how long after stopping celexa will i lose weight

THIS drug should be issued with a serious health warning. After 7 years of not taking anti-depressives, I had a nasty episode in August 2013 and suffered a breakdown. I went to my ex-GP and he was very understanding since I explained that meds I'd been on before destroyed my personality and creativity, but I did need some help. So, he prescribed me Citalopram. I wish I'd done my research. I'll be honest and admit the meds did help me regain some balance over my life and with the stress of moving home. My diet nor habits changed at all from before. I weighed 12 and a half stone in August 2013.

Over time, I couldn't help but notice my stomach was getting larger but failed to make the connection. At the start of October 2014, my life seemed to be OK so decided to come off the meds completely. I was on 20mg a day. Now, I know it's not advisable to just stop taking the stuff, but I'd been on various drugs over the years so had a good idea about withdrawals and what to expect. So, I psyched myself up for at least two months of total Hell. In July I weighed just under 14 stone which alarmed me but in October I was edging close to 15 stone. I was horrified and then went online and learnt that this kind of weight gain seems to be common with people on Citalopram. To say I felt angry would be putting it mildly since I'd always been a bit lanky and lean and now I had this huge BLOB over my stomach.

The withdrawals were the WORST I've ever had. I've been on stronger meds before but coming off Citalopram was an absolute hellish ordeal - it was only past experience and determination that ensured I stuck it out. At the beginning of December, I finally felt "fine" again. The stuff was now out my system but now I was feeling upset and depressed by this nasty weight gain. So, I drew up a regime involving a change of diet and enforced exercise in the form of walking. I know Rome wasn't built in a day and it will take time for this fat to disappear. I have managed to lose half a stone in the last 2 weeks which I'm pleased about but the stomach fat is not showing any difference as of yet. I came here to hopefully get some idea how long it will be before that excess fat starts to shift. I am being careful with  my calories and burning more than I eat, so at the moment, it's in the lap of the Gods. What's shocked me is how much fat an extra two stone has produced. It's a horrible feeling... as if I have this blob grafted on, making movement more wobbly and cumbersome. I want to get rid of another one and a half stone... two preferably but given it's unpredictability I cannot predict how long that's gonna take... either way, it can't happen quick enough.

I'm sue to reunite with a dear friend next year whom I've not seen in 5 years. I cannot face that looking the way I do right now... they'd be horrified. I feel obese and it's getting me down a lot but again, I am strong minded and determined but the longer I put off this reunion... well, lets just say it's an important moment for me, but I want to look good and healthy again. It's depressing reading of everybody's variable experiences and that it's taken some a year or more to start seeing results.

Anyway, just wanted to chime in with my experience and also to voice my disapproval of this drug. Yes, it helped me, but to gain 2 stone in weight in 14 months is plain outrageous and should never be prescribed unless the patient is warned beforehand they'll have a high risk of gaining weight.

Regards, and to those of you thinking of quitting or struggling to come off this nasty drug, just try and stay strong. It is hellish and painful (I was wide awake for 4 days during the worst moment of the withdrawals) but keep the faith. It can be done, but it is tough. B.

I my self have been on celexa for five years. Starting at a low dose from 10mg to 80mg over time. I have been struggling with panic Attacks and anxiety my doctor kept. Saying this drug is non addictive. And doesn't make you gain weight. I totally disagree. I've tried severL times to wean off even slowly and thought I was going to loose my mind. My husband was afraid too for me. I felt bad that I couldn't concentrate on Any thing. But I pushed my self hard. I have two young kids. Want to b here for them. So now I am taking. My own advise. Slowly weaning. I. M now on 10mg. Don't feel so great but I take clonazepam to ease a bit of the anxiety and dizziness. I just wish I never started this. I feel it is addictive. It alters your mind. I feel like crying when. Think to my life where I never took any mess. So I wish everyone good luck. Try to stay strong. The weight will come off. Forgot to mention that I gained 45 pounds in the 5 years. I almost look like I have water retention. Don't let the weight get u Down try to get healthy mentally first then work on the weight. God bless

I was on citalopram for 3 years for severe anxiety that just hit me from nowhere at age 35.  I was on 40mg.  This drug did wonders for me and I was soon back to my old self.  When I first started on tabs I thought it would only be for 6 months but as it made a total difference to my life I wouldnt mind if I was on them for ever. 

However, in the summer I thought I might as well try and come off them as I have not suffered anxiety really bad for over 2 years so I did start to withdraw with a lot of advice from the internet as I couldnt get in to the doctors for 6 weeks.

I bought a pill cutter and every other week cut my tabs down a little bit at a time.  It took me 10 weeks which is quite fast but I was focussed and determined.  I think I got off quite lightly as some of the side effects I read about are horrendous.  After I fully finished my tabs; 2nd December 2014, I had 2 weeks of light headedness but it didnt affect me noticeably and for around 3 days I felt a bit low, bad mood and snappy, but also incredibly turned on lol!

It has now been 5 weeks and I feel GREAT!  I excercise regularly (which I have always done) and have just started healthy eating as I did put about 14lbs on whilst taking these meds.  TBH, this didnt bother me too much as I am quite slim anyway but even after 5 weeks I can tell my weight has dropped (I try not to weigh myself)

These meds really help but if you want to withdraw, stay focussed, be prepared & dont give up as it is tough.

Hopefully I can stay free from citalopram now but it was there when I needed it.

Stay strong everyone and remember there is always someone else going through what you are and they get through it x 

You COULD try the 10 day Advocare cleanse. It's good because you don't have to stop eating you just eat well and take the things provided in the cleanse for 10 days. This might help reset your body and loose a little weight. I know that before I started having weight issues with Celexa (I gained 17 lbs in 17 months and just quit taking it 4 days ago) this worked well for me and each time I lost about 3 lbs. You can get it on Amazon and they say the Citrus kind works best.

I did not know that they made you gain weight, went on them as had my dear mum come to live with me with mental health problems, and she was waking me up at all sorts of times, sadly she passed away jest before Xmas, then had to have my dog put down broke my heart at both, but the weight gain is depressing in it self. Cut tablets in half today to 10 mg, and will cut to 5 next week, and hope to be off them by end of February. Never again, am going to keep myself in a positive mood, jest think how much happier I will be when belly and hips have gone back to where they were. Good luck to all, let's keep positive.

I have the exact same scenario and it's kind of freaking me it out. I always fluctuated 125-130 but now I'm 150 and stuck. I stopped the Celexa about 6 weeks ago and was only on it for 3 months. I cannot believe how difficult it is to lose this weight. Any suggestions is appreciated. I don't eat junk and I do work out but for the 1st time ever no results within 1 week - very strange!

I have a similar story to you MISSMHS I was also told that it wouldn't cause me to gain weight. I have gained about 30lbs. I would love to hear if you have lost any because I see your post was over a year ago.

It is very depressing to gain the weight. I hate it. I am coming off of it. I was only on 20mgs for a number of years. I couldn't understand why I had gained weight. When the Dr wanted to put me on it, because of the earthquakes we had here in Christchurch, I asked that I have one that didn't cause sleeplessness or weight gain. I don't have a sleep problem, but oh the weight gain. I only found out it was the citalopram when I googled it in. How are you doing now with the weight, I see your post was a year ago.

your post was most encouraging. Thank you so much.

Did this help at all? I'm thinking of switching to zoloft as well.

Well when I read these replies I do feel very blessed. I haven't had any withdrawal symptoms and have already lost 4 kilos this month. I eat sensibly and walk for 20-30 minutes each day. I have been off it a month now. I do think that the easy withdrawal I have had is more the exception than the norm. When I was on it I went to weight watchers, got their program and followed it and never lost a gram. I didn't understand where the weight had come from because it didn't cause me to eat more. I am at 89kg now and aim to get to 70-75kg. Yes, the crunch point came for me when I met up with two friends before Christmas, at different times and both couldn't believe how much weight I had gained. The only thing that I could think of was the citalopram so I came off of it. I began to take one every second day for 3 days then a 1/2 every second day for another 3 days. I have to say that I was always a person that gained weight easily, but could lose it just as easily too. I do wish you the best and would like to hear how things go for you.

One more thing I knew for sure that this was this medication that caused the gain, because I am not on anything else. One thing that didn't help with the gain is that it creeps on over time and I have not been able to weigh myself for a four years because of the earthquakes we had caused the floor to be unlevel, we are still waiting for our house to be sorted. When the doctor prescribed it I asked her not to give me anything that would cause me to gain weight or give me insomnia, she assured me it wouldn't do either. I didn't have insomnia, but sure gained the weight.

Calea I seem to be luckier than you. I have been off it a month and have lost 4 kilos already. When I was on it and tried I didn't lose an gram. Yes, weight gain is the one thing most women never want. I have the same amount to lose as you. I don't know what causes the weight gain, it didn't increase my appetite. I do feel fine and have been off it a month now, but I didn't actually have depression to start with, I was given it by my doctor because my brother back in England was dying and my mother was in her nineties and he didn't tell her. Doctor said it was a precautionary measure in case it got me down. Well the weight gain got me down a lot more.

How was your experience coming off?

I have been getting various medical tests over the last several months to try to figure out why I cannot lose the weight.  This is the first time I have considered it may be my medication. I have gained about 30 pounds since going on citalopram (20mg) about two years ago.  My activity and diet have gotten better rather just remaining at an already good level. Depsite increased efforts, the weight not only won't budge but actually keeps increasing.  It is especially focused in my lower abdomen (which is gross).  I have never had a belly like this - even after having two babies! Under my pre-med "normal" I would have lost steadily with my current efforts. I have joked for months now about being on a runaway train (with my weight) but this is seriously not funny!  I just made an appointment with my doctor to discuss going off citalopram.  I have read all the posts and it is not encouraging to see that weight loss after going off them seems to be very slow going.  But, if I don't try it I will soon be shopping in the plus sizes.  To be fair, the medication did help me.  But I would not have gone on it if I had known this would happen.