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Lexapro weight gain

by Mrs. Taylor, Mar 16, 2007 12:00AM
I am on lexapro right i am 20. I have never been more than 115lbs untill i started to take lexapro I am 165lbs it is really sad I joined a gym an I try to eat right but it is really hard to lose these unwanted pounds that i but on while on this med please help!!!      
Member Comments (5)

by Rockrgrrl, Mar 16, 2007 12:00AM
To: Mrs. Taylor
This an an unfortunate side effect for many on these types of meds.  It's hard to feel better when you're gaining weight for no reason, as well. Try speaking with your doc. Discuss your concerns and perhaps he/she can offer alternatives.  They can try other meds but most have always kept a large amount of weight on me.  Please don't stop taking your meds for the sake of losing weight w/o your docs input. IYou must be weined of these meds. Good luck.

by dp101, Mar 16, 2007 12:00AM
Lexapro was the down fall for me as well.  I was on it for four years and I had gained 40+ pounds.  I talked to my doctor several times about the weight gain and all she would tell me was that you turned 40 and things start to slow down and you normally put on weight.  After doing some research I found out that most people that are on or were on Lexapro or Paxil gain on average of 10 pounds per year!  I went off of it completely as of 2/19 and as of today I have lost 18 pounds, it took me about four weeks to completely go off, but it is well worth it.  I would strongly suggest talking with your doctor finding out the way to get off of those pills.

by mvplady, Mar 17, 2007 12:00AM
To: anyone
I have been on anti ocd meds for years, like anafranil, zoloft, and now I am on luvox.  I am taking 200 mgs. and I have gained so much weight.  I used to be 137 pounds about 7 years ago and now I am 191.  I am 5'5".  This is ridiculous and embarrassing and could potentially be dangerous for my health. #1 I have future in-laws who at times, ask me about my weight because they've seen older pics of me when I was a lot slimmer and wonder what happened to me.  I know this is rude, intrusive, and none of their business.  But, what do I say to them?  It is none of their business that I am on meds.  I also feel too embarrassed to be in front of them at times.  These women are tiny Filipinas.  I am a white girl.  I really don't know how to handle this.  They are nice to me, other than that.  Maybe they feel like I am a sister/daughter already.

Also my psych. told me that this med doesn't make me gain weight, which I know isn't true.  I exercise 3 times a week at Curves and don't eat like a huge pig.  I am determined to lose weight.  I am going to tell her again.  I totally want off this med, but I won't do it before I get married because it's already stressful enough.  I don't need to add more stress right now.  I just feel unnattractive.  My fiance, by the way, is great!  He loves me for the way I am now.  He too, has a weight problem and gets ribbing by his family.  Does anybody have any suggestions for weight loss?  I have tried literally everything and have pretty much given up.

by Rockrgrrl, Mar 17, 2007 12:00AM
To: all
Psychiatrists seem to tell you anything but the truth with respect to these meds and weight gain.  One actually told me I was eating more because I felt better.  I laughed...then fired him!  Just because folks have some issues, doesn't mean we're stupid.  

Everytime I went off these meds I'd drop 40 lbs in 2 to 3 months with NO change in diet/exercise.  Some people do need to stay on meds over the course of their life and one shouldn't stop taking them suddenly before consulting.  For many, it's just a temporary thing.  Discuss these issues with your doc.  If they are handing you a line of ****, look for someone differant who may be more sensitive to your needs and concerns.  Remember, too, that docs receive major perks from the drug companies to precribe their meds.

Bottom line..... find someone who truly cares.

by misled, Mar 26, 2007 12:00AM
To: All of you who are suffering from weight gain
First of all I have to say I'm so glad I found this site and realize that I'm not crazy. Of course the doctors and all the "clinical" research will say Lexapro will not cause weight gain and only 10% noted weight gain. BUT, they are wrong. Look how many of us are writting in. It's really sad.  I have another friend who is losing her mind over the weight gain and it's further depressed her.

I took myself off the Lexapro a week ago. I am having some withdrawl symptoms but I just think about the weight gain and I am happy to go thru this period of withdrawl. I am 5 foot 6 and weighed 116 for years. I started taking Paxill then Lexapro 3 years ago. As a result, I got up to 127.  This is a lot for me especially given that I have suffered from eating disorders for a good portion of my life since 12 years old. I have had to fight my way to 124 and am so depressed. I work out about 6 days a week which includes an hour of cardio and weigh training. Still I am hardly making headway. I am so obsessed and upset with this that it's affecting my marriage. I just can't stand myself.

The good news is this: I went on line to a site www.theroadback.org/weight_loss.htm

I found it very interesting and upsetting. Glad to see we're not crazy and that it is the meds that are responsible for this weight gain. However, I'm livid at my OB. I was prescribed the Paxil for PMS!  My dr. knew I was very weight conscious AND I have insulin intolerance and Hypo Thyroid both for which I take meds (Glucophage and Synthroid). Well, if you read the article on the above website it discusses how these drugs really alter your insulin and mess with your metabolism. I was livid!  Happy to find the site but livid.

I must be obsessed as I've been up since 3am trying to find help to lose this weight and hoping I haven't done permanent damage.

I'm also mad at my endocrinologist. I see him for my Hypothyroid and Insulin Intolerance. For about 2 years I've been complaining about weight gain and being tired.  He KNOWS I have been on Lexapro and Paxil. He never once mentioned it could be those drugs. All he'd say is based upon my blood tests that my throid and blood sugar results were within the normal range. This last time I was at the bottom of the range for my Thyroid tests. I hope I haven't done any permanent damage.

Why didn't my endocrinologist say anything?  Was he worried to suggest that it was the Paxil or Lexapro ? I guess there may be some liability there but my gosh. He should have suggested that could be the cause and to read up on it.

All for PMS.

I'll let you know how my weightloss goes with the suggestions of the roadback website. It just discusses the issues with these meds/why we do gain weight and what we can do about it thru natural means. They don't sell anything.  It will take you to links if you want to buy the vitamins but that's it.

I would suggest printing the article and discussing it with your dr who prescribes your meds before you do anything.

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