Antidepressants And Anxiety Meds And Weightloss

ALNoog
ALNoog Posts: 413 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I am just curious who is on any meds for depression or anxiety and their experiences with its effects on weight loss.

My former doctor previously on a plethora of medications for depression and paralyzing anxiety and I stopped taking them because I thought I didn't need them anymore. But I have decided to get back on them and my new doctor agreed to put me back on Celexa which worked wonders for the depression part but as far as the other part for the anxiety and bipolar part of it I'm wondering what medications people have had success with in terms of controlling symptoms and not interrupting weight loss

Replies

  • betseyjane
    betseyjane Posts: 18 Member
    I was on Celexa for 2+ years for anxiety. Gained 25 pounds in 6 months, though many will tell you that the drug doesn't have an effect on weight/weightloss, I believe that Celexa was the main culprit of my weight gain. I quit taking it in September of 2013 and am finally starting to see a tiny bit of movement down - but again, who knows... I weaned off of it over the course of a month and am trying to control anxiety with exercise. I just didn't want to be on anything anymore.
  • ALNoog
    ALNoog Posts: 413 Member
    I didn't want to be back on anything but my anxiety is off the charts.

    I never want to leave the house. I panic all the time and work up worse case scenarios in my head to the point I can't sleep. I am scared to answer my phone or answer the door if anyone comes over. If my daily routine gets interrupted in anyway I have a complete melt down. I can't ride in a car with anyone. I never ever ever relax or chill or calm down. Any last minute change in plans sends me into a complete panic. I can't be around groups of more than around 10 people at a time or so. If it's not something I have done in the past I WONT do it.... My heart races and my chest gets tight and I break out in sweats and usually sob until I puke.... Holidays are not fun because that means I have to interact with people. If I'm at a store and I need help I will not ask for it because that means I have to interact with people.... Same with church and such.... My inlaws beg us to go but I just CANT... My husband wants to go to concerts and sports games and I can't......

    It's just time I for some help again.... I'm alive but I am in no way living.
  • Cheertink14
    Cheertink14 Posts: 1
    I've been on meds for the past two years. First my doc put me on Depakote, Lorazepam, and Celexa and I gained 85lbs in 3 months, and she agreed it had to be because of the meds and not my lifestyle because until I got too heavy I was VERY active. I was taken off of both of them and put on Seroquel and I have been able to maintain my weight (192 now :( ) I just got my medical release this week to be able to go back to the gym so I will see how hard it will be to get the weight off, but no matter how hard it is I would NEVER want to feel the stress and the pain that being off of meds and being unstable (bipolar and high anxiety) brought to me.

    I know some people will disagree with me but keep your head up no matter what happens because being sane mentally is always #1 and once you find the right meds for you start working with the weight. If you gain an unacceptable amount always feel open enough to talk to your doctor about it. They will either switch your meds/dose or they will add something to counteract the effect. I hope you get your anxiety taken care of because its hard to let it control your life.
  • nomeejerome
    nomeejerome Posts: 2,616 Member
    It is important not to stop medication without medical supervision. Although it can be more difficult to lose weight with medication, it is not an impossible task. Many times when people take medication they begin to feel good again, symptoms reduce and therefore will eat more, (too many calories) and that is the cause of the weight gain.

    Right now it sounds like getting a hold of your symptoms should be top priority, rather than the weight loss.
  • ALNoog
    ALNoog Posts: 413 Member
    It is important not to stop medication without medical supervision. Although it can be more difficult to lose weight with medication, it is not an impossible task. Many times when people take medication they begin to feel good again, symptoms reduce and therefore will eat more, (too many calories) and that is the cause of the weight gain.

    Right now it sounds like getting a hold of your symptoms should be top priority, rather than the weight loss.


    It's sort of damned if I do and damned if I don't... I know I need to get the mental under control but I'm not doing the weight loss for vanity reasons.... I'm also doing it for health reasons. (Enlarged heart, fatty liver disease, and pcos with insulin resistance)

    I stopped cold turkey last time on my own and yes I don't recommend doing that.

    So far he only put me back on Xanax and then I go in Tuesday to see him and discuss the rest.
  • Elsie_Brownraisin
    Elsie_Brownraisin Posts: 786 Member
    I don't take anti-depressants any more as they haven't been particularly helpful for me, but I have taken them in the past and gained weight. I currently take lithium, lamotrigine and quetiapine (seroquel). I think the last one in particular helps with the anxiety, as I get very anxious and sometimes paranoid when I am not well. The last time I tried to reduce my dose (with Dr's knowledge), the first thing I noticed was heightened anxiety.

    Quetiapine has weight gain listed as a common side effect and I have known people that have gained quite a bit on it, but I haven't, I'm lucky. I take a fairly large dose in one go at bedtime, rather than an XL dose that's released slowly during the day, so it hasn't really affected my appetite. But there are other antipsychotics that are more likely to be weight neutral though, such as Abilify.

    I hate taking medication, really detest it (both side effects and the twice daily reminder), but I can't go through the alternative again.

    Do you have an appointment with your Dr scheduled soon?
  • ALNoog
    ALNoog Posts: 413 Member
    I don't take anti-depressants any more as they haven't been particularly helpful for me, but I have taken them in the past and gained weight. I currently take lithium, lamotrigine and quetiapine (seroquel). I think the last one in particular helps with the anxiety, as I get very anxious and sometimes paranoid when I am not well. The last time I tried to reduce my dose (with Dr's knowledge), the first thing I noticed was heightened anxiety.

    Quetiapine has weight gain listed as a common side effect and I have known people that have gained quite a bit on it, but I haven't, I'm lucky. I take a fairly large dose in one go at bedtime, rather than an XL dose that's released slowly during the day, so it hasn't really affected my appetite. But there are other antipsychotics that are more likely to be weight neutral though, such as Abilify.

    I hate taking medication, really detest it (both side effects and the twice daily reminder), but I can't go through the alternative again.

    Do you have an appointment with your Dr scheduled soon?


    Thank you for your response. Yes I am going Tuesday. My doctor is a concierge doctor so I can text and call and email them 24/7. We've been discussing it through emails. They are out of town for spring break right now.
  • Bibianna2012
    Bibianna2012 Posts: 88 Member
    Weight gain is commen with anti-anxiety and anti-depression meds. How about getting on the meds to get your mental state ok and then continue your exercise program. Try to avoid weighing yourself..You can start a medication and then have a follow up with your dr in 6 weeks to check your weight and other symptoms. As youve learned never stop these on your own.. you need to taper down. One reason that weight gain is associated with these meds is that some people are so depressed and anxious that they have lost their appetite. When they start to feel better they start to eat. I myself have seen some weight gain on effexor- probably 10 lbs but it has been worth it to get my depression/anxiety under control.
  • SJSharksChick
    SJSharksChick Posts: 83 Member
    I was on Celexa for about 6 months and gained about 20lbs. After that, and some other scary side effects, I got off of them. I feel since, it's been a lot easier to lose weight, as when I was working & out taking the med, I couldn't lose weight for the life of me.
  • jenna808
    jenna808 Posts: 79 Member
    I take buproprion (Wellbutrin) for my depression/anxiety. All other ones I've tried seemed to have increased my appetite substantially, but I switched off of them for different unfavorable side effects. When I first started this one, it actually decreased my appetite for a few weeks, then it returned to normal. The same when I upped the dosage. Been on it for almost a year now. Between that and exercising daily has made a huge difference, especially in anxiety.
  • nomeejerome
    nomeejerome Posts: 2,616 Member
    It is important not to stop medication without medical supervision. Although it can be more difficult to lose weight with medication, it is not an impossible task. Many times when people take medication they begin to feel good again, symptoms reduce and therefore will eat more, (too many calories) and that is the cause of the weight gain.

    Right now it sounds like getting a hold of your symptoms should be top priority, rather than the weight loss.


    It's sort of damned if I do and damned if I don't... I know I need to get the mental under control but I'm not doing the weight loss for vanity reasons.... I'm also doing it for health reasons. (Enlarged heart, fatty liver disease, and pcos with insulin resistance)

    I stopped cold turkey last time on my own and yes I don't recommend doing that.

    So far he only put me back on Xanax and then I go in Tuesday to see him and discuss the rest.

    You said yourself that you are "alive but I am in no way living" and included a list of pretty debilitating symptoms and this is why I suggested getting a hold of your symptoms first before focusing on weight loss. It takes courage to reach out for help and it is great to hear that you are able to see the doctor on Tuesday. ( as well as 24/7 access to care)
  • Elsie_Brownraisin
    Elsie_Brownraisin Posts: 786 Member
    That's good. Hopefully you won't feel rushed during the actual appointment if you've had a chance to discuss by email.

    When I am feeling low, I usually have a huge appetite and spend a lot of time lying down. Once I start to feel better, my appetite returns to normal levels and the weight gain stops. Or I gain weight once I eat normally again after not eating during a mixed or high period.

    But when I was depressed in the past, being so large was part of the problem, but taking medication made that worse, it is all bound up with it. The weight was an extra factor to bother me when I was anxious and was expected to interact with other people.

    I've managed to lose weight whilst taking medication, though I do not have to contend with insulin resistance and PCOS, but it's been slow and plodding with fits and starts.

    You've already done really well, you are well over a third of the way towards your goal.

    Hope the next few days are a bit more bearable.
  • ALNoog
    ALNoog Posts: 413 Member
    It is important not to stop medication without medical supervision. Although it can be more difficult to lose weight with medication, it is not an impossible task. Many times when people take medication they begin to feel good again, symptoms reduce and therefore will eat more, (too many calories) and that is the cause of the weight gain.

    Right now it sounds like getting a hold of your symptoms should be top priority, rather than the weight loss.


    It's sort of damned if I do and damned if I don't... I know I need to get the mental under control but I'm not doing the weight loss for vanity reasons.... I'm also doing it for health reasons. (Enlarged heart, fatty liver disease, and pcos with insulin resistance)

    I stopped cold turkey last time on my own and yes I don't recommend doing that.

    So far he only put me back on Xanax and then I go in Tuesday to see him and discuss the rest.

    You said yourself that you are "alive but I am in no way living" and included a list of pretty debilitating symptoms and this is why I suggested getting a hold of your symptoms first before focusing on weight loss. It takes courage to reach out for help and it is great to hear that you are able to see the doctor on Tuesday. ( as well as 24/7 access to care)

    It's an amazing service that my inlaws signed us up for as part of our wedding gift. We have unlimited office visits and unlimited 24/7 access to the doctor (it's just one guy now) and if we can't get in to him he will call something in. We can FaceTime also or send pictures. I feel very fortunate to have that.
  • ALNoog
    ALNoog Posts: 413 Member
    I take buproprion (Wellbutrin) for my depression/anxiety. All other ones I've tried seemed to have increased my appetite substantially, but I switched off of them for different unfavorable side effects. When I first started this one, it actually decreased my appetite for a few weeks, then it returned to normal. The same when I upped the dosage. Been on it for almost a year now. Between that and exercising daily has made a huge difference, especially in anxiety.
    I did try Wellbutrin before but I couldn't remember much about it's effects on me. I'll ask him about that one.
  • Yanicka1
    Yanicka1 Posts: 4,564 Member
    I started Cipralex 2 months ago and it is acting as an appetite suppressant for me. I have to make sure I eat enough calories.
  • jenna808
    jenna808 Posts: 79 Member
    I take buproprion (Wellbutrin) for my depression/anxiety. All other ones I've tried seemed to have increased my appetite substantially, but I switched off of them for different unfavorable side effects. When I first started this one, it actually decreased my appetite for a few weeks, then it returned to normal. The same when I upped the dosage. Been on it for almost a year now. Between that and exercising daily has made a huge difference, especially in anxiety.
    I did try Wellbutrin before but I couldn't remember much about it's effects on me. I'll ask him about that one.

    I really like it. I've tried some others but they just had too many negative side effects for me, and I haven't experienced any with this. I think it's worth asking your doctor about it for sure. Best of luck, dealing with anxiety is absolutely awful.

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