weight gain

i have been on 20 mg paxil for 10 years. has been a good medicine for me, but i have gained a lot of weight in my mid section....i am wanting to know what other med i can take, that will not put so much weight on me. i have been told that prozac is ok and will not add weight. i also had a friend who was on paxil 20 mg. her doctor switched her avitan, and she loast 25 lbs. she is doing great. will this help me.

[cj29]

Ativan is in a totally different class of medicaitons and is only prescribed in the very short term.  People react to meds in different ways.  Some people complain about weight gain while on SSRIs like Paxil and others even complain about weight loss.  What has been really helpful for me is ensuring that I watch what I eat and exercise regularly.  Remember, quite often, or weight gain has more to do with our lifestyle than what we are taking sometimes in my experience.  Do you exercise regularly and watch what you eat?  Keep us posted!

[Paxiled]

Paxil is notorious for weight gain.  I gained 50 pounds on it and couldn't lose it.  But this could happen with other medications as well, so you have to balance the benefits and costs.  Other meds might not work, and you'll have to go through getting off Paxil after such a long period of use.  Prozac is said to not have the weight gain problem, but if your problem is anxiety, Prozac probably won't be as good.  No way of knowing, but that's generally true.  Lexapro also is known for fewer side effects, but it has its effects and it might not work for you and it too can cause weight gain.  The question is, do you still need the Paxil after 10 years?  If you're not cured of the underlying condition, it's probably easier to stay on it and try radically changing your diet and exercise patterns, but don't expect much success -- different psychiatrists always told me there was nothing to be done about it, and I was a big exerciser and didn't change my diet, which was good, at all and still gained over the years.

[Rebekah72]

I agree with Paxiled, although I gained my weight on Lexapro.  I've been on Paxil now for, wow, probably 4 years or more? and have been able to maintain my weight but i'm still huge.

Honestly, if you look at the way you're eating, its probably more to do with diet and exercise than the medication.  If it works don't fix it is always my motto.  I've been on some anti d's that nearly took me to the brink, when you find what works don't change that, even if it does add a pound or so more.

At least that's my 2 cents.