Anxiety, Prozac and Weight Gain

chunkydunk714
chunkydunk714 Posts: 784 Member
in Motivation and Support
So my dr. prescribed prozac for my generalized anxiety disorder and mild depression. Its been two months and ive packed on 20 pounds. :( I want to stop taking the meds but its helped me so much to not be such a stress case.

Has anyone here lost weight while taking anti-depressents? Your stories would be helpful....im feeling so hopeless :(

Replies

  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,422 Member
    Are you also geting counseling? If you feel hopeless, maybe the Prozac needs some behavioral assistance.

    It's possible to treat anxiety and mild depression with exercise and diet. Try to clean up your food choices as much as possible. Exercise is a powerful mood enhancer,it decreases anxiety dramatically, and many people find the combination of the two to be enough without the Prozac.

    That said, you can lose weight on any prescription drug. It's still about creating a calorie deficit, logging all your food choices, and generally taking care of yourself with enough water and sleep.
  • wibutterflymagic
    wibutterflymagic Posts: 788 Member
    I've been on different anti-depressants over the years and have lost weight at different times. I've never noticed that the meds caused the weight gain. I believe it's the mind set that does it. If you are depressed and an emotional eater then that's what is the cause of the weight gain...IMO. I gained 25lbs after my mom died and it's taken me a long time to get my mind set on truly making the change to loose weight. Until you truly commit to doing the work to make a change it won't happen. When I finally decided to stop whallowing in self pity and started looking at life positively things started to change in my life. Once I started feeling better about life then the decision to really loose the weight wasn't difficult and I've now lost 5lbs in the last 3wks. Friend me if you'd like.
  • chunkydunk714
    chunkydunk714 Posts: 784 Member
    "When I finally decided to stop whallowing in self pity and started looking at life positively things started to change in my life"....I sooo cant wait for this to happen! Im drowning in my own pool of depression...its horrible.

    and im going to start therapy...im pretty excited. My primary care physican said medication and therapy is a must and nobody gets better with medication alone. After going two months on medication and no therapy..i decided its time.

    :) Thank you both for listening to me...
  • ElishaFields
    ElishaFields Posts: 9 Member
    I've been on prozac for 12 years. I've lost weight many, many times. Most recently had gastric sleeve and lost 52 pounds. Have put back on 8 but am working through that. I never noticed that the prozac made me hungrier. I've been on it long enough that I very rarely go to counseling; only when I feel I need some extra support. My depression is managed and I'm doing fine.
  • quirkytizzy
    quirkytizzy Posts: 4,052 Member
    I've been on various psychotropic medications over the years and yes, weight gain is a common side effect. You are not alone. It just means stepping up the good eating habits and exercise. As you and your psych play around with the dose, that will have some effect too. Just be patient and realize that taking care of your mind through the medication is just as important as taking care of your body.
  • RhonndaJ
    RhonndaJ Posts: 1,615 Member
    I'm presently losing weight on meds for anxiety, depression and mood swings. After a lot of years we've found a combination that works long term for me and it's a huge relief.

    Contrary to what your primary care suggests, some people can get better on meds alone, but I do believe it depends heavily on the cause of the mental issues. I have this perspective because of my own circumstances. While I do see a psych, I haven't done therapy, nor do we feel a need for me to do so.
  • kittypudding
    kittypudding Posts: 17
    i was recently-ish put on prozac as well. . .as soon as i got put on it, bam, my once 120lb self turned into a 145lb girl. . .i'm in destress, but working out and eating right, and using this site has helped a bunch. just keep at it.
  • RatherBeInTheShire
    RatherBeInTheShire Posts: 561 Member
    I gained almost 15 lbs with paxil. I cannot lose weight, and can totally relate. I am currently weaning off the paxil because I do not want it to be a crutch. I've read some bad bad things about Paxil and don't want it to be something i'm on forever.
  • Captain_Tightpants
    Captain_Tightpants Posts: 2,215 Member
    Prozac alone is not making you gain weight. Your behavior must have changed so that you are either less active, more nommy, or both. Prozac or no, if you maintain an energy deficit you will lose weight.

    I've been losing steadily while on Prozac for the past year.
  • goldfish29
    goldfish29 Posts: 44 Member
    Ask to change your meds. I take Zoloft and have lost weight on it. My friend took Zoloft and gained 25lbs. Everyone is different and your reaction to a drug might not be the same as another drug.
  • LaceyMorley
    LaceyMorley Posts: 45
    "When I finally decided to stop whallowing in self pity and started looking at life positively things started to change in my life"....I sooo cant wait for this to happen! Im drowning in my own pool of depression...its horrible.

    and im going to start therapy...im pretty excited. My primary care physican said medication and therapy is a must and nobody gets better with medication alone. After going two months on medication and no therapy..i decided its time.

    :) Thank you both for listening to me...

    I have to respectfully disagree. In my opinion one does not simply "decide to stop whallowing in self pity". Depression is a disease just like any other disease. That said I think once the person recognizes they need help they can "decide" to get help either with medication, therapy, talking to their family, etc.

    To the OP I've lost weight on Wellbutrin which is known to actually help with weight loss instead of helping the pounds pack on like most anti-depressants. I am not convinced like someone already said that its simply about a calorie deficit when it comes to medication because if you look any of them up online they will tell you over and over one of the side effects can be weight gain.
  • rose313
    rose313 Posts: 1,146 Member
    I was on it in highschool and weighed 180 pounds. As soon as I got off it, I lost almost 40 pounds in 3 months.
  • chunkydunk714
    chunkydunk714 Posts: 784 Member
    Thank you all for your responses...

    I dont entirely blame the prozac but I do believe it causes me to react more to my cravings and causes me to crave more sweets and carbs. I never used to crave sugar like I do now...its so weird!

    As with anything else, I have hope and know one day I will and CAN fix this :)

    Thanks again for the support :)
  • Sofitin2013
    Sofitin2013 Posts: 39
    I know what you mean. I packed on serious weight this year after trying two different anti-depressants. I know it was my lifestyle as well, but I strongly believe the drugs added on weight for me. I have decided ( in the last few weeks) to start eating better and working out and to ditch the drugs. I feel much better! I got an rx for Ativan for times that my anxiety really hits the roof, but I plan to use those sparingly. Hang in there!!
  • FitFabFlirty92
    FitFabFlirty92 Posts: 384 Member
    I'm on Zoloft and Abilify, and so far my weight loss has slowed, but not stalled completely. You may need to up your exercise or adjust your calories, but you should still be able to lose. Is the Prozac affecting your appetite at all? You may be eating more and lessening your deficit without realizing it.
  • fearless_
    fearless_ Posts: 75
    I've been eating soo much more on trazodone and atarax mehhhh
  • Monticello
    Monticello Posts: 16 Member
    Losing weight just fine on paxil for anxiety. I've read some literature that discusses SSRIs possibly causing weight gain by affecting liver function, but it seems to me from my own experience and the observations of others that weight gain on SSRIs is mostly behavioral. When I first started I felt very euphoric and super happy. I felt like my impulse control was affected. I felt like I was at a party all the time and I indulged and food and alcohol like I was at a party.

    Daily rigorous exercise has had a profound effect on my anxiety levels as well as a workbook called Overcoming Stress and Anxiety. On a very low dose now.
  • Crochetluvr
    Crochetluvr Posts: 3,286 Member
    I have been on Celexa for nearly a year and I haven't noticed any problems with losing weight. So I guess it doesn't affect everyone the same.
  • BurtHuttz
    BurtHuttz Posts: 3,653 Member
    Prozac alone is not making you gain weight. Your behavior must have changed so that you are either less active, more nommy, or both. Prozac or no, if you maintain an energy deficit you will lose weight.

    This - such drugs do not change the laws of thermodynamics or - as far as I know - meaningfully change the way your body metabolizes fuel.

    However, if you're going from a state of anxiety and unhappiness and are used to using that as motivation to control your eating and go exercise, you might find that you need to exercise a little bit of conscious thought to stay focused on your objectives.

    Toward the tail end of my weight loss and going into my maintenance phase of fitness, I started an SSRI that has a well documented correlation with weight gain. But after three months, I'm still logging calories in and calories out and the medicine hasn't changed anything, because my thermodynamic equation remains balanced.

    You can do it, healthy mind AND body! :-)
  • megleo818
    megleo818 Posts: 595 Member
    Weight loss/gain aside, if you're not feeling good MENTALLY on Prozac, you need to talk with your doctor about trying a different med. There are so many out there -- Prozac might not be the right fit for your particular brain chemistry. Talk to your doctor. Tomorrow. Just because some of your symptoms are better, that doesn't mean it's time to settle on one drug -- if you're more depressed, there are at least half a dozen alternatives that might address what Prozac does well without doing what Prozac does badly, which seems to be making you gain weight and feel hopeless. That's not the way anyone should feel.
  • aponia
    aponia Posts: 28
    I took Zoloft for about 8 years and I put on quite a lot of weight - I've recently been switched to Prozac and found that my appetite is basically nil, as I have to make myself eat. I'm on a fairly high dosage (40mg) but even someone I know who is on 10mg can tell the change in appetite. But medications effect everyone differently; some people lose weight taking Zoloft and I gained about 100lbs!

    It all comes down to our relationship with food and our eating habits. I would eat when I was depressed or anxious - other people would rather not eat when feeling that way and have a tendency to eat when they are more comfortable and not worrying so much about it. Once you pinpoint which this is, try to change the way you think of food. (If this makes any sense at all)

    Have a balanced diet of lean protein, healthy carbs (brown rice, whole grain bread, etc) and fruits and vegetables and eat often! A handful of nuts when you're feeling a bit hungry is much healthier than waiting until dinner time and then overeating.
  • biminij99
    biminij99 Posts: 11 Member
    I went thru this. Do what you can to get off the meds. They had an effect on me that I would eat generously. The anxiety problem is still there. It has just manifested in a different way - through eating. The meds won't make the problem go away. You have to manage the stress on your own. Face whatever is causing you stress and get a hold of it. Get plenty of rest. Drink water and exercise. Eat plenty of fruits and veggies. Get plenty of sun. Get rid of things in your life that you don't need. It may take a while but it will get better. It helps to have support from friends and family. This is the best advise I can give you. Best of luck to you. Everything will be fine.
  • Duck_Puddle
    Duck_Puddle Posts: 3,237 Member
    Losing weight just fine on paxil for anxiety. I've read some literature that discusses SSRIs possibly causing weight gain by affecting liver function, but it seems to me from my own experience and the observations of others that weight gain on SSRIs is mostly behavioral. When I first started I felt very euphoric and super happy. I felt like my impulse control was affected. I felt like I was at a party all the time and I indulged and food and alcohol like I was at a party.

    Daily rigorous exercise has had a profound effect on my anxiety levels as well as a workbook called Overcoming Stress and Anxiety. On a very low dose now.

    Almost all of this-and not because I disagree with the rest. I am on zoloft for PTSD & anxiety. I gained weight when I started-and thanks to mfp, I have a log to prove it's because I was eating like a cow (e.g. Behavioral not phantom unexplained weight gain). Once my dose settled the crazy "party like it's 1999" approach to food slowed down. I do have to be more conscious of making good choices and reigning in cravings more than before the meds, but it's not the meds that caused the gain, it's the food I was stuffing in my face.

    And this times infinity for exercise making a HUGE impact in controlling my symptoms-for me, probably more than the meds. But alas, I still suffer from hyperarousal symptoms, on which the meds make a considerable difference. But in terms of day to day anxiety, regular exercise has helped get me to a point where I only suffer anxiety in extremely triggering situations. That's an enormous improvement. My situation is hopefully very different from yours, but exercise has been a tremendous help.
  • sadsturbation
    sadsturbation Posts: 1
    I started taking Prozac in March of 2012. Back then I was 151 lbs. I am now 218 lbs. I don't understand.
  • mattcoleman7921
    mattcoleman7921 Posts: 1 Member
    I have to say that my weight gain is due solely to the prozac. I'm actually eating less and exercising more than I did before taking it, yet I've been gaining weight. It must be doing something to the metabolism?
  • Ryan_Reborn
    Ryan_Reborn Posts: 13
    I took Seroquel, that **** gives you CRAZY *kitten* munchies . I know as welcoming as prozak is , maybe consider what has set off your tweekin in the first place.. Start with eating well, getting adequate sleep and training both moderate-High intensity and taking up something peaceful like yoga or an activity that interests you that will stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system . Then start eliminating things from based off this. Doing some research

    The weight gain could be from the way the prozak changes the chemicals in your brain, making you crave more of the foods that make you feel good (briefly releasing dopamine and spiking your insulin ) . Having you cover your current issue and switch to food or whatever has you gaining weight which has now become an issue to you.


    This is a VERY helpful site. Do the audit and find out what your brain might be lacking in or over stimulating.
    > http://www.amenclinics.com/

    I myself HATE the over use of medication , especially the way it's prescribed today. Please correct me if this doesn't help your issue and good luck !

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