Getting fit while taking antidepressant/antianxiety medicati

ojell · March 2012

I posted this in the introducation forum. I'm not really sure where to post it, but I really like to learn more.

I've always heard that people gain weight while taking these medications, but why is that?

Is it possible to NOT gain weight, and continue to LOSE weight or do the medications themselves cause something to change in your body making it more difficult?

autumnk921 · March 2012

Bumping this so that I can find out some answers as well....Thanks for asking this..

profebarnes · March 2012

I started my medication about 2 months ago and I've still been losing weight. I haven't noticed a change in my eating or hunger levels because of it. Hope the same holds true for you!

KarenT45 · March 2012

I have been on antianxiety meds for about 14 years after the diagnosis of autism with my son.
If you follow the plan, weight will come off no matter what.
It may not come off as fast as others but that could be a difference in metabolism, not necessarily because of the meds.
Good luck. We CAN do this!!!

badgerbadger1 · March 2012

There's no reason you can't lose weight while on these medications. The weight gain is behaviour based, not due to the meds IMO.

ojell · March 2012

Ok That's GREAT news!

Thanks guys! I've just worked so hard to get to where I am, and I still have a lot of work to do! It's been hard enough as it is, I don't want it to be any harder! lol

EBFNP · March 2012

Some antidepressants increases your appetite. I would check with your doctor or pharmacist about potential side effects.

lunamare · March 2012

I'd do some research into what the different side effects are before you start any medication. I know that there are some that do not affect your appetite and some that do. If I remember right, Wellbutrin is one of the ones that doesn't typically cause weight gain. Best of luck! Exercise is also a great for boosting your mood

LavenderChamomile · March 2012

There's no reason you can't lose weight while on these medications. The weight gain is behaviour based, not due to the meds IMO.

I disagree. I gained 60 pounds in a matter of months while on Zoloft, and I wasn't eating any differently. Even after I started eating better and making an effort to be healthy, I still gained on Zoloft. I wasn't able to lose weight until I stopped taking it. It probably would have been possible, but very very difficult.

bluberrygoo · March 2012

I've been on antidepressants for 11 years and I have never gained weight on them, and my dosage is pretty high. Not including the weight I've gained from pregnancies.

Breezedew · March 2012

I'm on Celexa and fully expected to gain a ton of weight as everyone said. I started in December 2011 and am down 35lbs since then. I feel my brain can now plan and control better what I am eating. I plan and follow through, which I never did before. I can focus and I feel so much better.

I talked in length about it before I started this medication with my therapist and she said if it is the right medicine for me and we watch it closely I should have no problem losing weight. And it has been true even after upping the dose.

I also exercise daily now and before I couldn't even get out of bed or off the couch to do it.

So I would definitely talk to your doc and not consider the side effects list as concrete for EVERYONE. I am one that if I read a side effect I believe I'll get it. Now I'm in control of my actions and those thoughts, so it's MUCH better for me.

Now I feel I can go all the way!

songbyrdsweet · March 2012

I've been on Celexa for over a year and have been able to lose weight. I'm also on Wellbutrin and have been for about 6 months, and that has actually helped me. Celexa made me very tired, almost TOO relaxed. The Wellbutrin keeps my energy levels normal so I am motivated to work out.

dougii · March 2012

I was on Mirtazapine and gained weight as well as experiencing other not so nice side effects. Now on Welbutrine and have lost 27 pounds. One more month and the Welburtine goes away too

Next I am going to try to get rid of the blood pressure pills (with doctor guidance of course). All drugs effect individuals differently so you should definately be talking to your physician about all side effects.

badgerbadger1 · March 2012

There's no reason you can't lose weight while on these medications. The weight gain is behaviour based, not due to the meds IMO.

I disagree. I gained 60 pounds in a matter of months while on Zoloft, and I wasn't eating any differently. Even after I started eating better and making an effort to be healthy, I still gained on Zoloft. I wasn't able to lose weight until I stopped taking it. It probably would have been possible, but very very difficult.

Sorry you've had that experience. I'm on high dosages of both Wellbutrin and Zoloft and they haven't affected my weight loss at all.

songbyrdsweet · March 2012

I was on Mirtazapine and gained weight as well as experiencing other not so nice side effects. Now on Welbutrine and have lost 27 pounds. One more month and the Welburtine goes away too Next I am going to try to get rid of the blood pressure pills (with doctor guidance of course). All drugs effect individuals differently so you should definately be talking to your physician about all side effects.

Agreed. My doc was hesitant to put me on Wellbutrin because I had a history of disordered eating and it can be an appetite suppressant.

hollyberry2012 · March 2012

I just got back from the doctor last week, and we were talking about this very subject.. We laughed actually because ...anti-anxiety meds are sometimes seratonin re-uptake inhibitors. But food increases the seratonin level in the brain as well..giving it a jolt every time you eat... that's why the doctor will tell you to have a good meal first when you are depressed. Just to see if it helps...

I've been on Paxil for years. The minute I went on it...I started losing...it took the place of the food I was using to keep the seratonin levels up in my brain...I lost 90lbs right away... I kept it off until I started doing the wrong things eating wise, socializing wise, everything wise... I knew it wasn't the meds..it was ME..and I took responsibility for it.

but I can understand when a person starts to feel happy and excited for a new non-depressed life, they will start to socialize and start to either make good or bad choices. And that can override any medication.

That is just my experience. But talking it over with my doctor the other day, he said he wished his other patients could see it from that point of view.. and that it makes scientific sense.

Abrowe313 · March 2012

like any medication they effect everybody differently. i have been on anti anxiety/ depression medicine since i was 15 from prozac,to paxil, ativan, and xanax. and i gained weight. but i think its because those kind of meds are made to calm,, so it cuts your energy waay down especially if you are on xanax or anything like that because they are tranquilizers its hard to get up and exercise when you have no energy . talk to your dr. and ask if you can be put on something else or maybee cut the dosage. my dr just gave me the green light to stop taking my meds for the 1st time in almost 20 years

jsolar79 · March 2012

There's no reason you can't lose weight while on these medications. The weight gain is behaviour based, not due to the meds IMO.

I respectfully disagree with this too. I followed Weight Watchers while I was on Zoloft for several months and lost nothing, then I was switched to wellbutrin and followed the same plan, same amount of exercise and I ended up losing close to 65 lbs in 10 months. I truly think it depends on your body chemistry. Each person is so unique, a medication that may make person A gain weight, won't necessarily have the same effect on person B. My hubby is a Physician Assistant and we have had many conversations about this. He said his patients all experience different side effects some gain some lose, some stay the same when starting certain SSRI's. Just have to find what works for you!!!

kaned_ferret · March 2012

I'm currently on Mirtazapine (since dec '11) and prior to that was taking Escitalopram (from feb '11). I did put on weight from the feb to the dec, then in december I put on a good stone in a matter of weeks - though I don't think this was a side effect of the medication, the fact is, due to my horrendous state of anxiety (work-induced stress) I went from being active, to totally sedentary, and still eating and drinking fair amounts. So the gain wasn't medication related I don't think, just a lack of control on my part (which I didn't even realise was a problem til I found MFP and started to work it all out in the new year!)

I'm still on the Mirtazipine, and I have lost some weight now that I am watching the calories and upping the exercise, so I'm hoping I'll do alright. I'm also on the pill atm, which again I know can make you put on weight, which I strongly suspect to be the case.

Still, the medication is not stopping me from getting fit in the slightest, I'm making myself get up and motivated. It's all I have at the minute so I'm not letting go!

becoming_a_new_me · March 2012

Because the entire purpose of an anti-depressant is to alter the brain chemistry, and everyone's chemistry is unique, everyone will have different results. Since hunger, cortisol production, and fat-burning hormones are regulated by the brain, it is understandable that there will be some who lose and some who gain with no diet changes. Another thing that can happen with some anti-depressants is increased hunger and sleep-eating. Check with your doctor if you notice a gain without any diet or activity changes.

ojell · March 2012

I just got back from the doctor last week, and we were talking about this very subject.. We laughed actually because ...anti-anxiety meds are sometimes seratonin re-uptake inhibitors. But food increases the seratonin level in the brain as well..giving it a jolt every time you eat... that's why the doctor will tell you to have a good meal first when you are depressed. Just to see if it helps...

I've been on Paxil for years. The minute I went on it...I started losing...it took the place of the food I was using to keep the seratonin levels up in my brain...I lost 90lbs right away... I kept it off until I started doing the wrong things eating wise, socializing wise, everything wise... I knew it wasn't the meds..it was ME..and I took responsibility for it.

but I can understand when a person starts to feel happy and excited for a new non-depressed life, they will start to socialize and start to either make good or bad choices. And that can override any medication.

That is just my experience. But talking it over with my doctor the other day, he said he wished his other patients could see it from that point of view.. and that it makes scientific sense.

This is what I wondered as well. My own mother has taken meds and before she started them she had lost a lot of weight, and then when she started them she gained about 20lbs right off the bat. So, she is one of the people who have made me believe I would gain weight from the meds. So, just the other day, I asked her if she still ate right and exercised after starting them and she said no. So it really got me thinking.

kenzienmady3 · March 2012

I've been on Zoloft for about 3.5 years. I gain and lose as normal.

mdj1501 · March 2012

I'm on Celexa and fully expected to gain a ton of weight as everyone said. I started in December 2011 and am down 35lbs since then. I feel my brain can now plan and control better what I am eating. I plan and follow through, which I never did before. I can focus and I feel so much better.

I talked in length about it before I started this medication with my therapist and she said if it is the right medicine for me and we watch it closely I should have no problem losing weight. And it has been true even after upping the dose.

I also exercise daily now and before I couldn't even get out of bed or off the couch to do it.

So I would definitely talk to your doc and not consider the side effects list as concrete for EVERYONE. I am one that if I read a side effect I believe I'll get it. Now I'm in control of my actions and those thoughts, so it's MUCH better for me.

Now I feel I can go all the way!

WTG! You are definitely an inspiration!

mdj1501 · March 2012

There's no reason you can't lose weight while on these medications. The weight gain is behaviour based, not due to the meds IMO.

I respectfully disagree with this too. I followed Weight Watchers while I was on Zoloft for several months and lost nothing, then I was switched to wellbutrin and followed the same plan, same amount of exercise and I ended up losing close to 65 lbs in 10 months. I truly think it depends on your body chemistry. Each person is so unique, a medication that may make person A gain weight, won't necessarily have the same effect on person B. My hubby is a Physician Assistant and we have had many conversations about this. He said his patients all experience different side effects some gain some lose, some stay the same when starting certain SSRI's. Just have to find what works for you!!!

As a nurse... I totally agree with you. Everyone is different. Check with your doctor about possible side effects, etc . Best of Luck to you!!

here_I_go_again · March 2012

I posted this in the introducation forum. I'm not really sure where to post it, but I really like to learn more.

I've always heard that people gain weight while taking these medications, but why is that?

Is it possible to NOT gain weight, and continue to LOSE weight or do the medications themselves cause something to change in your body making it more difficult?

My medication increases my appetite and I gained weight, BUT eating clean has helped me to keep it in check and am losing weight, slowly, but surely. If you stick to your plan, IMO, you should be fine.

MorissaW · March 2012

I am on Wellbutrin. It has helped supress my appietite and control impulsive eating.
It also gives me the energy that I did not have before.
I just started this med 3 weeks ago and I am down 5lbs. I have been working out and following a diet plan as well though. I think the wellbutrin has just given me back the energy I needed!

StephTheBookworm · March 2012

Five years ago, I started taking generic Prozac... I also gained 100 pounds in the last five years, a lot of which I attribute to the medication. Obviously, my eating habits and laziness added to it, but the medication was one of the main factors. Weight gain CAN be a bad side effect, unfortunately. However, not everyone gains weight that is on it, so it really just depends on you and how you react to it. Two months ago, when I became serious about losing weight, I stopped my medication. Do what is right for you, and remember that it may react differently to your body than it did to mine.

sukatx · March 2012

I can only speak for myself. When I went to my doctor for the first time (I'd moved to a new city and needed a new GP), I first shared with him the list of medications I was on. I then talked to him about my desire to lose weight. He said, "Well, I'll tell ya' part of the problem. Your Cymbalta."

He switched me to Welbuterin right away. While I was going through withdrawals, I was a major pain in the butt to my hubby. Once the withdrawal was over and I got back to "normal", I started losing weight normally.

So, I guess what I'm saying is, it depends on what type of antidepressant/antianxiety medication you're on. Talk to your doctor and see if you need to make a switch.

Loseweight1980 · March 2012

In reality, it depends on the person. Each individual will respond to each medication differently. I have many patients who take Zoloft who gained a lot of weight very quickly, and had a hard time getting it off even after they stopped taking the med. Others have taken Zoloft for years, and never had an issue with weight gain. It really depends on your response. And though some of them will increase your appetite, it is mainly the interference with metabolism that causes the most issues. Good luck!

sunnysunday · March 2012

Wellbutrin has been known to help people lose weight but other antidepressants can mess with your metabolism like prozac and cause them to not only gain weight but make it difficult to lose.

merflan · March 2012

So I think the moral of the story is, everyone is different. I gained a lot of weight after starting Cipralex. My weight doesn't budge. But since being on my meds I'm happy and motivated to eat well and exercise. So I try not to focus too much on the weight. Being skinny but suicidal wasn't much fun.

Getting fit while taking antidepressant/antianxiety medicati

Replies

Categories