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!
Actually I took Prozac to lose weight and found it very effective. I lost about 35 pounds and while I stayed on the prozac found it a good way to reduce my overeating. Give it a chance and see what it does. In my case I just found I wasn't eating everything in front of me like I had been. The only drawback is when you stop you may gain it back because you go back to old habits, like any weight loss aid you must change your habits permanently.
The only drawback is when you stop you may gain it back because you go back to old habits, like any weight loss aid you must change your habits permanently.
Ah, thats the rub, isn't it. Its very important while taking advantage of the benefits to establish good habits that you can (hopefully) keep after you go off the meds. Thats the idea, anyway. Haven't had to test my success yet!
Oh wow..I'm so glad I found this. I was just about to post something about Prozac. I just started taking Prozac 2 weeks ago for depression, and I've lost about 4 pounds since I've started taking it. I'm starting to get over some of the side effects, but I'm hoping the weight loss will continue.
On a side note: I was sorta wondering why I lost some interest in food, lol. Makes so much more sense now. I only eat when I'm hungry and I can stop myself for not eating after 7. I never had that willpower before.
Last edited by Shopaholic1204; 03-20-2008 at 10:49 AM.
Hi ladies, I just joined this website, although it looks like no one has posted in a while. I just started Prozac today and am very concerned about gaining weight (as I've already been told by my Dr. to lose 20-30 pounds). I've read mixed reviews but have decided to give it a try. Any feedback?
Last edited by LizC25; 02-25-2010 at 10:45 AM.
Reason: forgot something
I found this discussion via Google search in reference to Prozac and weight loss and I thought I would share my findings here, even though nobody's posted on the topic in quite a while...
I'm 28 years old, 5ft9 and the most I've ever weighed in my life was 235lbs. For the past 3 years, I had a sedentary job working in communications, entering in data on the computer and answering phones. Most of my weight gain came from working that job and prior to working in communications, I worked on an ambulance as an EMT - so I was fairly active (all things considered)
I have been dealing with depression for pretty much most of my life. It was exascerbated when my dad passed away in 2006 and I went on Zoloft and Wellbutrin. I can honestly say that the Zoloft didn't really work, I got most of my "help" from the wellbutrin and redirecting my thoughts and energy elsewhere.
I transferred departments at my work in July of this year and I am now working as a security officer. I started carrying a pedometer and logging in my miles on runkeeper.com (started doing that in the middle of September). Since September, I've walked 135+ miles JUST at work. I didn't really notice any kind of a weight change.
I had a relapse in my depression and hit a really low spot which caused me to seek help from the doctor. After discussing my situation with the doctor and how Zoloft did absolutely nothing for me, she put me on 20mg Prozac daily for 2 weeks and then 2 20mg (40mg total) a day after that and Wellbutrin.
Let's just say that I haven't seen my weight numbers this low since high school. I've been on the Prozac and Wellbutrin for roughly 2 months now and I've gone from 235lbs to 197lbs. I've been teetering between 199 and 205 off and on for the past several weeks due to lack of physical activity at work and eating habits (celebrating Thanksgiving early). So in all actuality, I've lost nearly 40lbs since I started taking Prozac. I couple it between the medicine and walking so much at work.
I really haven't changed too much as far as eating habits go. I eat generally twice a day and I try to cook healthy because my girlfriend is trying to lose weight. (She has PCOS and since her hormones are all out of whack, she has a REALLY hard time losing weight - which has in turn, been a sore subject for discussion)
As for my overall mental health since I've been on the Prozac (and back on Wellbutrin), I can say that things are much brighter and happier. She says that the difference is night and day in how I act and do things. Before getting back on meds, the world was a rather dark place to me. I'm sure those of you who have suffered from depression can relate.
I have a feeling that I'll have to remain on Prozac for the rest of my life or until my body gets immune to it and I have to find something else that works. (My body has a tendency to do that often).
As far as sex drive goes, I've never really had one to begin with. I know when I was on the Zoloft... it killed pretty much what little bit of a sex drive I did have and it was rather difficult to deal with when the other person didn't exactly understand what was going on - and another reason why we are no longer together.
I'm grateful that I've found Prozac. It's helped out in more ways than one...
[QUOTE=charliestaceyphillip;2066094]Has anyone been prescribed Prozac to help with dieting? What are your experiences? Does it aide you to stay on track or just the oppisite!? What are your opinions?
I was just prescribed Prozac as a mood elevator to help me possibly lose weight. I have been working out and eating right for 2 months and I haven't lost ANY weight! I just need some other opinions![/QUOTE. Yes, I've lost 7 lbs in 6 weeks
My situation is rather complex. After months of fighting depression, anxiety, weight gain and dealing with chronic pain and diagnosed with supposed autoimmune disease (RA/Lupus) I ASKED my new PCP to put me on Prozac and cytomel. It would appear that my doctor from the 1980's was ahead of his time as I was on this combo back then. Once insurance changed I had to find yet another PCP and the new doc would NOT prescribe. So, I ended up on every antidepressant known and NOTHING worked except Wellbutrin but it gave me chronic insomnia. As soon as I started the Prozac everything has begun to change. Lessens appetite, lifted mood/and the cytomel is used for depression as well as a boost to metabolism. I have gone from chronic fatigue and pain, a nervous system that was whacked and fraught with anxiousness to a smooth coasting...... I feel happy (it's been 2 years of ****) and I continue to improve as the weight keeps coming off--about 1-2 lbs a week. Do your homework, Google, research, and watch YouTube--you can turn around chronic health issues. I chose to irradiate the bad bacteria and change my diet (not go ON a diet) by eating healthy foods. I am not going to start taking big pharma drugs that can kill me--all they do is treat symptoms and say there is no cure. I am on the right track.
I have been on Prozac for 15+ yrs. I stopped about 4.5 yrs ago, OB suggested it to help get pregnant. I had an anxiety breakdown. I had never had anxiety before and I hit rock bottom. My PCP put me on 4 different depression meds with Buspar (I hated taking Xanax), but I asked to be put back on Prozac. I will never stop Prozac, and I am okay with that.
I gained 40 lbs with my first child in 2007 and then just slowly went up from there. I am at my highest ever 263.4 lbs.
I started ketogenic diet 10 days ago. I have been doing well, but the DRY MOUTH is killing me. I have been drinking 64 oz of water everyday but that has done very little. I weighed myself at morning of day 8, and I was down 6.2 lbs. I have increased my carb allowance from 20g to 30g on day 8.
I have peed on the sticks every morning and they are always purple, even morning after a cupcake I had during my daughter's birthday party.
Starting to wonder what # of carbs would take me out of ketosis.
I guess I can stop talking now...