I am so happy that I have found this website. I have been on Effexor XR for five years. I am now coming off because it is time. You should not be on something like this for so long. When I first started Effexor XR I was 140lbs, 5 10. Now today I am 181lbs, 5 10. I work out 6 days a week - usually 45 mins to 1 hour on the treadmill with weight training 3 - 4 days a week. I am on a high protein diet and try to watch what I eat. I actually went to my dr because I was feeling so lethargic and sleeping 10 - 12 hours a nite. I am so frustrated with this weight gain. This is the heaviest I have been in my life. I am going to turn 31 this August and do not want to continue on this "upward spiral". I used to sell Effexor XR and we always said that this drug is weight neutral. You have to remember that studies only go up to one year. If you have been on EXR for more than a year, there is no data supporting use over a year. I didn't really start gaining weight till about 3 and a half years ago. Just food for thought. I am going off now.
Effexor does not make you gain weight!
If you are taking vitamins or other meds like Lyrica, THEY are the culprit!
If you are taking sleeping medication like Ambien, you may be "sleep eating"...!!!!
Cymbalta will trigger your appetite which will make you want to eat!
But Effexor is an appetite suppressor!
Please check the side effects on the meds you are taking and look at your vitamins!
If you are taking vitamins or other meds like Lyrica, THEY are the culprit!
If you are taking sleeping medication like Ambien, you may be "sleep eating"...!!!!
Cymbalta will trigger your appetite which will make you want to eat!
But Effexor is an appetite suppressor!
Please check the side effects on the meds you are taking and look at your vitamins!
I am in the process of changing meds, I had been on Effexor XR 75mg. It was the insomnia that made me look for another drug, but of course in the process of changing meds, I have been re-reading about the side effects of these various ADs.
I am 41, 5'3" and a small frame, after 2 years on Effexor I have seen a progressive weight gain (52 kilos to 61 kilos and no sign of it stopping). It is not just a general weight gain, it is specifically around the front of my body...I look (and weigh) exactly as I did when carrying my 2 children...
I can tell you that I exercise, eat well, etc, and had not even contemplated that this weight may have been the medication (it is the only one I take), but reading the other generous posters experience (thank you Kim from '06) has been of some comfort. I would like to be able to post "the answer" to this problem, but unfortunately I haven't found it.
I am 41, 5'3" and a small frame, after 2 years on Effexor I have seen a progressive weight gain (52 kilos to 61 kilos and no sign of it stopping). It is not just a general weight gain, it is specifically around the front of my body...I look (and weigh) exactly as I did when carrying my 2 children...
I can tell you that I exercise, eat well, etc, and had not even contemplated that this weight may have been the medication (it is the only one I take), but reading the other generous posters experience (thank you Kim from '06) has been of some comfort. I would like to be able to post "the answer" to this problem, but unfortunately I haven't found it.
I have gained weight on effexsor. I'm an aeorbic instructor, and excersize doens't seem to do anything. I wanted to know if there is a
special diet to help loose the weight and keep it off.
special diet to help loose the weight and keep it off.
um, no, it can make you gain weight. its different for everyone.
unless both times i have been on effexor i gained then started to lose when i stopped them was a coincidence.
Effexor may supress your appetite but still slows your metabolism because of the serotonin.
I know many people who HAVEN'T gained weight on the other meds you mentioned...its different for everyone.
unless both times i have been on effexor i gained then started to lose when i stopped them was a coincidence.
Effexor may supress your appetite but still slows your metabolism because of the serotonin.
I know many people who HAVEN'T gained weight on the other meds you mentioned...its different for everyone.
That's it. I'm done. I've been on Effexor for 5 opr 6 years, started at 128 and am currently 178. I got to the gym 4 times a week and watch what I eat. I'm 35 and I figured the weight gain was simply due to my aging and metabolism slowing down. f**k this.
That's it. I'm done. I've been on Effexor for 5 opr 6 years, started at 128 and am currently 178. I got to the gym 4 times a week and watch what I eat. I'm 35 and I figured the weight gain was simply due to my aging and metabolism slowing down.
I Have Been On Effexor For Almost 3 Years ( Im 21 ) . I Was On 150mg Up Until A Month Ago When I Went Up To 225mg . In The Past 3 Years I Have Gained Roughly 50lbs-60lbs [ But 10lbs Of That Was After I Quit Smoking 4 Months Ago - So That Doesnt Really Count ]. I Wasn't A Stick Figure To Start With , I Was A Size US13 , Sometimes A US15 . Now Im A 18W . All The Weight I've Gained Is In My Belly , Butt & Hips . I Have Stretch Marks EVERYWHERE , On My Boobs ( I've Gone From A 36A To A 38B ) , My Belly , My Thighs .... I Didn't Eat More Than Usual - I Eat Healthy , Im A Vegetarian . I Dont Eat Oily Foods ( They Make Me Ill ) . I Dont Eat Lots Of Carbs ( Even Though I CRAVE Them Like Mad ) , I Still Exercize Regularly But The Weight Still Crept Up . If I Had've Read This 3 Years Ago I Would've Stuck With Cipramil , Even If It Did Make Me Dizzy .
Seriously , I Didnt Think That So Many People Would Have The Same Problem As Me .
Seriously , I Didnt Think That So Many People Would Have The Same Problem As Me .
Hello. I thought I should share my experience with Effexor as well since reading this thread has been very enlightening for me.
I have gained 45 pounds in 6 years. I went from being 135 my whole life to 180. It sucks.
I started taking it 6 years ago at a dose of 150mg per day. After being on Zyban/Wellbutrin for help with quitting smoking, my doc switched me to Effexor. Eventually the non-smoking thing was a losing battle but everytime I tried to get off it I'd have wicked almost debilitating side effects. By 'tried to get off' I mean ran out, or forgot, or was travelling and by day 4 I'd be a complete basketcase. It was easier and more convenient just to keep taking them.
Never had a weight issue, never dieted, was naturally active, fit and slim. For the past two years I have been doing EVERYTHING to lose this new weight. Jogging daily, working out with a trainer 4 times a week, Weight Watchers and nothing has made a bit of difference.
The light bulb finally went off the other day. I asked my new doc to help me get of the evil E since I don't really think I need it and it's just become a habit more than anything else. As an after thought I casually mentioned that I'm having a hell of a time getting these pounds off despite doing everything I should be doing and more. He told me that ABSOLUTELY the Effexor was the cause of this weight gain and my body's resistance to losing it. WITHOUT A DOUBT he said.
It all makes perfect sense and I have no idea why it never occured to me. I sure wish it had but at least now there's light at the end of the tunnel.
He told me not to expect to see any results until I finish weaning off the pills, but that once I take the last one there will be obvious and rapid changes. I'll take any change at this point.
I've been taking 150 a day. He wrote me a new prescription for 37.5 mg. The tapering schedule is as follows.
3 weeks of 75 mg daily
2 weeks of alternating 75 and 37.5
2 weeks of 37.5 daily
1 week of alternating 37.5 and nothing
Then stop and watch the pounds fall off!
I questioned if dropping to 75 from 150 was ok, would I notice anything or suffer withdrawal and he said that people don't often have any trouble on 75. It's only when they get to less that it can mess you up if itr's not been gradual enough.
So there you go. Hope this helps somebody. I'll report back with the good news in a few months
I have gained 45 pounds in 6 years. I went from being 135 my whole life to 180. It sucks.
I started taking it 6 years ago at a dose of 150mg per day. After being on Zyban/Wellbutrin for help with quitting smoking, my doc switched me to Effexor. Eventually the non-smoking thing was a losing battle but everytime I tried to get off it I'd have wicked almost debilitating side effects. By 'tried to get off' I mean ran out, or forgot, or was travelling and by day 4 I'd be a complete basketcase. It was easier and more convenient just to keep taking them.
Never had a weight issue, never dieted, was naturally active, fit and slim. For the past two years I have been doing EVERYTHING to lose this new weight. Jogging daily, working out with a trainer 4 times a week, Weight Watchers and nothing has made a bit of difference.
The light bulb finally went off the other day. I asked my new doc to help me get of the evil E since I don't really think I need it and it's just become a habit more than anything else. As an after thought I casually mentioned that I'm having a hell of a time getting these pounds off despite doing everything I should be doing and more. He told me that ABSOLUTELY the Effexor was the cause of this weight gain and my body's resistance to losing it. WITHOUT A DOUBT he said.
It all makes perfect sense and I have no idea why it never occured to me. I sure wish it had but at least now there's light at the end of the tunnel.
He told me not to expect to see any results until I finish weaning off the pills, but that once I take the last one there will be obvious and rapid changes. I'll take any change at this point.
I've been taking 150 a day. He wrote me a new prescription for 37.5 mg. The tapering schedule is as follows.
3 weeks of 75 mg daily
2 weeks of alternating 75 and 37.5
2 weeks of 37.5 daily
1 week of alternating 37.5 and nothing
Then stop and watch the pounds fall off!
I questioned if dropping to 75 from 150 was ok, would I notice anything or suffer withdrawal and he said that people don't often have any trouble on 75. It's only when they get to less that it can mess you up if itr's not been gradual enough.
So there you go. Hope this helps somebody. I'll report back with the good news in a few months
P.S. Sorry about the above 2 short posts. I started them but didnt have a signin name and I didnt realize they posted. Any idea how I can delete them?
I have had the same problem. 40 lbs in 2 years, and I have been exercising more, become a vegetarian, and eating sooo much better than I did in college. I actually have people ask when I am due - which is unbelievably embarrassing. I have hideous stretch marks on my belly. I am 5'10" and the weight shows enough to make me look pregnant. I am trying to get off the drug, but am seriously scared of the withdrawl symptoms (have already tried to step-down twice, but couldn't take the headaches).
Wish me luck... I would be interested to know if anyone has had an easier time dropping the weight after getting off the medicine for a substantial period of time.
Wish me luck... I would be interested to know if anyone has had an easier time dropping the weight after getting off the medicine for a substantial period of time.
Well, I too lost about 15 lbs. within the first couple months on effexor. (I am only 5ft. tall and usually around 115). THEN....after that, the weight came back on (and then some) in what seemed to me overnight! So I certainly do feel all your pain! MY doctor decided to add "Adderall" to the mix, being that it is an appetite suppressant. I must admit though, at the young age of 35, and having had 2 children, and a mother/grandmother with a history of thyroid issues..that I personally, wouldn't blame the weight entirely on the effexor. We are all built up different, and let's face it, as we get older, our metabolisms can and WILL change! I have taken almost all of the best meds out there on the market, and they all say "possible loss of appetite", "possible weight loss"..blah,blah,blah! I do believe however, that everyone of them will at some point, have an adverse effect on some of us, unfortunately..that's the s----y thing! I wish you all the best, as effexor has worked to help me feel better, and that's the most important thing for me..feeling better!
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Does effexor cause weight gain?