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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by semi-conscious on May 18, 2004, at 22:34:48
My Dr. keeps looking at me like I'm stupid when I say I've gained about 25 pounds on Effexor XR. He looked it up in a book. He believes the book more than he does me. It's not a good relationship. I was taking 300 mgs of Effexor a day. I weaned myself off without telling him. He thinks his book knowledge is more believable than my experience. If anyone has gained weight on Effexor, would you please post to me and tell me how much? I'm going to cut, paste and print and send it to him before dumping him altogether. He didn't even know the withdrawal symtoms: nausea, dizziness,headaches, fatigue, muscle aches, (flu like symtoms). I was complaining of these symptoms but I thought they were unrelated, but he should have known. The insurance I have, pretty much keeps me handcuffed to this guy, but I am trying to research my options. Please post your weight gain if you have the time. Thanks
Taylor
Posted by Buckeye Fan on May 19, 2004, at 7:32:34
In reply to Dr. says NO WEIGHT GAIN WITH EFFEXOR, He's wrong, posted by semi-conscious on May 18, 2004, at 22:34:48
I am a six foot two male who has weighed 225 pounds for about 7 years.
Within 1 month of starting Effexor, all my friends noticed my weight gain.
I have gained and maintained 20 extra pounds since beginning Effexor last year.
I have tried diet...more exercise ( I run on the tread mill, lift weights, practice Martial Arts, love Basketball..etc...but nothing has helped, except Water Only Fasting.
Then after the Fast....I gain the 10-12 pounds RIGHT BACK AGAIN!
So I would LOVE to discuss the "weight/gain-Effexor" cause and efffect with any MD.
I have studied it...examined it, and now know the reasons WHY this happens.So MD's out there...bring it on.
Buckeye Fan
Posted by partlycloudy on May 19, 2004, at 8:42:06
In reply to Dr. says NO WEIGHT GAIN WITH EFFEXOR, He's wrong, posted by semi-conscious on May 18, 2004, at 22:34:48
I started on effexor last October - varying dosages, presently on 112.5mg. I have gained 20 punds since starting this medication. I am female, age 41, and the weight has resisted my dieting and exercise efforts.
Posted by beatrix34 on May 19, 2004, at 11:24:27
In reply to Re: Dr. says NO WEIGHT GAIN WITH EFFEXOR, He's wrong, posted by Buckeye Fan on May 19, 2004, at 7:32:34
What are the causes of weight gain on Effexor? I am interested as I just started the meds (less than one month) and notice that I am actually eating less than before I started on the meds. Please let me know what you have found...thanks!
Posted by Buckeye Fan on May 19, 2004, at 11:57:26
In reply to Re: Dr. says NO WEIGHT GAIN WITH EFFEXOR - Buckeye, posted by beatrix34 on May 19, 2004, at 11:24:27
> What are the causes of weight gain on Effexor? I am interested as I just started the meds (less than one month) and notice that I am actually eating less than before I started on the meds. Please let me know what you have found...thanks!
************************************************As with anything...personal results will vary, but MOST people gain weight on Effexor ( and other antidepressants) because of the following
An increase in caloric intake. (or eating more...because you're more relaxed, mellow, etc.)
A decrease in basal metabolic rate. (you lose your mojo, afterall!)These drugs lower our BASE METABOLIC RATE....I know that seems funny since often we feel more anxious....but it really does lower our Base Metabolism
Constipation causing more "stuff" to be absorbed into your system. The longer our food is in our system...the more absorbtion takes place, both good and bad.
Here is the "technical reason"..so make sure you have the time to read this before attempting it.
http://www.mvelectric.com/ssri/
Buckeye Fan
Posted by Buckeye Fan on May 19, 2004, at 12:02:19
In reply to Re: Dr. says NO WEIGHT GAIN WITH EFFEXOR - Buckeye, posted by Buckeye Fan on May 19, 2004, at 11:57:26
CAUSES OF WEIGHT GAIN
The mechanisms by which SSRIs affect body weight are complex and not well understood;
many distinct mechanisms can influence body weight.
In general terms, they either alter caloric intake or modify energy expenditure, or both. Drugs can alter caloric expenditure by increasing or decreasing the basal metabolic rate without changing caloric intake. There is even one report of a fluoxetine-treated patient who lost a large amount of weight while experiening a marked increase in food intake.[19]
It seems paradoxical that SSRIs should cause weight gain, since animal studies suggest that acute SSRI use results in an increase of the metabolic rate. A 2-week study of fluvoxamine, for example, found a 26 percent to 40 percent increase in the metabolic rate.[20] It is generally held that drugs like the SSRIs that increase the output of serotonin decrease hunger and food intake. Conversely, decreased serotonin transmission results in hunger and increased food consumption. These effects probably result from stimulation of postsynaptic serotonin receptors.
Although their effects on the serotonin transporter characterize SSRIs, these drugs have secondary effects on other neurotransmitter systems. They also produce adaptive changes in serotonergic receptors in rat brain tissue after as little as 2 weeks of treatment. The net effect of any of these potential actions is to alter appetite and body weight
SEROTONIN 5-HT2C RECEPTORS
Considerable evidence suggests that the effects of serotonin on appetite and food intake can be mediated by activation of 5-HT2C receptors in the hypothalamus.[21] For example, mutant mice that lack these receptors become obese as a result of increased food intake.[22] Drugs that antagonize these receptors cause weight gain in both humans and animals,
Posted by Racer on May 19, 2004, at 18:00:42
In reply to Dr. says NO WEIGHT GAIN WITH EFFEXOR, He's wrong, posted by semi-conscious on May 18, 2004, at 22:34:48
Ugh. It sure would be nice if the doctors actually listened to patients, wouldn't it? Oh, well...
As for the weight gain issue, a big part of the problem is the length of clinical trials. Most clinical trials of these drugs are short term -- 6 to 8 weeks seems typical, as far as I've seen -- so they list the side effects seen in that time period. Most of the SSRI related weight gain happens past that period -- my reading says about 6 months into it, for what that's worth. So, your doctor probably thinks he is up on what the meds do, even though he's wrong about this one.
Another problem the pdocs have is the limited range of tools (meds) available to them. Some doctors are WONDERFUL -- they'll tell you things like, "gee, I'm really sorry about the side effects, we can try to limit their impact on your life, but this really is the best we can do for you. Is it good enough?" But a lot more doctors seem to avoid facing the impact these drugs can have. It's as if they say to themselves, "this is the best I can do -- and damn it it's good enough!" and then tell their patients that the weight gain isn't from the drugs -- you just eat wrong, or you're lazy. (Thanks, Doc, I feel much better now...) On the one hand, I can't blame them. It must be awfully hard on them to know that the drugs available to relieve misery cause another kind of misery. On the other hand, I do wish more doctors would admit the misery to their patients and offer support, instead.
As for weight gain and Effexor, yes. I gained a significant amount of weight, and nothing made much difference about it. It had a significant negative impact on my life. The withdrawal from the drug was hideous, and I tapered down over eight months, so it wasn't the rapid cessation that caused the problems. Specific numbers? I stopped stepping on the scale after gaining 40 pounds, but I know I gained about another 20 after that. Maybe I ate more, but I was dieting through most of that time -- almost to the point of starvation, at times. I certainly got a ton of exercise -- I had a physical job that involved a lot of aerobic exertion. If I sweat that much and don't lose weight, trust me, it's drug-related.
I'm sorry you're experiencing this, and hope it gets better.
Posted by husschick on May 20, 2004, at 20:56:38
In reply to Re: Dr. says NO WEIGHT GAIN WITH EFFEXOR, He's wro » semi-conscious, posted by Racer on May 19, 2004, at 18:00:42
I am sorry to hear about your weight gain, but I have been taking effexor xr for months and have actually lost 10-15 lbs. My appetite has changed tremendously, I uses to eat all the time because I was depressed and anxious, but now that I am not I dont eat near as much. Good luck!
Posted by semi-conscious on May 21, 2004, at 16:47:16
In reply to Re: Dr. says NO WEIGHT GAIN WITH EFFEXOR, He's wro, posted by husschick on May 20, 2004, at 20:56:38
> I am sorry to hear about your weight gain, but I have been taking effexor xr for months and have actually lost 10-15 lbs. My appetite has changed tremendously, I uses to eat all the time because I was depressed and anxious, but now that I am not I dont eat near as much. Good luck!
JUST TO CLARIFY, I WASN'T SPEAKING OF WEIGHT GAIN DUE TO OVEREATING. IN FACT, I HARDLY ATE ANYTHING AT ALL AFTER STARTING THE EFFEXOR, BUT I CONTINUED TO GAIN WEIGHT. I DON'T THINK THE WEIGHT GAIN WITH EFFEXOR HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH FOOD.
TAYLOR
Posted by gabbix2 on May 22, 2004, at 16:02:53
In reply to Re: Dr. says NO WEIGHT GAIN WITH EFFEXOR, He's wro, posted by semi-conscious on May 21, 2004, at 16:47:16
I gained weight (30 lbs) on Effexor and if anything I ate less. My psychiatrist was very condescending and told me that it could not be the Effexor. I knew it was, because the weight seemed to come on overnight once I started taking it.
She actually looked at the coffee I was drinking and asked if there was cream in it.
I said "no actually it's black"
I stopped seeing this psychiatrist, and saw her again recently while I was in the hospital. She noticed that I'd lost a lot of weight. She asked
"What I'd done" as she too had a weight problem
I said "I stopped taking the Effexor"
She didn't say anything after that, but I don't
know if it sunk in or not.
Posted by Buckeye Fan on May 23, 2004, at 6:21:09
In reply to Re: Dr. says NO WEIGHT GAIN WITH EFFEXOR, He's wro » semi-conscious, posted by gabbix2 on May 22, 2004, at 16:02:53
lol! lol! lol!
Great story Gabbix2..... I wish I could have been there to see the look on the PDoc's face,
most of us have experienced their pompous attitude
and inablity to think a mere "patient" could POSSIBLY add anyinsight into their vast knowledge.Thanks for sharing, I got a kick out of it
Buckeye Fan
Posted by gabbix2 on May 23, 2004, at 17:04:00
In reply to Re: Dr. says NO WEIGHT GAIN WITH EFFEXOR, He's wro, posted by Buckeye Fan on May 23, 2004, at 6:21:09
Posted by KennyBingo on May 23, 2004, at 19:57:51
In reply to Dr. says NO WEIGHT GAIN WITH EFFEXOR, He's wrong, posted by semi-conscious on May 18, 2004, at 22:34:48
> My Dr. keeps looking at me like I'm stupid when I say I've gained about 25 pounds on Effexor XR. He looked it up in a book. He believes the book more than he does me. It's not a good relationship. I was taking 300 mgs of Effexor a day. I weaned myself off without telling him. He thinks his book knowledge is more believable than my experience. If anyone has gained weight on Effexor, would you please post to me and tell me how much? I'm going to cut, paste and print and send it to him before dumping him altogether. He didn't even know the withdrawal symtoms: nausea, dizziness,headaches, fatigue, muscle aches, (flu like symtoms). I was complaining of these symptoms but I thought they were unrelated, but he should have known. The insurance I have, pretty much keeps me handcuffed to this guy, but I am trying to research my options. Please post your weight gain if you have the time. Thanks
> TaylorHey Taylor,
I was a scrawny little guy for the better part of my adolescent and adult life (5'7'' and 125+lbs). I am now a robust one hundred and fifty pounder...Thank you Effexor! No longer will I fret about the buff beach bullies kick sand in my (now) amply padded face. I work out, I watch what I eat; and, although the thirty-something slide may account for part of the plumping up, it all came on so fast and so concurrently with the Effexor therapy, that I can't help but correlate it with the drug.
And, on the subject of under-reported side-effects, I have also experienced a 20 point increase in my blood pressure. In contrast to my gratitude for the figure-flattering extra pounds, I am concerned about this. Judging from other posts, quite a few other folks have also experienced a significant rise in the old BP.
ta
ken
Posted by LynneDa on May 26, 2004, at 11:36:19
In reply to Effexor: Extra poundage...AND MORE!!!, posted by KennyBingo on May 23, 2004, at 19:57:51
Hi Taylor & Ken,
Just thought I'd put in my 2 cents here: Yesterday I read an article published by the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry in 1998. It said the reason weight gain is not reported as an s/e is because all the research is done only on s/e's found at the early stages of use. For me, the weight gain came after 2 months of usage (I'm on 20mg of Lexapro). I have steadily gained 1 - 2 lbs per week . . . and I was always underweight before going on meds - I couldn't gain weight for anything!Now, I am 40 and pre-menopausal so that could have an effect . . . but I don't think those 2 factors alone would cause a 25 lb weight gain in only 5 months! My doctor thinks it's not related to the meds either!
~ Lynne
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>My Dr. keeps looking at me like I'm stupid when I say I've gained about 25 pounds on Effexor XR. He looked it up in a book. He believes the book more than he does me. It's not a good relationship. I was taking 300 mgs of Effexor a day. I weaned myself off without telling him. He thinks his book knowledge is more believable than my experience. If anyone has gained weight on Effexor, would you please post to me and tell me how much? I'm going to cut, paste and print and send it to him before dumping him altogether. He didn't even know the withdrawal symtoms: nausea, dizziness,headaches, fatigue, muscle aches, (flu like symtoms). I was complaining of these symptoms but I thought they were unrelated, but he should have known. The insurance I have, pretty much keeps me handcuffed to this guy, but I am trying to research my options. Please post your weight gain if you have the time. Thanks
> > Taylor
>
>
>
> Hey Taylor,
>
> I was a scrawny little guy for the better part of my adolescent and adult life (5'7'' and 125+lbs). I am now a robust one hundred and fifty pounder...Thank you Effexor! No longer will I fret about the buff beach bullies kick sand in my (now) amply padded face. I work out, I watch what I eat; and, although the thirty-something slide may account for part of the plumping up, it all came on so fast and so concurrently with the Effexor therapy, that I can't help but correlate it with the drug.
>
> And, on the subject of under-reported side-effects, I have also experienced a 20 point increase in my blood pressure. In contrast to my gratitude for the figure-flattering extra pounds, I am concerned about this. Judging from other posts, quite a few other folks have also experienced a significant rise in the old BP.
>
> ta
>
> ken
This is the end of the thread.
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