Anxiety med side effects affecting weight loss?

reneeot

So I had back surgery the beginning of February. While my back is progressing along well. And it was quite traumatic I spent 4 days in excruciating pain before I could convince Dr's something was seriously wrong. I went to ER 3 times, they kept sending me home I do have some concerns about how much I will be able to do especially with my job (my dream job).

I developed anxiety issues right from the beginning: Fear, worry and apprehension of everything. I of course mentioned right away to my dr but they dismissed it as result from having a surgery and then when persisted they said it was connected to my meds.

So 8 weeks later and I have gone downhill since, I'm off all the meds from surgery. And now have to be medicated for anxiety disorder. I'm on 3 anxiety meds trying to get me balanced by my General practioner.

SO MY QUESTION IS NOT WHY I'M HAVING ANXIETY, UNLESS YOUR A PSYCHOLOGIST/PSYCHAITRIST. And have some advice.

Because I start mental health treatments this week(first available spot).

MY QUESTION:

Anyone out there on anxiety meds how has it affected your weight loss!!! I 've been on meds 1.5 weeks so far. wondering long term affect. Any experience from anyone?

Also I noticed when I was anxious if I tried to exercise it exacerbated the problem. Anyone else experience this?

I'm on Citalopram 20mg- daily
Clonazepam 0.5 mg - bid
Alprazolam 0.25 - if I find my self having a anxiety attack.

MaryDreamer

I'm on Fluoxetine 20 mg (Prozac) for panic attacks and having no problems with weight loss. I couldn't stand the Clonazepam (I took one and gave the bottle away). I think Nyquil works better! Best wishes to you!

reneeot

I'm on Fluoxetine 20 mg (Prozac) for panic attacks and having no problems with weight loss. I couldn't stand the Clonazepam (I took one and gave the bottle away). I think Nyquil works better! Best wishes to you!

Thanks the clonazepam seems to work well for me, I feel much more normal. But I understand I won't be on it long, they are waiting for the citalopram to kick in, it takes 2 weeks or so.

Thanks for the post so much!!!

taraleola05

I'm glad to hear that you are on the right track to getting yourself mentally stable and healthy! I am a mental heath professional and work with severely emotionally disturbed youth. You've already done all of the hardest work by getting to the doctor and getting help, so great job!!! I too suffer from some anxiety, but also depression, and I am on Zoloft 50mg once a day. It helps me to keep the edge off of things and helps me with my very stressful job as a treatment counselor (I work on the front line with really sick kids, and boy is it interesting!) However, some of the side effects of anti-anxiety and anti-depressants tend to be weight gain or weight loss. I'd check to see the exact side effects with the labeling or with your doctor. Since these medications tend to be a "guessing game" on whether or not they will work with you, as there's no blood test for anxiety, your meds will either be increase or decrease with time, with again will affect your weight loss training. Everyone's chemistry is completing different and these medications may not even work with you for the long run, as they might have undesired side effects, but that's also something to discuss with your doctor. Because not everyone is the same, it's hard to tell whether or not you'll have weight gain/loss. I have been on the same dosage of my med for about a year and a half now, and I've gained 30 pounds from it. It's been harder for me to lose weight, but that just makes me all the more dedicated to what I REALLY want. Best of luck in all of your treatment - both mental and physical. If you need support, don't be afraid to message me!

Tara Leola*~

daybyday

I am normally on the exact same clonazepam dose as you are for at least 4 years. I've noticed no weight side effects from it. I do blame gaining 100 pounds a little on Depakote though plus of course eating way too much as a comfort measure. Anyway, good that you are finding out what is causing your anxiety. When I feel panic coming on deep breathing, listening to music, taking a nap, light walking outside are some things that help me.

Imthatg1rl

I take Clonazepam (2 mg daily) and it never effects my appetite. I always tell the doc if it's gonna make me gain I don't want it. I don't think any of the meds you are on will effect your weight loss journey. Good luck in your journey for mental well being

audbbgirl

I am on Celexa...not sure of the dosage for Anxiety and depression. I gained weight pretty fast the first month of taking them then it seemed to stop...I am struggling to get it off. I lose a few pounds then gain it back. But I think I just need to try harder.
Keep your chin up. You will get through this. I hate the weight i have gained but I love that anxiety is not running my life any longer. It almost ruined my marriage.

God Bless and take care!

callipygianchronicle

No advice on anxiety meds or your specific treatment. just offering my sympathy as you work through this. I suffered painful anxiety, depression and PTSD and was in weekly therapy for two years following an unplanned surgery and recovery. I still have mild anxiety attacks from time to time, but have luckily learned some mind-body techniques that have helped me tremendously. I hope that you and your doctor find the right treatment path for you and that you have great success on both your entire wellness journey.

pinkgigi

I'm on anti-depressants, and unfortunately put on 1/2 the weight I had lost from a previous weight loss attempt. I spoke to my doctor, and she said that while it is common, the medication I was on was the best from the weight-gain point of view. With her approval, I dropped the dose. I have since had to be very strict with myself to get any results from diet and exercise, but it is working.

Hugs and thoughts are with you.

GG

reneeot

So lovin my psychiatrist and my therapist. After 1st visit, first thing psychiatrist did. Removed me from 1 med completely!! She said did not feel I needed to be on it at all and since had only been on it 1 week said I could just stop. Yahoo!! I was freaking out about being on all these meds. Reduced Clonazepam to 1x a day.

She said I was on the right track, I was taking vitamin b complete, vitamin c, calm magnesium, omega 3-fish oil. She added a multi-vitamain. And increased my dosage of magnesium and omega fish oil.

3 Days so far and no melt downs!! Next therapist visit next Thursday.

Right now I'm when people ask I say I'm "so-so but on the upside".

I can't wait to get back to normal!!

furrina

Seriously, I find that running regularly, the faster the better (on the treadmill, I'm not a marathon person or even that into running outdoors) to be better at curbing anxiety, feeling in control of things and for my general mental health than any anti-anxiety meds I've tried. And I"m not so into things always being "all natural" nor am I anti-medication. And I think antidepressants and other specific meds for specific illnesses are a differnent story. But for general anxiety, I really think the running does a world of good at least for me.

I've never had benzos (clonazepam for example) affect my weight. One thing that definitely does is an antidepressant called Nardil (an MAO inhibitor); that will seriously make you gain weight. But it is very unlikely that you'd be given that. glad to hear things are better though.

reneeot

Seriously, I find that running regularly, the faster the better (on the treadmill, I'm not a marathon person or even that into running outdoors) to be better at curbing anxiety, feeling in control of things and for my general mental health than any anti-anxiety meds I've tried. And I"m not so into things always being "all natural" nor am I anti-medication. And I think antidepressants and other specific meds for specific illnesses are a differnent story. But for general anxiety, I really think the running does a world of good at least for me.

I've never had benzos (clonazepam for example) affect my weight. One thing that definitely does is an antidepressant called Nardil (an MAO inhibitor); that will seriously make you gain weight. But it is very unlikely that you'd be given that. glad to hear things are better though.

Becca_007

So lovin my psychiatrist and my therapist. After 1st visit, first thing psychiatrist did. Removed me from 1 med completely!! She said did not feel I needed to be on it at all and since had only been on it 1 week said I could just stop. Yahoo!! I was freaking out about being on all these meds. Reduced Clonazepam to 1x a day.

She said I was on the right track, I was taking vitamin b complete, vitamin c, calm magnesium, omega 3-fish oil. She added a multi-vitamain. And increased my dosage of magnesium and omega fish oil.

3 Days so far and no melt downs!! Next therapist visit next Thursday.

Right now I'm when people ask I say I'm "so-so but on the upside".

I can't wait to get back to normal!!

Really glad you've got Professionals you feel comfy with, it makes all the difference in the world doesn't it! Talking to you as a lay person in this situation, got a therapist of my own and love her to pieces! She's been there to pick me up during some really rough times. Such a difference when you can communicate with your docs!

I take Clonazepam daily and haven't had any issues with weight gain from it. Someone above mentioned to their doc not taking any pills that might cause a weight gain, that's exactly what I shared with my own doc.:laugh: I've reached goal and am off most of meds now but am hanging onto this one for now as I'm still working through some things.

I've also recently started taking 2000 Units of Vitamin D as I just got my blood test results back and it came back really really low. Hoping that will make a huge difference in my recent mood drop off.:glasses:

Sounds like you're in good hands, have got a great plan and are on some good supplements as well. Wishing you nothing but the best Hon!:flowerforyou:

Atlantique

So lovin my psychiatrist and my therapist. After 1st visit, first thing psychiatrist did. Removed me from 1 med completely!! She said did not feel I needed to be on it at all and since had only been on it 1 week said I could just stop. Yahoo!! I was freaking out about being on all these meds. Reduced Clonazepam to 1x a day.

She said I was on the right track, I was taking vitamin b complete, vitamin c, calm magnesium, omega 3-fish oil. She added a multi-vitamain. And increased my dosage of magnesium and omega fish oil.

3 Days so far and no melt downs!! Next therapist visit next Thursday.

Right now I'm when people ask I say I'm "so-so but on the upside".

I can't wait to get back to normal!!

Good news!

The only one of the three meds that should have had any possible influence on weight was the citalopram as it's an SSRI. Anything that manipulates serotonin has the potential to affect your weight (up or down, although people generally only complain about up!).

For folks just starting an SSRI, please understand what happens in your body while adjusting to the meds, which means early side effects may settle down or disappear after a few months:

They work by stopping your body from reabsorbing serotonin, meaning more is available to your body. So right away, you have more serotonin available to your body. But then, your body tries to bring itself back to its prior serotonin level. So it backs off serotonin production. Then it realizes there isn't enough serotonin! It's sort of like a pendulum--youre body keeps adjusting it's serotonin level until it hits a steady state. So over the first few weeks, your serotonin can be all over the place. After a few weeks (anywhere between 2 and 12, depending on which SSRI you're taking and your own body), you settle into a steady state of serotonin level, which will be higher than you had before starting the drugs and thus hopefully relieving the depression and anxiety.

So try not to get too discouraged if you're still in the start-up phase, as that is usually the absolute worst for the side-effects. Many of them lessen or disappear once your body adjusts to the SSRI.

NOLA_Meg

I am normally on the exact same clonazepam dose as you are for at least 4 years. I've noticed no weight side effects from it. I do blame gaining 100 pounds a little on Depakote though plus of course eating way too much as a comfort measure. Anyway, good that you are finding out what is causing your anxiety. When I feel panic coming on deep breathing, listening to music, taking a nap, light walking outside are some things that help me.

I took Depakote for epilepsy in high school and gained 60 pounds- but that is a different weight side effect because it actually increases appetite. The weight side effects in anxiety and depression meds are different. I am on Paxil for anxiety and depression after going through several months of non-stop panic, and I have gained weight, about 60 pounds, but that is because of life choices I made during this difficult time and because when I was anxious I worked out like crazy- so the reversal to not working out so much I think helped me gain weight faster. I think if you are here and taking an active approach, the medicine probably won't affect you.

callipygianchronicle

So lovin my psychiatrist and my therapist. After 1st visit, first thing psychiatrist did. Removed me from 1 med completely!! She said did not feel I needed to be on it at all and since had only been on it 1 week said I could just stop. Yahoo!! I was freaking out about being on all these meds. Reduced Clonazepam to 1x a day.

She said I was on the right track, I was taking vitamin b complete, vitamin c, calm magnesium, omega 3-fish oil. She added a multi-vitamain. And increased my dosage of magnesium and omega fish oil.

3 Days so far and no melt downs!! Next therapist visit next Thursday.

Right now I'm when people ask I say I'm "so-so but on the upside".

I can't wait to get back to normal!!

Thanks for the update. I’m glad you’re on the path toward wellness and have found a supportive doctor.

Qarol

I was on Effexor for a while and gained a lot of weight. I didn't realize it could cause an increase in appetite until my doctor shrugged off my concern about my weight gain as, "that's to be expected on Effexor." I asked to be taken off it, and I haven't tried another anti-depressant since. No amount of anti-depressant will combat the blues I'll get if I gain weight. So I'm working through therapy and considering other medications, but I haven't decided to start another one yet.

aprilmwilson

I was on Zoloft for about 9 months and gained 25 pounds. Now that I have been off of the meds for a few months, I am starting to very slowly drop the weight, but I am working hard at it. I am finding this weight much harder to lose than my baby weight was. I don't know if it is because I am 5 years older and my metabolism has slowed down or what. Anyway, good luck with everything.

katherinesnell

I'm taking Pregabalin (Lyrica) for anxiety. It's usually used to treat epilepsy, which I don't have, but now it's starting to be used for people with anxiety that hasn't been helped by anti-depressants. I also take Duloxetine (Cymbalta) for depression.

I would say that it is harder to lose weight on these meds, but it is definitely a price I am more than happy to pay for the ability to enjoy life, have good relationships with people, and make the most of my days instead of lying on the sofa sleeping all day or staring into space, and then wide awake and very unhappy in the night, as I did before.

No drug is a miracle pill, and if the risk of weight gain is there then I'm happy to chance it : )

If you want something badly enough, you'll eat healthily and diet sensibly, and patiently wait for the weight to come off a little bit slower than you'd like.

CatchMom11

I take celexa it actually has caused me to lose weight. I think it depends on the person. I'm an emotional eater and starver. When I'm happy, I eat. When I'm upset, I can't eat. Celexa has given me a balance that I didn't have before.

reander

I'm taking Mirtazapine, think it's known as Remeron in the US, for deprfession/anxiety/sleep. One of the side effects is an increase in appetite. I'm absolutely ravenous all the time since I had to increase my dose, but I've also noticed my weight loss has really slowed down a lot.

alimarieban

I'm taking Mirtazapine, think it's known as Remeron in the US, for deprfession/anxiety/sleep. One of the side effects is an increase in appetite. I'm absolutely ravenous all the time since I had to increase my dose, but I've also noticed my weight loss has really slowed down a lot.

Jenny- just looking through posts to see if anyone else is taking Mirtazapine and struggling to lose weight..... How is your weight loss journey going? I started taking Mirtazapine last July for extreme anxiety and insomnia and I have gained almost 28 pounds in that year. I have watched my caloric intake and have been exercising but the scale does not want to budge.... Looking for inspiration!! You ticker shows 17 lbs lost so you must be able to lose on the Mirtazapine?? I hope I can have the same results..... :-) Best wishes to you and good luck with your weight loss!

_Khaleesi_

I was on Celexa for a year and gained a bit of weight on it and I am on clonazapam now just for panic attacks, no issues.

Good luck with everything. Anxiety is a b*tch

madworld711

i take xanax (alprazolam) .25 as needed at bedtime. Usually, I don't have to take it but once or twice a week. I find that the day after I take it I am more sluggish, irritable, and hungry. So, I only take it when I absolutely need it.

Just something to consider, as I don't know all of the medications you are on- but, sometimes even regular medications and antibiotics can cause anxiety. For instance, I was on zonisamide for a looong time. The anxiety it caused was unbearable. It took me lots of research to figure out that it was emphasizing my anxiety. Consider looking at the side effects of all of your other meds and see if anxiety, fear, depression are included.

Also, keep in mind that benzos can actually cause anxiety to worsen over time (sort of like a reverse affect).