Weight loss struggle on Lexapro.

MissDi321

I've been on lexapro and abilify for a very long time. I don't dare stop taking them. I have clinical depression and anxiety disorder. Both help tremendously. Yes, I hve gained weight while taking them--BUT even tho they are what my Dr says are "weight gainers", I noticed, now that I am tracking and trying to get some exercise in, that my eating was pretty off--I am slowly losing weight now. It IS a fight. But the outcome is going to be worth it. I have to track EVERYTHING accurately and that is work, but I can't go off my meds so I am doing the best I can. I can't compare myself to others--what they do how much weight they lose--it's my battle. I do look for motivation in the exercise department. I think that the meds do slow metabolism and I know that even with them I have a low grade depression going on and get discouraged easily. By the way, I am 62 so that makes it even harder.
Good luck on your journey. You aren't alone.
Di

Heartisalonelyhunter

I took lexapro and it made me lose 20lbs (I was not trying to lose weight). It totally killed my appetite and in the end I had to stop taking it to get it back. If its increasing your appetite then try a different med

CorneliusPhoton

If you are rigorous enough in measuring and tracking your calories IN and you are certain that they haven't changed, then your calories OUT has changed since starting Lexapro. Maybe your previous anxiety level burned more calories. Maybe your metabolic rate has lowered a bit. Maybe your previous exercise levels were a bit more intense. Whatever it is, you either need to increase your calories burned or eat less. Try decreasing your day's calories by 50 so your weekly deficit changes by 350 calories. 50 calories is a fairly small change, which requires weighing all of your food on a scale.

garybpiloy

Is there anyone here who had success once they stopped taking Lexapro? How long did it take to start losing weight?

I took lexapro for 14 months and gained 20lbs. I've been off it for 12 months now and the weight will not budge! I've tried keto, paleo, Duken diet. I don't eat sugar and always keep carbs low. Exercise is often. I even did a 5 day fast and once I started eating again the few pounds that were lost came right back. The doctors look at me like I"m crazy and said "I'm getting older" and to not worry about it! I'm 32! I know your metabolism slows down but it doesn't fall off a cliff and stop working completely! It makes no sense because all labs are normal. Testosterone is 800, estrogen is in check thyroid etc.

I'm honestly starting to wonder if I'm going to be stuck like this forever. It's all visceral fat around my mid-section and wouldn't know I gained weight if you looked at my shoulders/arms or legs. Hoping someone can let me in on a secret.

csplatt

Charlottegetfit2 wrote: »

Everybody is different. Medications affect people differently. I am not the only one that has gained weight on this medication. I am very diligent about watching what I eat and working out 4-5 times per week.

Why are you asking questions if you reject people's answers? You are convinced it caused your weight gain. So why do you want other people's feedback?

I've been on multiple SSRIs, Lexapro currently, and it has never made me gain weight. I just lost 18 pounds.

Teabythesea_

garybpiloy wrote: »

Is there anyone here who had success once they stopped taking Lexapro? How long did it take to start losing weight?

I took lexapro for 14 months and gained 20lbs. I've been off it for 12 months now and the weight will not budge! I've tried keto, paleo, Duken diet. I don't eat sugar and always keep carbs low. Exercise is often. I even did a 5 day fast and once I started eating again the few pounds that were lost came right back. The doctors look at me like I"m crazy and said "I'm getting older" and to not worry about it! I'm 32! I know your metabolism slows down but it doesn't fall off a cliff and stop working completely! It makes no sense because all labs are normal. Testosterone is 800, estrogen is in check thyroid etc.

I'm honestly starting to wonder if I'm going to be stuck like this forever. It's all visceral fat around my mid-section and wouldn't know I gained weight if you looked at my shoulders/arms or legs. Hoping someone can let me in on a secret.

So you've hopped on just about every fad diet there is, but have you tried counting your calories...? Medications do not cause weight gain unless you're eating too much as a result of taking them. Even then, it's not the medications fault as you control your intake. Your body cannot create something out of nothing, ergo you cannot gain fat without eating an overabundance of calories.

texasredreb

I took Lexapro years ago and I gained weight. I wasn't trying to lose at the time and I was frustrated with the gain because I didn't know why when I had a stable weight range.