ZOLOFT(SSRI's) in General and WEIGHT GAIN

I have been on and off Zoloft for about 3 years.  50mg/day.  Slowly over that time, I have steadily gained weight and am over top weight I have ever been in my life.  I do contribute some of this to aging(45 yrs old), sitting on my butt and not working out like I used to, and too much beer.  I am someone who has gained and lost 40 lbs 4 times in my life.. I know how to gain it, and I know how to lose it... Problem being.. I am 30lbs over my highest ever weight and have been trying to lose and NOTHING!... Keep in mind I know my diet and exercises and have done it before.  So..I am suspecting taking SSRI meds has something to do with it.  On FB..some on my friends gained a terrible amount of weight taking SSRI's... One lady gained 50lbs on Effexor and when she went off and got on Wellbutrin...she lost 50lbs.. Hmmm...I see a correlation...

Another girl I was in High School with was absolutely "normal" in the sense of body weight.  Typically normal body weight, attractive and athletic.  She has been on Cymbalta for years and tells me, and I qoute..."I'm big as a house.. I need to lose 110lbs.. I'm not joking".. I told her about what I am doing.. The point of this post.

I researched Wellbutrin and found people are actually losing weight on it.  It curbs your appetite as well as gives you energy to get things done.  It is different from SSRI's.  It's a dopamine and ephenephrine uptake inhibitor.  Not seratonin.  A different approach and pathway but same results for depression.. I just saw my Dr. yesterday and got a script for Wellbutrin.  I weighed in at 270lbs,OMG! :( and I normally bounce around between 220 and 230.. depending.  So.. I started today and I'm dieting..  Before you try this.. check out the side affects .. some aren't so nice.. It can cause anxiety as it does convert to an amphetamine somewhere down the road.  That's why it kills your appetite and gives you energy. 

Post Edited (Joneb2) : 6/20/2013 3:17:26 PM (GMT-6)

That's funny,

I accidently slip into Pizza shops.. it's like I have a blackout and when I wake up half a pizza has been eatin!.. Kinda like a UFO alien abduction : /

Thanks for the feedback Karen and Carl.. just thought I'd throw the post out there cuz I know people do gain weight on SSRI's and I was really getting bummed out about my weight.. which didn't help me at all. Now I'm actually excited.. have motivation and am working out everday. The Zoloft is good, but with all I read, I just was mentally thinking I was wasting my time trying to lose because of the effects on hunger and maybe even metabolism. So now I have a reason and a new med to help me. Hopefully it helps on the depression side.. I'm not in a severe type of depression..probably mild and most likely due to years of heavy drinking. So..I'll know more in a few weeks with the ability of Wellbutrin to help me.  So far I'm really not that hungry all day today and yesterday.  I'm a big night time binge eater..but I only ate 800 cals. yesterday which is totally ABNORMAL for me and I need more.  I did 1200 today and worked out.  I didn't eat anything after 7pm last night.  If it's just all in my mind...then so be it!.. lol

Post Edited (Joneb2) : 6/20/2013 5:47:25 PM (GMT-6)

Welcome Jone

I wish you luck on the wellbutrin. I would strongly suggest however NO alcholol while on this medication as it can cause black outs with only a small amount for most people.

Keep posting we support and listen to each other the best we know how here.

Peace
Trina

You might want to email admin and suggest that.

[email protected]

I don't know if he will but it would be good to suggest.

Hugs, Karen...