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dropping the Effexor/Lexapro weight gain
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.
I have been on Effexor since May of 2008. For 3 years now I have struggled with weight gain. Every dr appt I made mentioned something about it and all I heard from the docs were "stop putting food in your mouth and you'll be fine". I'm also in the military and while I get free healthcare, it also comes with a price: complete ignorance. I gained 45 pounds because of this medication. The worst part is that when the meeds stopped doing what they were supposed to do my docs would just increase the dose. So now I'm up to 225mg a day. Yes, 225mg. And this is for MILD depression/anxiety. People with schizophrenia take this much. So I am starting a program called The Road Back. Its a program that assists you with weening yourself off of these medications. You take supplements (Omega-3, Vitamin E and JNK Supplement) to help alleviate the side affects associated with withdrawal of antidepressants. Google The Road Back if you think this program might be the right thing for you. My heart is with all of you who have suffered due to antidepressants. I thought taking this medication would HELP me. Not make my life a living hell. Good luck to all of you!
Just adding my voice to the 100000s....the doctors who say "you're just eating more' are SUCH *****, aren't they? unreal, the denial. I went on Lex in 2008 (I cant believe it's been that long!) after a series of traumatic events piled up--I never thought i'd need an antidepressant, never was depressed, but I sort of had PTSD, and it really did save me.
I was one of the lucky ones, it was the right one for me, I only took 10 mg and I had NO side effects (except weight gain)...I didn't feel bad on it at all, I felt really good and healthy and energetic and it gave my brain space to heal and deal with stuff. As healing happened from the life events (and I did therapy) I was ready to wean off. Well, I had to wean reeeeeeeeeealllly slooooooooow because if I did too much I got terrible dizziness, almost falling down, and stomachaches. So i've been warning since the end of 2009! I got to 5 mg by last summer and now I am at 1.5! The thing is that at 2 mg if you go to 1.5 you are cutting your dose by a QUARTER, which is a big cut (for me being very sensitive anyway). Whereas when you got from 10 to 9.5, that's like, what, 1/20th of your dose? As long as I go slow I'm fine. But I can't wait to be OFF!
Anyway, I had the class weight gain in the classic timing. I had been kind of emaciated when I started and needed to gain a little, but not as much as I did. I should be about 118-120 for my height. I was 108 when I started Lex. The gain happened in thr classic way--exactly 3 months in, it seemed to pile on it one week (changing nothing). Literally one week all my jeans fit, the next they didnt (and never did again).
I was up to 120 in 2009 (which was okay)--but then 130 in 2010. That was too much. Now, in summer 2011, I am hovering 124-125. I squeezed ot down through VERY careful eating--low sugar, lots of vegetables and protein, no meat, plenty of EFAS, green tea....
The weight number isn't the concern to me now, it's the FAT. All this stubborn goopy fat around my middle and thighs that I NEVER HAD BEFORE. I dont recognize myself. I look dumpy. I always had a cute, trim little athletic bod.... without much effort. yeah, I'm 40 but screw that. I know plenty of 40 and 45 y o who kept their bodies like mine was. Its the Lex. And it will not go away yet.
Let me tell you, I know what I am doing--I eat SUPER healthy, I hve a nutrition degree. I bike, run, walk, hike, lift weights, do Jillian Michael's Shred... the thing is, I KNOW that if I wasn't so careful and knowledgeable, it WOULD BE SO MUCH WORSE! I would be one of those who gained 20-30-40-50 pounds! I only have an extra 5 of fat now maybe...it was ten pounds at the worst point. I think I've MINIMIZED the damage by being so healthy and careful....but I couldn't totally keep it off.
This is so consistent with The doctors should read these Many identical stories--tiny all our lives, then huge gain with Le. Or athletes all our lives, huge weight gain after Lexapro, changing nothing in lifestyle. And the stubbornness of this Lex-gained fat, when before we could always lose. It's so striking.
I cannot wait to see when Lex is totally out of my system what happens to this fat. It should be just a few more months Im off. I plan to follow the advice of many here about "shocking' the metabolism.
GabriellaKW is so right when she says, "The sad thing is that there are no studies out there about the long term effects of antidepressants on metabolism." God I hope it's not the case that it screws it up forever. Lex helped me, but I dont want it to have made me FAT forever....
I was one of the lucky ones, it was the right one for me, I only took 10 mg and I had NO side effects (except weight gain)...I didn't feel bad on it at all, I felt really good and healthy and energetic and it gave my brain space to heal and deal with stuff. As healing happened from the life events (and I did therapy) I was ready to wean off. Well, I had to wean reeeeeeeeeealllly slooooooooow because if I did too much I got terrible dizziness, almost falling down, and stomachaches. So i've been warning since the end of 2009! I got to 5 mg by last summer and now I am at 1.5! The thing is that at 2 mg if you go to 1.5 you are cutting your dose by a QUARTER, which is a big cut (for me being very sensitive anyway). Whereas when you got from 10 to 9.5, that's like, what, 1/20th of your dose? As long as I go slow I'm fine. But I can't wait to be OFF!
Anyway, I had the class weight gain in the classic timing. I had been kind of emaciated when I started and needed to gain a little, but not as much as I did. I should be about 118-120 for my height. I was 108 when I started Lex. The gain happened in thr classic way--exactly 3 months in, it seemed to pile on it one week (changing nothing). Literally one week all my jeans fit, the next they didnt (and never did again).
I was up to 120 in 2009 (which was okay)--but then 130 in 2010. That was too much. Now, in summer 2011, I am hovering 124-125. I squeezed ot down through VERY careful eating--low sugar, lots of vegetables and protein, no meat, plenty of EFAS, green tea....
The weight number isn't the concern to me now, it's the FAT. All this stubborn goopy fat around my middle and thighs that I NEVER HAD BEFORE. I dont recognize myself. I look dumpy. I always had a cute, trim little athletic bod.... without much effort. yeah, I'm 40 but screw that. I know plenty of 40 and 45 y o who kept their bodies like mine was. Its the Lex. And it will not go away yet.
Let me tell you, I know what I am doing--I eat SUPER healthy, I hve a nutrition degree. I bike, run, walk, hike, lift weights, do Jillian Michael's Shred... the thing is, I KNOW that if I wasn't so careful and knowledgeable, it WOULD BE SO MUCH WORSE! I would be one of those who gained 20-30-40-50 pounds! I only have an extra 5 of fat now maybe...it was ten pounds at the worst point. I think I've MINIMIZED the damage by being so healthy and careful....but I couldn't totally keep it off.
This is so consistent with The doctors should read these Many identical stories--tiny all our lives, then huge gain with Le. Or athletes all our lives, huge weight gain after Lexapro, changing nothing in lifestyle. And the stubbornness of this Lex-gained fat, when before we could always lose. It's so striking.
I cannot wait to see when Lex is totally out of my system what happens to this fat. It should be just a few more months Im off. I plan to follow the advice of many here about "shocking' the metabolism.
GabriellaKW is so right when she says, "The sad thing is that there are no studies out there about the long term effects of antidepressants on metabolism." God I hope it's not the case that it screws it up forever. Lex helped me, but I dont want it to have made me FAT forever....
In Oct 2009, I had a baby at age 45. I had a son age 27 and a 2 yr old grandson. Finding out I was pregnant at my age was a huge shock to say the least. The pregnancy was difficult with lots of ups and downs. When we brought our baby son home from the hospital, I literally started having extreme anxiety and did not sleep AT ALL for 2 weeks which made the anxiety even worse. My Dr said my hormones were skydiving and I was suffering from postpartum anxiety. She wanted to put me on 10 mg of Lexapro, but I didn't want to take it because of the side effects, etc. However I was so desperate to get rid of the anxiety because I couldn't even function. The lexapro worked miracles!!! Within 6 weeks I went from having extreme anxiety to zero anxiety and was sleeping soundly. I was also extremely happy and have remained so ever since. Problem...30 lb weight gain in one year. I did add in drinking Dr Peppers and eating sweets, something I had never consumed much of. I cut out the sweets but not the sodas. I am weaning myself off Lexapro now. I cut down from 10 to 5 mg about a month ago without side effects. I am now going to start skipping days of taking 5 etc. Love the Lexapro...hate the weight gain! My advice, if you're really suffering from depression and/or anxiety, this drug will save you. Take it long enough to get you through then get off.
I just started Lexapro 6 days ago and want to quit do to side effects. Too antsy and now hbp. Any suggestions?
Don't skip without asking you doctor. I am weening off b/c I feel fine and I have gained weight that I can't lose. I totally trust my doc as he has been treating my mom for years. You must ween off of it. Yes you may get some withdrawal symptoms but you can't just stop the drug. The withdrawals will be out of control. I am also in nursing and know about this. PLease speak to your doc. You cannot just stop meds without doing so.
I've tried a few antidepressants over the past year. Zoloft, Effexor and now Lexapro. For the first 1-2 months I feel great, then come the side effects. I've been on Lexapro for a few months now. I'm experiencing crazy tiredness. Last weekend I slept for 3 days. I got out of bed a couple of times, but the rest of the time I slept. That is insane! I have never done that! Everyday is a struggle to get out of bed. When I get home from work, all I want to do is sleep. I even fell asleep at work a few days ago. Overall I have gained 30 lbs...not good! None of my clothes fit. I'm bloated all the time and my weight just keeps going up. I'm going to my doctor soon to get my thyroid checked and see about getting off Lexapro. I have a feeling all the meds have messed with my body and i'm not sure if it will recover.
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