Effexor

[Jamielynn1978]

So Ihave been taking Effexor xr for about 6 months now.  I started out on 37.5 then increased to 75mg.  The I started feeling like it wasnt working anymore so My doc increased it to 150mg.  Now I am starting to feel like its not working again.  I am noticing a pattern.  I have also gained 13 pounds despite eating healthier and excersing.  I still allow myself to have something sweet here and there but nothing like I used to.  I have been the same wieght give or take 3 or 4  pounds due to the time of month it was for the past 8 yrs.  I could pretty much eat what I wanted.  I also have take synthroid for a thyroid problem I have.  I have check up every six month and thought maybe that was the problems with the weight but I recent blood test last week says the thyroid is funtioning just fine. I guess it where its supposed to be so says the doc.  I had read on the internet that you could take Wellbrutrin with effexor to stop some of the weight gain.  (I was on wellbrutrin for almost 4 yrs before effexor but it just stopped working after awhile so thats when my doc switched to effexor)
I asked my doc about this and he said no that if you take both together it would make much of a difference and insists that the weight gain is NOT effexor.  So my question is has anyone seen this done and does it help with the wieght gain?   Thanks alot.  I feel like I am in a catch 22.  I feel better mentally but with this weight gain I am not sure about it any more.  

[uberadtx]

I am on 225mg and at one point was on 375mg.  Weight gain is a side effect of the drug and its not because of the eating.  You have to understand that its a chemical reaction with your body.  I was on Wellbutrin with the effexor at one point and it did not help the weight. I got very aggressive with my weight at one point and changed my eating.  I lost over 20lbs.  The serotonin and norepenephrine make you crave the carb/sugar because they fluctuate.  Even if you choose 'healthy' foods the body converts the sugars from fruit etc into fat.  Sooo, my strategy was to keep the metabolism even with protein.  I kept the fruit component for snacks but eliminated yogurt, milk etc. I eat a lot of oatmeal, good source of protein and sugar fix.  I augment it with raisins and banana. Lots of lean meats, shellfish and salads.  My starch fix was brown rice.  And I would make egg white omelettes with a shot of cheese and salsa.  The weight melted off and I actually felt clearer mentally.  Amazing.  Sometimes tweaking you diet is what is needed to jump start a weight loss. Keep me posted as to your progress.

[Venora Moonwind]

I am bi polar as well as thryoidless and it has been difficult to loose weight with the meds  I am on.( zyprexa, celexa, and levothyroxine)
I have been loosing weight gradully though  we just have to work a little harder at it.
be sure you take your synthroid hours apart from your other meds and vitamins.I have been drinking this vitamin/energy drink from advocare and I think it has been helping with the weight as it has amino acids in it as well.
but i truly feel that the weight is not as bad as the depression or the manic in my case.So I take my meds and walk everyday.
Good luck to you.
Love Venora