Posted by FaithT on October 1, 2004, at 8:41:43
Hello Everyone~
I'm sorry to say that I'm back here again..
Brief history~ I Was on Effexor for 2 years, because I was diagnosed with Malignant Melanoma in July of 2002, at 33 years old with a one year old baby. I also take 3-4 mg. of xanax per day, because I have so much fear. I had to go on something, because I can not handle the fear of this cancer returning. No amount of therapy, hypnosis, praying can take it away. Believe me, I have tried..and it is very, very hard.
Anyway, this past July I decided to get off of the Effexor, because I thought that I was handling the fear better. Going off the med. was nothing less than hell, but I did it. I did pretty well with just the xanax for about 6 weeks, and then I hit rock bottom...Crying all the time, scared, thinking about the cancer constantly etc.etc.
A side effect that I experienced on Effexor is, I gained 15 lbs. that I can not lose. It seems like the weight gain just happened overnight, after I was on the med. for about a year.
So, I asked to be put on Wellbutrin XL, despite my Dr.'s hesitation, because he felt it would make me more anxious. THAT is an understatement...even with the xanax. I feel awful on this med. I need someething more calming, and this does the oppisite. I've been on it for 4 weeks now, and as of today I am tapering off it. It's not the right med. for me, and I'm disapointed because it's the only one that I know of that does not cause weight gain or sexual disfunction.
Finally..my question. Does anyone know of an anti-depressant that does not cause weight gain, if you're on it long term? I am caught between a rock and a hard place. Although it may sound vain...I do not want to gain more weight. Living with this constant fear is a nightmare though, and I need to make a decision on what to do. Can anyone help?
Many thanks, Faith~
poster:FaithT
thread:397806
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/health/20040729/msgs/397806.html