Effexor caused me to gain about 40 pounds. One day I got sick of all the meds I was taking, because NONE of them helped me a bit, so I just stopped. (Yes, I know you aren't supposed to be able to do that with Effexor but I did and had no side effects.) I began to shed weight immediately and got back down to my normal size, until the doctor talked me into taking Effexor again. Dumb, dumb, dumb.
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I took Paxil for 6 years and then switched to Effexor b/c I had gained about 40lbs. After a year on Effexor XR I gained another 40. I looked like someone pumped me up with a bicycle pump. I have always worked out and would not consider myself an overeater. Everyone told me "it's just because your thyroid is hypoactive" etc. I always knew that something was "off". As I got older and got into a better place in my life my Doctor weaned me off and now I do not not take anything. I have lost about 50lbs in 18 months. I would never discourage someone from using antidepressants, but be warned of this issue. Also, when I went off Effexor XR I did experience vertigo symptoms. I thought I was crazy until I read a post on here!
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I have been on effexor for almost 2yrs and I am 30lbs over weight. At first lost 30lbs and then gained it back within 6 mts. I am currently trying to lower my dosage to see if that helps. Please let me know if anyone has any suggestions
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I have good news for everyone!!!! . I too an in my 40's I took effexor for two and a half years, I was unable to lose weight the entire time I was on it. and put on 25 lbs. For the first 3 months after going off effexor I still could not lose weight. I was working out 1 1/2 hours a day. and taking in 800 calories or less.I could not drop a pound. Then I start to search the internet about OTHER DRUGS THAT I WAS TAKING. I was also taking zyrtek at the same time for my allergies I a found out that Zyrtek causes weight gain as well.
I never in my wildest dreams thought that something as simple as an antihistamine could cause weight gain. So I went off the zyrtek as well. and I lost 5 lbs. in 7 days, then I lost another 5 lbs. in the next 7 days. today I have lost a total of 12 lbs. since being totally drug free for about 16 days. So, I think that everyone needs to ask themselves "Is there any other perscription or nonperscription (over the counter) drug that I am taking that could cause me not to lose weight. you would be surprised, all drugs, no matter what they are, can cause weight gain. GOOD LUCK to everyone. Nancy
I never in my wildest dreams thought that something as simple as an antihistamine could cause weight gain. So I went off the zyrtek as well. and I lost 5 lbs. in 7 days, then I lost another 5 lbs. in the next 7 days. today I have lost a total of 12 lbs. since being totally drug free for about 16 days. So, I think that everyone needs to ask themselves "Is there any other perscription or nonperscription (over the counter) drug that I am taking that could cause me not to lose weight. you would be surprised, all drugs, no matter what they are, can cause weight gain. GOOD LUCK to everyone. Nancy
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I know from personal experience that drinking alot of water doesn't make U lose weight, I been on Effexor for one year. I have started to gain weight regardless of drinking a ton of water everyday and exercising some days for an hour on my stationary bicycle.
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Water retention? Eat Less? You have not been on this medication before and yet you're on a website talking to tons ofpeople who have experienced weight gain and you say the 'pharamist' said it was just water retention and not to eat so much? I dont eat any more than I did when I was 57 kilos. This medication makes you put on weight. I never ever was a heavy person but now I'm 69 kilos and dont eat any more than a balanced healthy diet. Even my Doc had been on Effexor and said he came off them or he'd be a fat little guy. I say if you can ween off it people, ween off it and let's find alternative solutions, ie yoga, meditation, st johns wort perhaps. But gaining weight is just anor problem!
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Katey O please dont go cold turkey, I was on 75g and then took them every second day and then took 37.5 which I am now on every second day, then I'll do every three days. I have been on effexor for three years and was a lovely 57kilos at 5'4 and now I'm 69kilos. When I had a short stint on 150 I went up to 71kilos. Do it more gradually even if you're on a small dose, the brain shivers aren't good for you. Hope this helps.
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Guest wrote:
I agree. Great advice ****! So you think we're all just sitting around eating ourselves fat. Give Effexor a go then and see how you go!!!!!!!!!!!! Some people actually loose weight but most of us put it on. I was 57kilos for years and now I'm 69 kilos and dont eat any more, some things can be down to growing older but it's all a little too coincidental that we put on weight the same time periods we're on effexor.
Guest wrote:
dont eat so much.
Great advice. (rolls eyes)
I agree. Great advice ****! So you think we're all just sitting around eating ourselves fat. Give Effexor a go then and see how you go!!!!!!!!!!!! Some people actually loose weight but most of us put it on. I was 57kilos for years and now I'm 69 kilos and dont eat any more, some things can be down to growing older but it's all a little too coincidental that we put on weight the same time periods we're on effexor.
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The brain shivers will go away even though you think they might not. It will take a few weeks though. The weight gain is another matter. I still have the extra 30 after 2 years.
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I weighed under 120 when I started on Effexor 10 years ago. I have been on a low dose of 150 up to 300 and I think 375. I've always taken it with other psych drugs. I now weigh 150 normally and I have had periods of lots of exercise to none and eat about the same as I always have. I am less than 5'1" so I am clearly overweight. I am much heavier that I was when 9 mths pregnant with either of my children. I know it is the drugs, and it has been near impossible to lose any. Even though I am going through the hell of wothdrawal now and eating even less, the scale is not budging. I am down to 112.5 as of today and go back to the doc in a week. He put me back on Wellbutrin (which I begged to be taken off of a couple of years ago) to help with the "discontinuation symptoms". At least he is one that believes in the withdrawals. Just with cuttin down twice I am very lethargic, moody, head achy and have had the worse cold ever that hit me like a ton of bricks. Right now I am also on the Wellbutrin, Trazadone for sleep, and Lithium for bi-polar.
Lisa
Lisa
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I am 25 years old. Been taking Effexor for 6 years now. It saved my life because I had very BAD BAD BAD anxiety attacks...We're taking about tripd to the EMERGENCY ...very bad crissis...but it helps alot.
I want to go off Effexor. Went from 140 pounds to 215 pounds. Nobody beleives me when I tell them the medecine changed me inside out.
I can't go off ... I tried....the anxiety attacks come back stronger every time.
I don't wish I never took it because I wouldn't be alive today. I wanted to kill myself for feeling this way...
But I'm a VERY VERY sportive person...and believe it or not...I just keep gaining weigt!
If someone has a solution...plz tell me!
P.S.:I've been seing a psychiatrist but the panics still come back...
I want to go off Effexor. Went from 140 pounds to 215 pounds. Nobody beleives me when I tell them the medecine changed me inside out.
I can't go off ... I tried....the anxiety attacks come back stronger every time.
I don't wish I never took it because I wouldn't be alive today. I wanted to kill myself for feeling this way...
But I'm a VERY VERY sportive person...and believe it or not...I just keep gaining weigt!
If someone has a solution...plz tell me!
P.S.:I've been seing a psychiatrist but the panics still come back...
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Good luck and hang in there. Keep looking for answers, but love yourself as you are. :)
I have been on Effexor XR 75 for 18 months and it was a miracle in the beginning - taking the weight off my chest quite literally. I managed to get more fit with excercise at that time.
I started on Mirena IUD 13 months ago with constant progesterone. That's when the weight started piling on. Gained 30 pounds. My psych said it had to go because it destabilizes moods. It also made me eat a LOT. Turns out I have a mood disorder. I got rid of the Mirena a month ago and the weight kept getting worse - another 10 pounds in a month. I had significantly cut down the eating. I don't get it. It's quite depressing.
Also, I tried Lamictal [lamotrigine] and was unlucky enough to have an allergic reaction after 14 days of 25 mg. Benadryl was the only thing that seemed to help. But it remained steady. It finally took Prednisone to eliminate the rash completely.
I'm about to step down to 35 mg Effexor XR for 30 days and then quit. I'm desperate to lose weight. I have a terrible self image.
I have been on Effexor XR 75 for 18 months and it was a miracle in the beginning - taking the weight off my chest quite literally. I managed to get more fit with excercise at that time.
I started on Mirena IUD 13 months ago with constant progesterone. That's when the weight started piling on. Gained 30 pounds. My psych said it had to go because it destabilizes moods. It also made me eat a LOT. Turns out I have a mood disorder. I got rid of the Mirena a month ago and the weight kept getting worse - another 10 pounds in a month. I had significantly cut down the eating. I don't get it. It's quite depressing.
Also, I tried Lamictal [lamotrigine] and was unlucky enough to have an allergic reaction after 14 days of 25 mg. Benadryl was the only thing that seemed to help. But it remained steady. It finally took Prednisone to eliminate the rash completely.
I'm about to step down to 35 mg Effexor XR for 30 days and then quit. I'm desperate to lose weight. I have a terrible self image.
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Ok, so now I found out I have some kind of thyroid problem. I have to wonder if the Effexor, Mirena or Lamictal caused it. Not sure how to answer that, though. That explains the 10 pounds in the last month. This truly stinks.
Have any of you Effexor users also developed thyroid problems?
Have any of you Effexor users also developed thyroid problems?
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I have been on effexor for 2 years now and about 7 months ago started taking thyroid medicine because they say it is too low. I also have a terrible time trying to lose weight. I thought the thyroid stuff would speed it up and help and it hasn't.
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I was on zoloft for many years and never had a weight problem while on zoloft. In retrospect, I think zoloft helped keep the weight off as I had a very minimal appetite. I felt zoloft wasn't working any longer for my moodiness/depression, so I went on to Paxil. Paxil was so-so for awhile-it kept the tears at bay, but also kind of numbed me out and unfortunately, I have put on 12 or so pounds. I'm weening off that mainly due to the weight gain as my Dr. said Paxil definitely causes weight gain. I must say, I do know what brain shivers are now. Very odd withdrawal symptoms. In hindsight, I realize my appetite has increased tremendously while on Paxil. Dr. is now prescribing effexor specifically stating to me that it DOES NOT cause weight gain. I will find out...I'm hoping it mimics the zoloft wherein I had a minimal appetite. I find it amazing that some of the people here have gained a tremendous amount of weight on any and all of these antidepressants, yet some have lost weight. Perhaps it is just that everyone is different, and reacts differently to meds-
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