how to lose weight gained from antidepressants

Hi! I was on zoloft for 2 years for my depression. It worked wonders and I have now been off of it and depression free for 2 years. I am, however, still struggling to loose the last 10 of the 30lbs I gained while on the drug. My experience was that my appetite increased to not an alarming degree, but a definite increase and I suddenly developed a raging sweet tooth. I never really had on before. I eat very well, run 4 times a week, live in a walking city and am active in the normal course of any day. It is hard and while I would go back on zoloft in an instant if the depression returned, I would probably try prozac first as it is reputed to be a descent alternative and not cause weight gain. I also find it amazing that there is still literature out there that says antidepressants do not cause weight gain. They do, and the weight can be very hard to loose once its on. But I'd rather be happy and fat than skinny and sad! I also have a friend who is loosing weight on lexapro. She is obese, but not for long, and has worked out some major issues in therapy as well as controlling the depression and anxiety with drugs. Generally, I'd say be aware of your weight as you go on the drug, it might be okay, and if not you have other options. Good luck!!

Posted: 05/19/08 - 19:49 Post subject: Antidepressant and weight gain

Hi
yeah i was on prozac, the paxil, and lexapro and i have gained 40 pounds. I started going to the gym and eating right but i find that i am always hungry and no matter what I eat i never get full. It has really affected my self esteem and if anyone knows of a better prescription for depression and anxiety that helps with weight loss please help
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Hi there,
I've been on Cipralex for 7 months and I've gained about 25lbs since taking it. I feel the same way as you. I always feel hungry and no matter what I eat I never feel full. Are all AD drugs like this? I was on Zoloft years ago and didnt feel the same way as this, the constant hunger. Is it me? or Is it the drug?

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weight gains is almost always caused by a combination of the Poor diet(high in calories and simple carbohydrates) and inactivity. Side deffects of pharmaceutical medications(e.g., antidepressants) also the factors taking into account.

If possible, get regular moderate exercise. Walking and similar activies are good. Moderate exercise helps in the assimilation of nutrients and in increasing the appetite. Avoid strenuous exercise.
Your best bet for health and weight loss is to focus on eating foods that fresh, whole, and nutritionally dense. Make sure you get enough protein every day. Otherwise, you’ll feel deprived and downright hungry. Whole, complex carbohydrate, like brown rice, whole-grain bread, and oats are necessary for a healthful eating plan. They’re also high in fiber, which helps you feel full and keeps you free of toxins. Essential fatty acids are good for you, use EFAs in moderation. Eat food that are high in tryptophan－turkey, chicken, tuna, soymilk and live unsweetened yogurt. This chemical encourages the production of serotonin and may stave off cravings. Vegetable juice is healthful and filling. Water also takes the edge off your hunger. Eat a balanced ratio of the major food groups. Eat more small, regular meals. Do not skip meals, particularly breakfast.
If you’re trying to lose weight, you first priority should be to reduce or, better to eliminate refined sugar from your diet. Avoid processed and junk food. Refined flours are leaving you with nothing but a plate full of calories. You must radically cut back on your consumption of “bad” fats.



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BALONEY!!!! It's people like this, who've never taken antidepressants and who are out to sell something, that make me raving mad about antidepressants and weight gain...that somehow it's OUR fault. Twice I've been on antidepressants and gained over 55 lbs. And twice, as soon as I stop treatment, my weight went back to normal within 4 months. They mess with your metabolism...PERIOD. When I'm not taking antidepressants, I never watch what I eat, eat anything and everything I want, and never gain weight. When I take them, I watch constantly because my cholesterol level goes over 300. When I'm not taking antidepressants, my cholesterol stays under 130, and that's with eating all the greasy fried foods, candy, junk, etc. Instead of the pharmaceutical/medical community looking for ways to make these drugs work with the metabolism, they blame the patient.

All of you, don't let doctors and drug companies make you feel like a guilty little "piggy" because you gain weight...DEMAND ANSWERS. Unfortunately/fortunately, antidepressants are so beneficial to my mental health that I have to choose them versus not being overweight. But I'm making a lot of noise about the weight gain because it's no small thing. I know of too many people who could benefit from anitdepressants but refuse to take them because of the weight gain. Something needs to be done.

I was on zoloft and put on 20 lbs despite my lack of appetite. I have been fighting for over a year to lose it with negative results. I work out 2x a day joined Jenny Craig and have a personal trainer. In 6 months I lost 8 LBS!!!! It must slow metabolism...that's all I can conclude.

I have been on cipralex for more than a year and effexor before that. The meds work wonderfully for depression but the weight gain is problematic. And if one more person tells me I can walk it off . . . I hike 5 km in a hilly wooded area with my dogs 6 days a week. I am totally frustrated trying to follow eating plans, feel like a total failure in this area of my life and I am more than 40 pounds overweight and gaining. I also ride horse twice a week and have done weight training for a number of years with a trainer. I had to quit the trainer and the nutritionist because the just re affirmed my failures on a regular basis. My horse and dogs accept me no matter what I eat or look like. And diets don't work because weight loss is so painstakinly slow I can't stick with the deprivation, then I just gain back more than the starting weight. It is all extremly frustrating!
Anybody else feeling this frustration???

I am also on cipralex and it has been a great drug for me but the weight gain is terrible. I exercise everyday and since July have gained 10 lbs. I hate the weight. I will consult my Dr. and see if there is something else I can take. good luck. kitt

Celexa, Lexapro, Luvox, Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft are all good medications, but they have the following side effects: dizziness, headaches, nausea right after a dose

On the other hand, there is Wellbutrin that not only helps with depression, but also helps with weight loss. The only side effects for this are: decreased appetite, restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, constipation, dry mouth, diarrhea, and dizziness.

THE CHOICE IS YOURS BUT I WOULD DEFINATELY GO WITH WELLBUTRIN!

:)

Hi there,
I was on anti depressants for many years and still have the bulk of the weight I gained while on them. I have been doing body cleansings, exercising by walking (limited to exercise due to back problems) and on an 80% raw food eating habit. I still cannot break under 170lbs. I had read there is a link between long term use of anti depressants and weight that cannot be lost.

I was prescribed lexapro in April. Started wtih 10 mg and then moved onto 20 mg after a few weeks. I felt fantastic. My anxiety was almost completely gone and I had a new zest for life. I felt like lexapro was the missing link to my happiness. 3 months later, at the end of July, I noticed my pants were tighter. Within just four weeks, I had gained a whopping 30lbs. I tapered off the drug and sunk into major depression and my anxiety was back full force. I'm sure this was due to stopping the drug as well as my now huge body. I felt like everyone was staring at me. I can not fit into any of my clothes, I feel pathetic and like a loser, and I feel disgusting. I have dropped all of my classes because I'm too embarrassed. I dont want to see friends and family because I am so overweight now. Lexapro has literally ruined my life. It has been four months and I cannot lose the weight. I run four miles a day and eat whole grains, fruits, lean meats and vegetables. Still I lose nothing. This drug is terrible. It gives you a wonderful feeling then after the side effects you realize you were much better without it. Please, if you were prescribed this drug, do not take it. I dont know why more doctors and pharmacists arent aware of the horrible weight gain that coincides with this drug. The weight gain in itself is depressing; but it is even more depressing when you cannot drop the weight.

Hello,



I have been on Cipralex 10mg for over a year now... from May 2007 up to a few weeks ago...that is a year and 7 months to the day. It as helped me a great deal but I too have gained about 5 to 7 kgs which I am not happy about at all. I stopped taking the little tabs a few weeks ago after I ran out. I did not gradually come off it as I should have and have experienced pins and needles in my right arm which I thought was from something else. I have since read all I can about the drug and realize now that this happened because I came off them too fast. I am however feeling that I can do without it now and I am hoping that I will lose the weight gained. I have not been to see my GP yet but will do so in the new year. I found that my appetite increased or rather I had very definite cravings for carbohydrates during my time of taking them. I got RAVENOUSLY hungry - today is the first time I have not felt that way. I actually feel normal, back to my old self. I think I have been off the tabs for about 3 weeks to a month now. So yes, this drug has some strange side effects but the less serious ones like weight gain, I am hoping will normalize now after having stopped. Hope this helps to make you feel better ?



Jen

seratonin if found not in the brain but in various parts of the body. So, antidepressants can have an effect on the chemicals that work inside of your liver which will then decrease your metabolism significantly. I've found that taking Omega-3 and Vitamin E, while working doing cardio for at least 25 min for a min of 5 times per week, along with a healthy diet helped. Really, it's the eating that's the biggest part of it....and the hardest. Keep at it even if you don't see results at first, it takes awhile!!! was about 3 months before I seen 3 lbs come off, it came off quicker for a little while afte that and sloped again as I neared my target weight.

I am on Cipralex also and have gained about 25 pounds and hating the extra weight!!! This medication has been wonderful for my well-being, but the weight gain is horrible! I would also love to know if anyone has tips on how to lose the weight while still on the medication? Thanks! Steph

:o Cipralex it's for sure the reason why I got so much weight.
I started almost 3 yrs ago and even tough I do exercises and I really watch what I'm eating.. and after had a lot of blood work I assume with my doctor, that is the reason.
I got since may of 2006 25pounds and it's hard to lose it. So I decide, I'm well enough to continuing this medication, so I'm given up about using cipralex and now I'm happy to see results...
My belly already getting back her normal shape. It I have 3 years ago.

Ya I know what you mean. I've been on Cipralex/Lexapro for 2 years and I have gained 40 pounds. I'm trying to cut down on portions and exercise but nothing works. Maybe I'm just too laid back about everything because of the meds and I don't hesitate to eat. Or maybe I'm using the drugs as an excuse. Either way, I'm fat but happy. I'm trying to lose weight but in the end, it's so much better than being stuck in that crazy cycle of depression/anxiety.

There is no question, at least as far as I am concerned, that anti-depressant use has a correlation to weight gain. My primary care has finally admitted to it too. However, he also pointed out that when it is extreme(more than 10lbs) it is more due to poor food choices and too much of a good thing that contributes most. I have been on Paxil for six years and went off about 6 months ago after gaining about 50lbs, but made the mistake of not taping off slowly. It was ok at first, but became almost intolerable after awhile. I did drop pounds quickly, but don't feel well and really struggle with anxiety again. I lost weight several times while on Paxil. It is possible, but takes a lot of discipline. Staying away from processed sugars and white flour is huge. I guess what I am trying to decide is whether I want to be really thin or healthy in my head. It is a double edged sword, because being overweight has its issues too.