Losing weight after antidepressant

lml1948
lml1948 Posts: 2
in Introduce Yourself
Hi, I was on Effexor for 6 months. I suffer Seasonal Effective Disorder. It took me 2 months to wean off but I was stuck with an extra 25 pounds! I'm now working to get it off and get back to my 120 frame.

While I still suffer depression during the hottest and longest days of summer, I'm better off than the shortest and coldest days of winter.

Hello :)

Replies

  • mbcasey2009
    mbcasey2009 Posts: 52 Member
    Best of luck to you! I was on Cymbalta for a couple months-not for depression, but because my doctor said it would help with my HIP PAIN. Yeah, he's an idiot, and I'm finally done with all the crazy side effects, but still fighting getting the weight off. I was up 12 lbs in less than two months! Don't get discouraged, you can do it! Just stay consistent. Glad you are off of them now :)
  • rxcupcake
    rxcupcake Posts: 1 Member
    I totally sympathize. I was on them for a number of years and gained about 100 lbs that I am now trying to get off. It wasn't all the antidepressant, I made bad choices along the way, but they definitely are proven to add weight. Good luck on your journey. If you ever need to chat, let me know!
  • ruthejp13
    ruthejp13 Posts: 213 Member
    I've been off them for 10 years. Still suffer from depression but exercise is the best medicine followed by a healthy diet. However for weight loss diet is #1 and exercise is next. Next winter try a light box instead. Be glad you're off the drugs.
  • NessaR2011
    NessaR2011 Posts: 184 Member
    Effexor.. yea. I gained 40 in 4 months with that crap. They had me on the max dosage (I was severely depressed when I was with my ex and suffer with anxiety still) and I had to wean myself off quickly because I lost my insurance. It took 2 weeks before the shakes went away and another month before I got past the rest. Good for you for getting off of that!!
  • lml1948
    lml1948 Posts: 2
    Thanks for sharing your same issues. I didn't understand the bad side effects and weight gain was never told to me by my doctor. Weaning off was the worst. Brain zaps and all. For the first time in my life, I'm having a weight problem (42). Trying to push through the summer blues - the irony is astounding :) Won't even consider Effexor next winter. I have a huge light box for next season.
  • LklndMom
    LklndMom Posts: 5 Member
    I just stopped taking Effexor and was on bupropion before that. Between the two medications I have gained about 50 lbs in a year! I know just how frustrating the uncontrollable weight gain can be! And neither of the medications truly helped with my depression, so I have decided to take back control and stop with the medications. I have a hard day every day but I feel like I at least have hope now.
  • bvifun
    bvifun Posts: 401 Member
    It is interesting how differently antidepressants work for some than for others. Not strange though as we may have different chemical imbalances or physiological causes of the imbalance. There are even some people who have lost massive amounts of weight ... especially on the SSRIs. Not me though.
    I was first diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder over 40 years ago before the days of SSRIs and SNRIs. I would have said I never put on weight with the amitriptyline because I would go from suicidal to great in 2 weeks and I would be so full of energy that I would want to exercise...a lot. About 20 years ago, after my longest ever remission and after I became ill and unable to exercise, I was put on amitriptyline again and ballooned. Then they tried me on the SSRIs and I still put on some weight but not as much. How I put on any with all the nausea is beyond me. About 3 years ago I was switched to Cymbalta and I came of all other antidepressants including the amitriptyline I was using for sleep. I remember being sooooo hungry when I first started. I wanted to eat constantly but I could recognize what was happening and not do it. I am happy to say that side effect has gone away and this is the most stable my moods have ever been. Saying that, it stills requires me to continue with things that help me stay this way.
    When I lived north, I used a SAD light every winter for many years. Now one of the things I do to help myself is to make sure I am looking outside at the light every morning.
    Please, if you are feeling bitter about your experience with antidepressants, remember they do not all act the same for everyone and some of us are alive today because of them.

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