dropping the Effexor/Lexapro weight gain

[bubeleh]

Can anyone give me an idea of how long it usually takes for your metabolism to recalibrate after stopping Effexor and/or Lexapro?  I've gained significant weight while on these drugs (despite an intense exercise program and careful diet).  My nutritionist and MD told me that the drugs likely altered my metabolism, but no one can tell me how long it will take to correct that.  Most frustrating, I've noticed that since I stopped taking both, my weight gain has accelerated.  Any ideas as to how long I need to endure this or ideas for correcting my metabolism?  Thanks.

[msincognito]

I started taking 150mg of Effexor in November of 2003 for postpartum and GAD. I was working out 6 days a week for an hour at a time and I still gained about 3lbs a week. In one week, I gained 7lbs. My trainer at the gym said I was gaining muscle..bull. Over the next year, I gained 80lbs. The weight was basically concentrated in my mid section and face. I had never had a stomach before. I had always been bottom heavy. My doctor switched me to 300 mg of Wellbutrin and the weight gain stopped but I still couldn't lose any weight. Then my doctor switched me to Lexapro. My sex drive took a nose dive and even when I had sex, I couldn't orgasm. I quit taking the Lexapro in October, and so far I have lost 30 lbs without trying. I quit working out this past summer because it was fruitless. I am 28 years old and finally I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Quitting cold turkey was not a walk in the park, you do still have the brain shivers and dizzines, but the end result was well worth it. I will never go back on antidepressants again. At my highest weight, I was 230. Before starting the meds, I was 145. My doctor would never admit the meds were causing the weight gain. He basically prescribed new meds b/c I kept complaining. All the meds helped my condition but I had to ask myself if I wanted to be mentally healthy and facing diabetes, high blood pressure, bloating, having joint pain from the weight gain or a little anxious and physically fit. For me the cons far outweighed the pros. Hope this helps someone.

[septemberfaith]

YES, these drugs cause weight gain in most people.  Any doctor who tells you otherwise is just plain ignorant.  I am an avid exerciser and mountain hiker and was a size 4, 125 lbs before starting Lexapro.  In six months, I gained 35 pounds, even though I did not stop exercising and hiking.  I also eat healthy.  

I am tapering off the drug and the weight gain has stopped, but it has not started to come off yet.  I only have one pair of jeans that fit and have not worn a dress in a year.  :P

I personally think doctors hand this stuff out like candy.  I've never personally struggled with depression, just mild anxiety and occasional insomnia.  My doctor should never have suggested such drastic measures to me.  I blame him for this wretched fat!

Thanks to all of you who have given such great info and especially to those who have had encouraging words concerning weight loss after coming off these drugs!

[pennylane76]

I am a rep (not for an SSRI), and I think I finally figured out why some Drs don't think the drugs cause weight gain.  Most of the studies are only 12-week studies.  In most cases, it takes longer than 12 weeks to gain the significant amount of weight we're talking about here. And people may not have reported weight gain to drug companies  after the drugs were on the market as an adverse event.  That's how the system works.  That's how drugs get pulled from the marked (Vioxx.)  It's called post-marketing surveillance.  People have to report adverse events to doctors or the company directly in order for more data to be collected.  If the weight gain was never directly attributed to the SSRIs, then the companies never  publish data about that particular side effect.  "Oh, by the way doctor, Zoloft causes signifcant weight gain."  They just don't really know.  I've even asked other reps about it, and they're like, oh, you're a very unusual case to have gained that much   weight (15 lbs.)  ********.  There are several other factors to consider as well. Companies aren't going to study weight gain, because 1) the drug is not specifically used for the purposes of weight and 2) they don't really want to know that it causes weight gain - it wouldn't be financially beneficial to find that out, would it?  

All I can say is, I work in the industry, and I'm so sorry I didn't do more research on this damn drug before I started taking it and ruined my own metabolism.  But then again, the PI doesn't really tell you about weight gain, does it?  Good luck out there.

[jkittie]

Hi aaagghh, I read you last post. I can sympathize with you because I have had similar experiences
and problems. You can read my story form all of my past posts. Maybe you can get some insight as to what is happening with me lately. I will try and keep it brief. My normal weight was always 125/130 at 5'4, I am a 32 old woman. I took Sarafem (prozac) for a few years for bad PMS. Then I went on 20 mg of Lexapro for minor anxiety and depression. After gaining weight up to 155, having no sex drive, and being tired all time I decided enough is enough. My doctor slowly took me down to 5 mg of Lexapro and added 150 mg of Wellbutrin. Currently I am on 5 mg of Lexapro plus 300 mg of Wellbutrin. There were some annoying side effects at first but they subsided. It's been a few months. I am slowly losing weight, last time I checked I was 148..but may be less now b/c size 10 is getting big on me. Wellbutrin suppresses your appetite, so most likely you will lose weight. H/ever it can be slow after being on other drugs. So hang in there!  

[abizane]

Good morning! I caught up on the posts...congrats to all who have found good meds that work for you, and to those who have dropped some weight! During Thanksgiving, I thought I was losing my mind. I was on Wellbutrin for several weeks (300mg) and I wanted to cry, not get up and thought my world was caving around me. By the grace of God, I kept focused that it was the medicine making me feel so badly and I weaned off. I am now taking nothing and will try the natural things listed here (5htp and primrose). My weight has remained at 160, at least I am not gaining, but would like to get back to my regualr 140. I am grateful that I am not feeling like death anymore, though. Traceyz, thank you for your input and help. And to all of you, I wish you the best of luck and life.

Please let me know if there is anything any of you have done to jump-starth the weight loss. I know 20 pounds does not seem like a lot, but this weight is making me feel very ugly. Thank you!!!! :)

[aaagghh]

After reading these posts some weeks ago, I tapered off of Lexapro, and changed to 150 mg of Welbutrin.   I've started going to a pyschotherapist, and also exercising.  A couple of weeks ago I began taking 5HTP in the evening, as well as the butrin in the mornings.  That seems to be working, but no weight loss.  I've actually gained 4 pounds in the past 3 weeks.  Hopefully that's because muscle weighs more than fat.  smile   My quetion to the women out there - do your symptoms change dramatically during your period?  My therapist even mention prementrual dysphoric disorder, and told me to increase my meds during my monthly struggles.  My depression changes from moderate to severe during those days, and I am struggling with emotions that scare me.  Then for a couple or three weeks, everything will be manageable, if not fine.  Any thoughts?