Weight Loss and Anti-Depressants. Please HELP!!!

[Kelly27]

Hello everyone!  I have never gone on the computer for advice before but I am desperate for help.  I am 27yrs old and I am getting married in six months.  I have been on celexa for the past 5 years and have just recently started researching some strange symptoms I have, only to find out that they may be related to the medication.  I am almost always tired and have not had a menstrual period in almost 2 years.  I've gone to the doctor about these 2 symptoms, but they never told me that these symptoms could be from the celexa!  I have also gained about 20 pounds over the past four years, and although I eat healthy, drink only water, and exercise regularly, I can not lose an ounce!!  So my question is, has anyone else experienced any of these symptoms while taking an SSRI, celexa in particular?  Does celexa slow your metabolism?  Should I come off of it?  Any advice or thoughts are greatly appreciated!!

[live4fitness]

You need to see a new dr. There IS a reason. Don't leave until they tell you why. Maybe you should try a new drug. They are always coming out with better drugs with less side affects. I wish you well

[Aruba417]

I'm not on Celexa, but I used to take Paxil and it made me feel the same way (tired all the time). It didn't screw up my periods, but I did gain weight. I'm now on Effexor and I've been able to lose weight on that..plus I'm not tired on it. It's helped a lot for anxiety.

[Laurasump]

Yes, get off the medication. Why are you still on it? Are you afraid of depression hitting again? I was very pro-antidepressants when I thought I needed them but now I attribute them to making me feel out-of-it, forgetful, slow-minded, uncreative. and i gained weight. I was on lexapro--still in the process of weening off of it, actually. There are TONS of message boards about it out there too--Everything you say sounds exactly like what everyone else says who are on antidepressants. I say, get off the medication unless you were suicidal or something without it--i mean really carefully weigh the benefits to the detriments...

I don't know. I'm bitter because my doctor put me on lexapro because i talked "too fast" and he thought i needed to slow down... I was a bit stressed at the time and i blindly agreed-- I really think it turned me into a fat, sleepy, zombie.

Anyways, good luck to you. Either way, have a great wedding!

[rusteegirl]

When I 1st starting having anxiety and panic attacks 4 yeards ago I was put on Effexor which caused me to gain 30 pounds then when I told the doc that I wanted something else that didn't cause weight gain he put me on Lexapro which then came another 20 pounds so that is a total of 50 pounds that I have gained on medication and I do take Wellbutrin with the Lexapro and still keep gaining weight. So I guess when it comes to this medication it's either be fat and normal or normal and think, hmm now that is a tough decision :-)  Oh yes and to make things worse I sent a current pic to a friend of mine and I said on the e mail see how fat I am and his response was I see your pic and I see what you mean, talk about having hurt my feelings:-(

Rusteegirl

[live4fitness]

Maybe you should try "cymbalta". My father in law says it has worked really well for him and he did not gain weight. Ask and see. Nothing more depressing than gaining weight, and you are trying to get away from depression and all the meds do is make you gain weight which causes more depression!

I wish all of you the best

[NinaMarquis]

If you eat carbs in the right way to naturally raise your brain serotonin, you can lose weight.  You eat specific portions of sweet or starchy carbs to curb appetite and give you mental energy along with a balance of protein and other vital nutrients.  You can lose weight and still maintain your medication regime.  The program was developed at MIT by my colleague Judith Wurtman, PhD and we've authored a book on the topic which I will mention if you're interested but I want to respect the non-promotional aspect of this supportive, informative forum.  Try having a handful of pretzels an hour before your next meal and see if you're less hungry at the meal.  Try wholesome carbs and vegetables for dinner.  Have protein at breakfast and lunch along with other foods.  It's pretty simple and probably how you want to eat anyway.  Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!  All my best, Nina

[celexasux]

I take you at your word that certain carbs may raise your brain serotonin level and thus help abate hunger.  But what if cravings aren't the culprit?  I don't overeat.  I eat five small, extremely healthy meals per day.  I exercise daily. And I can't lose a pound, even a month after stopping Celexa. (I was on SSRIs for five years.)

I'm sure there are many people who overeat due to SSRIs.  But what about those of us who don't, but still can't lose?

[renee58]

About cymbalta;  it is one of the worse drugs to come off of.  I took 8 weeks, and every decrease, I felt I had the flu.  And for 12-14 days after my last dosage, I felt sick to my stomach, headaches, motion sick (couldn't be in a car ).Please look for something else if you need another anti-depressant.  Weight gain is part of "cure". Read up on it on the internet

[jooles\]

I"ve been on cymbalta for a couple of years now.  About a year ago my doc added prozac to that.  I am extremely lethargic, and still depressed - although not suicidal like before.  When I first went on an antidepressant 15 years ago, It changed my life back then -- but eventually stopped working for me.  Since then I've been on Wellbutrin, Celexa, Effexor. . .and several others I can't remember.  I want to get off of these things, but not be caught in the grips of my debilitating depression.  Good luck to you.

[carolrosie]

Four years ago I started taking Paxil as there was a family condition that was making me depressed.  I gained about 30 pounds.  Since then I have gone off Paxil (about a year now) but have not lost the weight.  I feel depressed again, crying a lot, but afraid to go back on any anti-depressant as the weight gain is part of my depression too.  The doctor says it is not the anti-depressants that make you gain weight, but my druggist told me it was.  IS THERE ANY ANTI-DEPRESSANT that will not make you gain weight, or does every anti-depressant work different for everyone?  Please help.

[Energyguy]

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[LivPhx]

I know what you mean about mysterious weight gain. Zoloft has caused me to gain almost 20 pounds. I've been dieting and going to a personal training but nothing is helping me lose the weight! It's very frustrating. I've done some research and it seems some of the newer drugs (Effexor and Cymbalta) don't cause weight gain for as many people. In fact some cause weight