[ToMnyJaxs]

Hi everyone!

I haven't introduced myself here yet so let me do that first. I have been on Atkins for about 1 1/2 weeks. Love it, only wish I had done it sooner. I have about 80 pounds I would like to loose. I'm in this for the long haul so not so much worried about loosing the weight fast, just so long as it comes off at some point.

I walk 2 miles 3-4 times a week and also have three Jack Russells that keep me busy. The two girls (dogs that is) are agility dogs and we train around 2 times a week and show at least once a month, more when spring and fall arrive. For those that don't know, agility training is the stuff you have seen on Animal Planet or ESPN where dogs go over an obstacle course and over jumps, through tunnels, teeter totters, etc.

Okay, now for my question. I am on Prozac - 10mg (lowest dose possible). I was off all meds for about a year and was miserable. I was on Effexor (sp?) for some time and hated it. Horrible reactions to it and I was a walking zombie - absolutely no feeling to me at all. Never happy, never sad, never anything. I hated it. Also, for those on it, be aware that the withdrawls of going off Effexor (cold turkey, as I did) are comparable to a herion withdrawl (though I never had experiece with the herion part - HONEST!) So be careful - my doctor "forgot" to tell me this when I was taken off. I'm sorry, I don't mean to scare anyone.

Okay, back on track. My question is just how much is this going to affect my weight loss? Giving it up is not an option for me. I'll take the slow weight loss if I can feel good and "normal" again. Depression runs major deep in my family so I know I'll never be able to really go off of anything -which I am fine with. If anyone can tell me just how it will affect my weight loss I would be grateful!

Thanks for sharing!

Tam

[LindaT]

Hi Tam,

Glad you found the boards. I also am an Ex Effexor user and know exactly what you mean about the drug. Missing a dose provoked the most horrible reaction I had ever experienced. I think it took me 4 months to taper off the drug. ..never again. The only side effects I liked were the extremely vivid dreams.. amazing things.

According to the Prozac website, these are the following side effects

While not everyone taking Prozac experiences side effects, the side effects that people taking Prozac experience most include nausea, difficulty sleeping, drowsiness, anxiety, nervousness, weakness, loss of appetite, tremors, dry mouth, sweating, decreased sex drive, impotence, and/or yawning. These tend to be mild and usually go away within a few weeks of starting treatment. These side effects generally aren't serious enough to cause most people to stop taking Prozac.

So the answer to your question is this should not effect your weight loss efforts at all. What you DO need to look out for is what happened to me with Effexor and has happened to others with other drugs...the I-don't-care Attitude. Something about this drug, unlike the others.. made me feel this way. I was briefly on Prozac, and I have to tell you.. this drug and I did fine. I did not feel lethargic or weak or tired. You are still going to have to push yourself to eat well and exercise. It is too easy to fall into the trap of using depression as an excuse for not doing things we need to to get healthy.

I am sure you will do fine. With the right food plan, the right exercise program and the right attitude.. we can do anything.

[ToMnyJaxs]

Thanks for your help! I've suffered from depression most of my adult life. I've seen the effect it had on my father, his brothers and sisters and their own father. I don't want to end up like that. I have to tell you, after being on Zoloft, Effexor and now Prozac, Prozac has been a god-send. I love it and boy do I notice a difference. With the other drugs I definately had the "I don't care" attitude and had absolutely no emotional feeling at all. I hated it. It had me running scared from all drugs for about two years. Finally, I gave the Prozac a try and have never looked back. It evens out my mood and let's me "feel again". I can have the highes and the low moments but neither really lasts that long and I'm okay with that.

I guess I answered my own question because this morning I got on the "scale of death" and found out I gained 1.5 lbs. However when I went to measure I had lost 1"in my waste, 1.5 in my arms and 1" in my thigh. I'm postive the weight I gained was muscle as I 've been walking each night. I'm on cloud nine!!!

Thanks again for sharing!!

Tam

[Leenie]

Ditto to what LindaT said

I was on Prozac a few years ago and was losing weight w/no problems, but you know it goes w/out saying, everyone is different. I have a friend who is on Paxil (for a few years now) and had a hard time w/losing weight. Last January, 2002, she joined weight watchers and has lost 50 lbs since then, she is tickled and so am I. There is hope

Love, Leenie

[asta]

I take 40mg of prozac and have lost 115 lbs in 2 years.