What antidepressant doesn't make you gain weight ?

FlaxMilk

Ignore any advice here telling you whether or not you need antidepressants (whether it be for depression, anxiety, etc) because none of us have any way of knowing that from your posts here.

ksamml

Everyone responds differently, it's a bit of trial and error; for myself, like a lot of others have said, Bupropion/ Wellbutrin/Zyban has been amazing. I lost 67lbs in a year and my mood improved significantly.

I had been on so many anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, and anti-anxiolytics. I'm really glad I finally found the right one for me, and I'll say again, the right one for ME. Good luck in your journey finding the right one for you.

glitt3rgurl

I gained on everything except Wellbutrin XL...its wonderful and i lost about 30lbs..:flowerforyou:

mrsains

Okay, for all the people saying "exercise" - you're not doing anyone any favors. Yes, exercise is great for your mood. But when you are depressed to the point where you can barely get out of bed every day, someone telling you to exercise is unhelpful at best and exacerbating at worst - one more thing to feel guilty about because you don't have the energy/motivation to do it. Taking an antidepressant can help someone to improve to the point where they can take care of themselves in other ways.

Amen. Some people are lacking serotonin. The "drug" (as some of you say) merely helps to replace that. Would you recommend that a diabetic person "exercise" to feel better? NO, that person needs insulin, just as some need serotonin. I'm glad exercise works for some of you; however, it might not be enough for someone else.

^^This^^ Exercise can certainly help in your treatment of depression and/or anxiety, but it is just one piece of the puzzle... medication might be right for some, while therapy is great for many.

OP, best to talk to your doctor about your concerns. As others have said, you may have to try out a few different medications before you find the right one for you. Best of luck!

AlphamaleBAMF

What antidepressant doesn't make you gain weight ?

Fish oil and exercise.

joecollins9385

i take celexa and am losing weight

ALW65

Welbutrin

Agreed - and no sexual side effects for most people :bigsmile:

*Edited to say:

She was asking everyone what worked for them. She was just looking for opinions. Just like any advice asked and given here, whether it's about how many calories to eat, or what exercise plan to use. I see no problem in her asking the question, and I see no problem with people sharing their experiences with her. LIke I said, the biggest problem I saw here was people telling her to exercise and stop taking meds.

^^^^This too!!!!!

amandamaedchen

I take Cymbalta, and it has been weight-neutral for me (my doctor prescribed it for that reason!)

My husband lost 20 lbs after starting cymbalta. Part of it also has to do with it taking away his pain, so he could actually move and do things again. He has seen great results with it.

I gained 20lbs with Cymbalta so my doctor is switching me to Zoloft.

carebear7951

Okay, for all the people saying "exercise" - you're not doing anyone any favors. Yes, exercise is great for your mood. But when you are depressed to the point where you can barely get out of bed every day, someone telling you to exercise is unhelpful at best and exacerbating at worst - one more thing to feel guilty about because you don't have the energy/motivation to do it. Taking an antidepressant can help someone to improve to the point where they can take care of themselves in other ways.

This!!!!!! I tried to go off my meds for a while (baaaad choice) and I couldn't do anything. Couldn't even summon the energy to get up off the couch and do dishes. If it's truly a chemical issue-and not just the blues-I really don't think that exercise is the be all end all answer. I've tried it multiple times.

I take prozac. It seems pretty weight neutral for me--still trying to lose the weight from being on Zoloft for 1 1/2 years +. That stuff is horrible. And the withdrawals (for me) are awful. I "joked" that I was going to need a methadone clinic to get off of it.
Best wishes on finding the med that's right for you if you really need one. My dr explained to me that if it wasn't necessary it woudln't help the symptoms. (to get me to try it b/c in my depressed state I was angry and thought my family was crazy thinking I needed it. Oy vey.)

Schraudt814

I am not a doctor obviously and I would say certainly discuss this with your doctor. Tell him/her about your weight gain concerns and perhaps they can prescribe one that will help but not add weight. Good luck! :flowerforyou:

NJGmywholewrld

Here's the thing, Wellbutrin doesn't make you lose weight. What it did for me is help to quiet the part of me that was thinking about food all the time. As soon as that part of me stopped obsessing about food and eating, I was able to take control. I count my calories, I avoid too much processed food, I am moving more because I feel better and have more energy. Those are things I HAVE TO DO MYSELF. but the Wellbutrin absolutely helped me to change the way I was thinking, the way I was looking at food and exercise, and even though I still have over 100 pounds to lose, I can see my potential for the first time in many years.

I went from feeling like I had no control, to making good choices and logging everything I eat almost immediately. I am not one to promote a magic pill, there are no magic pills, I still have to make good decisions, but it makes it a lot easier.

Wellbutrin did the same thing for me. I have PTSD, with anxiety disorder and depression. Exercise is great, sure, but there are some situations where exercise alone is just not enough. You would not eat junk and binge all day, then exercise expecting to lose wight. I NEED my medications. If I did not take them, my OCD would kick in and I would once again become obsessed with over exercising and not eating enough. I would maybe get a second opinion. It is your mind and body, only you are going to know what makes you feel better, mentally, emotionally and physically. Good luck!!

rebeccalray5

I have an anxiety disorder from PTSD and slightly OCD ( I can't remember the medical term but it's not full blown but it sometimes stops me from leaving the house when I don't take my meds). Anyway, in my case, I had a psych evaluation done separately from my regular MD. I take hydroxy-zine pam and it dulls the anxiety. In order to not have my meds upped, I exercise daily. I also can't have a lot of caffeine or I'll hide in my room forever. Weekly counseling too. I hope to not have this forever. This med is only for anxiety and it hasn't affected my weight.

In my case, I talked straight out with my DR after it got too bad to leave my house. They'll listen and make the right call for you as long as your honest with them and yourself what you want to accomplish with their help.

HogSandwich

I take anxiety meds, and Zoloft works great for me. Escitalopram was non-weight gaining as well, but it wigged out my family because I emotionally flatlined and was apparently unnerving to be around. Tally ho!

But yeah, if you've garnered ANYTHING from this thread, it's that different things work for different people blah blah blah talk to your doctor.

adbsunny227

It really depends on the person. Period. I can't take Wellbutrin ... it makes me sick and full of headaches and extremely tired. Lexapro and Paxil feel very activating for many, but might not help enough with anxiety. I have the weight gain issue as well.
I am going to suggest Cymbalta with my doctor. I have tried Ativan, a benzo, for stress/anxiety and it helped a lot, I lost weight, but made me mildly depressed. It may take some time, but there are quite a few, so please perservere.

adbsunny227

I agree noone can give her a medical diagnosis, but hearing how some meds helped, may help her to make a better decision on what to try with her doctor. Every doctor I've had has told me point-blank that it "is" a guessing game/trial and error.
Sometimes these links can help see insight into another alternative.
And besides, drugs are peddled by big Pharma ... they aren't a miracle or helpful for some.

Rocbola

I really need to be on one, as I have a very stressful life, chronic neck pain and worry about EverythinG !

Here's your problem. You should never need a pill to help you handle the stress of life. You don't NEED to be on one!