Tremendous Weight Gain on SSRI

[DalekParty]

I'd like some insight on this.

So, I have been on Prozac 20mg for 3 years, going on 4. It has definitely helped, except I've gained nearly 80lbs. My activity level has stayed the same, and though I crave more sweet things, I don't think I'm overeating to the point of justifying the weight gain.

When I was on Wellbutrin, I lost 20lbs in a bit over a month. But then my anxiety came roaring back and I was a raging bitch.

So, now I am basically on Prozac, but I am starting to be non-compliant with my meds because I'm so sure they are contributing to the weight gain (which puts me just into the obese category, BMI wise).

Would something like Effexor/Cymbalta be less likely to make me gain mass amounts of weight?

When I am off anti-depressants, I am not suicidal, but my energy level is low and I'm SUPER negative about everything, all the time.

Halp?

[Evey]

Although I know everyone reacts differently to medications, I have read that Effexor and Cymbalta both seem to not increase weight in a lot of people. I know someone who was on Effexor and their energy level was better.

[SashaSue]

I'd like some insight on this.

So, I have been on Prozac 20mg for 3 years, going on 4. It has definitely helped, except I've gained nearly 80lbs. My activity level has stayed the same, and though I crave more sweet things, I don't think I'm overeating to the point of justifying the weight gain.

When I was on Wellbutrin, I lost 20lbs in a bit over a month. But then my anxiety came roaring back and I was a raging bitch.

So, now I am basically on Prozac, but I am starting to be non-compliant with my meds because I'm so sure they are contributing to the weight gain (which puts me just into the obese category, BMI wise).

Would something like Effexor/Cymbalta be less likely to make me gain mass amounts of weight?

When I am off anti-depressants, I am not suicidal, but my energy level is low and I'm SUPER negative about everything, all the time.

Halp?

I took Effexor for 4 years at very high dosage and never gained weight. I did try Prozac some years ago, but it didn't work after 4 months so I switched it out. (not enough time on it to judge weight gain)

I think an SNRI like Effexor would be less likly to add weight than an SSRI like Prozac. I'm on Parnate now and I hate how much weight it's putting on me. I swear I eat half what my 8 year old daughter does in a day and I'm still gaining weight. Down to 700 calories a day now and STILL adding weight. The drug works though so I must stay with it.

You say your energy level is low? Effexor at a dosage of at least 187.5Mgs releases a lot of norephineperine which is good for low energy. Unfortunatly below that dosage mark Effexor is mostly effecting Serotonin. I was at 375 a day and I loved Effexor. Wish it still worked for me.

Before Parnate I was a 165LB man at 5 foot 9 and now I am at 185 and growing. So much for all my 32" slacks and jeans and onto 34's. I lost a whole wordrobe.

Hensley, I could have sworn you'd been asked previously to stop stating this 187.5mg rule for Effexor as if it's some kind of fact, unless you have something with which to back that up. Telling us a pharmacist said it to you doesn't count, only partly because, in my experience, and I'm sure in others', plenty of pharmacists tend to know fuck all about psych. meds. And, oh, look! I was right. Here's Stacia asking you to stop it with the 187.5 business:

http://www.crazyboards.org/forums/index.php/topic/40406-hypomania-from-one-375mg-dose-of-effexor-xr/page__p__429060__hl__hensley258__fromsearch__1#entry429060

Dalek, it's really hard to predict what side effects anyone is going to have, on any given med. It's pretty unusual for someone to gain as much weight as you have on Prozac, so I'm wondering if you've had bloodwork done, esp. checking your thyroid, recently? Most of the time, cymbalta and effexor are better in terms of weight gain than the SSRI's, but even they can really go either way.

[Guest bearfan]

Prozac is usually not a big weight gainer, but you can try a different SSRI like lexapro and see if it makes a difference.

[Miss Blue]

I was on effexor since 05, stopped it around 08 to switch to Pristiq. But, since being on both I've gained around 70lbs. I also have hypothyroidism though, so that could also be a reason.