Losing weight after Sertraline?

jasminemycat · February 2012

Does anyone have a success story losing weight after having been on Sertraline (Zoloft) or another similar drug (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) ?

Did you gain weight while taking it? How long did it take to lose it after stopping the drug?

I am at the point of total frustration, gained 15+ pounds on the drug while eating well and exercising rigorously. I can barely keep my weight from going any higher. Ugh.

Thank you!

Angellore · February 2012

Hi

I'm on sertraline, have been for about 2 years. I take 100mg a day. Before that I was taking citalapram. I gained my weight before I was on the meds, when I was suffering with depression and anxiety. I changed from the Citalapram because it made me feel like a zombie, but since going onto the Sertraline I feel far more balanced and have lost 30lbs here since June last year. I don;t think the sertraline has hindered me, and I find that eating well and exercising helps lift my moods even more. Sorry I can;t be more help. Have you tried discussing this with your doctor? Good luck.

saritabandita · February 2012

I've been on Setraline for about 6 years, and I definitely gained weight. I'm sure it wasn't all the Setraline's fault, but since taking it I really slacked off in my eating habits (I sort of slacked off in lots of areas after taking it... sometimes good, sometimes not). My doctor recently added the generic form of Wellbutrin to my Setraline. I feel like the combination as worked well for me, making me feel more balanced in all areas, including making good food & exercise choices. Maybe it's just coincidence... or maybe it's not. Good luck!!

jasminemycat · February 2012

Thanks so much for the responses! Sertraline definitely brought me back to life, but I am convinced that it also made me gain weight. I have been on it for 18 months and am at my highest weight now (apart from being pregnant), even though I have been more zealous with watching what I eat than ever, and am exercising more than I ever did in my life.

I finally stopped taking Sertraline with the doc's blessing about 3 weeks ago (withdrawal is a whole different subject). I am now totally meds-free!! Woo-hoo. The extra weight is still not budging, so I guess I just need to be patient and hope it will clear out of my system soon.

Rach0525 · February 2012

I stopped taking sertraline in September. It caused me to gain 15+ lbs. I did not start seeing any results from working out till December and it is still a slow process. I have lost 5-7 lbs. I still have another 20 to lose though because I took it for PPD so it just added to the baby weight. I can see the results by inches more than anything. Just know that it is going to take time and do not beat yourself up for it. I would also recommend taking a super B complex vitamin. It helps with moods and help correct your metabolism. I start p90x in 2 weeks. I think that since I have corrected my metabolism and the meds are completely out of my system I am going to see the results I am looking for. You got this. Stay positive and keep up the work. It will come off!

LGearheart · February 2012

I am in the same boat as you! I had my son in July and they put me on Zoloft because with my daughter I had gotten PPD. I have since gained about 7 pounds (all in my stomach) since taking it through the summer. That may not sound like alot but I am really small framed so it shows. I was skinnier after I had my son than I am now. I just stopped taking Zolof completely t about a week and a half ago and I am having severe withdrawal symptoms. I did taper two weeks prior. I have been working out everyday for almost a month and besides some arm and leg toning my fat has not moved on my tummy! So I am right there with you and hopefully will start seeing results soon. It is very frustrating.

toolcreep9 · February 2013

I have a question about coming off Zoloft for you all...can you tell me all of the specific withdrawal symptoms each of you had or are having? I have been having some unexplainable symptoms and am wondering if they are a result of my taking myself off Zoloft recently.

Thanks for your help!!

P.S. I gained at least 7 pounds since starting Zoloft a few months ago and that's WITH improving my diet and exercise habits. I am hopeful that after having eliminated the most stressful elements in my life and having left Zoloft behind me that I will lose that extra weight. I have a "little skeleton" (my silly way of saying small and short frame) and the extra weight really "POPS" out on me

Davina_JH · February 2013

OMG!! I gained 30 lbs. while taking it...then I got pregnant! Can you believe it??!!! Weight was making me more depressed and I got off it. I'm fine now...Working on getting back to that pre-zoloft weight.
I don't know why everyone in the medical community refuses to acknowledge weight gain as a side effect!!!! I have done a lot of research online and it has happened to a lot of people. Just keep working hard. Best wishes to you in your happiness and health! :flowerforyou:

Davina_JH · February 2013

I have a question about coming off Zoloft for you all...can you tell me all of the specific withdrawal symptoms each of you had or are having? I have been having some unexplainable symptoms and am wondering if they are a result of my taking myself off Zoloft recently.

Thanks for your help!!

P.S. I gained at least 7 pounds since starting Zoloft a few months ago and that's WITH improving my diet and exercise habits. I am hopeful that after having eliminated the most stressful elements in my life and having left Zoloft behind me that I will lose that extra weight. I have a "little skeleton" (my silly way of saying small and short frame) and the extra weight really "POPS" out on me

I weaned off very quickly. I was DONE with zoloft and what it was doing to my body. The side effects were AWFUL. Electric-shock like feelings...like little zaps. I believe I was nauseous and dizzy too. It was hell, but WELL worth not being on it any more!!!

BunkyBumBum · February 2013

To the person asking about Zoloft withdrawal symptoms:

I was on it for 8 years (100mg), I recently switched to Wellbutrin because of some side effects of Zoloft that I won't discuss here. Before switching to Wellbutrin I was off Zoloft for a bit over 2 months (change in doctors). After about 4 days I started getting this weird feeling in my skull, the best way to describe it would be almost a sound more than a sensation, of someone squirting a spray bottle in my head. It wasn't painful and it wasn't constant, but it sure was annoying and I can't describe it better than that because it was really a strange sensation and it went on for quite awhile after I was off the medication. After about a week I started to get really foggy and just couldn't think, but after about 2 weeks off it I felt okay, despite those head sensations.

It's not addictive, so you don't have withdrawal like that, it's more because your body is adjusting back to its "normal". If you went on another medication right away you may not have any symptoms.

Also, I gained weight on Zoloft, not BECAUSE of Zoloft, but I'm sure it helped the weight come on in addition to my own bad habits. Stopping the medication isn't going to make the weight fall off. And it's not impossible to lose weight while I Zoloft (I lost 70 pounds of the weight I gained while taking Zoloft, then gained back 10 of that over the last year which I am now working on losing).

I'm on Wellbutrin right now, the equivalent dosage (100mg Zoloft = 300mg Wellbutrin) wasn't working very well so now I'm on 450mg, I can't say that it has helped much so far because I've only been on the increased dosage for a week. I will say, however, that the first week or two of Wellbutrin is hard. It really is a situation of "it gets worse before it gets better". I'm up at night a lot, I'm irritable and emotional. But, since this happened when I first started the 300mg and it went away, I know it's only temporary and then hopefully I'll start seeing some improvement.

marathon_mama · February 2013

I was on it for PPd but I lost weight immediately. I had to go off because of it.

toolcreep9 · February 2013

Thanks for the responses!!

Bunky BB, I think I know what you might be referring to about the nondiscussable side effects of sertraline....if so, I am already seeing improvement in that area as well since I've stopped taking the meds.

All, At first, I experienced irritability and depression, but all that has subsided and now all that I'm having is a tense feeling in my head (no zaps or spray sounds....yet...) and this aggravating lightheadedness. I am hopeful after reading your posts that this will subside withing another week or two.

Marathon Mama, I am not sure why some people gain weight on sertraline and some people lose weight. Maybe it's because some people "stress eat" so that when they start taking the meds and become less stressed they actually stop that extra eating and lose weight. Then, maybe some people experience a loss of appetite when they are anxious or depressed and get a heartier appetite after they start taking the meds so that they gain weight. I definitely eat healthier foods and exercise more and drink a LOT less now than I did before i started taking it, so you would think that if the meds had nothing to do with it, I wouldn't be gaining weight. HOWEVER, I also have low thyroid and have to take a relatively light dose of synthroid every day. Maybe the hypothryroidism along with the sertraline have ganged up on me? I guess there is no "cut and dry" answer because everyone is different in how their bodies cope with each med.

I'm over it, though....so I'm gonna try to stick it out

If things get too bad mentally, I'll get back on the meds, but I can handle the physical annoyances for now. Thanks again for your time and sharing your experience

briannadunn · February 2013

I was on Zoloft for a few months and actually lost weight very easily, but my doctor said if I start gaining weight that I should stop taking it and we will try something else because it would mean that I am having an allergic reaction to the drug.

chunkydunk714 · February 2013

I wanted to post here because I'm in the similar situation. Not with zoloft but with prozac. I've gained a crap load of weight and just this week decided to come off of it. The weight gain was making me more depressed than ever....so I hope im making the right decision. I already feel the withdrawl symptoms...no bueno.

Like you all, I hope to see the weight come off! Good luck everyone

Twiggy175 · February 2013

I never had any problems with my weight then I put on two stones in weight due to taking SSRI antidepressants.. I stopped taking them 2 yrs ago to date and I have lost most of the weight now..only 6 pounds to go to my pre antidepressant weight.
It's been a tough long journey. Personally I can live with depression easier than the side effects of antidepressants...I know they work wonders for some people though.

Good luck to everyone

wibutterflymagic · February 2013

I've been on it for many years. I've always been overweight to some point so I don't know if it effected me or not. Still on it and you can see I've lost almost 15lbs.

ness_ · February 2013

I have now been on Zoloft & Sertaline for about 14 months. I had been mostly maintaining my weight...which was creeping up very slowly. Then in Oct last year I had a hysterectmy well with that all my hormones changed for the worst.
I have now gained 10kg (22pounds) & am the heaviest I've ever been.
My diet is pretty much plant based, with no dairy or meat. I've been excercising also. I feel it's time to wean off this drug (hopefully once & for all) as with my weight going up it's making me more depressed.
I'm currently on 100mg & will be cutting it back by half as of tomorrow.
How long did you have withdrawl side effects for as you were decreasing your dosage?
It's time to take control of me again!

reshie2000 · March 2013

I have been on Zoloft for pmdd for many yrs (10+). I noticed when my dose increases from 50 to 75mg...I gained about 10lbs right away. Now my doc cut me back to 50mg again...I hope the weight will come right off. I plan to start weaning off it slowly...any idea how long the weight loss can show? Has any one experienced weight change only when dose increase?

ericnealdavis · March 2013

I was on Zoloft for many years and I also gained a lot of weight, but my lifestyle also changed as I went from a moderately active job to a sedentary one. I eventually got to a point with zoloft where it was no longer working for me. I am now taking Vibryd and it is doing a great job! I am way more even-keeled, i'm sleeping better and I have been able to lose weight easily so far. Vibryd is one of the new generation depression meds and according to my doctor it has less side effects than some of the older medications like zoloft, wellbutrin and effexor.

lesliev523 · March 2013

I am on Lexipro... which is a little different. I have actually lost weight since starting. I think it is because when I am depressed or have anxiety, I tend to eat.... ALOT.

red9812 · March 2013

Now that I think about it, I guess I have been on Sertraline for almost 3 years now. I haven't had any issues with weight. I have put on a few pounds since then, but I would definitely blame other things like being less active, not the meds.

As far as withdrawal, there was a time I just kind of forgot to take my meds for a while, and my first symptom was light headedness. From going up stairs, standing up, etc. As soon as I figured it out and took my meds, I was fine. I'm concerned though once I go off for good about the zapping side effect that people have mentioned!

clairecooper36 · April 2013

Hi. I have been on sertraline for about 5mths and increasdd to 100mg near 2mths. I have gained weight rapidly in this time and am now 2 dress sizes bigger. I walk 5 mile aday and run around after my 18mth old and have a balanced diet. I am at the biggest I have ever been apart from during pregnancy. My motivation levels are low due to constant tiredness. I feel spaced out most of the time and my memory is shocking. I have had a number of other problems/side effects ...so all in all these meds make me feel worse. I tried a few weeks ago to come off the tablets but made me feel my head was disconnected from my body and palpitations.

rahlpn · April 2013

Hello. I started taking it right after my daughter was born (post partum anxiety and OCD) so around April of 2011, I took it all of 2011 and more than halfway though 2012, a little over a year and gained over 30 lbs in that time frame. I weaned myself off of it and have been fine! I'm no longer STARVING all the time like I was while taking it. I have also been eating healthier and caring more about myself and getting in my exercise, my "me time" because I feel important enough now. I have lost 33 lbs since January first and still have over 50 to get to my goal. You CAN do it!

ladyshands · April 2013

I am so glad I am not alone! when my daughter was about 6 months old, my ob put me on this drug to battle postpartum depression... All the weight I lost breastfeeding came back in what seemed like DAYS... I put on about 12 pounds and that sucked! I weaned myself off of it and have started back exercising... It was a great drug other than that... great sleep, a carefree mood about everything.. but I would eat everything I saw!

ladyshands · April 2013

Hello. I started taking it right after my daughter was born (post partum anxiety and OCD) so around April of 2011, I took it all of 2011 and more than halfway though 2012, a little over a year and gained over 30 lbs in that time frame. I weaned myself off of it and have been fine! I'm no longer STARVING all the time like I was while taking it. I have also been eating healthier and caring more about myself and getting in my exercise, my "me time" because I feel important enough now. I have lost 33 lbs since January first and still have over 50 to get to my goal. You CAN do it!

LOVE THIS!!!^^^^^^^

Such inspiration! And you know, what I have found is that a good workout provides the same effects on the brain and body as this medication... plus you will look better (in my own experience). I wish I had figured that out before taking this drug.

stephanj · April 2013

I have been on it for years, and it isn't affecting me in that way, that's not to say it can't though, I have heard stories along those lines. I'm also on the lowest done (25? 50?) Look at it this way, though...is having emotional difficulties instead going to make it easier to lose? probably not. I would discuss it with your doc, there might be alternatives.

I haven't successfully come off of it, I am on it longterm at this point (after yoyoing many times) but once I reach goal I may look into talking to a naturopath about alternatives, St. John's wort or 5HTP...
Yah, when I forget to take it, I get a sensation like "bubles" in my head, or popcorn popping, it's weird and I don't like it.

jesskreg · April 2013

I was on Sertaline for about 2 years. It caused me to gain close to 50 lbs. I'll admit that I felt hungry all the time, so I all wanted to do was eat. Anyway... It's been about 4 years since I've stopped taking it and I've lost all of the weight, plus 5 lbs. My goal is to lose 60-65 lbs. The Zoloft was not the only culprit for my weight gain, though. In short, I agree that side effects can cause weight gain. It's great that you are med free! Good luck!

Mharren · April 2013

I presented with severe panic disorder at the age of 7. I simple do not make enough serotonin. It's not an imbalance...it's lack of a sufficient monoamine. They finally treated me at 13 with Paxil and then I was switched to Sertraline at 14 (25mg) and that was never an issue. But then I smoked some laced marijuana and something changed. I wad admitted to hospital and they had to jack up my dose to 200mg (the legal max here). I was 16. While the weight gain expected from an SSRI is small in comparison to what is reported by users, I didn't develop a weight issue until the meds. Its not all the meds of course, I have been very fit while on them in the last 11 years, but it certainly took much more effort. Exercise seemed to matter more than calories, where as before Zoloft exercise didn't really matter, but calories did.

Regardless, when going through the dissassociative panic cycles where I got maybe 10 min of semi-calm between attacks and I prayed for help and would trade anything....trading my waist line is a small price to pay for sanity, imo.

Revving up cardio seemed to help the most for me when losing and/or maintaining weight while on Zoloft. I could eat less than 400cal a day and gain weight, or eat 4000cal a day while running in the mornings and be fine.

Cheers,
- Mharren

rahlpn · April 2013

Hello. I started taking it right after my daughter was born (post partum anxiety and OCD) so around April of 2011, I took it all of 2011 and more than halfway though 2012, a little over a year and gained over 30 lbs in that time frame. I weaned myself off of it and have been fine! I'm no longer STARVING all the time like I was while taking it. I have also been eating healthier and caring more about myself and getting in my exercise, my "me time" because I feel important enough now. I have lost 33 lbs since January first and still have over 50 to get to my goal. You CAN do it!

LOVE THIS!!!^^^^^^^

Such inspiration! And you know, what I have found is that a good workout provides the same effects on the brain and body as this medication... plus you will look better (in my own experience). I wish I had figured that out before taking this drug.

Thank you! And yes, working out gives me such a mood and confidence boost! Makes me realise that making time for myself to get healthier is helping my whole family in the long run because I will have more energy to use around them and be a happier mommy at the same time

vegannewbie12 · April 2013

bump

SoViLicious · April 2013

I lost weight actually.

Losing weight after Sertraline?

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