paxil and weight gain?!

None of those drugs are good...what is causing the anxiety attacks? If you have to be on them...try one PRN...xanax maybe.

I gained 10 lbs after I went on Celexa, but then I joined MFP and lost that and then some. I think the weight gain just comes from the drug increasing your appetite, so as long as you are tracking on MFP, you should be fine.

It's very interesting that you gained weight on Paxil and not Lexapro. They are both SSRI's and both commonly have weight gain as a side effect. You may have to experiment for a while with your doc on getting just the right dose and medication for you, with the goal being no weight gain and no panic attacks. You are approaching this intelligently! Don't lose patience.

I'm 5'2 as well and I'd LOVE to be 140 LOL... I gained a **** load of weight on Prozac and Zoloft. I stopped them. I'm not on anything anymore. To me, being off the meds and dealing with my anxiety and borderline bipolar is easier than gaining, gaining, gaining, and not being able to lose. As I lost more, I'm happier. Now I just have my Ativan for anxiety and panic attacks.

This. /\

To the OP: Obviously only do this with a doctors approval, but I personally went off of my meds after they made me gain 30 lbs in 3 months. The depression and panic I felt from gaining weight was far worse than the usual depression and panic I was feeling every day before the weight gain.

Instead of drugs, I now see a therapist once a month and when I feel depressed or feel panic-y, I go for a run or do a quick workout. I find that the exercise has the same effect on me that the drugs were having.

If I begin to feel a massive panic attack coming on at work, which is where I primarily experience all of my panic and depression, I do breathing exercises or, if possible, I get up and go for a quick walk, even if just to the ladies room and back.

Talk to your doctor and see if she thinks there may any drug free choices for you.

hi i have gained about 5 lbs in 6 wks since i have been on paxil, i was put on it for anxiety attacks previously i was on lexapro for my ocd but it didnt help with the anxiety attacks that had started to appear.... i havent changed my eating habits and have been working out even more! anyone have any suggestions for alternatives to paxil without the weight gain that i can kinda discuss with my obgyn when i go and see her on thursday?!
ps i am a fit momma to a 3 1/2 yr old and 10 month old
27 yo
5'2 1/2
140 now!!! ugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Many years ago (before kids) I was put on Paxil, after my rape, for anxiety attacks and depression... In 3 months I had gained 30 pounds and only wanted chips and ice cream... Everything else tasted awful to me... Bad time and within 2 months of going off of Paxil I had lost over half the weight.... See if you can get your dr to put you on a med that doesn't cause weight gain. I took something different and it was much better. No more weight gain. I can't remember what the name of it was. Zoloft is also bad for weight gain.

Good Luck!!!

I have to say, we are all usually on these meds for a reason. Getting off of them for weight loss may create other, even worse, issues.

Lots of assumptions packed into this, all can be challenged. Diagnosis of mental illnesses & disorders is very unlike diagnosis of eg diabetes. The process couldn't be more subjective.

In fact the evidence suggests that SSRIs are only really useful, long-term, for people with very severe depression. The people, in other words, who'd actually benefit from electroshock therapy.
http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.0050045

Exercise has an excellent evidence base to support its role as an effective mood regulator. Anyone interested can look into it, but
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression-and-exercise/MH00043

SSRIs are meant to treat depression, but instead, they increase risk of suicidal ideation and action. To treat anxiety, but cause irritability. To increase participation in life, but cause apathy. To treat insomnia, but cause insomnia.

There are better ways to cope.

edit: yes, discontinuing too quickly can totally cause problems. Second paxilprogress.org for help (people on there are weaning from a range of SSRIs). See also
http://www.benzo.org.uk/healy.htm

You could try Cymbalta? I had tried a few, and this seemed to be the one with the least side effects. Unforturnatley my insurance wouldn't cover it, so I ended up long term on Celexa - which helped me gain about 20lbs. 10 in the first month. Not fun, but really 5lbs isn't too bad, just keep watching to see if it levels off or if it keeps going.

I feel your frustration! Best of luck in finding what works for you

I've been dealing with the same issues for years. I put on 60 lbs w/seroquel and had a doc tell me it wasn't possible, drugs don't do that...yeah right. She might have weighed 100 lbs herself, I wanted to break her in half. I'm on 3 drugs for bi-polar and anxiety. I have cut my doeses and went off of one drug all together since I feel better when I'm exercising and since I've lost weight. I have been on heavy drugs since 2005 and I really worry about the long term affects (they never seem to study long term affects, just short term) which is why I'm happy to be off of one of them. I agree w/other posters, I lost weight while on wellbutrin, but the others made me pack on weight and/or go a little more crazy. I take xanax for the anxiety and I feel for you having panic attacks. Mine just hit out of the blue, I don't usually have time to prepare for them (like taking a walk or deep breathing) I definatley recommend exercise on a regular basis, it has helped me tremendously! Talk to your doc or find a new one!