Anti Depressants

tiggerdug · May 2017

Hi everyone!

Looking for some advice!! Ive been on setraline for 2 years! It's cause me to gain weight, become so lazy and killed my motivation for anything! I've put on about 3 1/2! I used to be 9st I'm now 12st 8. I go between 12st 12 - 12st 4 and can never get lower than that.
It's getting me down so much, all I want to do it lie about and eat all the time. I hate the person I've become and I get so demotivated when I can't get anywhere.
From looking at a few metal health forums this seems to be a very common side effect of this drug! Therefore I've decideded to come off them. And I know it will effect everyone different but had anyone has a similar experience and how long did it take for the side effect to dull down?
I want to see results for the effort I'm putting in and it's just not happening.

Any help and advice would be great!

Unknown · May 2017

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Jriggs46615 · May 2017

I was on Effexor 2 different times, the last time for 3 1/2-4 years. I stopped after developing memory problems. Sadly, after stopping, I found out that memory problems is a side effect, one my doctor never told me about. I also found out that a person shouldn't really be on them for longer than 6 months at a time.

The first time, I quit cold turkey, and that was BAD news. The effects were so bad for 2 weeks - Constant dizziness, visual tracing, etc. Don't do that.
The 2nd time, I stepped down gradually, as you're supposed to, and the transition was a smoother one.

I don't remember how long it took to fully get out of my system, but I've definitely never gone back, and it's been about 4 years.

I hope you find the help you need without the meds.

VintageFeline · May 2017

The main thing to understand is that the weight gain isn't a direct side effect itself. There's no mechanism by which the meds will cause you to store fat without excess calories.

What is likely happening and certainly sounds to be the case, is that the medication isn't helping with the depression, quite possibly worsening it, this, as you say reduces motivation and desire to do anything. So you are moving very little and potentially had an appetite increase with the meds too. Those two things very easily cause people to gain weight on lots of different medications. I've been through it myself.

So number one is to speak to your doctor about not having an alleviation in symptoms/worsening and see what your options are. That should be your main focus right now.

Number two is, if you can, put your details in here, pick a low goal, maybe half to a pound a week and do what you can to stay within that goal, no need to be perfect, just try to get into the habit and see what an appropriate number of calories looks like for you.

But to reiterate, see your doctor as a first priority and discuss dosage or change of meds. Do not come off them yourself, you have to be very careful, side effects coming off need to carefully managed.

RodaRose · May 2017

Medications like that have short term and long term side effects -- the long term side effects would stay for as long as you are on the medication.

Unknown · May 2017

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morganfx · May 2017

Disclaimer: I am a psychiatrist and this is not medical advice. It is general information about depression and the treatment of depression. Any treatment decisions should be made jointly between you and your doctor, not people (even psychiatrists) on the interwebz.

One of the symptoms of depression is lack of motivation, so you may need a different antidepressant. However, talk to your doctor about this and the concerns about weight gain; there are some antidepressants that don't cause any weight gain, some that cause weight gain in people who are sensitive to them, and some that cause weight gain in almost everyone who takes them. Sertraline is one of the ones that causes some to gain and not others.

Also, it is absolutely not true that you shouldn't be on an antidepressant for longer than 6 months at a time. It is generally recommended that for a first episode of depression, 9 months to one year is the time after which you can try, with your doctor's oversight, to taper off them. For people who have had more than two episodes, it is extremely likely that they will have more if they do not continue on the medication indefinitely.

That said, psychotherapy is also a really good option for treatment of depression, and may be just as effective as medication for mild to moderate depression. If you have access to a good therapist, please take advantage! They can help you not only get over a depression but also learn the warning signs and the strategies you can use to prevent future episodes, whether you end up needing medication or not.

annacole94 · May 2017

You need to come off slowly and under supervision; if you quit cold turkey, you'll have some pretty rough side effects. Go see your doctor and tell them what you've written here; your treatment plan isn't working for you.

Repeat: don't just quit your meds.

whmscll · May 2017

I am successfully weaning myself off sertraline after having been on it for more than 5 years. I was not on it for depression, though, it was for PMDD. Anyway, it has taken about 3 months so far and I have another several weeks to go. I began taking my regular dose (50 mg) one day, taking half a pill (25 mg) the next day, then alternated like that for a minimum of 4-6 weeks. I'm currently taking the equivalent of half a pill (25 mg) alternating with the dosage equivalent of 1/4 pill (12.5 mg) for another 4-6 weeks. Finally, I will alternate 12.5 mg on one day with no pills the next for my final 4-6 weeks. I ran this plan by my doc and she said fine and wrote me a prescription for lower dosage pills. I have had some minor side effects like mild head zaps for the first weeks after each dosage reduction. When the side effects go away I know I have stabilized to the lower dose and can gonto the next phase of reduction.

RAVERSTACE1983 · May 2017

I'm on sertraline too I gained weight but that was because I wasn't watching what I eat and my lifestyle had changed alot. That made me more depressed. I've lost nearly 2 stone through watching what I eat and giving myself a good kick up the bum to move more so now I'm more active and I feel better. When I've lost abit more weight I will be weaning myself off the sertraline and see how I am.
The bigger I got I didn't want to go anywhere was so ashamed of what I'd become.
I don't do too well with talking to professionals so I opted for the medication started on 50mg now I'm on 100mg but I will be cutting them down to half when I am absolutely sure I'm ready to.

FreyasRebirth · May 2017

I'm on 150 mg and just reached my goal weight, literally today. If it isn't helping at all, I would guess that you need a different medication. I didn't feel great at the initial dosage but noticeably better.

Anti Depressants

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