Do ALL depression meds cause weight gain?

Peggy Lee · Newbie Joined: 04 Apr 2007 Posts: 15

My appetite is back.....big time! I'm sleeping better and the jittery feeling is gone. I had my doubts in the beginning but now I'm feeling back to normal. I can't wait to see if I have those "moody spells" that took me to my doctor in the first place.

Guest · Guest

Hi Peggy Lee, Hang in there! I have battled depression for 17 years, and had remained on Zoloft for most of that time. I dont see it having made me gain weight, but I guess its hard to gauge for me. I have in that time had 2 kids (one is autistic) and since suffered 3 herniated discs with chronic pain. Every time I have stopped the medication my depression was looming over me like a dark cloud, its hard to explain, but I imagine you understand. Once I am back on it I am myself again. So I wonder if the few pounds I have gained are from an inability to exercise? Pluse I have this huge sweet tooth! I can say that having been on it for 17 years that at least if it did cause me a little weight gain, its would be so worth it, after all, what good would I be to myself or others a few pounds lighter, yet unable to get out of bed most of the time in my deep depression?
so hang in there and good luck! Sandy in Florida Razz

Peggy Lee · Newbie Joined: 04 Apr 2007 Posts: 15

Thanks for the encouraging words Sandy. I know exactly what you mean about the 'dark cloud'. I try to explain it to my husband but can't seem to put it in a way that he can understand. I guess it's just one of those things you have to go through yourself to fully understand. Have you seen those commercials on TV for a depression med that shows people lying in bed or just 'zoning' in general? I hate that commercial because I know just what they are feeling. So far I felt slightly down at times but that's normal emotions. I haven't had the incredibly hopless feelings that I had before Cylert. I even survived my first full moon since being on the med!!! I am a firm believer that has something to do with it.
Good Luck Sandy...I had an autistic foster child once. She was such a love...but a challange!

peggy lee....temporarlily in Massachusetts

Guest · Guest

I had a severe problem with depression when I was younger and was perscribed Zoloft to help deal with it. I experienced a lot of the same things you're experiencing now, Peggy Lee, such as not getting enough sleep and having a hyperactive mind-set. I would like to say that it was a good experience, but the after effect when I went off of it made the experience not even worht it. No, I did not have a problem with my weight when I was on it, but I fought and struggled with it after wards. I only took the medication for a year, but that was the amount of time needed for me to build a dependency for it. When I went off of it, I had worse depression than I had ever imagined and it lasted for about 3 years. I think some of the things I went through were from the lack of appetite (I ate so little when I was on is that I was malnurished) and the lack of energy (I also had not gotton more than a few hours sleep each night during this time). Just be careful that you might not want to consider in the future to get off the meds, otherwise you might want to cease taking them now. One thing I've realized is pharmacutical companies are just a legal drug cartel which like to make medications that will keep you coming back for more.

Peggy Lee · Newbie Joined: 04 Apr 2007 Posts: 15

I'm sorry.....maybe I haven't had enough coffee yet but I'm not understanding exactly what you have said here.
Are you suggesting I NOT go off the med....or consider going off it now? The idea of one day going off of it and experiencing WORSE depression than I had before starting it scares me half to death. Same goes for building an immunity to it. All I know is I NEVER want to feel like that again. I'm now married to the man I know I spent my first 30-something years waiting for. We have been given to each other by an angel. There's just no other way to say it. I don't want to go through feeling like that again nor do I want to put him through it. He's SO VERY good to me.

Guest · Guest

Not all anti depressant meds cause weight gain, some even encourage weight loss. Wellbutrin is one that often will help people to loose weight. Ask your doc for more info.

makkigirl · Newbie Joined: 27 May 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Minnesota

Peggy Lee · Newbie Joined: 04 Apr 2007 Posts: 15

I've been taking Celexa for 7 or 8 months now. Side effects: restless sleep, tense muscles, dizziness, muscle/joint pain and fast heartbeats. I have discussed this with my doctor and since they are very mild we are not too worried. The one big side effects that bothers me though is I've gained 40 pounds!! I have completely lost all willpower. Two weeks ago my doctor put me on Wellbutrin to help with that. I'm not a big fan of taking one prescription drug to ward off the side effects from another but I'm going to give this a try. I've already felt a decrease in appetite but not strong enough to make a difference yet. Hopefully it will kick in soon. The holidays are a bad time to start watching my weight!!
Had blood work done this last week and it looks good. My cholesterol is 174 and my triglyceride level is 54.

OH...I tried to take 10mg. of Celexa instead of 20mg. over the summer to help me sleep better. In a little over a weeks time I found myself crying for no reason.........went back on 20mg. immediately and everything was fine.

Guest · Guest

When I was 16 my Dr gave me Prozac and immpermine(sp) well let just say I ended up in the hospital from trying to hurt myself. I love Wellbutrn, I think its the only pill that helped me feel happy. Now I have a new Dr and he gave me Effexor. I felt great the first couple weeks then i starded to have susidel thoughts so I quit taking it. I think I am going to ask for Wellbutrin again. Good luck!

Do ALL depression meds cause weight gain?

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