Antidepressants and weight gain?!
Question: Antidepressants and weight gain!?
I started taking Effexor XR about two months ago!. I'm feeling a lot better, but I'm really starting to get FAT! Since starting it I have gained 15 lbs! I know that the weight gain is a side effect, but what I'm wondering is if it's possible to lose the weight and if so what should I do!? Obviously I know diet and exercises but I'm not sure how much exercises I need to be doing or how many calories I need to take in per day!. I am 5'10 and weigh 195 lbs!. Any advice would be appreciated!. Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
I've heard about the weight gain many ppl have experienced w/Effexor!. I hope it allows you to have more energy, etc - so you feel better! I'm the same height as you!. I would even be more strict w/your diet!. The less processed foods the better, keep the salt in balance, and try to kick the sugar habit (if you have one)!. At least 30 mins of enjoyable exercise/sport/activity per day can help keep the endorphins up (along w/ the med)!. That can be difficult when you aren't feeling well, but see if you can schedule it (support of a friend or family to join you always seems to give me the push also)!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Most antidepressants cause weight gain!. Tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are more likely to be associated with weight gain than are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)!.
It's not possible to predict who's most likely to gain weight from taking antidepressants!. However, recent research has shown that people who gain weight within about the first week of starting antidepressant treatment are more likely to have significant weight gain from the medication over an extended period of time!.
If you gain weight after starting antidepressant treatment, discuss your concerns with your doctor!. He or she can determine the likely cause of weight gain!. If your antidepressant seems to be the culprit, it may help to adjust the dose or switch medications!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
It's not possible to predict who's most likely to gain weight from taking antidepressants!. However, recent research has shown that people who gain weight within about the first week of starting antidepressant treatment are more likely to have significant weight gain from the medication over an extended period of time!.
If you gain weight after starting antidepressant treatment, discuss your concerns with your doctor!. He or she can determine the likely cause of weight gain!. If your antidepressant seems to be the culprit, it may help to adjust the dose or switch medications!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I gained A LOT of weight on Effexor!. It made me constantly crave sugar and carbs!. I would try to reduce those, cut out the white stuff!.
Just a word of advice--someday when, or if, you decide to go off of this medication do so under your doctor's supervision!. DON'T just stop taking it!. Even when you taper off of it the side effects are pretty rough!. I slowly tapered off over about 8 weeks and I felt sick most of the time!. I know everyone reacts differently, just talk to your doctor!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Just a word of advice--someday when, or if, you decide to go off of this medication do so under your doctor's supervision!. DON'T just stop taking it!. Even when you taper off of it the side effects are pretty rough!. I slowly tapered off over about 8 weeks and I felt sick most of the time!. I know everyone reacts differently, just talk to your doctor!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
i started taking celexa 1 year ago ,i was 97 pounds at 5 feet tall!.
today i now weigh 127 pounds!.i feel better but i have put on some much needed weight,but not 30 pounds!i went from a size 3 to a size 9,in a year!.the only problem as far as my weight goes is all in my belly!.i tried not eating for 3 dads,only drinking water but i can not lose my belly!.hopefully,i will be able to learn of a way from your question!.thanx,cherylWww@Answer-Health@Com
today i now weigh 127 pounds!.i feel better but i have put on some much needed weight,but not 30 pounds!i went from a size 3 to a size 9,in a year!.the only problem as far as my weight goes is all in my belly!.i tried not eating for 3 dads,only drinking water but i can not lose my belly!.hopefully,i will be able to learn of a way from your question!.thanx,cherylWww@Answer-Health@Com
Oh my gosh!! Me too!! As soon as I started taking effexor XR I gained 20 lbs! I am hungry all the time! I haven't been able to lose it yet and I've been on it a year!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
stop thinkin, start joggin!Www@Answer-Health@Com
My husband has taken several different types of antidepressants over the past 7 years, but the only ones that caused significant weight gain were Cymbalta and Seroquel!. He gained almost 100 pounds in 3 years!. As a result of the weight gain, he developed diabetes!.
Then, as a result of the diabetes, he took insulin by pill and the doctor put him on a 2,000 calorie a day diet!. The diet reminds me of the Weight Watchers meal plans !.!.!. he eats three small meals a day with three light snacks in between!. Honestly, it was so much food, my husband had a hard time eating all of it!.
After being on the 2,000 calorie a day diet, my husband was dropping the weight FAST!. Once he began to plateau, we would decrease the calories by 100 and that seemed to help jump start his metabolism again!. At present, he is down to 1,600 calories a day and he is managing quite well -- even able to stop taking the insulin!
He has been disabled for almost 8 years and very inactive, but the doctor has started him on a low impact exercise program at the local fitness center!. The idea is to start out very slow, wait til he reaches another plateau, then increase the activity!. Hopefully, this will help him keep the weight off and increase his muscle tone!.
One key that we found helped with the rapid weight loss was plenty of fiber and lots and lots of water!. I even added Benefiber to our cooked foods, plus Fibercon tablets he took by mouth and high fiber foods!.
Perhaps you could begin with a higher caloric intake for your height and frame, then gradually decrease every month in increments of 50 until you reach your desired caloric intake -- just be sure not to starve yourself!. Start out with a light exercise regime, and gradually increase to prevent long plateaus!. Just a suggestion!
There is also an online resource that may help:
Sparkpeople!.comWww@Answer-Health@Com
Then, as a result of the diabetes, he took insulin by pill and the doctor put him on a 2,000 calorie a day diet!. The diet reminds me of the Weight Watchers meal plans !.!.!. he eats three small meals a day with three light snacks in between!. Honestly, it was so much food, my husband had a hard time eating all of it!.
After being on the 2,000 calorie a day diet, my husband was dropping the weight FAST!. Once he began to plateau, we would decrease the calories by 100 and that seemed to help jump start his metabolism again!. At present, he is down to 1,600 calories a day and he is managing quite well -- even able to stop taking the insulin!
He has been disabled for almost 8 years and very inactive, but the doctor has started him on a low impact exercise program at the local fitness center!. The idea is to start out very slow, wait til he reaches another plateau, then increase the activity!. Hopefully, this will help him keep the weight off and increase his muscle tone!.
One key that we found helped with the rapid weight loss was plenty of fiber and lots and lots of water!. I even added Benefiber to our cooked foods, plus Fibercon tablets he took by mouth and high fiber foods!.
Perhaps you could begin with a higher caloric intake for your height and frame, then gradually decrease every month in increments of 50 until you reach your desired caloric intake -- just be sure not to starve yourself!. Start out with a light exercise regime, and gradually increase to prevent long plateaus!. Just a suggestion!
There is also an online resource that may help:
Sparkpeople!.comWww@Answer-Health@Com
Because SSRI's are pure POISON!.
With that said, they stress out your adrenals, and you gain weight due to high cortisol!.
Get off that crap!. Change your diet, get some sun, sleep and exercise, and stay off the meds to create happiness!. I know depression is real; but medication is NOT the answer!. See what others have written about this poison!.
www!.askapatient!.comWww@Answer-Health@Com
With that said, they stress out your adrenals, and you gain weight due to high cortisol!.
Get off that crap!. Change your diet, get some sun, sleep and exercise, and stay off the meds to create happiness!. I know depression is real; but medication is NOT the answer!. See what others have written about this poison!.
www!.askapatient!.comWww@Answer-Health@Com