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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Susana M on July 13, 2006, at 12:09:14
I have been taking effexor for over a year and it has made wonders in my life and also my husbands life ( I'm so much happy/relaxed etc) now I've noticed an incease in my weight ( 15-20lbs) and even though I've tried everything nothing works ( I used to loose weight so easily before. I need to switch medications , please advise me which is the best for me ( similar to Effexor but not so fattening)?? Thanks to all. S.M.
Posted by MARTY on July 14, 2006, at 11:02:20
In reply to Effexor and weight gain, posted by Susana M on July 13, 2006, at 12:09:14
Hi,There is one antidepressant called WELLBUTRIN XL which is a dopamine/norepinephrine agonist (Effexor is a Serotonin/Norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitor). Wellbutrin is known to not cause weight gain and often help you loose some (initially).
There is Celexa/Lexapro that is not so bad when it comes to weigth gains. But if you gain weight on Effexor, which usually is also not so bad in this regards .. I would recommand to try Wellbutrin XL before Celexa/Lexapro.
Depending on your weight and BMI, you could ask your doc about Meridia. It is a med which make you loose weight very effectively. I can give my mother as an example: 50 lbs in 3 month without any hard diet. You may be interested, as your doc may also be, by the fact that Meridia was initially developed as an antidepressant. It theorically may even help with depression. BUT is not strong enough in this regard to be taken alone for depression.
Have a nice day.
Marty
Posted by Susana M on July 15, 2006, at 10:03:10
In reply to Effexor and weight gain, posted by Susana M on July 13, 2006, at 12:09:14
Thnks Marty for your advise I was also thinking about Wellbutrin XL,I guess I need to let you know about my diagnosis.. after dx and treating my son for ADHD with Concerta,which has made him from failing @school to be considered gifted as he is so sharp with Math,Science,etc )I came to see that I also had ADHD. So my Doc. prescribed the same med..and after a 6 mo. trial it did not help at all, so I told her about my anxiety, mood swings/ being overwhelmed by the smallest things, fighting with my husband and having Chaos @ home with the cleaning,cooking,work & two little kids...she started me on Effexor..and it was "the magic pill" but after 6-8 mo. my only complain is my weight gain that won't diminished no matter how much I exercize and starve myself and I'm totally honest about this!
Now the question is..if I was doing so good with Effexor ( Ser/Dop/Norepinefrine reuptake inhibitor) and Wellbutrin does not act on Serotonine...could that affect my mood? also how does Meridia works?
Thanks to anyone for helping me make a decision. Susana M
Posted by Susana M on July 15, 2006, at 10:31:14
In reply to Re: Effexor and weight gain, posted by Susana M on July 15, 2006, at 10:03:10
I forgot to let everyone know that I believe that the weight gain comes from the inhibition of the serotonine receptors ( which tells your brain how to distribute your fat,,mainly in the abdominal area...just like it happened with me) this is what I've read so far, and I know it's still under research the reason why these ssri produce weight gain, I don't believe that my problem with weight came from an increase in appetite, I've always enjoyed food and had a huge appetite but I could take lbs. off so easily whenever I needed it, and appart from my pregnancies I've never had more than 5-8 lbs extra @ my heaviest.. now I'm 18lbs+ overweight which is huge for me,I'm petite,43 years old, and always had a normal slim body..not skinny but just right for me.Also I've read that since Serotinine is what is diminished or lowered in people with depresion, the inhibition of these receptors makes the levels of Ser. higher so that's why we feel much better" happier". Now since I'm considering Wellbutrin which has no action on receptors of Serotonine and then no slowing of the metabolism,or weight gain, I wonder if adding " Tryptophan" a serotonine precursor would complement the low levels of serotonine ( making us feel better) and at the same time not affect weight...it's not serotonine what makes you gain weight, apparantelly it's the inhibition of their receptors. Thanks again for the info...Susana M.
Posted by MARTY on July 15, 2006, at 11:34:03
In reply to Re: Effexor and weight gain, posted by Susana M on July 15, 2006, at 10:03:10
Hi Susana,> Now the question is..if I was doing so good with Effexor ( Ser/Dop/Norepinefrine reuptake inhibitor) and Wellbutrin does not act on Serotonine...could that affect my mood? also how does Meridia works?
Wellbutrin is more activing than SNRIs/SSRIs. It gives you more energy. Not only it doesn't decrease the quality of your sexual life but it tend to increase it. It usually doesn't help as much as SRIs for anxiety and even less for irritability, which are 2 symptoms you have. But some people has full remision of their anxiety on it and if you can deal with a little irritability it could be worth trying.
Btw, Wellbutrin is good for ADHD/ADD and what you may have, AADD (Adult Attention Deficit Disorder).
About Meridia here's a web site that will answer most of the question you have.
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/psychology/health_psychology/Meridia.htm
I think the Serotonin relation to weight gain is something very confusing. Meridia works the same way as the SSRI: Reuptake Inhibition.
Take note that I was wrong about Meridia being taken with another SRI. It is not recommended. Maybe a small dose of Meridia with Wellbutrin could be ok since Wellbutrin isn't acting on the Serotonin therefore avoiding the risk of "Serotonine Syndrome".
If you have other questions dont hesitate, I'll do my best to help you.Have a nice day.
Marty
Posted by Susana M on July 15, 2006, at 12:29:49
In reply to Re: Effexor and weight gain » Susana M, posted by MARTY on July 15, 2006, at 11:34:03
Thanks Marty:
I really think that I would be ok only with Wellbutrin. I spent 42 years of my life without any meds. I graduated as a Medical Dr. in my country Venezuela in 1991, and came to the US to take my medical board and do my residency here.. I fell in love with my actual husband and abandoned the studies...love,study and concentration don't mix..even though I've been able to achieve all my goals in life, I noticed ( b/c of my own child having ADHD ) that I went through life and medical school, teaching myself with notes and books..I could never focus more than 5 min. on what the teachers were saying ( I forced myself to be attentive and after 5-10 min I was day dreaming)I also remember that I could only study from midnight to 6:00am b/c before that there were too many distractors( TV/TLf/you name it..)..Then after I got married I noticed that my distractions were making me forget or procrastinate anything and everything..which made me ( drown in a glass of water..like we say in Venezuela)..so then comes the anxiety, irritability,mild depresion, and stupid arguments & fights with my poor husband. So I guess if Wellbutrin will give me that extra energy to put my life in order..Ibelieve I'll be ok..Thanks once again Marty
PS: I was reading the site you sent me & I guess I don't qualify as overweight yet!!! I just want to take control of my weight again (I can diet and exercize..pay my dues...but not like now that anything I do does'nt work)
Susana M.
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