paxil and weight gain

[ch30rissy]

I want to switch from paxil 20mg to something else that won't give me weight gain side effects. I always feel hungry and it's hard to not eat. Is there any other anxiety meds that will not cause weight gain? Iam 5'4 and 140lbs., previously 120 before the meds (about 9 monts ago) I have started working out again, but I still want to eat. Paxil has really helped my anxiety and panic attacks and would like something that would work as well without the weight gain, if that is possible!!
Thanks! Any advise would be so helpfull!!

[RockyMD]

LMAO @  jim22v, you do know you are responding to a post that is almost 6 months old right?   ...yup yup

[jim22v]

The reason you gain weight is because of the reduction of your metabolism, But remember that all those chemicals thats stressed you out were the ones that kept you skinny too. If you want to stay skinny on ssri's I would sugest avoiding the typical diet and stict with one low in sugar and fats. Eat alot of vegatables and lean meats and take fish oil. Don't snack and don't eat carbs right before bed. Go for a walk everyday like you mean it. If your still gaining weight try some moderate strength training, because muscle eats more fat when its hungry. Get 8 hours of sleep and drink plenty of water. If your still gaining weight and you care so much then keep a calorie journal and reduce your calories by 10%. Idf your still gaining weight keep track of how much weight you gain per week and adjust your caloric intake as needed. The new happy unstressed you burn far less calories so workout more or eat less its as simple as that if you have the willpower.

[Paxiled]

First, if you go off the Paxil, do it slowly, tapering.  If your psychiatrist doesn't take this seriously, get a different one before you quit.  Second, if Paxil is working well, keep in mind it may be difficult to find something else that works.  These meds aren't interchangeable.  Sometimes you'll find another good one, but often you won't.  That's something to consider.  And any antidepressant can cause weight gain; it's one of the most common side effects of most of them.  The only one it isn't much of a problem with seems to be Prozac.  But it's very individual.  I gained a lot on Paxil, and didn't gain much on imipramine or Lexapro, but they didn't work as well.  Lexapro hasn't worked much at all.  My opinion is that the better you metabolize the med, the better it works, but the more side effects you'll get.  As to losing weight on Paxil, I don't know, it seems to be very hard for the gainers to do.  Hope whatever you choose works for you.  I will add that if you've not been exercising, that's actually good, because that gives you a better chance of losing weight on Paxil than someone like me, who was already exercising a lot and eating well.

[ch30rissy]

I would still have a little mild anxiety in new social situations with the 10mg. My husband had to leave for 3 months  so I thought i'd up to the 20mg just to be safe (jun 09) and have felt better, and havent really felt the need to switch back to the 10mg because I feel good. Just the weight gain issue-not that iam super fat, just frustrating. Sometimes with the 10mg i would take clozapam (.5mg) along with it when I new a stressfull situation might occur. Now I don't feel the need to take that. I was a little worried because I knew that the colzapam can be habbit forming.
Hope that helps some.

[cnote]

Ive got a question for you. I'm on 10mg Paxil... have been for about 4 weeks now. Havnt seen too much of a change in my anxiety. Maybe a little.

But I think my Dr. wants to up me to 20mg.... will I tell a difference?

Did your Dr. start you on 10mg then to 20mg?