So my doctor perscribed me.... - 3 Fat Chicks on a Diet Weight Loss Community

vixxi · 02-10-2010, 08:15 PM

Weight Watchers and the Gym! Ive been taking the generic brand of Prozac for about six months and in the span of that time ive gained 30lbs! My doctor says that seems to happen on the SSRI's, but this is ridiculous! Has anyone else expirienced this? I thought Prozac was more weight neutral. Well, I can't argue with Weight Watchers and working out at the gym, I think it's a pretty fair thing to prescribe but ugh, the last thing I need is to gain weight from this darn med!!! Well, doctors orders, I have to lose weight by the next time I see her in eight weeks. Wish me luck!

choirgirlhotel · 02-10-2010, 09:01 PM

Yes, I took Prozac for 10 years and gained about 60 lb. I managed to get the first 30 lb off with Weight Watchers. Just know that you have to be extra strict with your calories and exercise while you are on an SSRI. Not everybody does - but obviously you and I do!

I have been off all meds since November 2007 and still find it difficult to lose weight, unfortunately. This is a common phenomenon apparently...."the after math". Or "the after mass" ha ha ha. I just made that up!

~CGH~

30and300 · 02-10-2010, 10:23 PM

Yes, I was on an SSRI for a few months. Not sure exactly how much I gained, but it was at least 20 lbs. Switched to a non-SSRI and am losing it again... My best friend who was on an SSRI years ago gained 40 lbs in 2 months... she lost it all when she stopped though.

chitownbex · 02-12-2010, 11:29 AM

I am currently taking brand Prozac , I took the generic for about a week and it was not working for me I think . I had side effects that were sooo terrible and made my stomache hurt so bad. It has simethicone in it which for me makes me feel awful in the tummy !!! I am on day 17 and I can tell you that it really has curbed my hunger. It has given me energy to workout . I have spent 8 of the last 9 days at the gym. The other night I didn't even eat dinner as I was not hungry. I am not dieting per say , but my pants are looser. It might be temporary though I do not know !

I was on Paxil for about 3 years and gained about 25 pounds on it.
Dr. suggested Prozac since it is supposed to not have so many issues of weight related to it ---

I hear that Wellbutrin makes you lose , I did try that w my regular Dr. before I started going to the P doc , but I GOT really really really sick off it --

Bex

chitownbex · 02-12-2010, 11:32 AM

30and300 -- what exactly are the differences between SSRI's and non SSRI's ? I think Wellbutrin is a non SSRI ? What are some others ?
Thanks and sorry if this is a dumb question, I am trying to learn as much as possible !

30and300 · 02-13-2010, 01:04 AM

I'm not too familiar with all the different types, but Celexa (the one I took before Wellbutrin) is an SSRI at least. I don't remember who linked me, but someone in this forum showed me the site "crazy meds" that has a bunch of info. I then took the info I found there and researched them on other sites before deciding to ask my doctor about Wellbutrin.

http://www.crazymeds.us/

vixxi · 02-13-2010, 06:52 AM

chitownbex, when I first started Prozac I had absolutely no appetite either, and had this jittery feeling like I had to move around and waste all the new found energy. That was great! Lol. Now, not so much. Apparently if you have a slow metabalism and your on an SSRI, you have to be extra careful with what you eat and make sure you exercise. My doctor said she's seen people gain 30, 40, 50 pounds on SSRI's! Ugh, well other than the weight gain this med has been absolutely wonderful! Everyone's different and Im sure if your careful (seems like your already doing everything right!) from the being you should be able to keep the weight at bay!

mom with issues · 02-13-2010, 02:17 PM

SSRI's are anti-depressants that work only on the seratonin in your brain. Non-SSRI's, also known as SNRI's work on the seratonin and norepinephrine. Crazy meds is a wonderful site full of information, but written in a way that's easy to understand. I highly recommend you check it out.

karen36 · 02-14-2010, 08:41 AM

hi......ive been on effexor xr/venlafaxine for about 10 yrs and during that time have put on loads of weight....i have recently started "the serotonin power diet" or as its called here in the uk "the good mood diet" ...this diet is a bit like food combining and involves eating carbs snacks to boost your serotonin and decrease your appetite...its reported to be very good for those on anti depressants...for me so far so good first week i lost 7 lbs and am due to weigh in tomorrow although i dont think i'll be losing as much this week.

i find it so hard to get motivated for exercise...good luck vixxi x

vixxi · 02-14-2010, 09:06 PM

Thanks Karen36, i have trouble getting motivated for the gym too! I have two memberships and I still dont go! I love the med but I just dont seem to have the giddy-up to do anything physical. I was also on Effexor for a few years, I was younger and not really aware of my weight so I don't know if it contributed to my weight gain. I just really need to get on the ball and make myself go. Im having trouble staying on plan (I do WW) and everytime I lose a little I gain it back. I need to break this cycle! How do all you ladies get movtivated and stay motivated???