Real talk about antidepressant weight gain

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Has anyone ever been in my boat?  I have been on some antidepressant/SSRI or another relatively solidly for the past six years.  I have been on Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa and am currently on Effexor/Lithium w/Trazadone for sleep.  ALL of these drugs made me gain SIGNIFICANT amounts of weight.  Prozac and Serzone were weight neutral, but lost effectiveness or didn't work at all.  I started antidepressants, at 27, 5'7" and 125 lbs.  I am now 33 and weigh 178.
When I have gone off my meds in the past (I used to have a fantasy that I wouldn't need them forever.)or have been transitioning to a new one, I have lost SIGNIFICANT amounts of weight.  When I went off Paxil in 2003, I lost 30 pounds in 3 months (and no-- my eating/exercise didn't change).  I absolutely know that if I went off my meds right now, I'd lose a lot of weight in a short time.  I also know that a deeply debilitating depression would most likely follow at some time and that I'm probably "A Lifer" as far as depression treatment goes.
Yes.  I have had my TSH checked for thyroid problems.  My doctor will not prescribe Topamax because of the side effects.

I want to scream when I see websites that say just lower your calorie intake and exercise.  Yes I do that, but these medications absolutely do something to my body that no amount of diet and exercise seems to offset.  Yes!  That works for people not on antidepressants and even some who are, but not for everyone.  What about us?!!  As slender as I was, I could handle even a thirty pound weight gain, but at an extra 53 pounds, I feel huge, unattractive and though its really hard to exercise carrying all this extra weight around, I do.  I feel like I'm never going to date again.  I hate it!  Clothes never look right on me.  Adult onset diabetes also runs in my family, not to mention all the other health problems being overweight can bring.  For a long time I thought better to be bigger and emotionally healthy than skinny and sick.  But it's just gone so far and I just feel hopeless.  I think that if something doesn't change it's going to get harder and harder to exercise at all as I get heavier and heavier.

Is there anyone out there who was in a situation like mine, but then found the right medication, supplement, therapy, mindset or medication that actually allowed them to lose weight.  Is there some kind of special SSRI blend or new medication that I haven't tried that will stop me from putting on more and more pounds?  Please help!  I don't know what to do.  I need real help.  Something that works.

[Chub ette]

I have been on Lexapro for a year now, and am trying to come off it..I cannot stand the loss of sexual feelings and really just most feelings in general. I also gained 30 pounds, I started taking birth control about 6 months back after having an iud for 10 years..I did lose 10 pounds i was carrying due to harmons. But I have also been eating much less and excersing and getting no where. I have always been small and never had a problem with losing a few pounds if I wanted..but on the Lexapro..I have never been so heavy in my life and never been so unable to get rid of even a few pounds. I stopped cold turkey from 10mg a day about 4 days ago, but the bouts of crying and unable to even function are too much so i took 10mg today. I realize I have to cut down slower to come off this drug instead of cold turkey. I wondered though if anyone has been able to lose wieght with just cutting down on the drug, or do you have to come off it all together? I have taken WB befor..not good for me AT ALL...
Really want to know if I may be able to lose the wieght while I spend the time to come off the drug.

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Once again, it's good to hear about some success.

Monday is my last day of work for the summer.  I have bought all the measuring utensils, a food scale, figured the amount of calories I should need to eat to lose two pounds a week.

On Tuesday, I see my doctor about meds and hopefully Wed. I will be started on my way to weight loss.  It's hard to let myself hope after so many disappointments, but I have to get up and try.  I want to move out of pre-diabetes and never into diabetes.

[JOGIRL423]

Hi,

I would not go off the meds before my wedding...

I would excerise with weights before the wedding...if you can increase your muscle mass you will burn more calories in addition to looking fit.

I was trying to lose the last 5 lbs and then decide to just start lifting weights again...I have toned up fairly well in the past month...and my pants were actually falling down the other day!

And my friend asked me if I had lost weight!! And I didnt lose a pound...just toned up!

Hope this helps!
Jogirl

[enaj]

Hanging in there. The "self-talk" is tough..."Oh, no, I think I feel dizzy! Maybe it's the meds! Is it the meds? Do I really feel dizzy or do I just think I feel dizzy!" You know how it goes. My daughter and grandsons were over last night, so it was a good way to keep my mind off things. We are going to Chicago for a long weekend on Friday. WIll be interesting to see how that works out. I wish I could just go to a country retreat for a month or so and get things all regulated and steady, but instead, I have to live my regular life while dealing with my inner life as well.

[giddychic]

Hey what about takin g the combination of Effexor and Cymbalta---plus I am taking Phentermine to hyelp me lose weight but it seems I am at a stand still----could it be from these anti-depressant pills

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Glad to hear you are hanging in there.  Has anything changed with your weight yet.  I know dealing with dizziness and everything else probably seems more important, but I'm just curious.