Paxil: weight gain

[Christine]

Hi All,
Thanks for this wonderful service!

I have OCD, Panic Disorder & Social Anxiety.  Without medication life is very uncomfortable.  I was on Paxil for 6 months and all my symptoms were greatly relieved.  However, the side effects began to outweigh the benefits.  The side effects were: fatigue, nausea, headaches, loss of libido and inability to orgasm, weight gain and increased PMS.  The fatigue and the weight gain finally caused me to go off the med, I was only able to stay awake about 8 hours a day and I gained about 15 pounds in 1 month.

Question 1:  While on Paxil I was unable to control the weight.  I work out 4 - 5 times a week, eat a very healthy diet, no drinking, and I am HYPERthyroid (not enough to be treated though).  I was very depressed by this out of control weight gain.  Now that I am off the Paxil, will I be able to lose this weight?  I am worried that it is resistant like it was when I was on the Paxil.

I am also looking for advice from anyone out there who has successful strategies for dealing with OCD, Panic & Social Phobia without meds. I have tried other meds (Prozac, Zoloft, Luvox, Ativan, Klonopin).  I reacted horrribly to all of them.  The Panic really focuses on fear of death, impending sense of doom.  I have an irregular heartbeat (PVC's) that scare the hell out of me and cause me to panic.

I am a little scared now that I am off the meds. Anyone out there going through this or can offer advice, it would be greatly appreciated.

Peace to all,
Christine

[AJC]

Look up "Gwen Olsen" on youtube or google video.

[HockeyShark]

10 years on Paxil, I gained 75 pounds.

[Petune]

I am on Paxil and Zyprexa for OCD, Panic Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder.  I also have body image issues and the Paxail and Zyprexa sure doesn't help (although it helps with my other symptoms)  Without meds, I am unable to function.  However, I too am experiencing weight gain which is causing a lot of panic issues.  I eat right, exercise all the time, and I cannot lose weight, only gain.  I'm scared.  Is this weight gain going to continue?  What other medications can I try?  I am 4'10' and an increase of five pounds looks like fifteen.  What should I do?

[missy duran]

knowing the truth about death might lessen the effects of the fear.  i overcame that fear when i was shown from the Bible the truth about that.  they showed me Ecclesiastes 9:5,10..maybe that would help you also. melissa

[Doug]

I've been on Paxil for over 2 years now. Although I've mentioned to my doc that it makes me gain weight, he blows it off. He's a good doc and I trust him, but after two years and keeping careful notes on my diet and exercise habits, I'm convinced the Paxil does indeed contribute to weight gain...in the 15-20 pound range. We all look for balance -- the negatives vs. the positives in trying to manage our lives. At the end of the day, I think it's time for me to wean myself off Paxil. If I need to be on an SSRI, I'll try others...this weight thing is real, and it disqualifies this drug for this guy.

[Michelle]

I've been very satisfied with Paxil which I've been taking for anxiety.  However, I've been gaining weight very quickly despite
working out several times a week. I have always been thin.I will stop taking the medicine if this continues.