Lexapro and rapid weight gain

[CookieN]

My lexapro dosage was doubled recently. I am gaining weight very rapidly.

 

I had a past experience with psychotropic meds in which I gained 44lbs. I even got more depressed because the way I looked. At that time, I went to my GP who found I had become insulin resistant and prescribed metformin. Since then I was able to control my weight.

 

However since lexapro dosage increase it seems imposible to keep my weight down. Plus my appetite is out of control.

 

Tell me about your experience with lexapro? how much weight did you gain? how were you able to control weight?

[water]

I was so panicked about weight gain on Lexapro.  I read everything on the web I could get my grubby hands on.  It was a mistake.  Every single site had post after post about weight gain.  But my pdoc and Dr. sister-in-law, said that it still depends on calories in and calories out. I don't think Lexapro is similar to the psychotropic meds that change your body chemistry.

 

So, I went on a diet BEFORE I started Lexapro.  I cut out wheat.  My body gains weight just by looking at food so I needed desperate measures.  And it worked.  Totally worked.  I have actually lost weight since I started Lexapro.

 

Diets don't really work for me, what works is changing my eating habits.  Eat slower, chew more, no wheat or dairy, less beef, lots veggies and walking walking walking. YOu can do it. Take your time.  Lose the weight slowly.  I don't know your eating habits, but I imagine there must be areas you can work on.  Good luck!

[CookieN]

Thank you so much for your response. I´ll try to cut dairy and wheat. I definitely have to change my eating habits!.

 

I was so panicked about weight gain on Lexapro.  I read everything on the web I could get my grubby hands on.  It was a mistake.  Every single site had post after post about weight gain.  But my pdoc and Dr. sister-in-law, said that it still depends on calories in and calories out. I don't think Lexapro is similar to the psychotropic meds that change your body chemistry.

 

So, I went on a diet BEFORE I started Lexapro.  I cut out wheat.  My body gains weight just by looking at food so I needed desperate measures.  And it worked.  Totally worked.  I have actually lost weight since I started Lexapro.

 

Diets don't really work for me, what works is changing my eating habits.  Eat slower, chew more, no wheat or dairy, less beef, lots veggies and walking walking walking. YOu can do it. Take your time.  Lose the weight slowly.  I don't know your eating habits, but I imagine there must be areas you can work on.  Good luck!

[Wonderful.Cheese]

I was on lexapro for a long time and I too was panicked about taking it for fear of weight gain. Well I didn't gain any weight from it at all and it was effective for my anxiety symptoms for a really long time.

 

I hope that side effect goes away for you. It is an effective med IME.

[CookieN]

I am glad lex has worked for you and didn´t bring any weight gain in your case

I was on lexapro for a long time and I too was panicked about taking it for fear of weight gain. Well I didn't gain any weight from it at all and it was effective for my anxiety symptoms for a really long time.

 

I hope that side effect goes away for you. It is an effective med IME.

[ripping stiches]

I just started lexapro again, I used to take it about 7 years ago. I don't remember lots of weight gain. I lost weight actually while on it because it was to treat the anxiety for ending my eating disorder. I'm starting it again because the ativan is getting a bit addictive. I was really worried about weight gain. I was put on paxil about 5 years ago and gained 40 pounds. It was horrible, especially as one who has tried to beat bulimia. My doc said it won't cause extra weight gain. If you do gain weight, it's probably another problem, like your insulin problem. But I'm also on wellbutrin, which does the opposite for weight, so it might even contradict anything the lexapro does. I was taking seroquil and that made me gain about 10 pounds after losing 25. It sucked. You just gotta watch if you're eating more or not, since those meds can make you so f-ing hungry. Go crazy, or eat more......... huh.

 

TL;DR So far, all doctors I've talked to have said it won't cause weight gain. Know your habits, in case you find yourself eating more.