![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by angiebaby on December 15, 2003, at 22:28:51
I have gained so much weight since I started taking Lexapro about a year ago. I'm currently on 20 mg. Has anyone else experienced this? I want to get off of it, but have no insurance to see my psychiatrist. When I forget a dose for a couple of days, I get the "brain zaps" and I hate it!
I'm not depressed anymore because Lexapro is an amazing drug! But I'm starting to hate myself more and more every day I see myself getting fatter. I work out, try to eat right and everything! I hate it! Any insight would be most appreciated.
Posted by billym on December 16, 2003, at 3:10:41
In reply to I'm getting fat off Lexapro!, posted by angiebaby on December 15, 2003, at 22:28:51
Angie,Hey don't beat yourself up over it! Most men find it very sexy when a woman has some extra curves. Even 20 or 30 extra pounds can be flattering to a woman's figure. I bet you look great.
Billy
> I have gained so much weight since I started taking Lexapro about a year ago. I'm currently on 20 mg. Has anyone else experienced this? I want to get off of it, but have no insurance to see my psychiatrist. When I forget a dose for a couple of days, I get the "brain zaps" and I hate it!
>
> I'm not depressed anymore because Lexapro is an amazing drug! But I'm starting to hate myself more and more every day I see myself getting fatter. I work out, try to eat right and everything! I hate it! Any insight would be most appreciated.
Posted by angiebaby on December 16, 2003, at 7:02:03
In reply to Re: I'm getting fat off Lexapro!, posted by billym on December 16, 2003, at 3:10:41
Billy,
I appreciate your kindness! I hope there are men who find women with a little extra weight attractive. And since you are one of them, I'm sure you're a wonderful guy.
However, finding a man isn't really my concern. I'm more concerned with my health and the fact that being 20-30 lbs overweight is dangerous!
I also think that Forest should be doing studies to determine whether Lexapro causes long-term weight-gain. I've been using it for almost a year and there haven't been any studies done for this length of time. They've only done trials for shorter lenghts of time.
I just want to know if others have had this experience and what they've done.
Posted by ncwcgrl99 on December 16, 2003, at 8:10:06
In reply to Re: I'm getting fat off Lexapro!, posted by angiebaby on December 16, 2003, at 7:02:03
hey there,
I have experienced the same thing. I have been taking Lexapro for about 5 months now and I have gained a large amount of weight. I was beginning to think I was the only one that this was happening to. It is funny how it says a side effect of Lexapro is weight loss, I sure do wish that I could find that side effect, because my self-esteem is getting lower and lower by the day.
Posted by JonW on December 16, 2003, at 10:35:18
In reply to Re: I'm getting fat off Lexapro!, posted by ncwcgrl99 on December 16, 2003, at 8:10:06
> hey there,
>
> I have experienced the same thing. I have been taking Lexapro for about 5 months now and I have gained a large amount of weight. I was beginning to think I was the only one that this was happening to. It is funny how it says a side effect of Lexapro is weight loss, I sure do wish that I could find that side effect, because my self-esteem is getting lower and lower by the day.You could try supplementing with L-carnitine or some other safe OTC fat burner. L-carnitine plus working out has been more effective than working out alone for me. Most prescription stimulants cause weight loss, but depending on your diagnoses, that might not be the best option. I'm on Lex, too, and I noticed my stomach getting a little bigger, but I've been able to manage it by working out harder. I wonder if it is the Lex or just increased carb cravings of the winter season.
Jon :)
Posted by angiebaby on December 16, 2003, at 14:21:37
In reply to Re: I'm getting fat off Lexapro! » ncwcgrl99, posted by JonW on December 16, 2003, at 10:35:18
> > hey there,
> >
> > I have experienced the same thing. I have been taking Lexapro for about 5 months now and I have gained a large amount of weight. I was beginning to think I was the only one that this was happening to. It is funny how it says a side effect of Lexapro is weight loss, I sure do wish that I could find that side effect, because my self-esteem is getting lower and lower by the day.
>
> You could try supplementing with L-carnitine or some other safe OTC fat burner. L-carnitine plus working out has been more effective than working out alone for me. Most prescription stimulants cause weight loss, but depending on your diagnoses, that might not be the best option. I'm on Lex, too, and I noticed my stomach getting a little bigger, but I've been able to manage it by working out harder. I wonder if it is the Lex or just increased carb cravings of the winter season.
>
> Jon :)Thanks for the advice.
I've noticed a large weight gain in my belly area as well and I've never gained in that area before. My doctor had suggested I get on something prescription before to lose, but I lost a little weight back then and he threw the idea out. Now I can't go back to him since I don't have insurance, so I'm going to have to look at alternative ways of losing. It makes me wish I could stop eating, every time I can't fit into another pair of jeans. I was a size 6 and now I'm a size 12!!!! So DEPRESSING!!!!!
Posted by Mrs. R on December 16, 2003, at 14:25:32
In reply to Re: I'm getting fat off Lexapro!, posted by ncwcgrl99 on December 16, 2003, at 8:10:06
> hey there,
>
> I have experienced the same thing. I have been taking Lexapro for about 5 months now and I have gained a large amount of weight. I was beginning to think I was the only one that this was happening to. It is funny how it says a side effect of Lexapro is weight loss, I sure do wish that I could find that side effect, because my self-esteem is getting lower and lower by the day.
<<<<<<I had the same thing with the Lexapro. My Dr. added Wellbutrin to the Lexapro and the weight is slowly coming off and my appetite isn't as large as it once was. My cravings for sugar are gone, too. Of course, the WB came with a whole new set of side effects, but most have worn off. Only the ear ringing remains.
Mrs. R
Posted by shadows721 on December 17, 2003, at 11:31:07
In reply to Re: I'm getting fat off Lexapro!, posted by Mrs. R on December 16, 2003, at 14:25:32
I wonder if the weight gain has to do with the dosage. I am on 5 mg per day and have not had the weight gain (yet). Doc didn't want to increase, because I have had such a terrible sexual side effect on this dosage. Luckly, I am female, so I can still physically have sex. I just don't have any orgasms at all. Doc actually argued with me that I don't get anything out of sex. I told him it is like that part of my body doesn't work. If I were male, this would be a chemical castration pill. This has been bad enough as a female. It's like that part of my body that stimulates an orgasm has no feeling and has actually gotten smaller. This must be absolute devastation for men.
In regard to weight gain, I don't have the raging appetite either. I can go without eating. So, is the weight gain related to increased appetite or the slowing down of the metabolism? It could be the actual length of time one is on this med. This drug makes most very tired, so that could be a factor in the weight gain issue too. I wish I knew the answers. I am definately on the look out for the weight gain. I gained 15 pounds on Prozac almost immediately. I didn't need it either and I hated it.
Also, I wish that the people studied these drugs for more than 8 weeks. I would like them to be studied for a year. Then the real side effects and withdrawal would be clearly noted. Maybe, people would lie for a 2 month time about sex drive and ability, but I doubt if they would for a year. (Especially if they were in a relationship). I darn well know that the weight gain issue would be reported immediately. I don't know many people who would want a 20+ pound weight gain. That's a large amount of weight! That can really change one's appearance. I sure wouldn't want that either. Most of America is overweight already. One in 5 Americans is obese. The weight issue is a serious one. Once you get fat cells, they never go away. They can shrink when you loose weight, but they don't go away. Increased weight lends to a risk of high blood pressure and diabetes. It places more strain on the joints like the knees and ankles too. Plus, it makes you feel tired carry around an extra 20+ pounds. You are very correct in saying this is a health issue. I can really understand your concern. It is extremely valid. Thank you for reporting this. This is an issue we should all monitor when taking these types of medication.
Furthermore, I get really angered when docs just read the reports by the manufactures and disregard the facts reported by those actually taking the meds. I hate to hear a patient say doc says I just need to exercise more. The fact remains that most antidepressants do cause weight gain. Paxil and Remeron are the worst offenders of weight gain and there are still docs in the dark about the current research. They are too busy prescribing and not reading research work on these meds. That's a dangerous recipe. I tell my doc the research. Doc says, "You are making my job difficult. I say, "No, I am the patient and I damn well need to know what you are prescribing for me to ingest, because you aren't taking time out of your schedule to read the literature." Doc says, "I don't have the time." I say, "That's dangerous practice." Personally, I am considering another doc on that note.
Posted by JonW on December 17, 2003, at 14:47:47
In reply to Re: I'm getting fat off Lexapro!, posted by shadows721 on December 17, 2003, at 11:31:07
I don't know how long you've been on Lex, but I've been at 10mg for about 3 weeks now, and I'm happy to report that the sex side-effects have significantly diminished. I've never experienced that with any other med before. I hope that turns out to be the case for you as well. When the sex side-effects were at their worst, I tried Muira Puama (I used a tincture by Raintree) and found it very helpful with arousal and delayed orgasm in particular. I tried other herbal remedies for this problem to no avail, but was quite impressed with Muira Puama. Unfortunately, the product made me depressed after a couple of days so I discontinued it. I got lucky (It's about time!)as things seem to have worked themselves out for the most part. Anyway, might want to give Muira Puama a try. It's very safe, and you might be able to get away with using it on an as needed basis. I felt it had a greater effect after a few days of continuous use, though. If you do try it, I highly recommend the Raintree tincture. Just a thought...
Good Luck,
Jon :)
Posted by Otherworldly on December 18, 2003, at 16:21:11
In reply to I'm getting fat off Lexapro!, posted by angiebaby on December 15, 2003, at 22:28:51
I found that Lexapro caused more weight gain for me than any other AD. I gain weight on all SSRI's, but Lexapro was the worst -- I put on 35 pounds in a few months. (This on top of the 30 pounds I'd already gained on other drugs, despite eating far fewer calories.)
As a result I developed acid reflux disease that's so bad that I'm considering surgery, and I'm taking glucophage for pre-diabetes.
I realize this isn't exactly an encouraging post. But I want you and everybody else -- especially the shrinks who shrug off the reports of weight gain -- to be aware of how serious an issue this is.
> I have gained so much weight since I started taking Lexapro about a year ago. I'm currently on 20 mg. Has anyone else experienced this? I want to get off of it, but have no insurance to see my psychiatrist. When I forget a dose for a couple of days, I get the "brain zaps" and I hate it!
>
> I'm not depressed anymore because Lexapro is an amazing drug! But I'm starting to hate myself more and more every day I see myself getting fatter. I work out, try to eat right and everything! I hate it! Any insight would be most appreciated.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.