I had been on anti-depression medication for 7 years on and off and I can honestly say that nothing made me gain weight quite like Celexa and I was on a low dose. I gained 60 pounds in two years...when I started taking Celexa I weighed 195 keep in mind the I stand close to 6'3 so that is very normal. I gained 20 pounds in the first two months and I was told by my doc that it was me and I must have changed my eating habits. I thought ok maybe it is me so kept a closer eye on the things I eat and still know change... I went from a happy 8-10 to a miserable 16-18 in two years.
Recently I made appt with a new doctor and she comfirmed that my blood work came back normal...no high sugar...etc...the only change she could see was a change in my liver fuction which was cause by the Celexa. Celexa is a true depressant; anti-depressants don't make you happy they slow the bodies use of the seretonin in the brain to make it last longer...which can and have made people like myself feel numb not happy not sad just numb.
After doing some research and my new doctors ok...I started to come off of the Celexa and found natural ways to INCREASE the Seretonin
The following is working for me:
Increased salads, fresh fruits (not canned), fish (Omega 3 if you don't eat fish), at least 30 mins of sunlight daily (more the better) and a good brand multi vitamin btw, PURE DARK CHOCOLATE in small amounts can help...
I'm not going lie and say that this has been easy because lords knows it's not...I do not exercise everyday but I try at least for 2 to 3 times a week. I have lost ten pounds in the first two weeks and I feel better than I have in a very longtime.
If anyone wishes to chat about this...email me Just know what I have stated is what is working me...I'm not a doctor.
Best of luck in your journey.
Lori~ :-D
Recently I made appt with a new doctor and she comfirmed that my blood work came back normal...no high sugar...etc...the only change she could see was a change in my liver fuction which was cause by the Celexa. Celexa is a true depressant; anti-depressants don't make you happy they slow the bodies use of the seretonin in the brain to make it last longer...which can and have made people like myself feel numb not happy not sad just numb.
After doing some research and my new doctors ok...I started to come off of the Celexa and found natural ways to INCREASE the Seretonin
The following is working for me:
Increased salads, fresh fruits (not canned), fish (Omega 3 if you don't eat fish), at least 30 mins of sunlight daily (more the better) and a good brand multi vitamin btw, PURE DARK CHOCOLATE in small amounts can help...
I'm not going lie and say that this has been easy because lords knows it's not...I do not exercise everyday but I try at least for 2 to 3 times a week. I have lost ten pounds in the first two weeks and I feel better than I have in a very longtime.
If anyone wishes to chat about this...email me Just know what I have stated is what is working me...I'm not a doctor.
Best of luck in your journey.
Lori~ :-D
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It's me Lori...here's my email if anyone wishes to stay in touch
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***this post is edited by moderator *** *** private e-mails not allowed **
Please read our Terms of Use
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I have been on a low dose of celexa for about 1 1/2 years. I have gained 12 lbs. I too am unable to lose the weight. This has never been a concern for me. In fact I was oneof those people who had trouble gaining weight. I am 49 years old and I stopped taking it all together for 1 week, all my depression came back, crying over nothing and impatient and irritable. So it is obvious I still need something. I have been exercising like a demon and counting every calorie for 2 weeks and actually gained a pound! I thought I was crazy thinking it was the celexa, but after reading all the posts, I realize I am not and need to change my meds. Thank you to everyone.
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Wow. It's so good to know that I'm not alone. I am an 18 year old female and I have been taking 20mg of Celexa since I was 14. I have gained about 40 pounds being on this medication, and it's miserable. I'm 5'4" and now weigh close to 170 lbs. I remember a few weeks before going on the meds being 126. I miss those days so much. Though Celexa has helped me with my anxiety/depression, I'm only more depressed now that I am incredibly over weight! I also have experienced the horrid stretch marks. I'm only 18 and I have them all over my stomach and my (huge) arms! It's sickening :-(
I'm so glad it's not just me, and though I hate making excuses, it seems as though the meds are what is to blame!
Emily
I'm so glad it's not just me, and though I hate making excuses, it seems as though the meds are what is to blame!
Emily
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I started taking Celexa in 2004 in my early 60's. A very young, active, attractive, early sixties, often mistaken for late 40's or early 50;s.
I gained 40 lbs. No matter what I did my weight increased.
My prescribing physician, a specialist in this field, said a very small percent are affected. And said the drug was working well for me and advised me to stay on it and exercise and watch my calories.
Then i asked my internal medicine m.d. who said he has had 5-6 patients who have gained as much as 30-40 lbs. taking celexa.
I described my situation to my new gynocologist who said "It's the Celexa." By then I had reduced the dosage in half, and my gynocologist said a slow reduction in dosage was essential to a well managed withdrawal from the drug.
About two months ago, before I began reducing the dosage, I saw my weight, in 10 days (on the same scale, same time of day, morning before breakfast, naked) go from 153 to 158 to 160 to 163 to 165. it was insane. Nothing in my eating or exercising had changed! No-it was not drinking and fluid build up. I had almost begun to think this was an unavoidable result of reaching 70, though I still looked great from the neck up and the knees down!. And my waist, which had always been small had grown and was now asking for elastic waistbands. I consulted a cardiologist as I know weight affects the heart and I had been having some concerning discomfort. I told her about the Celexa and weight gain. She told me that I should expect at least six weeks before the reduction in dosage and/or discontinuance of the drug would show in weight reduction-good to know so patients don't get discouraged. I am beginning to lose weight, still eating the same with no real increase in exercise. The 40lbs. I need to lose isn't going to come overnight. But it has started--so don't be discouraged!
I gained 40 lbs. No matter what I did my weight increased.
My prescribing physician, a specialist in this field, said a very small percent are affected. And said the drug was working well for me and advised me to stay on it and exercise and watch my calories.
Then i asked my internal medicine m.d. who said he has had 5-6 patients who have gained as much as 30-40 lbs. taking celexa.
I described my situation to my new gynocologist who said "It's the Celexa." By then I had reduced the dosage in half, and my gynocologist said a slow reduction in dosage was essential to a well managed withdrawal from the drug.
About two months ago, before I began reducing the dosage, I saw my weight, in 10 days (on the same scale, same time of day, morning before breakfast, naked) go from 153 to 158 to 160 to 163 to 165. it was insane. Nothing in my eating or exercising had changed! No-it was not drinking and fluid build up. I had almost begun to think this was an unavoidable result of reaching 70, though I still looked great from the neck up and the knees down!. And my waist, which had always been small had grown and was now asking for elastic waistbands. I consulted a cardiologist as I know weight affects the heart and I had been having some concerning discomfort. I told her about the Celexa and weight gain. She told me that I should expect at least six weeks before the reduction in dosage and/or discontinuance of the drug would show in weight reduction-good to know so patients don't get discouraged. I am beginning to lose weight, still eating the same with no real increase in exercise. The 40lbs. I need to lose isn't going to come overnight. But it has started--so don't be discouraged!
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I am also struggling with this issue. Since going on the Celexa I've gained 25-20 pounds in less than a year. I'm sorry everyone is also seeing this side effect but it does feel better knowing I am not alone. I stopped the Celexa a month ago because I suffered from yet another little known side effect of jaw clenching which was causing TMJ. Horrible! The eight gain has made me more depressed and I'm worried that I won't be able to lose it. The worst part is prior to swtiching from another SSRI to go on Celexa I had lost a whole bunch of weight. Now I'm heavier than I was in the first place! I wish there was a support group....or more information,
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I have been off Celexa for a month. I didn't gain on it, but had gained weight prior to taking it due to my depression. I know feel great emotionally, but I eat less than ever and cant lose weight. Help! How long does this stuff mess up your metabolism?
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I've been on some form of anti-D since 1994. Celexa I've been on for the past 8 years and I have to say I enjoy the overall "calm" feeling I have with the med. I suffer from panic/anxiety more than depression and Celexa helps keep both at bay. I am markedly overweight and the only way I was able to lose was when I had a gastric bypass in 2001. At that time I was in my early 30's, weighed over 400 lbs, and knew if I didn't do something, I would most likely die.
With the surgery I lost 146 lbs of which I'd kept off the bulk of it. However, the past three years I've seen a slow but steady incline of my weight to the point I've now gained back almost 30 of the 146 I dropped. I'll admit that I haven't always eaten the healthiest nor have I been a huge exerciser. Until last year. My brother passed away and I was prescribed 60mgs of Celexa daily. It really does keep the panic/anxiety at bay but WOW I have a devil of a time losing weight.
I know eat very healthy (writing down calories, etc) and exercise 4x - 5x a week. And I know there are things in my diet I could do to "tweak" still. Overall though, No matter what I do, I can't seem to drop off any more weight. This is really unacceptable for me because part of my inspiration for the lifestyle change is to see the weight drop.
Considering that even with the bypass I have at least 100lbs to lose (if I wanted to be at my "normal" weight), I don't believe I'll be able to do this and continue the Celexa. So now I have to consider the "sides". Do I want to be thinner (hopefully!) but mentally unstable or do I want to be heavier and mentally sound?
With the surgery I lost 146 lbs of which I'd kept off the bulk of it. However, the past three years I've seen a slow but steady incline of my weight to the point I've now gained back almost 30 of the 146 I dropped. I'll admit that I haven't always eaten the healthiest nor have I been a huge exerciser. Until last year. My brother passed away and I was prescribed 60mgs of Celexa daily. It really does keep the panic/anxiety at bay but WOW I have a devil of a time losing weight.
I know eat very healthy (writing down calories, etc) and exercise 4x - 5x a week. And I know there are things in my diet I could do to "tweak" still. Overall though, No matter what I do, I can't seem to drop off any more weight. This is really unacceptable for me because part of my inspiration for the lifestyle change is to see the weight drop.
Considering that even with the bypass I have at least 100lbs to lose (if I wanted to be at my "normal" weight), I don't believe I'll be able to do this and continue the Celexa. So now I have to consider the "sides". Do I want to be thinner (hopefully!) but mentally unstable or do I want to be heavier and mentally sound?
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I am so glad I ran across this site. I have been on Celexa for about 4 years and have gained 30 lbs. I am turning 40 this year. I was blaming my weight gain on the fact that I stopped exercising. But I have been going to the gym for 2 months 5-6 times a week and have seen very little results. That's when I started wondering if it was the Celexa. I have been so miserable about my weight & I'm only 5' so it's SO noticable, none of my clothes fit me, I haven't worn anything with buttons or snaps in years. I also have to agree this is most depressing. I'm definitely getting off of this med. Thanks for sharing your personal experiences. I guess I should also let you know I have always been a healthy eater, no chips, fried foods rarely, lots of veggies & organic foods. Now with this going on I've even paid more attention to what I eat, paying close attention to labels. So I will also share what I learned as far as that goes, watch out for foods that say low fat or fat free the fillers they put in to make it low/fat free are usually things your body has a hard time processing. Good Luck everyone!
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I was on Celexas (20 mg) for three months earlier this year, and I gained 15 pounds from it (Went from a size 0 to a size 4). Once I got off of it, I thought I would be able to lose the weight since I've increased my workouts... While on Celexa, I walked 2-3 times a week for 30-45 minutes, and since getting off of it (2 months ago), I've been doing hot yoga 4-6 times a week and Mixed Martial Arts 3 times a week... and I HAVE NOT LOST A POUND!!! I've always eaten a well-balanced healthy diet (I eat fish/seafood but no other meat, I don't eat fried foods or heavy sauces, no soda, very little sugar, lots of fruits and veggies, lots of grains, etc...), but nothing is working. I know that size 4 is not big, but like the others before me have mentioned, all of the weight gain is in my tummy and my upper thighs.
I'm going to find a doctor or a natropath to see what can be done about this.
I'm glad I'm not alone in this battle!
I'm going to find a doctor or a natropath to see what can be done about this.
I'm glad I'm not alone in this battle!
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I was on Celexa for several months back in 2007 and gained about 35-40 lbs. I have been on numerous medications since then for my anxiety/mood swings and gained a little more on top of that but have had a terrible time losing it. About a year ago I managed to lose 10 lbs but after switching to another medication (and having ankle surgery) I gained it all back and just recently lost my first few pounds since then. I hate it, I was always a smaller person (not skinny skinny) even after having my kids I always bounced back to pre pregnancy weight within 6 months. Now I am 50 lbs overweight and trying so hard to get it off :-(
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I've been on Celexa for about a year and a half and have gained about 40 pounds. It's depressing to try to get mentally healthy when I'm gaining weight. Even when I was exercising like crazy, training for a triathlon, I was able to lose only 3 pounds in 3 months. It didn't occur to me that the weight gain was due to Celexa, I was thinking it might be my age (I'm 45). But after reading all your posts, I'm pretty convinced that it's due to the Celexa. I'm definitely going to give life a try without it.
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I have been on Celexa for 9 months, for the first 6 months I was on 20mg & then went down to 10mg. I too gained weight. I am 29 years old & have been eating the best in my entire life. I am weaning myself off the med because I feel ready & I'm can't wait to take the weight off. FYI ~ Doc's don't know everything & I believe if you know your own body & gained weight while on the drug it's probably true. Good Luck & happy weight loss!
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:-) In retrspect, I have had signs of bipolar disorder since childhood, but was not diagnosed until early 40's.
Have been on innumerable mood stabelizers over the years. Have finally ceased rapid cycling and suicidal depression since on Seroquel past 3 years. Had to stop Xanax last year after maxing out my doseage after 18years. Celexa 20mg was added 6 weeks ago for severe anxiety. Seroquel was increased to 600mg/day at same time to prevent hypomania.
Am doing extremely well. I did gain weight- 22lb over past year, but feel bright and happy and no mood swings at all.
It took many years of trying different med. "cocktails" and now I am truly content. Asside from the weight gain, my short term memory is poor to the point that I am unable to return to work as RN (26yrs). This is sad, but the peace of mind that I now have is priceless.
Advice to anyone suffering with bipolar disorder: NEVER give up hope! Keep trying new meds until you and your pMD find the ones that work for you. If you are not happy with your current doctor, find another who is willing to work with you. I can say from experience- you WILL find peace!
The deppression/hypomania, rapid cycling, anxiety, CAN be controlled!!! Believe it! Good luck to you all.
Have been on innumerable mood stabelizers over the years. Have finally ceased rapid cycling and suicidal depression since on Seroquel past 3 years. Had to stop Xanax last year after maxing out my doseage after 18years. Celexa 20mg was added 6 weeks ago for severe anxiety. Seroquel was increased to 600mg/day at same time to prevent hypomania.
Am doing extremely well. I did gain weight- 22lb over past year, but feel bright and happy and no mood swings at all.
It took many years of trying different med. "cocktails" and now I am truly content. Asside from the weight gain, my short term memory is poor to the point that I am unable to return to work as RN (26yrs). This is sad, but the peace of mind that I now have is priceless.
Advice to anyone suffering with bipolar disorder: NEVER give up hope! Keep trying new meds until you and your pMD find the ones that work for you. If you are not happy with your current doctor, find another who is willing to work with you. I can say from experience- you WILL find peace!
The deppression/hypomania, rapid cycling, anxiety, CAN be controlled!!! Believe it! Good luck to you all.
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I started celexa about 8 mths ago. I have gained 20 lbs!! So glad I found this web site and that there are so many that are going through the same thing. I know that my diet has not really changed, still running, exercising. The weight just keeps packing on! I am 40 years old and I am going to stop taking celexa. Think I am more depressed now than before!!!! Hopefully I will be able to get this weight off!!!! It is definately all in my tummy and upper legs!!!!! GRRRR!
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