Paxil and Zoloft

I have a question about zoloft.  I read up about both but am wondering if weight gain is a problem with zoloft.  As for paxil i gained over 25 pounds and now Im trying to lose it and it sure isnt easy.  I found out you don't take zoloft at night but paxil you do.  I have got to lose this weight.

[Armybratt]

I was told by my doctor that the Zoloft should not make you gain weight, I had a similar situation with the Paxil. I told my doctor that I was unhappy with the weight gain that I had with Paxil. And she told to try the Zoloft instead.  However that was almost four years ago, and I was not on the Zoloft nearly as long as I was with the Paxil. But it did help me to get most of the weight I gained off!! Good luck!

[Taybey]

Honest?  Oh that makes me so happy.  How long were you on zoloft?  Did you diet and exersise too?  Im so curious, I need to lose this weight.

[nursegirl6572]

One of the biggest complaints by people on Paxil is weight gain.  I've personally never been on it.  I was on Zoloft years ago for several years, and had no issues with weight gain.  Not to say it isn't possible...but it seems to be less common than with the Paxil for sure.

Give it a try, right?  It certainly can't hurt.

And....lol....I'd rather be fat and anxiety-free if that's what it takes.  LOL.  Just a little funny.

Seriously, tho....give it a shot....and lay off the HO HO's!  ;0) (kidding)

[eronski]

Hello, I have been on Zoloft for nearly 6 months and I too was worried about weight gain...  I haven't gained any weight.  Since I was worried about it I kept good track of my weight and appetite to notice any changes.  It cannot change your metabolisum so the weight gain would be a result of increased appetite and therefore won't "sneak up on you".  You have lots of options - I liked the Zoloft for my anxiety- some claim it doesn't help with GAD but it helped me and many others I know.  I had a problem sleeping for the first month or so - don't worry if you do to.  In my case it passed.  Also lots of doctors keep upping your dose to get to the "Reccomended Dose", in my case 25mgs worked just fine.  So if you don't feel you need to up your dose - trust yourself.  Go with you gut and you'll do fine.

Right now I am weaning off the Zoloft - ready to be Oh Natural again.  Good Luck.  Erin

[Taybey]

That is really good news.  I know I eat too much.  I quit smoking so that didnt help either I gained from that the most.  im on 50 mgs of zoloft the generic and i have only been on it a week and a half.  I feell edgy on it.  With paxil it worked very well except for the gaining of wieght oh and loss of sex drive.  Im praying mine comes back now that im off it.  I know I couldnt sleep either so now im taking it earier in the day and my doc is letting me take two ativans before bed instead of one so now im sleeping fine.  I need to quit eating so much and exersise.  Do appetite surpressants help do you know?

Taybey

[Armybratt]

Yeah, I was only on the Zoloft for about a year, But in the time that I took that I lost almost 65 pounds.  And to be quite honset with you I really did not exercise that much.  I started walking about three times a week and just cut back on the soft drinks, and it just started coming off.  So I really feel like that the change in meds. helped alot. Because i was walking while I was on the Paxil and it just seemed that nothings was happpening.  So I hope that this helps!! And again I wish you the Best of Luck! I am sure that it will help you get to were feel better too!!!

[Taybey]

Well I would love to walk but no body to walk with and im out in the county and well to put it mildly im scared.  There are too many bad things going on in the world today.  I just cant wait to lose the weight.  I dont drink soda if I do its diet.  Mostly water some fat free milk.  Did you diet?

[eronski]

Hello again, as far as appetite suppressants - I am not sure, never taken them.  

When I was having trouble sleeping I would even get up at 4:00 to take my pill hoping that the "hyper" effects would ware off.  I actually think it may have helped.  My doctor gave me Xanax (similar to Ativan) to sleep but I was too scared I would get addicted so I took Melatonin instead and I think that helped too.  I too, was very agitated at first but not anymore.

Also, the sex drive thing - that has disappeared on the Zoloft, I hate to tell ya.  I have inquired with allot of people about it and sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't, in fact some people say they have an increase in sexual appetite.  Oh well, I guess you have to take the good with the bad.  Good Luck, take care, Erin

[Taybey]

Thank you for responding.  I seem to be getting my sex drive back, at least I have some feelings unlike when on the paxil i had none.  My husband is happy, we have not had sex yet im trying to lose a couple pounds before we do.  It would just make me feel a bit more attractive.  Im 5 7 and weigh 158.  So I dont have a lot to lose but my stomach is bigger than I want it to be.  I know about xamax my daughter is on that.  I am addicted to ativan I have been on it for about 25 years.  So no way can or will I go off it.  You were saying you were agitated at first.  Are you talking about the zoloft?