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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by platinumbride on October 2, 2003, at 17:13:35
Today, as I sat around contemplating my girth and how I got this way I wondered if drugs like neurontin, SSRIs, Remeron and Effexor increased my appetite (which they did without a doubt) and/or, if my metabolism was slowed down by these meds.
I am just about off of the celexa. The only thing remaining is neurontin, which is going to be really tough to kick because while I do abuse it, sort of recreationally, I also notice a huge difference in my depression and anxiety levels without it.Any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I hate to think I am stuggling with topamax and food for nothing or that I will have no initial "kick" that might help me to get exercising again.
PB
Posted by shoebox on October 2, 2003, at 22:14:16
In reply to Is it just fork to mouth or slowing of metabolism?, posted by platinumbride on October 2, 2003, at 17:13:35
I've wondered the same thing. With Depakote and Seroquel, it was definitely a matter of increased appetite--I was RAVENOUS--and as soon as I went off each of those drugs, the pounds just melted off with almost no effort. Wellbutrin always kept my weight and appetite in check, and I was on it for over 5 years. I had to go off it recently--it just seemed to have stopped working, and I was feeling very anxious all the time--and my pdoc put me on Celexa. Unfortunately Celexa made me extremely tired and I put on 15 lbs in a matter of weeks, either because I was napping so much I wasn't burning enough calories, or because my metabolism had ground to a halt (or both). I started Effexor a week ago and my appetite has decreased to where it was when I was on Wellbutrin (*sigh*, good old Wellbutrin), so I am hoping my metabolism will improve also. Funny, I haven't read anything that specifically cites a metabolism change; it's always either "weight gain" or "increased appetite". One gets the impression that NOBODY in pharma gives a damn about the weight gain issue. If they had any brains they would be working around the clock to develop an AD that does not cause weight gain or sexual side effects. I would love to have stock in the pharma that cracks that one!
Posted by ratgrrl on October 3, 2003, at 8:02:07
In reply to Re: Is it just fork to mouth or slowing of metabolism?, posted by shoebox on October 2, 2003, at 22:14:16
When I went on Zyprexa I gained 20 lbs in about 2 weeks, without any notable change in my eating patterns. I also saw a dietoligist at the time who said my diet was fine and it didn't seem like I was eating too much at all. Between the speed with which the weight came on (and wouldn't leave despite regular exercise--biking and yoga) and the ok-ness of my eating habits, I'm pretty sure that zyprexa slowed my metabolism instead of increasing my appetite. I should also note that I went off of zyprexa (for a variety of reasons, the withdrawal was horrible but I'm doing well now)in August and the weight came off within about 3 weeks, once again, without any appreciable change in appetite or change in exercise routine.
Posted by platinumbride on October 3, 2003, at 11:58:55
In reply to Re: Is it just fork to mouth or slowing of metabolism?, posted by ratgrrl on October 3, 2003, at 8:02:07
I am grateful for your responses...
I am also in such a bad place...I am TERRIFIED of going off of the neurontin. Klonopin and benzos, I think, make me depressed in the long run. My husband is working on a project in a place where I do not want to be. I sit in a hotel room all day. I do not have a car, and it is just as well with me. I rarely exercise. There seems to be no real reason for me to get motivated, and yet I must. Usually I just want to do the opposit of what is "good" for me...No good for my metabolism or for my state of mind. I know I am rambling.....Lexapro has clearly pooped out, so I am weaning off of it with no real problems in that area. But if I get a more energizing AD, what will I do? Sit around the hotel room and have panic attacks??? Run around looking for jobs that don't exist in this terribly economically depressed area? What do you do with energy if there is no place to direct it? Maybe this whole post should be redirected to another board. I just keep thinking of the thyroid replacement therapy my doc is thinking of starting me on, seeing as we have basically run the gamut of SSRIs, and blood tests reveal thyroid stuff which is sometimes low, sometimes normal.
It is so much easier to sleep your life away with the help of neurontin...of course it seems that the metabolism will pretty much close up shop and go for a looooong holiday in Barbados.
Sorry to ramble. Any thoughts about neurontin, metabolsim or thyroid?
PB
Posted by Kacy on October 3, 2003, at 17:37:02
In reply to Is it just fork to mouth or slowing of metabolism?, posted by platinumbride on October 2, 2003, at 17:13:35
Effexor does something. My appetite is a little bigger, but I quit eating while still hungry. I don't eat more and don't eat poorly. My weight won't change when I do the things that worked before to take it off. Effexor is doing the wrong things.
This is the end of the thread.
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