The effexor withdrawals and weight gain are my main concern

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I am currently weening myself off Effexor because for 3+ years I have gained more and more weight. I exercise 4+ days a week and couldn't eat any better and stil not 1 pound can I lose. So, now I'm just getting of this drug that so many say causes weight gain. My question is HOW LONG???before I start seeing some weight lost???

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Hi there.

As most people that have already posted, I too am so happy that there are others out there that are experiencing weight gain from being on Effexor.

I am a 30 year old man. I began taking Effexor 2.5 years ago. The only reason I took it was because sometimes I would feel anxious in situations or unreasonably nervous in new situations that I had never experienced before. Also a little too self-conscious at times.

When I started on Effexor, I weighed 240 pounds. When I first got introduced to the drug, I felt excited that it would cut back my appetite and make me less anxious about going to the gym.

This didn't happen. In 2.5 years, I have ballooned to almost 290 pounds. None of my clothing fits me. I now have terrible mood swings and get very agitated at the smallest things.

I did not change my eating habits. I actually increased my workout regime, so this leads me to believe that it is the drug. I am weening off it now, but these stupid brain zaps are driving me crazy.

One thing I found that did help me with my mood was taking Omega 3-6-9 supplements.

I will never take Effexor again. Especially for something as minor as feeling anxious about new things.

ROXYROLLER796 · Newbie Joined: 07 Apr 2008 Posts: 2

Hi I was on Effexor for approximately 3yrs, i had experience some slow weight gain thinking nothing of it, and in the final year my weight gain sky rocketed to an additional 20 lbs. [that's from 120 lbs to 150 lbs]. I have been off these meds completely since November 2007. It was as though I was steadily gaining weight on a daily basis. Since then I have been trying so hard to lose this weight but it seem futile. Has anyone seen any results after coming this drug? I once read a girl saying it takes approximately 3 - 4 mths before changes occur... I am panic striken by this and my Dr. won't take me seriously in this matter. Please, any suggestions on how to reverse this would be great.

ROXYROLLER796 · Newbie Joined: 07 Apr 2008 Posts: 2

Hi I was on Effexor for approximately 3yrs, i had experienced some slow weight gain thinking nothing of it, and in the final year my weight gain sky rocketed to an additional 20 lbs. [that's from 120 lbs to 150 lbs]. I have been off these meds completely since November 2007. It was as though I was steadily gaining weight on a daily basis. Since then I have been trying so hard to lose this weight but it seem futile. Has anyone seen any results after coming off this drug? I once read a girl saying it takes approximately 3 - 4 mths before changes occur... I am panic striken by this and my Dr. won't take me seriously in this matter. Please, any suggestions on how to reverse this would be great.

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I have been on Effexor for 6 years now,twice I came off it but had to go back on it as its the only one that worked for me.
And YES I have also put on 40 pounds weight with it,no matter how much I diet or excerise it makes no difference.I am also a Postman so get alot of daily walking ( 6-8 miles a day ) where as before effexor this would keep my weight down but doesnt now.Also I have lost my sex drive I am usually well exausted anyhow,had to give up booze as it sent me loop.Trouble is its the only one that has worked for me so your left with a choice,do not take it and have a crappy life or take it so it will improve the quality of your life.My Doc has already said I may have to be on them for life!!I also get mood swings where I am either quiet and want to be left on my own or I am on a high and noisey and silly infact quite childish sometimes.

andie23 · Newbie Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 1

I have now been OFF of effexor for a year in a half. I too had experienced weightgain. In six months I had gained 30 pounds. In a year and a half through lots of exercise and more healthy eating I have only been able to lose 10 pounds of the 30. I have been trying so hard and despite trying slimfast, weightwatchers and whatever other diets I could find, they just don't work. I used to weigh 120 pounds and went up to 150 pounds. I'm 5'2 so it looks awful. I see pictures of myself when I was thin and I just cry. Nothing is helping and I don't know what to do. My friend had actually suggested the drug to me because it was working for her so I switched my antidepressant to effexor. Now I actually blame my friend in part for all of this. I want my old self back! I hate to be a downer to all of you weening off, but this has been my experience.

Guest · Guest

So glad to find all of your posts via Google since I have been on Effexor for a year and a half and have picked up 10 pounds--might not sound so bad but I am only 4'11" and have changed 2 sizes. I thought I would share this website that acknowledges weight gain with psychotropic drugs and gives behavior and supplement advice. I'm going to follow-up since running and eating well don't seem to be making a dent.

My best to all of you--weight gain is tough enough for the practical reason of clothes fitting, but there is a cultural stigma that brings self-loathing with weight gain.

http://www.theroadback.org/weight_loss.htm

lamaestra13 · Newbie Joined: 15 Feb 2008 Posts: 7

I've been on Effexor since 2002 and I never gained an ounce. Since 2002 I had major heart surgery and now take a TON of medications and still i weigh the same. I think gaining weight has nothing to do with any of these medications. Perhaps the only medication i can think of that might add pounds is Zyprexa, an antipsychotic.

Gaining weight is the result of ingesting more calories and moving less. try to find a balance in life and focus on activities that take you away from the kitchen and food. Eat to live, don't eat to live.

crosscountry · Newbie Joined: 14 May 2008 Posts: 1

I just started a slow wean off effexor 150. It will take until Sept to be off of it completely. I am an endurance nut when it comes to exercising. As an example I rode 87km on my bike last Saturday. Despite my efforts to maintain my normal weight of 140 I have moved up to 150 over the past 6-8 months while on effexor. I concur that it caused my weight gain.

I also experience very vivid nightmares when i drop a dose of effexor, it lasts about 3-4 nights then stops until the next drop.

I started effexor a few years ago not for a low mood but for ADHD type sypmtoms that I used to control with running but am now unable to run due to an injury. It definitely helped me with concentration, focus, memory and fewer mood swings also. But I liked the highs pre-effexor.

My doctor has said if we find that being off effexor isn't good for me he will put me on another ssri or such. HE also said if the weaning causes unbearable problems he will add in an antidepressant and eventually wean me off that one if it's unnecessary. He is aware that Effexor is a dirtier drug than originally thought by everyone.

Happy weaning. R in Calgary

The effexor withdrawals and weight gain are my main concern

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