Lexapro and Weight Gain

[SunnyHorizon]

Wow! I am shocked, horrified and relieved to see all of the posts on how Lexapro packed the pounds on. I am 35 and started having panic attacks about a year ago due to the economic climate and my family's financial situation. After months of thinking I was having a heart attack due to a racing heart and chest pains, developing fears of driving due to dizziness, and generally thinking I was losing my mind, my doctor suggested (no, strongly advised) I go on Lexapro. So, after 5 visits and the realization that I was indeed going crazy, I succombed and started on the 10mg free samples. Within a week, I felt good..within a month I felt great. I have been on Lexapro 10mg now for 9 months and what do you know, I've put on almost 20 lbs. I have been running an average of 20 miles a week and do hot yoga twice a week. I eat healthy (90% of the time) and am a very active working mother of 2. HOW did this happen? I am on week 4 of weaning myself off Lexapro and feel great. I've done it very slowly and am down to 2.5mg a day. I started a mulit-vitamin called "Daily Energy" by CVS, which supports physical and mental energy and it seems to be working well.

My question (and fear) is that the weight will not come off quickly or at all. Will it? Will my metabolism re-adjust to the old ways and burn this fat off my gut? I'm disgusted with myself and can't believe my doc never mentioned this would happen. She even commented 4 weeks ago that I needed to watch my weight and she checked my thyroid. Of course, it was fine.

I'm sad for us all for not being warned of this horrible side effect. However, I was mentally in a place where I needed some assisted. Lexapro helped, I feel better mentally, but I am physically altered. I just hope its not for good.