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!!Your Input!! Lexapro Weight Issues.

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Posted 12/4/2006 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hey, I'm new :)

I am very confused, I have been on lex for about 3 weeks, I hear that its one of the best with side effects that arent as harsh as some of the others (?)

NOW! The weight part. My neuro told me that Lex is weight NEUTRAL, the sheet inside the box says it causes weight LOSS, but many many sites that I have visited say that it causes weight GAIN. I of course know that drugs affect everyone differently but honestly, what is the story on Lexapro? Topamax makes you lose...Epilim makes you gain...Wellbutrin is most likely to make you lose etc and Lex?

For the first time I've been hearing that many people on 2 others forums saying this drug is horrible and that they do not like it? Why? Would love to know.

I would really appreciate your help,
because I am absolutely PETRIFIED of gaining weight, and this Lexapro weight issue is confusing me. I hear completely different things EVERYWHERE.

Is it highly likely as with some drugs? Or not? I need to know this because if I'm going to be gaining weight, I have to do something about it.

Thanks :-)
Posted 12/4/2006 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
Why are you pretrified of gaining some weight? Do you think people won't like you if you gain weight? I am overweight and do not worried about it. We are who we are, and we are all different. I took Lexapro for a couple of years and now take Celexa, my doctor switched me. I am heavy because I like to eat and am sort of lazy (and I have crohn's and IBS and can't eat most good for you foods) not because of the antidepressant. Maybe you should talk to your doctor about your weight fears. I hope the lexapro helps you. If you start to gain you can always change your diet and exercise more.
Posted 12/4/2006 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your reply,
I can admit that I might need a little therapy with my fear. I've grown up in a family that basically thinks you just have to be thin.

I don't like my obsession with weight but its extremely difficult to get passed it. I've been dieting since I knew what a diet was. I was made to feel ashamed if I wasnt skinny, and guilty when I ate.
I lost weight last year, then I gained 5kg's and weighed 56kg's, I wanted to kill myself. I've never hated myself more.
So I'm petrified of gaining.
I'll admit I'm a bit messed up. I don't want to be though :(

bluemeanies said...
If you start to gain you can always change your diet and exercise more.


This is my worry, I dont think it always has much to do with that:

(http://ibsgroup.org/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/79310261/m/952101901)

skylah23 said...
I took 20mg of Lexapro for about 8 months and gained 30 pounds. During that time I trained for and ran a marathon and was continuing to gain weight. I have always been an athlete and healthy eater and have since stopped Lexapro in the last 5 weeks but still have no improvement in weight. I go to the gym 6 days a week/1.5 hrs and eat about 1500 calories a day. This has been a horrible experience and I would suggest that unless you absolutely have no other option, stay away from Lexapro.

* In the first month, it made me lose 10 lbs because I had not appetite but even when I wasn't eating much, the weight started increasing every single week."

Post Edited (Carly J) : 12/8/2006 12:25:49 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/7/2006 10:18 PM (GMT 0)
Carly, I don't think it means there is anything "wrong" w/ you because you're bothered by gaining weight. I've read about many people gaining excessive amounts of weight from certain meds. That's just not OK! Granted, sounds like you've had some past experiences that might make your concerns more intense than some but taking a med that's going to possibly make you gain weight isn't going to help.

I'm actually starting to wean myself off of Lexapro starting today. I have gained 15 pounds on it in the past 1 1/2 years and can't take it anymore. I never have gained weight before this drug. I've continued to exercise and eat the same as before but still gained.
Posted 12/8/2006 7:23 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you very much for your reply Riley,
Thats the line I keep looking for! "I've continued to exercise and eat the same as before but still gained."
Because if its out of my hands then I'm going to ask to be put on something else as well.
Are you weaning yourself off because of the weight gain?
Posted 12/8/2006 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, that is why I'm stopping. It has worked beautifully for me otherwise but I cannot stand to gain another pound. Now, I did stop before and got back on within a matter of days because the irritability came back in full force. I'm going to try again and will try something natural to supplement. I just hope I can loose at least 8-10 of the pounds I've gained!!
Posted 12/8/2006 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
I went from a size 6 (U.S. size 2) to a size 14 (U.S. 10) in six months thanks to Zyprexa. I was anorexic and bulimic when I started Zyprexa, so it was probably a combination of the physiological effects and the fact that as I was mentally healing my eating disorders were getting better too. I hated my appearance by the time I came off Zyprexa because I'd never been that big so I do understand your concerns, it doesn't do much for your confidence if you hate how you look. BUT I must say that I lost the weight again through a healthy diet and regular exercise (I also have IBS and ulcerative colitis so have a limited diet) and I realise now that I'd rather be a little overweight than severely depressed and suicidal. So if a medication can get your depression under control and help you live and be part of the world out there then I think a few side-effects are worth it.
Posted 12/9/2006 8:59 AM (GMT 0)
@ Riley Mo: I hope that irritability doesn't come back in full force again, irritability is one of my reasons for being on Lex. What kind of natural supplement are you going to try? I wish you all the best of luck with those 8-10 pounds!!

@ Suesse: Wow, thats great that you overcame your eating disorders, I really look up to you for that. I'm finally doing so well, I only have 3kg's to go, and now I find out one of the anti-depressant side effects is weight gain. Thats so contradictory lol (in my case). A few side effects are worth it, yes, but honestly, at the moment, I don't think I'll be able to deal with this particular one.

What about the Lex and Wellbutrin combo?
Posted 12/10/2006 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Carly J,

To be honest I've accepted that I will probably always have "an anorexic mentality" and recurrent depression, I don't think they go away entirely but so long as they're not actively interfering with my normal life it's ok and when they do I get help. There was a time when I was obsessed with my appearance and my weight and now I'm happy if I'm slim and healthy looking rather than stick thin. But I do remember how it felt when I thought being skinny was the most important thing in the world and berating myself for not being "ideal" I think what helped me was a combination of antidepressants (which helped me stop obsessing so much), good therapists (who showed me that anorexia was about needing control over something in my life and not just about weight) and also meeting people who made me realise how much time I wasted feeling crap about my appearance rather than having a laugh, seeing the world and getting out and living.

I know that the last thing you want is a lecture but I just wanted to share my experience with you in the hope that it might help you to see things in perspective. The best thing I learned in the past few years is that I have to love myself. Sounds corny, but it makes a big difference ;) Good luck!

Posted 12/10/2006 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Suesse,

Thank you for your 'lecture' :)
I must admit you sound like me. I have wasted so much time feeling crap and worrying about my appearance rather than just having a laugh and actually living like you said. I know that I will also always my "diet mentality", doubt that will go away, and I dont want it to go away if I think about it...I dont want to slowly lose myself. That time when you were obsessed? Thats where I am. Lex has calmed my obsessive weight/image/diet thought though but they're still alive and kicking.

I don't really know how my weight 'obsession' can go away, I don't think its possible that it can. Can you relate to that? I just dont see it ending. Dont understand how it could? Its hard to explain but throughout the years I think I've gotten a bit better, I feel better in myself a little bit but... I'm more weight/image/diet conscious then I have ever been in my entire life. (?)
I'm hoping my doc will put me on Wellbutrin tomorrow as well (for the fear of the weight gain and the drowsiness and zombie effect from Lex) so wish me luck because I'm not sure if he will! He might just think I'm full of crap lol.

Thank you again for your reply. I want to love myself and I'm glad you've learnt to do that, its not easy for us.
Thanx for the luck!
Posted 12/11/2006 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
Carly J, I don't know what I'm going to try yet. Probably not a good plan, huh? I have almost 2 weeks to figure it out since I'm oh so slowly weaning myself.

I'm seeing a chiropractor for some other issues and taking some supplements. I'll probably start there and see what she recommends.

Miserable Failure (I don't like calling you that either!!), I completely agree with you on your response about the lying, conyving (sp??) pharmacuetical companies and the physicians that are bending over for them! It makes me furious. All the more reason I'd love to get off of all of the crap and find something natural that works.

I may not but it's definitely worth a shot for me!
Posted 12/12/2006 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
Riley Mo, when you figure out what you're goin to be taking, please post, I would love to know.

On monday I went to my neuro, making a massive deal about the weight gain issue, asking him about anything he can put me on to counteract it...and he doesnt want to put me on Wellbutrin because of the risk of seizure (I might have epilepsy - we're not sure, EEG wont pick up anything) so we're steering clear of that. He says that if I do gain, he would put me on prozac because practically all of his patients lose weight on that. (?) He doubts I will gain though, says if I was going to, I would have already.
(when did you start gaining?)
Posted 12/12/2006 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
Carly J, I'd hate to think that I caused you to steer clear of something that might work perfectly for you. It was great for my irritability and depression and it doesn't cause everyone to gain weight. I also need to say that I was also dx w/ hypothyroid so that very well could have contributed to the weight gain. I cannot solely lay the blame on the Lexapro. However, I without a doubt feel Lexapro has played a hand in this. I have now gained 15 lbs.!!

You could stick with it and see what happens, only changing if you notice weight changes. It just hasn't been good for me but we are all just so different.

But to answer your question, I gained about 7 lbs. in a couple of months. Again, I am someone who NEVER gains weight and remained the same for 14 years or so! Can't wait to get this out of my system entirely and see if there is any change.
Posted 12/12/2006 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
alright here's my imput with lexappro. I myself personally really like the stuff. I'm on 20mcg's at the moment. The side effects if any have been very very mild. If I've gained any weight it hasn't been anything to worry much about. If anything its been a good thing if i gained 5 even 10 pounds. I myself am not going to worry about the weight issue. I read somewhere probably a glamour magazine, someone said; celebs don't worry about my weight, so why should I worry about their's. I enjoy my body and I'm going to eat what I want, with moderation of course life is to short for yo-you diets which is what I tend to do. It makes sense to me. anyway, I love lexapro. I started on zoloft and after a couple of doctor's ignored my cries to try something else I took myself off of zoloft. The specialist I see for my thyroid problems actually suggested lex and it was the best thing for me. Now these things really are picky i mean we all know they affect every person differently. My experience with it though has been good. I don't miss a dose. I wish you the best with lexappro.
Posted 12/13/2006 11:17 AM (GMT 0)
Riley Mo, I am going to stick to Lex, same dose and all, and see what happens, because I honestly feel that for once heres a med thats actually doing something in a positive way. :)

Taintedangel, I'm glad Lex has worked that well for you! because I think I'm feeling the same way (havn't been on it for that long so can't tell exactly yet) since I started Lex I'm actually losing weight (4.5 lbs. so far) which is due to the nausea which makes it 100x easier to diet lol (still have that fear of the gaining because of what everyone is saying hence this thread). But I must say, we're on opposite sides of the spectrum in terms of side effects, you said you had very very mild side effects if any? Well, they hit me like a ton of bricks!! My neuro told me I'm one of the rare ones that is really sensitive to Lex (and other SSRI's prob) - have never experienced anything like the effects on Lex, and I've been on some hectic meds. But its been worth it so far!
Posted 12/13/2006 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck with it, Carly J! I hope it does the trick for you and I'm very jealous of the weight loss on it LOL!! Had I not gained so much weight, I would consider it an almost perfect med.
Posted 12/14/2006 10:02 AM (GMT 0)
I only lost weight because I was barely eating!! I'm so much calmer that I was chatting to someone via text last night who was getting irritated and I was asking, "Why do you get irritated by so many things/so easily?" I couldnt figure out why he was wasting so much energy getting annoyed so easily!! And I used to be quite irritable! Now I just dont get it lol. Yay :)
Posted 12/16/2006 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
Lexapro has been the only antidepress med that I have found that I have liked. I have not gainned any weight on it & if I have it has been because of what I have eaten & the lack of excersize. I started at a low dose & worked up to 20 (which still is not very high) so I have never had any side effect from Lexapro.
Posted 12/16/2006 9:37 AM (GMT 0)
tymaboy, 10mg is a normal dose, and most people are on that, so 20mg is actually quite high-ish, since not many people are on 30mg. I'm glad you havnt gained weight!! Gives me hope!! I also find that I'm liking Lex which is great :) thanx for your reply.
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