weight loss and antidepressants

klbrntt

Anyone have an success with losing weight while on zoloft? What were your tricks?

FireRox21

I am currently taking Depakote, Seroquel, Wellbutrin and Ativan. When I started taking those, I packed on 20 lbs in 6 weeks. No kidding!!! That was 4 years ago and I am still battling those 20 lbs. Recently, I have discovered the best way to lose weight while on these meds is to strictly watch your diet and exercise; mix in strength training with a little more than average amount of cardio. All of the weight I gained was in my belly around my waist and hips.

Also, antidepressants can serious disrupt how your body processes sugar. Really watch your sugar intake. That has been my downfall, as I have the sweet tooth from hell!!! And water, lots and lots of water. Hang in there and experiment. You will eventually find the right combo of diet and exercise.

samvanz

I don't know if changing meds is an option for you, but I'm on Pristiq and it's AMAZING for killing appetite. I can actually get on with my days now because I'm not thinking about food, and it's helped a lot with my motivation - meaning i actually WANT to get out and exercise, rather than dreading it.
I had a lot of trouble with weight while on Zoloft, so if you need to stay on it, I really hope your body agrees with it... Everyone's body is different and reacts differently, you might be lucky!

GB333

I'm on Pristiq and Welbutrion and honestly, I haven't really noticed it affecting my weight one way or another. This kind of goes along with the "birth control makes you fat" thing, which I think is a myth. These pills do not "make you fat." They may make you hungry, or tired, or less motivated to exercise, but they don't "make you fat." YOU control what food you put in your mouth regardless of what medications you are on. (They can make you bloated, but that's not fat.)

So just tell yourself "I control what I eat!" and think positive! You can do it. Don't let these meds slow you down!

Fochizzy

I would say talk to your psychiatrist about how you are trying to lose weight. My psychiatrist felt that unless the pills patently didn't work you should try to match the side effects with your trouble. I sleep and eat too much so I needed an anti-depressant that decreased apetite and made you sleep less as a likely side-effect. Worth a conversation at least. If you can't change it, you can do it. You just need to focus and really think about if you *need* to eat.

melissammundy

I'm on Pristiq and Welbutrion and honestly, I haven't really noticed it affecting my weight one way or another. This kind of goes along with the "birth control makes you fat" thing, which I think is a myth. These pills do not "make you fat." They may make you hungry, or tired, or less motivated to exercise, but they don't "make you fat." YOU control what food you put in your mouth regardless of what medications you are on. (They can make you bloated, but that's not fat.)

So just tell yourself "I control what I eat!" and think positive! You can do it. Don't let these meds slow you down!

Birth control does make you fat! lol well...... maybe just me. im on the depo shot and while it hasnt caused me to gain that much, i find it easier to put on weight and harder to lose it. when i got on it i weighed 134, in two months i was up to 141 now im back down to 134 and can not seem to get under it.

Cr8tive_Ingenuity

im on celexa and busporone and im losing weight

Mousavi9730

My weight has been going up and down, it is frustrating for me. I am taking Paxil and Xanax, would that cause me to gain weight, does anybody know?? Should I quit antidepressants completely and see how I feel? I need feedback badly.

blueyegrl

Had no luck with anything on Zoloft! lol After trying several others, finally on Pristiq and losing weight AND feeling great!! Everyone is different, may have to try several different ones before you can get everything you need from one (i.e. feeling like yourself, no loss of sexual desire, no weight gain/able to lose weight, etc...).

kardowling

On Celexa and haven't noticed an impact either way

Fochizzy

My weight has been going up and down, it is frustrating for me. I am taking Paxil and Xanax, would that cause me to gain weight, does anybody know?? Should I quit antidepressants completely and see how I feel? I need feedback badly.

They don't make you "gain" weight, they may increase hunger and make it more difficult to lose what. Do not just go off of your medication, you will have withdrawl symptoms, it could be dangerous, talk to your psychiatrist

❤B☩❤

NOT being on birth control can certainly make you GAIN weight if you aren't careful! Just sayin'...........

In my first month of being on Venlafaxine, I lost 10 pounds, and the second month I lost 7. Since then, I have tapered off, and am back to dealing with the regular struggles of everyday eating, etc.

But whatever you do, as others have posted, DO NOT stop taking your meds. I did miss a couple of days and found myself suffering from excruciating headaches, almost to the point that I thought I might have been having a stroke. Good luck to you, and make 2012 a year for Y-O-U! :drinker:

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

It might be worth talking with your doctor but if Zoloft makes you feel better an nothing else does, isn't it worth a little extra work to feel good? Just be extra careful about portions and snacking. Being aware that these medicines can increase your appetite is good because it allows you to be proactive.

I have been taking Xanax for years and I've never noticed any weight gain as a result. I'm not sure about Paxil, but the important thing is to take your medication as directed and figure out a way to eat healthy at the same time. I have had lupus for 12 years and not taking your meds can have devastating side effects, much worse than gaining a few pounds.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

double post

Brendanery1967

Do not quit your meds

sreed12

I didn't think they still prescribed Paxil -I took it for about a year and although I didn't notice any change in appetite - I had zero sex drive. I stopped taking it cold turkey - which I 100% do not recommend - the side effects of stopping without weaning myself off nearly killed me

louisebear

hiya i was on antidepressants two years ago, as i started too lose weight i started feeling good about myself and i found the more i exercised the more endorphines i realised giving me the same relaxed state of mind that the antidepressants gave me. i just throw them in the bin and havn't needed them since. Good Luck to you as i understand how hard it is too not rely on these tablets as we each have our own problems. i did battle with my tablets for two years before finally throwing them in the bin. xxxxx

louisebear

hiya i was on antidepressants two years ago, as i started too lose weight i started feeling good about myself and i found the more i exercised the more endorphines i realised giving me the same relaxed state of mind that the antidepressants gave me. i just throw them in the bin and havn't needed them since. Good Luck to you as i understand how hard it is too not rely on these tablets as we each have our own problems. i did battle with my tablets for two years before finally throwing them in the bin. xxxxx

blueandigo

I take zoloft and my weight has been up and down but sometimes I feel like that was my fault. Keep taking the meds because I had a withdrawal and I was postal. Then again I am on it for depression and anxiety so maybe that was how my body took it. When I had that withdrawal my weight shot up. Once I started back taking them the way I was supposed to I started my path for perfection again.

blueandigo

I take zoloft and my weight has been up and down but sometimes I feel like that was my fault. Keep taking the meds because I had a withdrawal and I was postal. Then again I am on it for depression and anxiety so maybe that was how my body took it. When I had that withdrawal my weight shot up. Once I started back taking them the way I was supposed to I started my path for perfection again.

Hambone23

I stopped taking Zoloft, but for other, uh, undesirable side affects. Crazymeds is a great site to get info on the pros and cons of what you're taking and what it typically does. And it's in plain speak.

Personally, I don't do well on SSRIs, but everyone is different.

Of course, I've made it really clear to my psych that I want weight neutral meds. So I'm on Lamictal, Klonopin, and Wellbutrin at this point. She's talking about Lithium, but I'm not sure I want to go on that because I've read weight gain can be a problem. Another psych put me on Abilify, and no joke, I gained 80 pounds on it. Took me a year to take those 80 pounds off!

Smokey19

I am taking Effexor XR, Abilify, and Trazadone. I put on about 40 lbs. after starting them. The doctor said that the meds were the reason I think about food so much and put on the weight. He suggested 5 small meals a day and that has helped.

heresmyinsidevoice

I am on Effexor XR and Wellbutrin XR, I was more sleepy in the beginning with the Effexor (about 8 years ago) so I did gain a little weight during the time it took to adjust to being on medication. The Wellbutrin was added about 6 months ago and I haven't noticed any side effects with it, other than it keeping me more awake. I suppose the key for myself with battling the majority of side effects was to eat regularly and exercise, even on the days where I would rather sleep. Good luck and keep up the work with MFP!

floridagirl7264

When my pdoc put me on Abilify, I gained 50 lbs in a few months. It gave me intense sugar cravings. Since my doc has taken me off of it, the sugar cravings have stopped, but trying to get the weight off is really tough. I just keep trying.

DietingMommy08

I will be put on meds soon....

This information has all been very helpful to me!

mskatec22

I've been on Zoloft for about a year and a half and haven't had any trouble losing weight. Keeping it off is another story though. When I get to a certain weight and feel great about myself I stop working out and eat whatever I want. I won't go off the Zoloft b/c it REALLY WORKS to control my anxiety. Too bad Zoloft can't stop me from eating and drinking whatever I want!

celticmuse

hiya i was on antidepressants two years ago, as i started too lose weight i started feeling good about myself and i found the more i exercised the more endorphines i realised giving me the same relaxed state of mind that the antidepressants gave me. i just throw them in the bin and havn't needed them since. Good Luck to you as i understand how hard it is too not rely on these tablets as we each have our own problems. i did battle with my tablets for two years before finally throwing them in the bin. xxxxx

Ditto for me. I suffer from seasonal affective disorder, so I usually need an antidepressant to get through the winter. Last spring, I was able to wean myself from Lexapro, after 6 mos of my fitness program. I also found that the endorphines helped me with my mood. In fact, my husband has noticed the mood elevation effects of exercise. I would not recommend that anyone stop their medication because they are exercising, but you may find that the more fit you become, the less you need them. But never stop taking them without a Drs. advice. I am not sure whether or not the Lexapro contributed to my weight gain, but I would say it was less of a factor than my lack of exercise and poor eating habits. I was also able to discontinue my blood pressure medication, with my drs. advice. The combination saves me $100/month.

TaraBeFree

About 6 weeks ago, my doctor refilled my Zoloft prescription (which I had stopped taking) and then gave me a prescription for Wellbutrin after I mentioned I was surprised to have gained weight this year since everything in my life was a bit more stable. Per my doctor, I take Zoloft at night to reduce the snacky feelings and Wellbutrin in the morning to help with energy. Fast forward 6 weeks, and I have lost 17lbs now (granted I started at over 300). However, for 5 of those 6 weeks, I have been on mfp logging every bite of food and have started to walk a bit more. So between the anti-depressants and mfp, I am doing better than I have in years! I really enjoyed Christmas with my family (and I think they enjoyed me) and didn't go super overboard with food.

Good luck on your journey and feel free to friend me if you want to support each other.

jrditt

Like has been mentioned before, if you are still watching what you eat you will lose weight.

When I started trying to get rid of the weight I was put on Effexor and the depo shot, both of which are "suppose" to cause weight gain. Really though, if you don't watch what you eat then you will gain weight. I continue to lose weight even with both of these medications on board. If it makes you feel better, THAT is the most important thing, because if you are depressed then you won't get out to exercise anyway.

Blueeyed1985

Whatever you do, don't ever stop taking these medications cold turkey! I've been tapering off Cymbalta for awhile now and tapering extremely slow.

MaximalLife

Anyone have an success with losing weight while on zoloft? What were your tricks?

NO, and I was on all kind of these medications.

I slowly weaned off and began losing weight.
Today, I am close to 70lbs lighter and taking NO MEDICATIONS!
I can't say this is the way for everybody, and I am NOT a doctor - not even close.

I just knew in my heart that I did not need those drugs, because my real problem was being fat. And none of these doctors ever once suggested that I might be having all that depression due to being so fat.

I'll never go to another such head shrink for anything again.