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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sushinutz on April 18, 2005, at 10:35:34
Hi! I'm new to this message board and have a problem. I've been taking 10 mg of Lexapro for almost 3 years. During the past several months, I noticed a weight gain of 16 lbs. without a significant change in eating habits. I run 50-60 miles per week and have been doing this for several years. Since Sept. 2004, I managed to drop 6 lbs. of the unwanted gain, but now seem to be at a plateau. It is very frustrating because I am hyperattentive to what I eat and those extra 10 lbs are slowing me down!! I can only conclude it is indeed the Lexapro. My doctor, of course, is unsympathetic, but ran some blood tests to make sure it wasn't a thyroid problem. He swears I must be eating more. Please tell me who gains weight on 2500 calories a day accompanied by a 7-9 mile run with a nice 10-12 miler on Sundays? Apart from discontinuing Lexapro, what can I do? I was wondering if anybody has experimented with taking 3-6 grams of fish oil per day in conjunction with an SSRI for weight loss. Thanks so much in advance!!
Posted by bart on April 18, 2005, at 10:42:12
In reply to SSRI/Weight Gain/Fish Oil solution?, posted by sushinutz on April 18, 2005, at 10:35:34
I too share your frustration with medication and weight gain. I run all the time but occasionally binge eat when medications where off. I think it's because I's so sensitized to meds over the years
Posted by Racer on April 18, 2005, at 11:50:31
In reply to SSRI/Weight Gain/Fish Oil solution?, posted by sushinutz on April 18, 2005, at 10:35:34
This is one of those common problems, and a lot of doctors do not recognize the weight gain associated with anti-depressants -- much easier to blame the patient, so they do. It doesn't help that the short term trial studies showed weight loss, because there are still some doctors who think that SSRIs are good for weight loss. {{sigh}}
Fact is, most of the studies I've seen have said, basically, that there's little that can be done to counter weight gain on SSRIs, except in some cases Topamax. I've never come across fish oil as an option, so I'd be interested to read what you saw, if you can link to it.
The best advice I can offer about it is to keep a really detailed food diary to show your doctor. I've done it, and it sometimes helps convince them that you're not gaining weight because of the six boxes of bon-bons in front of the soaps each day.
Hope that helps.
Posted by sushinutz on April 18, 2005, at 12:17:23
In reply to Re: SSRI/Weight Gain/Fish Oil solution?, posted by Racer on April 18, 2005, at 11:50:31
The other day I was doing some research on fish oil and SSRI's and came across this site (I realize it could be quackery):
Posted by JayDee on April 18, 2005, at 12:47:19
In reply to Re: SSRI/Weight Gain/Fish Oil solution?, posted by sushinutz on April 18, 2005, at 12:17:23
I dont know if it will help, but I can say that fish oil has some stimulant properties. I even derive a mild euphoria from it, after being off it for a while. similar to amphetamine, but weaker.
Posted by sushinutz on April 18, 2005, at 13:00:47
In reply to Re: SSRI/Weight Gain/Fish Oil solution?, posted by JayDee on April 18, 2005, at 12:47:19
> I dont know if it will help, but I can say that fish oil has some stimulant properties. I even derive a mild euphoria from it, after being off it for a while. similar to amphetamine, but weaker.
I started taking 3 grams of fish oil 3 days ago and noticed mild euphoria. Right now a co-worker is pissing me off and I'm amused. Also, I read for almost 2 hours straight last night--something I wasn't able to do without dozing off before. I don't know, it could be the placebo effect.
Posted by Spriggy on April 18, 2005, at 15:38:18
In reply to Re: SSRI/Weight Gain/Fish Oil solution?, posted by sushinutz on April 18, 2005, at 13:00:47
Really? Fish oil can create a stimulant effect?
I take Omega 3 fish oil daily and I have anxiety. If it has a stimulant effect, would I want to stop using this??
Okay, I need to stop reading here because you guys just make me more paranoid. LOL
Posted by Phillipa on April 18, 2005, at 18:08:39
In reply to Re: SSRI/Weight Gain/Fish Oil solution?, posted by Spriggy on April 18, 2005, at 15:38:18
I take fish oil too. I wish it did create more energy for me. I also wish I still could run. I could never run 50-60miles a week. That's sensational. When I did run it used to make me high and eliminate my depression. I'm not able to run now and walking isn't the same. With all that running I'm surprised you need an AD. How old are you if I may ask, and are you planning on running a marathon? The most I ever was once when I was around 40. I ran l3miles. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by sushinutz on April 19, 2005, at 7:31:53
In reply to Re: SSRI/Weight Gain/Fish Oil solution?, posted by Phillipa on April 18, 2005, at 18:08:39
> I take fish oil too. I wish it did create more energy for me. I also wish I still could run. I could never run 50-60miles a week. That's sensational. When I did run it used to make me high and eliminate my depression. I'm not able to run now and walking isn't the same. With all that running I'm surprised you need an AD. How old are you if I may ask, and are you planning on running a marathon? The most I ever was once when I was around 40. I ran l3miles. Fondly, Phillipa
Thanks, Phillipa!
I'm 33--I'll be 34 in July. Despite running I still need an AD. After I quit taking Zoloft, I took Wellbutrin and it elevated my heart rate too much. Also, I had several outbursts of anger. Then, I stayed off AD's for about a year and things were worse, but some of my problems were situational. Severe mental illness runs on both sides of my family (bipolar father, schizophrenic maternal grandmother--yay for me!), so I am lucky I only have to take 10mg of Lexapro for moderate depression.I've done one marathon and will probably do another one when I'm 35. I do know some former runners who have taken to swimming.
I have a friend who lost 40 lbs while taking 100mg of Zoloft. She was on Weight Watchers.
I've noticed fish oil suppresses my appetite a little.
Posted by Christoarpher on May 2, 2005, at 21:48:24
In reply to Re: SSRI/Weight Gain/Fish Oil solution?, posted by sushinutz on April 19, 2005, at 7:31:53
I've been on Lexapro since February and have ballooned. Not good for someone with depression and body image issues. I'm a hyperactive fitness freak and am still gaining weight. grrrr...
I've been reading with interest this thread and am going to start the fishoil tonight. Can anyone give any guidance on the amount?
Thanks!
Posted by 16# on November 3, 2005, at 20:11:30
In reply to Re: SSRI/Weight Gain/Fish Oil solution?, posted by Racer on April 18, 2005, at 11:50:31
fish oil has many health benefits. For me, weight loss has not been one of them. I think it has mild mood stabilizing properties, though.
This is the end of the thread.
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