Hi Friends! Another update. So, in January, my weight was as high as 147 pounds ): when I was on Celexa, I am 5 foot 2 inches, which didn't feel or look very good on me. While on the Celexa, I worked out a lot between February to the end of March, which is about two months of work and lost about 11.5 pounds, which results in an average of a 5.75 pounds per month, mind you, I was exercising about 4 hours per day!!! I was inbetween jobs, so I just focused on the gym membership I had already paid for, and worked out constantly, kept my calories low, tracked them, and made goals to eat around 1300 calories a day, which is reasonable for my size. When I quit celexa, in April, I was so burned out on working out, and the weight just seemed to come back, not as high but I stayed at around 136/137 and was kind of just bitter about how hard I had worked. Well, come end of June, I began to start working out again, and between the 27th when I first posted and now, I have lost 1.5 pounds in 3 days. I am only working out about 5 days a week and only for about 1 hour or less a day. And if my math serves me right, I will loose twice as much weight in the first month, than I did in two months when I was on Celexa, and I also won't be wasting 4 hours a day in the gym! I think that Celexa made me more sluggish, made me want to eat high fatty and decadent foods, and I just couldn't get my energy rate as high. I notice that my BPM is much higher now. I know that some folks need to stay on the Celexa, but if you can find something else, or replace it with good food and exercise and talk therapy. I would say that the weight itself, just compounds the depression.
Give you another update soon!
Neena
The same exact thing happened to me.
I was on celexa for 6mths and gained 20lbs. I am now off Celexa because of the weight gain it has caused, my clothes barely fit I feel terrible about myself and on top of it I am getting married and trying to loose the weight to buy my wedding dress.
I am running and working out- eating well but I feel like I don't see any difference.
Does any know how long it usually takes after going off Celexa to see any sort of weight loss or result??
I was on celexa for about 8 months. My weight was at 115 lbs for my height at 5'0" I was happy. After only 4 months on the celexa I gained 30 lbs and was very lazy and tired. After a few more months I decided to stop the celexa because it was counter productive I thought the weight would come off. Years before I was on a small dose of Paxil and it was increased 3 times and I gained 30 lbs I weaned off the Paxil and within two weeks of being completely off the medication I lost 8 lbs. I started working out 6 days a week and within 6 more weeks lost 17 lbs. Within 3 months I was more toned and fit than ever. I was extremely happy.
I am now celexa free for 4 months and now 40 lbs heavier than before. I eat the same as I always have and exercise the same. My doctor has done blood tests and says everything is normal. I feel worse than ever and I don't understand why the weight won't come off like before.
I regret ever taking this medication.
I struggled with getting my weight off also. I went in and saw a doctor to the neurological testing to see if it was depression, anxiety, ptsd, or adhd that was causing me problems. I thought it was my anxiety. Found out I actually have a problem with my executive functioning, since then, it has been about a week, and I was prescribed the lowest dose of concerta. My ability to focus and feel positive about life has improved, and with that, my self control with food has increased. When I was off of the celexa, I think I lost some weight and then gained some back, due to stress and travel. I think I was about 137. Now on the concerta, and with deadlines I haven't been able to get to the gym, yet I have more self control with food, and I am down to 133. I am assuming if I add exercise it will help. The purpose of this post is to say: get testing done, that can help you find out what is at the root of the problem that got you to try celexa in the first place. If you can find out what it is, you might find the proper medication or therapies that will make you feel better about the source problem, and the weight will come off. The problems with weight and celexa, really made me angry, depressed and over all - just shitty. I am really glad people continue to share their progress and issues with weight after coming off this drug. I will give folks and update in a few weeks, to let you know how things are going, once I combine exercise with my post celexa life.
Totally true. I have to say I am a super athlete and well when I became depressed I was given Celexa and or the generic drug as treatment. Today I feel like a porky pig. I have gained 10 lbs in less then six months and I have been eating less and less. If you are crazy about fitness and weight like I am do not take this medication. Take Wellbutrin.
Ed
I have been off citalopram for 10 days. Days 4-7 were the worst so far, anger/rage, depression, tearfulness, and headaches. Today, and yesterday were good days. I have gained 30lbs on citalopram.. was on 20mg for 3 years. I had tapered down to 10 every other day for 1 month before stopping.
I believe antidepressants slow down our metabolisms, which is not something a doctor would really be able to confirm. After reading your posts, I think it may take awhile for my metabolism to get back to normal, and of course for my brain to start producing the proper amounts of serotonin.
So far, my biggest piece of advice is drink a ton of water. After having a terrible day I decided there were some things I could do to make this easier.. so I keep ibuprofen on hand and gulp ice water all day. Since I've been flooding myself with water, I feel MUCH better. I will keep posting to give hope.
I Have found so many posts like this one. Its great to have the comfort that i'm not alone (or going mad). I took AD's for 6-8months and in the last few months gained 8-10lb. I came off them (abruptly)-Fortunately i didn't really get any nasty side effects to speak of.
I decided to take charge of myself and started back at the gym-working out at fairly intense classes (spin/aerobics/combat/circuits) between 4-7 times a week. I also started running 3-4miles once a week and changed my diet (not that it was terrible) to a really healthy high protein/low carb natural diet with a ton of fresh fruit n veg and natural snacks n treats. I also embarked on Herbalife to ensure i got all the nutrients i needed for working out (just one a day no crash diets). I feel in myself excellent and wish i'd never touched pills. i am grateful that at least i have beaten my demons and i know i'm back in control again. BUT....
In spite of all my efforts 3 months on i am a further 4 lbs heavier-my heaviest EVER (no loss in inches either). I have always been athletic and naturally slim with good tone and shape. i feel bloody awful about myself right now. I know my body after 35yrs and under any other situation i would have been shedding the pounds hand over fist and getting a great shape back in order.
I have scoured the internet and this is apparently a HUGE issue for lots of us but no-where can i find answers or suggestions. Can anyone out there help??? I have leant that the metabolism is slowed and effected badly by the pills but no-one gives an idea of how long before the body kick starts again? It has been 3 months and i'm barely keeping a lid on the weight gain let alone loosing weight or size. I am getting fitter and my stamina is much better now. I've monitored my calorie intake on myfitnesspal....still Nothing but an extra lb. My cousin did the same 3 week programme as me and lost 9lbs....unbelievable-i gained 1lb.
My questions are simple....how long before the metabolism naturally increases back to normal?
Is there any supplement which can help increase metabolism (natural only-NO MORE manufactured c**p going in my body!)
Is there anything i can do to re-start my body/metabolism? detox programme? acupuncture? special diet or exercise?
Is there anything to avoid which might be hindering my progress?
ANY help will be gratefully received and i will post anything i find which works or just updates on time scales as i know there are lots of us out there left desperate from this dam pills
Good luck people
xx
This sounds just like me I even quit drinking over a months, not a drop maybe is why I couldn't lose a lb
I know this is a few months later, but have you ever heard of Almased? It's a meal replacement and I find it works to speed up your metabolism and helps you loose weight. I've lost weight with it but I don't always use it so it hasn't stayed off since I'm still on celexa and another medication that causes weight gain.
It is expensive but I only used/use it once a day and it works for me. I think I lost 17lbs on it overall. Some of it has stayed off now that I think about it.
Might work for you. :)
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If you read my other post on here, I have some info. Almased. It worked for me, and I was still on 40mg of Celexa. Still am, but it worked. I don't always drink the shake, like I said.
If you do try it, make sure you drink lots of water! You'll be so hungry if you don't.
I know it's hard to lose weight even after coming off some medications. But this does speed up your metabolism, it did with mine. I hope you give it a try.
It took me 6 months to lose 20 pounds after stopping celexa. I am still losing weight slowly. It is different for everyone, but also watch what you are eating!
Hi lys70
I am in kind off same situation. I stopped using completely about a month ago and am eating healthy and exercise at least 4-5 time a week and have seen no change in my weight. Given that you posted this a year ago, just wondering if you managed to get rid of the weight? Thanks
Yes. It does something to our metabolisms. IT DOES. If you have not been on AD meds, do not even TRY to give any of us advice on "watching what we eat".
I was on Prozac, then Celexia for about a year - gained 40 lbs in that time. Calorie cutting and working out did nothing to stop the upward scale creep.
I stopped 1 1/2 months ago, went on weight watchers, trained for and completed a 5K race - I have lost a total of 2.8 lbs. Before AD meds, I would have been 15 lbs lighter by now, AT THE VERY LEAST. However, I will keep going, as I intend to continue WW and 5-10K races until I am at my goal weight.
For anyone wondering about how long it takes for a metabolism to "normalize", I will repost progress monthly or so. I have found this information both hard to find and very valuable in the few examples I've seen.