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!
Hi, everyone - I'm new to this website, and so glad that I found it. It's so reassuring to know that I'm not alone in my struggles.
I could really use some feedback. In November of 2014 I went on Lexapro to deal with some situational issues (20 mg per day). In early 2015 I noticed that I was gaining weight without having changed any of my eating or exercising habits. By March of 2015 I had gained 13 pounds (and I'm 5'2", so that's a lot for me). After doing a bit of research, I learned (for the FIRST time) that Lexapro often causes weight gain (wish the doctor would have told me that ...).
I've been slowing weaning myself off of it since July of 2015 - I'm down to 10 mgs twice a week. However, the weight that I gained didn't budge. I've now been on a very "clean" diet for the last two weeks - no sugar, gluten, dairy, caffeine and only complex "good" carbs. Before Lexapro I would have lost 5-6 pounds in two weeks eating this way. I've only lost half of a pound. I'm stopping Lexapro entirely to get it out of my system.
Has anyone been in a similar situation and had success losing "post-Lexapro weight?" If so, PLEASE share any tips, insight, how long it took, etc. - I'm feeling really depressed and scared that my metabolism is messed up forever.
Thank you in advance, and thanks for this wonderful resource!
Yes, Lexapro was very problematic for me. There were several contributing factors... overmedicated on Lexapro (40mg) for way too long, my thyroid went out of whack and my doctor wouldn't test all the different elements (TSH, t4, t3 or whatever they are), and my body chemistry/metabolism just changed because I'm 44 now... not 32, haha.
Does your doctor know you're titrating off Lexapro? Typically you would go down to a very small dose once a day, not once a week. That concerns me. When I quit (and it was sheer torture, I admit) I went very slowly over the course of about two months down to about 5mg/day then finally quit. I emphasize that it was sheer ****. Fortunately, I was off work for shoulder surgery, so I had the luxury of quitting in the privacy of my own home. I don't know if I would have been able to do it while working. It literally felt like someone was hitting me in the head with a Louisville Slugger, but then, I was overmedicated and I took it for... over 10 years. ?
I was not able to start losing weight until months later when my doctor (different doctor than the knucklehead who prescribed 40mg/day of Lexapro) prescribed me Wellbutrin. I really had thought that I was managing things pretty well as far as depression and anxiety goes, but I really wasn't. Relative to ten years ago yes, I was, but relative to people without depression and anxiety, not so much. I didn't even realize that I was "nervous eating." I wasn't eating bad stuff, just a lot of it... pistachios, carrots, apples, tangerines,... I would feel anxious and snack. I don't do that anymore. I have lost 40 lbs quickly since then, kind of in waves, and I have 30, maybe 40 to go.
I was always very thin and being fat made me very reclusive and added to depression and anxiety, so it's like the Lexapro was causing the problem it was prescribed to treat. Quitting it was one of the best things I've ever done.
How are things going for you OP? I just joined this forum but I am suffering from the same issue. I am weening myself off starting now as I have gained about 15 lbs on it in 4-5 months.
I am a long distance runner at the state and national level. I was put on Lexapro 20 mg for anxiety. My weight and nutrition have been basically the same for 12 years - it is dialed in to being a runner, as I train 50 - 80 miles per week.
After 5 months on Lexapro, I had gained 20 pounds, all around my middle. My nutrition and exercise levels were exactly the same as before. I was very upset with the gain and it started to affect my performance.
I took a rather extreme route of weaning (2 weeks), and I think it was successful due to the really healthy food I consume. I dropped from 20 mg to 10 mg for 1 week, then to 5 mg for one week. The I dropped Lexapro completely and replaced it with a natural amino acid 5-HTP which enhances mood and sleep. I took 200 mg before breakfast and 200 mg 1 hour before bed. This was for one week. Then I dropped to 100 mg/100 mg and remain at that level now.
I lost the 20 pounds I gained in 1 month and, again, never changed my nutrition or exercise levels.
So, IMHO, weight gain has nothing to do with the individual. Do not blame yourself - It is ALL to do with Lexapro.
OMG this makes me feel so much better. I went on Lexapro in 2014 and my weight increased dramatically - from 135 to 183. I didn't pinpoint it to the medication (there were other factors too, like working an office job, so less movement overall), but now I wonder. I've lost almost 20 pounds now, so that's heartening, but I'm a little discouraged because it sounds like it's much harder to lose while on Lexapro, and I don't think I can afford to go off it (my anxiety is just too intense without it). At least I'm not the only one
This is very helpful! I gained 20 lbs in a year of starting Lexapro. Can anyone who is on it give more info about losing weight on it. Is it a lot harder than normal?
This is very helpful! I gained 20 lbs in a year of starting Lexapro. Can anyone who is on it give more info about losing weight on it. Is it a lot harder than normal?
It seemed like I could not lose weight on it. I was only able to when I quit taking it against doctor's orders, which I do not recommend. When she found out I'd quit taking it she nearly fired me as a patient. She was not joking... she was pissed. She convinced me pretty quickly to start taking Wellbutrin, which also helped my weight loss.
I hit a few plateaus over the next two years, but right now I am within 10-lbs of my goal weight. The first half I lost I was just watching what I was eating... sort of lower carb, lean protein, low fat. The last half was with keto, which has honestly not been hard. I have never been hungry and I feel great. The only hard part has been other people trying to convince me that I can or should eat things that I can't or shouldn't.
Yeah man, weight can definitely be one of those things lead to depression,
but there is no need to feel bad about your body, it is all in your mind, you can turn this to a positive experience, ask yourself what do you want and then engage yourself to a some program that lets you achieve your goal, if its gym so be it-- but here is the catch, do not put pressure on yourself, take your time to enjoy it, take is as your feel good session, do not expect immediate results, it will take time but enjoy the ride as you get to your goal.
Weight loss info/tips after Lexapro?
