Weight loss struggle on Lexapro.
Charlottegetfit2
Posts: 15 Member
Maybe posted about this before, but putting the question out there again anyway. I've been on Lexapro since last fall. My weight has gone up by at least 10 pounds. I've been very good about going to the gym, increased from going 3 days a week to 5 days a week and watching my calories. I can not lose a pound! Not even losing inches. This is getting so frustrating. Wondering if anybody else out there is on this type of medication and has had success with losing weight. My anxiety level has decreased so much by taking this medication, I just really don't want to try and switch to something else.
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Do you have a food scale? Are you logging every single bite? What are your total daily calories (goal).
If you don't have a food scale, run to walmart or target and go get one for about $18.
I opened my diary and people helped me. Ex: I needed more protein and more fiber (they really help me keep full). Plus, by having the diary open to the public, it kind of holds me accountable (really works).
Opinion: 90% of weight loss is eating right and staying in calories. Exercise for health.2 -
I do have a scale. I do log everything. Curious, do you take anything for depression or anxiety? I took something several years ago and had the same issue with my weight. Once off the med, I was able to lose weight, but I need this medication right now and will probably be on it for some time. No one is going to convince me that this medication does not cause weight gain.
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Taking vitamin D really helped me. Everyone is different. Has your doctor tested you? If not, ask your doctor.
I take 1,000 iu during the most months of the year along with my daily multivitamin.
https://www.vitamindcouncil.org/health-conditions/depression/
My level was a measly 20. I don't know what it is now, because insurance won't pay unless it is medically necessary (now I'm ok). Back then, I told my regular doctor I felt depressed and insurance paid for it along with cholesterol test, etc.
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No one is going to convince me that this medication does not cause weight gain.
So first of all I can understand where you're coming from as far as the frustration you might experience when you're trying hard and not able to lose.
Having said that, I'd like to respectfully ask you why you're taking a position where you're 100% sure you are right, and nobody can possibly provide you with information that suggests otherwise?
I do wish you the best of luck, and for the record, I'm currently on lexapro and have been for a while now..
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I take that position because this is the second time I've been on this medication in the last 15 years and both times I gained between 10 and 15 pounds. Did not increase my calorie intake and have always exercised. I know a couple of other people who have been on this medication and the same thing happened to them. But, it helps my anxiety tremendously so I do not want to switch to something else.1
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@rockyniki I have been on Lexapro for 5+ years now and have lost 30lbs since October and a total of 50+lbs since 2012. I will also add that I have hypothyroidism and PCOS, and have been able to achieve these results. The medication ITSELF does NOT cause weight gain. I have experienced both weight loss AND gain during my years on Lexapro, but never once blamed my medication or thought it was a result of taking my medication. You need to be very conscientious of your eating (weighing and logging accurately) as well as activity - if you are, then maybe there is another reason you are not losing (i.e. thyroid) that you should explore with your doctor.4
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Everybody is different. Medications affect people differently. I am not the only one that has gained weight on this medication. I am very diligent about watching what I eat and working out 4-5 times per week.3
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OP - antidepressant medication is known to have weight gain as a side effect. Do your research. I was prescribed a low dose AD for chronic pain and gained about 50 lbs after being the same normal weight my entire life.
It causes weight gain by increasing appetite and cravings, and slowing down metabolism.
The Dr. offered to prescribe Topimax to counter the weight gain. Maybe you could look into that. It seems like a miracle weight loss drug but the potential side effects are a bit scary. I just decided to go cold turkey and lost the weight in no time.
I maintained the loss no problem until I was prescribed something else in the same classification (stupid me I didn't Google). Well the same thing happened weight wise, and so I stopped it. Only this time it's not coming off so fast - that's why I'm here and have lost 15 lbs in 41days, not trying too hard. On that AD I was a gym rat and food weighing Nazi and only gained weight never lost.
The weight gain side effect is not completely understood by science, but it's real, esp the metabolism slowing part. There's a lot of research out there. I ultimately found something that is weight neutral, but it's old - from the 1950s probably most doctors haven't heard of it. It's called Trifloroperazine. In low doses it was originally prescribed for anxiety - it also works for pain. In high doses it's used to treat schizophrenia. Go figure. Hope this helps.4 -
Everybody is different. Medications affect people differently. I am not the only one that has gained weight on this medication. I am very diligent about watching what I eat and working out 4-5 times per week.
you are clearly adamant about that so then why are you asking for advice? maybe you should speak to your doctor instead of an internet forum.9 -
As someone who suffers from anxiety, and who has really been helped by Lexapro in the past (and is considering going back on it) I'm going to throw a couple of thoughts out there.
Is it possible that instead of Lexapro causing weight gain, your anxiety was causing weight loss?
My anxiety has historically affected my weight in a few ways: Sometimes I was too keyed up and anxious to even think about eating - my stomach was in knots, I felt like I couldn't breathe, etc... I wasn't tracking my calories, but I can promise you I was eating way less than I do with MFP.
Also, when I'm anxious, I get super fidgety. SUPER fidgety. I pace incessantly, get up from my desk to use the restroom or get a drink when I don't really need one, tap my foot and move around constantly. My heart is racing and I'm operating on adrenaline all the time. All of that burns more calories, but doesn't show up in your exercise log.
Lastly (TMI), when I'm having a really bad anxiety day, I sometimes end up having diarrhea, which means I'm not getting all of the nutrients out of what I eat.
All of those things contributed significantly to weight loss for me, but none of them show up in a calorie tracking app. When my anxiety is managed, through medication or other means, those things go away and I start putting weight back on.
Is it possible that this is what's going on here?5 -
@shoofly435. Thank you so much for this information and undestanding and AGREEING that these meds CAN cause weight gain. There are many Web sites that state issues with weight gain on these types of medications. Everybody is different and everybody reacts differently to medications. I just have to keep fighting this to the best of my ability for now.0
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I also take a low dose of lexapro, and I haven't noticed it influencing my weight in either direction. If I gain or maintain, it's because I'm being sloppy with calories, and doesn't seem to have any correlation to the meds. If you think you are having that side effect, I would contact your doctor and discuss it.1
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It is well known that certain chemicals effect people differently. It is human nature to draw our conclusions based upon what we see and experience but our perception could be very different from someone elses. Maybe the meds do cause her to gain weight. Depression/anxiety meds are typically only a bandaid on the symptoms. Many of the hormones that control or are involved with metabolism are anti depressants or anti anxiety by nature. Maybe you should visit your doc and have proper hormone testing done.0
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@shoofly435. Thank you so much for this information and undestanding and AGREEING that these meds CAN cause weight gain. There are many Web sites that state issues with weight gain on these types of medications. Everybody is different and everybody reacts differently to medications. I just have to keep fighting this to the best of my ability for now.
the medication can cause weight gain, but its not a DIRECT result of simply putting that pill in your mouth with all other things constant. if you did a basic Internet search you would know this. talk to your doctor if you think otherwise - maybe Lexapro isn't for you.5 -
I do have my yearly apt In a couple months so I will definitely talk to her at that time and in the meantime, I will keep up the good fight:)3
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I've been on Lexapro for a few years and have both lost and gained weight while on it. It may make it slightly more difficult to lose weight, but it's certainly possible. I've lost 17lbs just in the last month. (Before anyone freaks out, I've got a lot of weight to lose so 17lbs in a month is perfectly normal) I'd rather have to work a little harder to lose weight than be a nervous wreck all the time by going off it. Good luck!1
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I am inclined to agree with PeachyPlum that the anxiety may have caused weight to stay off or you to lose easily. With the anxiety in check perhaps you need to lower your daily intake to get the same results. I always lose weight during very stressful periods. Even when eating the same amount probably due to being twitchy and fidgety.
I once started to take Pizotifen to prevent migraine and the weight piled on. It was stated as a side effect due to increased appetite. I was eating more and didn't really care (also a side effect) I now take propanolol and I don't think it causes weight gain but it probably keeps my stress levels in check and I do find it a bit harder to lose than I used to. i make sure I log when I am tackling a few pounds gain as estimating never seems to get results. I also weigh everything and if I don't lose for a couple of weeks, I lower my daily intake if it is within the recommended amount.1 -
Everybody is different. Medications affect people differently. I am not the only one that has gained weight on this medication. I am very diligent about watching what I eat and working out 4-5 times per week.
you are clearly adamant about that so then why are you asking for advice? maybe you should speak to your doctor instead of an internet forum.
It's not that I was asking for "advice". My question was if anyone else was experiencing problems trying to lose wait on this medication!!!2 -
I take Lexapro for Anxiety and I have lost 18 pounds so far. I think it depends on the person and how they react to the med. Good Luck
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@susieq52082 Thank you. I just know the effects it has on my body, but I'm going to continue to fight it tooth and nail:)2
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Lexapro makes you crave carbs . It's important to make sure that you eat enough lean protein for satiety and eat high fiber carbs to keep you feeling full. Air popped popcorn with a glass of seltzer is great for those cravings. Baked potatoes topped with salsa or buttery spray help too. Watch out for anything that combines white flour, butter and sugar. I lost 36 pounds of antidepressant induced weight gain while on Lexapro. It's hard, but you can do it.1
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I will chime in here with my experience. I have been on lexapro for 2 years and for the first 9 months I did not gain any weight but then suddenly in a period of a few months I gained 30 lbs without changing anything in my diet. Before this I did not have problems with my weight and easily maintained my weight. I have discussed this issue with my doctor and he has found in his experience that weight gain with this medication is possible. Not every person experiences it, but it is possible especially the longer you are on it. But the pros for me in terms of reduced anxiety far outweigh the cons.
That said, I have been able to lose weight while taking it, it just seems to come off slower and with greater effort. I think it has slowed my metabolism a bit because given my deficit I should have lost more weight given my height and current weight (I do weigh all my food including condiments so my tracking is pretty accurate). So yes, I understand where you are coming from and I understand the frustration BUT weight loss is possible if you stick with it.2 -
Also be sure to talk to your doctor about your experience. They will better be able to help you. Maybe a medication change is needed or maybe like me the pros outweigh the difficult weight loss. Health (both physical and mental) is more important than the number on the scale.2
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I'm on a higher than recommended dose of Lexapro. It has helped me tremendously! And I've lost 53lbs since March 29th of this year all while on this medication!3
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I haven't had an issue taking lexapro while trying to lose weight. It's times like that though - when the scale won't move - that it's time to become a 'food journal nazi". Not just logging your food - but making sure you log everything down to the condiments. Be more strict about the amounts you're logging and not relying on "eyeballing" or "guesstimating" so much. For me - that's what it usually takes.2
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I have been on Lexapro for YEARS and am currently on the max dose. My anxiety is under control. Did it make me gain weight? I don't think so. I gained from eating whatever was in sight and being lazy. over the last year I have lost 60 lbs by counting my calories. still on Lexapro....2
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Can I ask how you ladies have lost the weight while still taking the lexapro? I'm having a really hard time0
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Can I ask how you ladies have lost the weight while still taking the lexapro? I'm having a really hard time
Nothing super special. I have just been maintaining a consistent caloric deficit. My TDEE is just lower than what is to be expected at my height and activity level. I aim for a 500 calorie deficit each day but it usually ends up being closer to 600 on average.
As for specifics of what I am eating I don't think it matters too much except for satiety levels and general health and nutrition. I personally aim to eat 1g of protein for every lbs of lean body mass. I let my carbs and fats do what they like. I personally prefer lowish carb(100g) and higher fat but that is just because it works for me and my general hunger levels. I also aim to get exercise everyday and I weight train to try to improve body composition and increase metabolism.
Above all, I think consistency is the most important thing. I have gone up to 5 weeks without the scale budging (even going up) but I stayed the course and then all of a sudden in a period of a week I would lose 5 lbs. I tried not to let these stalls get to me or set me off course. Now I have just come to expect them. Just stay the course, be consistent, weigh every morsel of food that goes into your mouth, get moving and it will come together.
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These meds have a different effect on everyone. On Zoloft I found it impossible to keep a deficit and it was a constant losing battle. I've never taken lexapro but at the moment I'm losing weight on cymbalta (which doesn't usually increase appetite).
Talk to your doctor when next you see him/her. You might be able to change across to a similar drug which works better for you, without having that wean off/on period.1 -
I agree meds can be a problem but it's still calories in calories out. The meds can increase appetite. I gained a lot of weight on those types of meds. I don't eat if I am anxious so controlling the anxiety I actually ate more. It's easy to blame the meds.0
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