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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Laura Jane on September 3, 2000, at 11:31:09
How do you manage when your antidepressant causes you to gain weight, which in turn makes you depressed? I was on zoloft for 8 months, and it helped a great deal, but I stopped taking it (weaned slowly) because I gained weight. When I first noticed weight gain I was shocked. I swore I wasn't doing anything different in terms of my eating habits or exercise. Well, besides not exercising regularly, but duh! And when I stopped taking zoloft I expected the weight to peel right off. Unfortunately, when I stopped taking zoloft I started getting horribly irritable and depressed and would cry at work. My doctor suggested prozac, because he claimed it had less of a chance of making me gain weight. So I've been on Prozac for three months now and it has helped. Yet I'm depressed about the weight gain. I know I should be lucky that that's my chief complaint, as a year and a half ago I was waiting for Armageddon every day, and I would have done anything to get rid of the way I was feeling. I just think it's grossly ironic that weight gain is a side effect of an effective anti-depressant, especially for someone like me who has had and eating disorder in the past and has ALWAYS been acutely aware of weight and low body image. How does anyone else deal with this? I don't think I can go off Prozac right now. I work full time and I'm in grad school which causes a lot of stress and I can't bear be as upset as I was all the time. I suppose it's the lesser of the two evils. I know I should be thankful that I can keep a job and go to school and I have a wonderful support system in my family and friends. I'm just so sickened by my body sometimes. I feel trapped in it and experience rock-bottom low self esteem. I plan on watching what I eat better, (I'm somewhat addicted to carbs) and exercising more. Does anyone else experience a great wall of motivational block when trying to go exercise after a dumb day at the office? Thanks for reading. Laura
Posted by JaneST on September 3, 2000, at 12:30:52
In reply to Antidepressants=weight gain=depression, posted by Laura Jane on September 3, 2000, at 11:31:09
Laura:
Sorry, sweetie, I don't have any magical answers for you here but I can share my experience. I have gained 20 pounds in the past 4 months because I started taking Remeron. The depression is soooo much better on the one hand...but really no better because my self-esteem is at rock bottom...and I feel like such an ingrate for complaining to others "just about weight" when I was eyeing the razorblades before Remeron.
So, in doing lots of research etc., I came upon an article by Dr. Stahl that says he treats his patients with phentermine while on Remeron. (I think this is the good phen in fen-phen.) So I took the article to my pdoc, and as she loves Dr. Stahl, she prescribed the phen for me. Took it for about 3 days and was speeding my brains out...never slept, heart racing, etc...so I'm not taking that now...just too uncomfortable.
I'm trying to walk more and trying to go to bed when I start getting the Remeron munchies. So far I haven't noticed any weight difference...and I really don't want to try another med just yet because at least I'm functioning...but the weight is driving me crazy!!!
For support I have joined the ladiesofthelite group started by women (and one wonderful man) here at PB for mutual support in losing weight. You can find us at ladiesofthelite at eGroups.com. Of course we talk about a host of other things, but why don't you check us out? It's a wonderfully warm and caring group.
I know I haven't helped with the weight thing but there are others of us who feel exactly the way you do...and you know there is power in numbers.
Love,
Jane
Posted by Peg on September 3, 2000, at 14:00:10
In reply to Re: Antidepressants=weight gain=depression » Laura Jane, posted by JaneST on September 3, 2000, at 12:30:52
Laura and Jane:
Just a post on my experience. I am a resistant depresser. In 1995,1996 and 1997 my doc prescribed 20 mg Prozac and 37.5 Adipex (phentermine) He did this because my home had burned down, and I was under heavy stress, dealing with insurance, rebuilding,etc. Those were the best years.
Then I moved, and couldn't find a doctor to prescribe me that combo. It has been downhill every since. Even with Prozac + wellbutrin, I have no energy, aches and pains, brain fog. I can't sleep at night. Last night I tried that new product Alluna- OC- and I was up until at 3:00 pm I broke down and took an Ambien
Good luck to both of you. If you are interested in obtaining phentermine, email me at pdurkop@email.msn.com
Blessings,
Peg> Laura:
>
> Sorry, sweetie, I don't have any magical answers for you here but I can share my experience. I have gained 20 pounds in the past 4 months because I started taking Remeron. The depression is soooo much better on the one hand...but really no better because my self-esteem is at rock bottom...and I feel like such an ingrate for complaining to others "just about weight" when I was eyeing the razorblades before Remeron.
>
> So, in doing lots of research etc., I came upon an article by Dr. Stahl that says he treats his patients with phentermine while on Remeron. (I think this is the good phen in fen-phen.) So I took the article to my pdoc, and as she loves Dr. Stahl, she prescribed the phen for me. Took it for about 3 days and was speeding my brains out...never slept, heart racing, etc...so I'm not taking that now...just too uncomfortable.
>
> I'm trying to walk more and trying to go to bed when I start getting the Remeron munchies. So far I haven't noticed any weight difference...and I really don't want to try another med just yet because at least I'm functioning...but the weight is driving me crazy!!!
>
> For support I have joined the ladiesofthelite group started by women (and one wonderful man) here at PB for mutual support in losing weight. You can find us at ladiesofthelite at eGroups.com. Of course we talk about a host of other things, but why don't you check us out? It's a wonderfully warm and caring group.
>
> I know I haven't helped with the weight thing but there are others of us who feel exactly the way you do...and you know there is power in numbers.
>
> Love,
> Jane
Posted by Tracy on September 3, 2000, at 15:09:27
In reply to Re: Antidepressants=weight gain=depression » Laura Jane, posted by JaneST on September 3, 2000, at 12:30:52
Jane:
How can I get that article by Stahl? Is it on the internet?
Thanks,
Tracy
Posted by JaneST on September 3, 2000, at 15:55:52
In reply to Re: Antidepressants=weight gain=depression, posted by Tracy on September 3, 2000, at 15:09:27
Tracy:
I don't remember where/how I got the article...must have just done some kind of search. I cut and pasted several bits and pieces that I wanted to take to my pdoc. Following is the 'bit' that I cut for my doctor...sorry, I have no recollection where it might be...but it IS quoting Stahl.
"My own strategy for mitigating mirtazapine weight gain is to monitor it closely by weighing patients and adding SSRIs, venlafaxine, or occasionally diethylpropion, phentermine, or pramipexole. Nevertheless it remains a vexing problem for some patients."
Hope this little bit helps.
Peace,
Jane
Posted by Laura Jane on September 3, 2000, at 21:42:04
In reply to Re: Antidepressants=weight gain=depression, posted by Peg on September 3, 2000, at 14:00:10
Jane and Peg-
Thank you so much for your responses and suggestions. I think I just wanted to hear that other people were in the same boat I'm in. I am wary of trying anything resembling speed, though I am curious. I don't think my asthma would be able to take it, though maybe it would help! :) I do feel like an ingrate. It just kills me because finally, after years of struggle with weight issues, I had finally gotten to a point of acceptance, and then all this nasty stuff started happening. Thanks again. Laura
This is the end of the thread.
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