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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ccass on November 17, 2000, at 15:21:55
I was just reading about meridia and wonder if I should consider asking my doctor for it. I've been on celexa for 1 year and gained 40lbs. Does anyone know if its possible to take meridia with celexa? or can they suggest something else I should try?
Posted by stjames on November 17, 2000, at 16:52:31
In reply to diet drugs and antidepressants, posted by ccass on November 17, 2000, at 15:21:55
All diet drugs carry a contrindication for depression. Weight gain on AD's is often not associated with additional caloric intake, so
an appetite supressant does no good.James
Posted by JohnL on November 18, 2000, at 5:01:51
In reply to diet drugs and antidepressants, posted by ccass on November 17, 2000, at 15:21:55
> I was just reading about meridia and wonder if I should consider asking my doctor for it. I've been on celexa for 1 year and gained 40lbs. Does anyone know if its possible to take meridia with celexa? or can they suggest something else I should try?
Meridia is similar to Effexor, in that it is a reuptake inhibitor of serotonin, NE, and DA, in addition to whatever it does to block appetite. There are reports of people who have taken it and their longstanding depression disappeared. This hadn't even been considered, so was obviously a pleasant surprise.
Effexor has been combined with other SSRIs, in the field as well as with people here at babbleland. Even though it is theoretically contraindicated, it is done. Of course, the usual disclaimer follows the contraindication when it states "Do not take this medicine if you are taking XYZ without consulting with your physician". I see no reason why you could not combine Meridia with Celexa. Meridia or Effexor have been successfully combined with other SSRIs. Celexa should theoretically be safest due to its relative lack of drug-drug interactions compared to other SSRIs. The one concern would be a rare risk serotonin syndrome, which is always a possible risk when two serotonin medicines are combined. Starting with very low doses and increasing slowly would be the responsible way to approach it.
Other more common OTC diet drugs should probably be avoided. They typically cause more problems longterm than they fix short term.
As I see it Meridia is a fine choice. Another possibility to consider would be Ionamin. Some people find their depression improves when a stimulant is added to their antidepressant. Ionamin is a prescription diet drug in the stimulant class, and a few people have found that they like it better than other stimulants. It's an alternative to think about. These two would probably be the top two choices in my opinion. But if you had tried them and for some reason did not like them, other alternatives would include Ritalin, Adderall, Tenuate, and Wellbutrin.
John
Posted by ccass on November 20, 2000, at 13:18:08
In reply to Re: diet drugs and antidepressants, posted by stjames on November 17, 2000, at 16:52:31
> All diet drugs carry a contrindication for depression. Weight gain on AD's is often not associated with additional caloric intake, so
> an appetite supressant does no good.
>
> JamesI see what you are saying James, but I'm hoping I can find something since the weight is starting to make me depressed again. I'm even considering going off celexa since people say the weight will come off once you go off the meds, I hope at least this is true and that the depression won't come back totally.
thanks
Cassie
Posted by stjames on November 20, 2000, at 14:03:21
In reply to Re: diet drugs and antidepressants, posted by ccass on November 20, 2000, at 13:18:08
> I see what you are saying James, but I'm hoping I can find something since the weight is starting to make me depressed again.
James here....
If you gained weight because AD's increased appitite, you took in more cals, and gained weight, then a "diet pill" might help. Many report
that they gained weight without eating more, so in this case a "diet pill" will be of no help.james
Posted by ccass on November 20, 2000, at 14:12:38
In reply to Re: diet drugs and antidepressants, posted by stjames on November 20, 2000, at 14:03:21
yes thats how it happened....I gained the weight and now that I'm working on loosing it by exercising and seeing a dietician I haven't lost anything! I haven't gained anymore either thank goodness. I made an appointment with my doctor to talk about this since I'm starting to worry about other health problem like diabetes, which I don't need to develop. The thing that is also bothering me is that I feel fine for weighing the most ever in my life and it bothers me but then most of the time it doesn't bother me and I figure this is still the feel good feelings from the antidepressant, its such an odd feeling I'm wondering if others have felt this? Its like I have to remind myself to be worried about my weight.
Posted by R.Anne on November 24, 2000, at 20:06:30
In reply to diet drugs and antidepressants, posted by ccass on November 17, 2000, at 15:21:55
> I was just reading about meridia and wonder if I should consider asking my doctor for it. I've been on celexa for 1 year and gained 40lbs. Does anyone know if its possible to take meridia with celexa? or can they suggest something else I should try?
*****
I've read that amphetamines with antidepressants can be lethal. I have used metabolite and my doctor knew it. It helped but made me nervous, too. What I do is to have regular checkups with blood work to see if I have any problems from my extra 40 pounds. I don't have anything serious yet. I think it's better to have the pounds rather than be suicidal-unless you can find another antidepressant that is better that way. I found that I didn't put on as much with Effexor XR. Have you thought that you might just have to wait a little longer to lose some? I don't know how long you have been dieting, though. It takes me seemingly forever to lose weight and then I get disappointed. I need more patience with myself. Good luck.
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