as I am currently searching myself.
>
> I'd like to post more on this, as I have expressed in the past a very deep concern about weight gain and meds. I am not talking about just a few pounds, but to the point you are considered obese. Also, our weight and looks DO have an impact about how we feel about our bodies, and our psychological and social being. (I know it really shouldn't, but that is beyond our control.)
>
> Regardless of what we think the causes are or are not, it is still a hotly debated item.
>
> Jay
Posted by sid on December 14, 2001, at 12:36:06
In reply to weight loss with efexxor, posted by Haley on December 13, 2001, at 15:42:47
I have the opposite, rarer, reaction with depression: I eat way too much, carbs especially. Over the years with chronic depression, I've developped a weight problem. Since starting to take Effexor about 3 weeks ago, I have had no more cravings and I have lost 7 lbs. In fact, I am not hungry at all and must schedule my meals, otherwise I tend to forget.
I consider this a benefit so far. In fact, if I eat junk food high in carbs (chips for example), I tend to not feel too well after. It takes hours to digest it seems, so now the mere thought of chips turns my stomach.
It may all change in the long-run of course. But I hope not. I eat a lot better without cravings.
Posted by girlie on December 14, 2001, at 12:51:24
In reply to weight loss with efexxor, posted by Haley on December 13, 2001, at 15:42:47
Initially I lost weight on Effexor without trying, but in the long term I've gained 20 pounds on it. Sure, some of it may be due to getting a little older and the metabolism isn't what it used to be, but I weigh more now than I ever have in my life!
Someone posted a quote from a report a while ago that basically said that the first 4-6 months on Effexor can cause weight loss, but the weight gain starts in month 7 or 8. This is exactly what happened to me 6 years ago when I went on it.
girlie
> I just started taking efexxor. I have heard efexxor can cause weight loss. Has anyone ever experienced weight loss with efexxor?
Posted by Elizabeth on December 14, 2001, at 13:25:47
In reply to Re: weight loss with efexxor, posted by bob on December 14, 2001, at 0:24:47
> Cam... I don't think craving the junk is in your mind -- carbs (remember sugar is one also) are a major, major craving on some of these drugs.
Yes; Nardil did this to me. (Although I'll add that cravings are indeed "in your mind" -- where else would they be?! :-) ) I think it gave me a glimpse inside what life must be like for drug addicts. I had never had a weight problem before taking Nardil (I lose weight while depressed, but not enough to be in serious danger, and I generally gain it back -- but not more -- when my mood returns to normal).
My understanding is that we have a set point where our weight is "supposed" to be, and one thing that the drugs sometimes do is interfere with that set point (depression may interfere with the set point too). I lost the weight easily after going back to Nardil and returned to almost exactly the weight I'd been at before being depressed.
-elizabeth
Posted by Bob on December 14, 2001, at 16:18:51
In reply to Re: weight loss with efexxor » Haley, posted by girlie on December 14, 2001, at 12:51:24
> Initially I lost weight on Effexor without trying, but in the long term I've gained 20 pounds on it. Sure, some of it may be due to getting a little older and the metabolism isn't what it used to be, but I weigh more now than I ever have in my life!
>
> Someone posted a quote from a report a while ago that basically said that the first 4-6 months on Effexor can cause weight loss, but the weight gain starts in month 7 or 8. This is exactly what happened to me 6 years ago when I went on it.
>
> girlie
>++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
girlie:
I think you've summed it up here. I believe there is increasing evidence that SSRIs, and drugs that incorporate that fuction (such as SNRIs) end up in weight gain in the long run. This may be a few years down the road, but it eventually happens. My doctor even finally admitted it. He calls it "creeping, insidious weight gain." There may be people who take these drugs forever and never gain weight, but the bulk of the posts I see on this board regarding weight loss is short term (< 1 year). If Cam comes back in 6 months and is still on Effexor and has not gained weight -- I would be very heartened.
Posted by janejj on December 14, 2001, at 16:48:28
In reply to Re: weight loss with efexxor, posted by Bob on December 14, 2001, at 16:18:51
Hi,
People should stop using AD's as an excuse for their weight gain. Alot of people put on weight because they start eating properly. I lost weight because I comfort eat. Whether or not you are on an AD you are bound to naturally put on weight as you get older. It just happens deal with it and stop using effexor or whatever as an excuse.
regards J
> > Initially I lost weight on Effexor without trying, but in the long term I've gained 20 pounds on it. Sure, some of it may be due to getting a little older and the metabolism isn't what it used to be, but I weigh more now than I ever have in my life!
> >
> > Someone posted a quote from a report a while ago that basically said that the first 4-6 months on Effexor can cause weight loss, but the weight gain starts in month 7 or 8. This is exactly what happened to me 6 years ago when I went on it.
> >
> > girlie
> >
>
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
> girlie:
>
> I think you've summed it up here. I believe there is increasing evidence that SSRIs, and drugs that incorporate that fuction (such as SNRIs) end up in weight gain in the long run. This may be a few years down the road, but it eventually happens. My doctor even finally admitted it. He calls it "creeping, insidious weight gain." There may be people who take these drugs forever and never gain weight, but the bulk of the posts I see on this board regarding weight loss is short term (< 1 year). If Cam comes back in 6 months and is still on Effexor and has not gained weight -- I would be very heartened.
Posted by stjames on December 14, 2001, at 17:27:56
In reply to STOP using antidepressants as an excuse !!!, posted by janejj on December 14, 2001, at 16:48:28
> Hi,
>
> People should stop using AD's as an excuse for their weight gain. Alot of people put on weight because they start eating properly. I lost weight because I comfort eat. Whether or not you are on an AD you are bound to naturally put on weight as you get older. It just happens deal with it and stop using effexor or whatever as an excuse.
>
> regards J
>Perhaps you should educate yourself about the true causes of AD weight gain.
Posted by Pamela Lynn on December 14, 2001, at 17:35:28
In reply to STOP using antidepressants as an excuse !!!, posted by janejj on December 14, 2001, at 16:48:28
Wow, not that is a bit harsh!!! Some AD's MOST CERTAINLY do something in the brain that can trigger eating or not eating more...I think that was a very unfounded statement for you to make.
BTW, I am on Effexor and have been for sometime...no weight gain either way.
P.L.
> Hi,
>
> People should stop using AD's as an excuse for their weight gain. Alot of people put on weight because they start eating properly. I lost weight because I comfort eat. Whether or not you are on an AD you are bound to naturally put on weight as you get older. It just happens deal with it and stop using effexor or whatever as an excuse.
>
> regards J
>
> > > Initially I lost weight on Effexor without trying, but in the long term I've gained 20 pounds on it. Sure, some of it may be due to getting a little older and the metabolism isn't what it used to be, but I weigh more now than I ever have in my life!
> > >
> > > Someone posted a quote from a report a while ago that basically said that the first 4-6 months on Effexor can cause weight loss, but the weight gain starts in month 7 or 8. This is exactly what happened to me 6 years ago when I went on it.
> > >
> > > girlie
> > >
> >
> > ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> >
> > girlie:
> >
> > I think you've summed it up here. I believe there is increasing evidence that SSRIs, and drugs that incorporate that fuction (such as SNRIs) end up in weight gain in the long run. This may be a few years down the road, but it eventually happens. My doctor even finally admitted it. He calls it "creeping, insidious weight gain." There may be people who take these drugs forever and never gain weight, but the bulk of the posts I see on this board regarding weight loss is short term (< 1 year). If Cam comes back in 6 months and is still on Effexor and has not gained weight -- I would be very heartened.
Posted by Joy on December 14, 2001, at 18:10:16
In reply to Re: STOP using antidepressants as an excuse !!!, posted by stjames on December 14, 2001, at 17:27:56
Yikes, James - have you gone a little wacky for the day? > > Indeed Paxil causes weight gain in almost everyone who takes it six months or longer. I have a friend who took a daily anti headache pill; ergocaf something-or-other and gained 35lbs. She was a little bit of a thing; and could only lose half of that weight after she got off the medication. She hardly eats now, but that weight is still there!!
I am considered very slim; I'm 56 years young, 5 ft. 7 inches and weight barely 122 lbs. I am on Prozac which does not give that problem to MOST people. However, after almost four months on Paxil I gained a few pounds, and was constantly hungry. I got off it pronto. Zyprexa and many other antipsychotics and mood stabilizers cause weight gain. You usually have so much common sense. I think you should reconsider what you've posted. Effexor does not put weight gain on MOST; and weight can be lost on this med; but not all meds, believe me.
Regards,
Joy
> >
> > People should stop using AD's as an excuse for their weight gain. Alot of people put on weight because they start eating properly. I lost weight because I comfort eat. Whether or not you are on an AD you are bound to naturally put on weight as you get older. It just happens deal with it and stop using effexor or whatever as an excuse.
> >
> > regards J
> >
>
> Perhaps you should educate yourself about the true causes of AD weight gain.
Posted by Joy on December 14, 2001, at 18:15:25
In reply to Re: STOP using antidepressants as an excuse !!!, posted by stjames on December 14, 2001, at 17:27:56
Posted by jazzdog on December 14, 2001, at 18:20:32
In reply to Re: STOP using antidepressants as an excuse !!! » stjames, posted by Joy on December 14, 2001, at 18:10:16
It was not James but (the other) Jane who expressed skepticism about ssri's and weight gain. In fact, though, weight gain is a demonstrable empirical outcome for many medications, not just ad's. I suspect it has something to do with lowering T3 levels and/or creating insulin resistance. The insulin resistance would definitely stimulate the carb cravings that so many complain of. Whatever, it's a pain, and hard enough to handle without being told to shut up and deal with it.
- Jane
Posted by janejj on December 14, 2001, at 23:26:02
In reply to Re: STOP using antidepressants as an excuse !!!, posted by jazzdog on December 14, 2001, at 18:20:32
Well it is I ' the other' Jane. Wow I guess my comments were a little harsh, I must be getting better !! Sorry if i offended anyone. I am only repeating what the doctor told me and i will go educate myself St. James !
Regards a humble Jane.
It was not James but (the other) Jane who expressed skepticism about ssri's and weight gain. In fact, though, weight gain is a demonstrable empirical outcome for many medications, not just ad's. I suspect it has something to do with lowering T3 levels and/or creating insulin resistance. The insulin resistance would definitely stimulate the carb cravings that so many complain of. Whatever, it's a pain, and hard enough to handle without being told to shut up and deal with it.
>
> - Jane
Posted by stjames on December 15, 2001, at 0:20:20
In reply to helllllllllllloooooooooooooo!!!!!, posted by janejj on December 14, 2001, at 23:26:02
First of all, I will say I know where every pound came from. Too much food, to little movement. AD's
make me crave carbs, TCA's esp. make me crave sweets. I highly suspect a slowing/changing of my
metabolism.One cannot discount the reports on this list of 50 lbs weight gain in a few months on starting AD's, those with eating disorders, people on strict diet and exercise programs, ect that report weight gain.
A good place to look for info on this is the arvhives, SLS did some research on this and Cam
has to have some comments worth reading.Whatever causes this weight gain the fix is the same, making better food choices and activity.
Diets DO NOT work, they make you gain more weight in the end. If you eat right, you can eat lots of food and still loose weight.Is it easy ? Nope, I am still at 215.
James
Posted by bob on December 15, 2001, at 0:53:58
In reply to helllllllllllloooooooooooooo!!!!!, posted by janejj on December 14, 2001, at 23:26:02
> Well it is I ' the other' Jane. Wow I guess my comments were a little harsh, I must be getting better !! Sorry if i offended anyone. I am only repeating what the doctor told me and i will go educate myself St. James !
> Regards a humble Jane.
>
>
> It was not James but (the other) Jane who expressed skepticism about ssri's and weight gain. In fact, though, weight gain is a demonstrable empirical outcome for many medications, not just ad's. I suspect it has something to do with lowering T3 levels and/or creating insulin resistance. The insulin resistance would definitely stimulate the carb cravings that so many complain of. Whatever, it's a pain, and hard enough to handle without being told to shut up and deal with it.
> >
> > - JaneJane:
Sounds like your doctor needs a dose of reality. Maybe a trial of Zyprexa would help him see the light.
I think it would help us all to realize here that the doctors just tell us what they've learned about the effects of these drugs. I'm sure there isn't a single drug company out there who will emphasize that there drug causes weight gain. Have you ever noticed how all the medical trials are about 6 weeks long? Doctors have no idea what it feels like to be on one of these medecines, unless they have taken them.
Bob
Posted by Dinah on December 15, 2001, at 8:34:52
In reply to Re: helllllllllllloooooooooooooo!!!!!, posted by bob on December 15, 2001, at 0:53:58
I gained 60 lb within a year of starting Luvox, then gained no more. The only thing that has caused the weight to drop off is an agitated depression (an average of 5 lb per episode). I don't recommend it as a diet strategy, but it is at least the one silver lining.
Posted by Emme on December 15, 2001, at 9:00:06
In reply to helllllllllllloooooooooooooo!!!!!, posted by janejj on December 14, 2001, at 23:26:02
I believe carb cravings and associated munching are part of the weight gain. But I swear Rmeron tweaked my metabolism. I gained 5 lbs in 2 weeks when I started Remeron. I gained a pound and a half from one (not very large) dinner alone. I couldn't believe it. I immediately started eating less than before the med, counted calories, increased fruit and veggies, upped my excercise, and was able to *halt* the weight gain. With those changes, without the drug, I'd have been rapidly disappearing! And I was hungry all the time. When I stopped the drug I actually ate more and dropped a few pounds in 3 weeks.
Posted by Elizabeth on December 15, 2001, at 11:44:40
In reply to STOP using antidepressants as an excuse !!!, posted by janejj on December 14, 2001, at 16:48:28
> People should stop using AD's as an excuse for their weight gain. Alot of people put on weight because they start eating properly.
Hmm, well, do you think that suddenly starting to eat an entire 1-lb bags of M&Ms in a single sitting on a regular basis is "eating properly?" Like I said, I'd never had problems with being overweight in my life before taking Nardil. And this happened -- I gained 50lbs or more, and my baseline weight was only about 115 -- in about six months. I had never gained weight on any other AD, either.
My understanding is that something about the Nardil caused my hypothalamus to stop performing its normal function of telling me when I was full. MAOIs can have some weird effects on basic biological functions like eating and sleeping.
I think each case should be considered separately. Maybe some people do use the meds as an excuse, but to make a blanket statement that everyone does is not very nice, IMO. And I think it's clear that antidepressants *do* cause some weight gain, although it may have been exaggerated because some people "blame the meds."
-elizabeth
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