Wt gain with zoloft and wellbutrin mix

[Gcmouse]

I am a 47 yr Mom of 3 kids and a few yrs ago started Zoloft for general anxiety, perimenoposal symptoms, short temper, etc.  Started gradually and ended up on 150 and worked well, except sexual side effects.  Began wellbutrin just last spring at 150, seemed good, but got tired alot and ended up on 300.  Really helped sexual side effects.  All of a sudden I realize I am up 10 lbs!!  I can not stand it!  My clothes don't fit and it makes me MORE depressed.  I know wellbutrin is not supposed to have wt. gain side effects, but it seems to have with me.  I am sure my hormones at 47 are not helping.  I am thinking I will stop the wellbutrin and see what happens, though it will be a bummer with all the sexual side effects of the zoloft alone and I hope I am not so tired.  I am thinking of stopping the wellbutrin cold turkey, as I have not been on it that long...6 mos. and I am still on the zoloft.  Any ideas, suggestions???

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

why don't you think re quitting the zoloft and keeping the wellbutrin...that sounds more reasonable. you get some help with emotional eating at www.masteringfood.com

if you quit, the conservative thing to do is diminish dosage over 3 weeks so taking only lowest dosage every third day in third week before you stop.

[Gcmouse]

But I did not gain weight til I started the Wellbutrin.  And everything was ok on the Zoloft, except sexual side effects.  I was told that the wellbutrin would not alone help my anxiety.

[leigh47]

I'm sorry that you are having problems. It's confusing because of the possible side effects of the antidepressants. I know that one person can have one side effect and someone else may not have that same side effect but a different one.

I was on Zoloft and gained 7 pounds in a week! And that was with working out at the gym 4 days! When I was on Wellbutrin I lost a few pounds. I have found that Wellbutrin doesn't help too much with anxiety.

When a woman reaches a certain age, it is very difficult to keep the weight off.(I know because I am 57!)But with exercise, it can be done and the exercise really does help with anxiety and depression, too.

Good luck!

[suzyb59]

I to was on Zoloft and I gained 40 lbs over a period of 8 months,,, Your not suppose to go off cold turkey but I did and I lost is all in 2 months BUT went on to Neurinton and gained back 25 lbs ,,I am bipolar,, I am now on topamax, with lamcictal and it is  working very well for me ,,It only been 4 weeks but I have so much energy and I also suffer with chronic pain and The topamax helpsme with  that to,, so as far as all the antidpressants go,,they all make  you Gain  weight it seems But I would  rather gain weight  and be healthy than be skinny and sick ,,, but topmax is suppose to help you loose weight I will past again in 2 months ,,,
Susan

[dandeelyon]

Zoloft adds weight while Wellbutrin is actually prescribed to help with weight reduction.  I personally put on 25 lbs while on Zoloft.  Took me 1.5 years to get it off.  The combination of the two may be what caused the weight gain.  Good luck with whatever you decide.  Weight gain definately does not help depression.

[cbsr]

I might have a solution on losing weight but first let me explain something. My wife had back surgery a few months ago and she suffers from depression and anxiety. Also she is on a total of 12 different medications ranging on medicines for her back, blood pressure, cholestrol, depression, anxiety and such. Since her surgery she has gained weight even though the spine surgeon has her on an aggressive exercise and I will explain her exercise program. On the very first day from getting home from the hospital she had to walk 5 times for 5 minutes each. Each day she had to increase the walks by one minute and walk 5 times daily until she was up to 5 walks daily for 30 min. each. Yes that is 5x30= 2 and a half hours a day walking! No amount of puttering around the house counts, it has to either be outside or in a shopping mall. There is no such thing as her sleeping in, she sets the alarm clock for 5:30 A.M. and WE start our walks. The spine surgeon will not allow her to use a treadmill as he thinks that would do her more harm than good. WALK WALK WALK.

The exercise isn't the only thing! She is on a 1000-1200 calorie diet a day. She has to plan what she eats a day and she has educated herself by looking online how many calories each thing she eats has.

Hopefully someday this will all pay off and it will be worth it. Maybe a similiar exercise program and diet will help someone else here. cbsr