Hi,

I guess I should introduce myself. My name is Jamie. I'm a SAHM to 4 kids. I've just turned 30, been married for 10 years. I've battled depression on and off for 12 years (mostly off). Last March, my doc put me on Effexor (didn't work) and then Wellbutrin which worked. Then I found out in May I was pregnant, so I took myself off the meds. Fast forward to January. I had my baby and my dh insisted on me going back on meds. So my ob/gyn put me on Cymbalta. I was on it for 2 weeks and I hated the side effects so I stopped taking them and went to my family doc who put me back on Wellbutrin. Well . . . I managed to take that for 1 week and then again I talked myself out of taking them. I'm seriously PARANOID about gaining weight. I'm convinced that I won't be able to lose 35 lbs that I have to lose to get back to pre-baby weight. I've never been on an anti-depressant before needing to lose weight. It's always been when I'm at my target weight and then I don't gain weight either, just stay stable.

So . . . anyway, it's been a week and I'm on nothing. I've not told anybody (doc or dh) that I'm not taking them. I'm just so scared that I won't be able to lose my baby fat. I don't know what to do. Part of me wants to diet for the next 4 months or so, lose the weight THEN go back on the meds. But then I think about it, and I'm not sure I'm thinking logically. I mean I don't know for sure that I even need to be on meds, but I think I probably do.

Oh and for what it's worth, I'm currently breastfeeding and my baby is 5 weeks old. I'm also finding myself to be eating OUT OF CONTROL! I'm an emotional eater and I just can't help myself lately. UGHHH!

HELP!!!

Don't worry so much about losing weight while on antidepressants. If you're constantly unhappy, you'll eat more out of your depression and you'll never lose the weight, or even gain more. If you lose it and then go on the antidepressants and stop dieting, you'll gain it all back. You're better off trying to lose the weight while on the antidepressants. It takes a lot of work but it's worth a shot!

I was prescribed Wellbutrin to quit smoking. That drug has a known side effect of helping to eliminate cravings, and worked incredibly well for me. I am no expert, but I don't think Wellburtin will hinder your weight loss efforts - if anything I think it will help. You definitely need to give it more time though, from what I was told Wellbutrin takes awhile to build up in your system.

I am considering cymbalta. What side effects did you experience?

Robibaby, I totally agree with lessthan. If you're depressed and eating out of control, you'll do more damage (gaining weight) than being on the Wellbutrin alone.

Also, your weight isn't your life. Think about DH and baby and kids, they need their mom to be in control and depressed isn't being in control.

BTW, I understand the not wanting to take meds, I did quit cold turky 7 months ago - BUT - my symptoms are for the moment not bad. I would go back on them if I needed to.

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And congrats on the baby.
Marie

My symptoms were bad and I didn't lose more weight so I'm back on. Honestly, I've lost weight both off and on. Not much difference.