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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Real talk about antidepressant weight gain
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
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Real talk about antidepressant weight gain
by shade, May 17, 2006 12:00AM
Has anyone ever been in my boat? I have been on some antidepressant/SSRI or another relatively solidly for the past six years. I have been on Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa and am currently on Effexor/Lithium w/Trazadone for sleep. ALL of these drugs made me gain SIGNIFICANT amounts of weight. Prozac and Serzone were weight neutral, but lost effectiveness or didn't work at all. I started antidepressants, at 27, 5'7" and 125 lbs. I am now 33 and weigh 178.
When I have gone off my meds in the past (I used to have a fantasy that I wouldn't need them forever.)or have been transitioning to a new one, I have lost SIGNIFICANT amounts of weight. When I went off Paxil in 2003, I lost 30 pounds in 3 months (and no-- my eating/exercise didn't change). I absolutely know that if I went off my meds right now, I'd lose a lot of weight in a short time. I also know that a deeply debilitating depression would most likely follow at some time and that I'm probably "A Lifer" as far as depression treatment goes.
Yes. I have had my TSH checked for thyroid problems. My doctor will not prescribe Topamax because of the side effects.
I want to scream when I see websites that say just lower your calorie intake and exercise. Yes I do that, but these medications absolutely do something to my body that no amount of diet and exercise seems to offset. Yes! That works for people not on antidepressants and even some who are, but not for everyone. What about us?!! As slender as I was, I could handle even a thirty pound weight gain, but at an extra 53 pounds, I feel huge, unattractive and though its really hard to exercise carrying all this extra weight around, I do. I feel like I'm never going to date again. I hate it! Clothes never look right on me. Adult onset diabetes also runs in my family, not to mention all the other health problems being overweight can bring. For a long time I thought better to be bigger and emotionally healthy than skinny and sick. But it's just gone so far and I just feel hopeless. I think that if something doesn't change it's going to get harder and harder to exercise at all as I get heavier and heavier.
Is there anyone out there who was in a situation like mine, but then found the right medication, supplement, therapy, mindset or medication that actually allowed them to lose weight. Is there some kind of special SSRI blend or new medication that I haven't tried that will stop me from putting on more and more pounds? Please help! I don't know what to do. I need real help. Something that works.
When I have gone off my meds in the past (I used to have a fantasy that I wouldn't need them forever.)or have been transitioning to a new one, I have lost SIGNIFICANT amounts of weight. When I went off Paxil in 2003, I lost 30 pounds in 3 months (and no-- my eating/exercise didn't change). I absolutely know that if I went off my meds right now, I'd lose a lot of weight in a short time. I also know that a deeply debilitating depression would most likely follow at some time and that I'm probably "A Lifer" as far as depression treatment goes.
Yes. I have had my TSH checked for thyroid problems. My doctor will not prescribe Topamax because of the side effects.
I want to scream when I see websites that say just lower your calorie intake and exercise. Yes I do that, but these medications absolutely do something to my body that no amount of diet and exercise seems to offset. Yes! That works for people not on antidepressants and even some who are, but not for everyone. What about us?!! As slender as I was, I could handle even a thirty pound weight gain, but at an extra 53 pounds, I feel huge, unattractive and though its really hard to exercise carrying all this extra weight around, I do. I feel like I'm never going to date again. I hate it! Clothes never look right on me. Adult onset diabetes also runs in my family, not to mention all the other health problems being overweight can bring. For a long time I thought better to be bigger and emotionally healthy than skinny and sick. But it's just gone so far and I just feel hopeless. I think that if something doesn't change it's going to get harder and harder to exercise at all as I get heavier and heavier.
Is there anyone out there who was in a situation like mine, but then found the right medication, supplement, therapy, mindset or medication that actually allowed them to lose weight. Is there some kind of special SSRI blend or new medication that I haven't tried that will stop me from putting on more and more pounds? Please help! I don't know what to do. I need real help. Something that works.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., May 19, 2006 12:00AM
, May 19, 2006 12:00AM
Ask your doctor about wellbutrin, it works and there is no weight gain.
I had EXACTLY the same thing happen on Paxil...started at 31 5'7" and weighed 138...ended up at 34 and weighed 178!!!
Got off that and went ot WB which I lost the weight almost immediately...and like you, didnt do a darn thing different...I know weigh 145 and still need to lose those last 5 to 7 lbs!!
Good luck...can you try the WB...and about those sites telling you to reduce calories and stuff...you can exercise and starve yourself...the weight aint coming off till you get off the meds...at least thats what it was for me...
My goodness...I would walk and jog and lift weights and eat nothing but salads and Slim Fast and GAINED WEIGHT!!!
Good luck to you!
Jo
I know how scary it is to change meds. Do you have any vacation time or something that you can take so you can really focus on getting your meds right and not have to worry about having to show up for work and having something strange happen.
I know how risky changing meds can be. I am super sensitive to meds. The last major depressive episode I had came on a very short time after trying to adjust meds. I think part of the problem is that I tried to cut down on one too fast. (with my doctor's advice) My advice would be to take the change slowly. Share your concerns about anxiety with your doctor.
One of the reasons why I'm choosing now to try to make this change is because I am in education and will be off from early June until mid-August with a few times I can come in throughout the summer. I know that as I switch, I could get sick. Maybe if I do get sick, I'll think differently, but right now it seems worth the risk to me. Right now I'm dealing with 53 extra pounds. Who knows if it's even going to stop here? In my mind even if I have a miserable couple of months, but come out from that with a medication that I can be stable at for many, many years and also be able to maintain a healthy weight, it is worth it! I believe it is worth it and believe me I have been at the lowest lows with depression, even suicidal. I pray that we can be BOTH mentally and physically healthy. Other people with mental illness have been able to. Why not us?
That is great! I didnt mind Paxil except for the weight gain...and I could NOT lost it no matter what I did...
I think about this when I am exercising...because I hate exercising...this will allow me to live longer to be with my kids and family...so suck it up and keep going...and I repeat that over and over to myself...and after about 15 mins I actually feel better!!!
Have a great day!
I really appreciate your comments! As scared as I am about switching meds, I really want to try Welbutrin, although I know that though it worked for you, I still may gain weight.
While my appearance does effect me. I don't enjoy looking like this. I want to try to at least improve my chances of losing weight now before I get to the point of the person who had heart problems. I want to deal with it now before it gets to that point. And while I am motivated by appearance, I am even more motivated by health. I am 20 pounds heavier than the healthy range for my height. The even scarier thing is, I don't know if it will stop here. I may continue to get larger and less healthy if I don't find a solution to this problem.