Depression and Weight IssuesHave you been diagnosed with depression, are possibly on depression medication, and find it affects your weight loss efforts? Post here for support!
I finally admitted to myself that I really needed to talk to a counselor (after missing work one day and spending another day completely crushed, in tears, distraught, for no reason that I can conceive of) and a medical doctor. Both were wonderful, very understanding, and supportive of both my need to deal with this depression and my desire to be healthier in general. The doctor is a family doctor and sports medicine specialist, so he's very much on the "exercise and feel better" track, and the counselor seems good as well.
After reviewing my family history, personal history, and generally talking to me about how I'm feeling and where I feel I'm struggling, we've decided on a low-level (20mg) daily dose of Prozac to start and see how it does. The doctor indicated that it was a "weight-neutral" drug, meaning that it should not interfere with my weight loss efforts, and he believes that once I start feeling the effects of the antidepressant, I will have more energy and desire to do what I need to do to lose the weight (I've been dealing with a lot of "I don't even want to get out of bed in the morning" moods, affecting not just exercise, but work and other areas of my life as well).
I know medications affect everyone differently and that we're all unique in our chemical makeup, but I am still hoping that y'all might be willing to share your experiences on Prozac, good and bad. I know it affects sexual feelings, but I haven't dated or been with anyone sexually in about a year (and no one forseeable in the future) so I'm really not worried about that side effect right now (actually, given that I'm a normal hormonal woman with no man in her life, it might be a blessing in disguise!) But how else has it affected you? Have you found it to be a help, a hindrance, or not a factor at all in your weight loss? Did you really feel better taking it?
Yodagirl, I have been on and off Prozac for several years. I started taking it a few months after my mother passed away and right after my father had a stroke. I knew that I had to do something, because at that time, I was beginning to think that life didn't matter. I was concerned about the weigh issue. At that time, I was attending WW. I didn't continue losing as much as I was previous to the Prozac, but I never had a gain with it. I have gone off of it different times, but I always go back on it.
Because of another medicine, I did gain some of my weight back. I'd like to stop taking it, but I like being out of pain better!! lol I'm back to WW again, still on the Prozac and that other medicine, and still losing slowly. Of course, I'm several years older now too, so that can account for the slow loss.
I wish you the best of luck with it. I know some people don't believe in the meds for depression, but if my husband, doctor, and I wouldn't have realized that I needed help, I wouldn't be here today. God Bless You!
I started prozac in December. I started on 10mg, but really couldn't tell a difference so I went up to 20mg and am doing quite well. I still had the "don't want to get out of bed in the morning" for a while after I started taking it because I would take it in the morning. I would be sleepy all day. The past couple of weeks I've switched to night time and it's made a world of difference. I haven't gained any weight since taking it, but I haven't really lost weight either - haven't really been trying although I think the meds have helped with my emotional eating. I feel more like myself than I've felt in years. Hope this helps!!
I've heard some people say that they lost weight once they started taking Prozac, but both my best friend and I had the same experience with it. We both gained 40lbs a piece when taking it (at different times in our lives.) For me I gained 40lb is less than 6 months and I was miserable.
My depression stemmed from the loss of my mother several years ago. I tried several different meds (and a hospital stay) before finding one that really helped me. I eventually ended up on Welbutrin and that is what worked great for me.
I think due to the unique nature of our bodies and the medications, they work differently for everyone. Prozac may work well for you, but then it might not. I would try to be self aware and if it isn't working the way you think it should then go see your doctor. Sometimes it can be a long process to find the right drug.
The good news is though, that after years of problems, I'm happy and medicine free. There is hope out there and you are doing the right thing by talking to your doctor and taking a proactive step. Good luck!
I took prozac in the past and never gained weight.
I just recently went off of Effexor and Wellbutrin and just started prozac 20mg. I'm feeling awfully down. I know it will take a bit for it to get into my system. Lots of stuff has been going on recently. I totally don't feel like myself. *hugs*
*hugs* back to you Campbell....I hope things feel better for you soon!
And thank you, everyone, for the responses. I'm hoping the prozac works as intended -- I know I've felt a little calmer, but I think it's probably a placebo effect combined with just knowing that I've done *something*. If I keep feeling better, it's a good thing.
Although I did notice I couldn't sleep much last night -- went to bed early, but woke up several times and gave up trying to sleep at 4am. I'll have to keep an eye on that.
I have been on Prozac for almost a year. At frist I started on 20mgs i was feeling better, in a better mood but I was soooo tired I had no energy. I moved down to 10 mgs and then I didn't feel as good. SO I switch back to 20mgs and started taking it at night, sooooooo much better!
It may take a few months for you to figure out what dose to take but it will help. I didn't gain any weight that I can blame on the meds. Best of luck to you!
Hi Yoda Girl,
I have been taking Prozac for 7 years and my weight has been stable, I usually take 20mg a day and I take it in the morning. I recently went up to 40mg due to some personal issues going on in my life.
Good for you for going to the Doctor, I remember that was the scariest step for me. My husband basically had to threaten me to go because he didn't know what else to do for me. Prozac has been the best thing I ever did, it has turned me back into my old self.
Keep smiling and take one day at a time.
I started on Prozac in 1992. I felt pretty good within a couple of weeks, but then I started feeling 'flat' emotionally. My dosage got upped. This cycle went on for a couple of years. Then I got put on Wellbutrin in addition to the Prozac. Again, dosages upped and upped again. I started feeling like I was being poisoned and I hallucinated blood dripping down my arms. Then, the NP put me on Resperdol, an antipsychotic. Depression runs in the family, but absolutely no psychosis. I knew something was wrong, so after careful research, I weaned myself off everything over the course of 6 months (I don't recommend this!!! Talk to your dr first) I didn't take anything for over 2 years. The next time I had a major depressive episode, I was wary of taking anything, but a new NP recommended Lexapro, which is more refined than the other SSRI's. Other than 20 pounds I gained within weeks of starting it, I haven't had any issues with it. I've been taking it for over 2 years now. I still have some depression, but it's much more manageable than not taking anything.
Now, 2 of my nieces take Prozac, and they say it works well for them. It makes them feel 'normal.' It did anything but for me. I think everyone's body chemistry is different, and my body holds onto the chemicals longer than others. Just be aware of that flat feeling.
I just wanted to give a quick update -- I went to the doctor today for my 6-week follow up to starting Prozac, and it made a world of difference. My energy level is much better, I haven't been crying, and my mood is vastly improved...I feel like I did back in my early, early 20's (that's a good thing).
The other good news is that the doc checked my blood levels, and everything is looking good -- cholesterol is well in the low-to-normal range, thyroid is just fine, blood sugar is on the low end of normal (but still in normal range). My blood pressure is down a few points (it wasn't really high to begin with, but was slightly elevated). And, to top it off, I lost about 7 lbs since my last visit 6 weeks ago! I haven't been trying to, because I wanted to get acclimated to the Prozac and see if it made a difference without stressing myself out over dieting / exercise.
Now I've got the "clean bill of health" to really get this weight loss moving. The doc was happy to see that I lost 7 lbs since the last time, and will follow up with me in 6 months unless I need to see him before then.
I took prozac for a year as a teen. That experience culminated in a suicide attempt. Needless to say I stopped that med and went on to try other cocktails until I found one that worked.
I also STRONGLY believe that you should have any and all psychopharmacueticals prescribed by a PSYCHIATRIST and NOT a regular md family doctor. They honestly do NOT have the training that is necessary and you would be surprised at the amount of damage done by doctors who prescribed medicines for conditions that should be rightly diagnosed and treated by specialists such as a psychiatrist.
Starting Prozac
