antidepressants and weight loss struggle. talk to me.

I'm on 30mg of Prozac currently and while I haven't lost weight, I also haven't gained any. So essentially I'm at a standstill. My doc is hinting towards switching me to another med, can't remember the name...possibly Wayfarin? I also am on 1/2-2mg of Xanax per day as needed. How long have you been on it? I've been on and off anti-depressants since I was 13 and the combo of Paxil and Risperidal made me pack on 60 pounds at that time, in about 3 months. My eating habits hadn't changed and I rode my bike everywhere, but I still packed on weight. Ever since I haven't been able to get rid of any good amount. The 12lb weight loss you see on my ticker below has happened over the course of the last year and a half. I cut nearly 600 cals away from my BMR and have become slightly more active. Now that my meds are successfully treating my depression, I'm finding that I'm motivated to do a lot of things I used to. For example... I just blew $700 on items to redecorate my bathroom and kitchen. I love redecorating and remodeling and moving rooms around. I also want to crochet more and do more crafts like I used to, and I've been dying to get a good bicycle but I'm having a hard time finding one that will hold my weight (I'm at 328lbs) and having it cost less than $350. I miss having a bike and if I had one I'd make the effort to go out and ride to the corner store to get a drink that I want or on a day off from work, ride up to the nearest breakfast place and grab breakfast (though that's about a mile from my house and downhill so until I get stronger, I'd have to take the bus back home, lol). But yeah, Prozac hasn't essentially done anything to hurt my weight loss except make it happen a little bit slower. But I have gained ZERO pounds while on it.

Get off the med's and work out instead. That's what I did. It was really hard the first three months with the withdrawals, but now I'm antidepressent free and rarely get depressed anymore. You need to do what's best for you, but with me I was more depressed being fat and hateing myself because I was so fat.

Twice on the last decade I have lost weight on antidepressants. And I too had children.I believe its just the combination of lots of excercise ( which is a natural antidepressant) and calorie counting. Excercise has always been the key for me. A long brisk walk is what I am able to do now d/t arthritis, but it makes me feel good. Makes you more aware of your body and you feel muscles being used. You can overcome the anti-depressant effect I promise!! Keep trying!!!

I have been on Celexa or Lexapro for the last ten years! I manged to lose 50-60 lbs last year. I gained it back but it wasn't due to the anti-depressants, just due to getting comfortable and then getting lazy! I know you can do it!

When I get depressed I stop being depressed and start being awesome instead. True Story.

Haha, I do love me some HIMYM!

To the OP: talk to your doctor. Feeling hopeless even on anti depressants is never a good thing. It may be time to switch brands. Also, it's hard but FORCE yourself to exercise more. You mental and physical health depend on it.

Good luck, keep fighting. x

When I went off Remeron, I lost 50 pounds so fast I wondered if I might have cancer or something. Switched to Wellbutrin, not gaining weight from it.

My daughter (when she was about 8 years old) tried Zyprexa and gained 50% of her weight in 6 weeks! Took her years to get back to her normal body type.

I have been on medication for 20 years. You can lose weight. Some meds make it harder. The one I am on now makes it very difficult but I did manage to lose 4 sizes (did not own a scale then). I have been bouncing around the same weight for about a year. I added more exercise and my goal is .5lb. My doctor has helped me to realize that even going down .1 on the scale is still down ward movement and be proud of that. Since I added more exercise I have lost 5lbs in 2 months. Which I am very happy with.

If you are feeling hopeless and down, please see your doctor. There are so many options you need to find the right one.

Good luck and hang in there. You can do this.

I have been on antidepressants for YEARS My dr. is great and when I feel one is not working well with my ENTIRE self, she changes it up for me. I am on a very high dosage of Zoloft and it has made me gain 10lbs this past month. That is why I have joined here to lose weight, with her suggestion. I have no energy still, but by following my calorie counter I have lost 7lbs in 13 days. You can do it, trust me. If I can do that, you can do it too!! I have a very hard time becoming motivated and I have done it thus far. I even made my husband make an account and become my "friend" so he could track my progress too.

I was on risperidone and i gained 30 pounds in a little over a month! I literally did not even know it was possible to put on that much weight so fast. My doctor was shocked. After I gained all that weight i truly HATED my doctor. Why would you give someone who suffers from depression, pills that are FAMOUS for having a weight gain side effect ( i did not know this at the time). I dont think its news that being overweight and depression are linked. He said he would give me an appetite suppressant to help with the weight gain but after spending all my money on the anit dperessant pills i couldnt affort the diet pills. I had never been so bitter in my entire life. I know he had my best interest in mind but there are alot of pills on the market for depression and i cant believe his first pick was one that caused weight gain! I am now on Zoloft 200mg ( prescribed from a different doctor) and have not gained anymore weight and am very slowly losing weight now.

When I get depressed I stop being depressed and start being awesome instead. True Story.

Then you truly weren't depressed.