Feeling Frustrated

Hi,
I'm new to this forum. I have been feeling really frustrated and desperate lately to get help with my mental and physical health.

I'm currently on 300mg Wellbutrin for depression, and 5mg Cipralex for anxiety. I am very sensitive to meds, hence the low dose on Cipralex. The first week of taking Cipralex was hell. It was the week of Christmas. I didn't even go home for Christmas as I felt awful. I gave myself time to adjust to Cipralex, and once I did, I started to feel better. BUT, I gained weight. Each week, I was slowly gaining, which was very hard to deal with as I had successfully lost 47lbs up until mid January. I have gained 16lbs, which I can feel on my body. My doctor just keeps telling me to increase my workouts, and keeps bringing up the question, "What's more important, your physical health or your mental health?" I hate this comment because both are important, and I don't understand how gaining almost 20lbs would be okay especially when I'm over my BMI! Also, if I'm not feeling good in my body, than it's going to affect me physically.

I have expressed my frustration and upset with gaining weight and asked to try something else like Buspar but both my doctor and and psychiatrist (who I didn't speak to directly but observes through one of her resident doctor's in another room) have never heard of Buspar. I found it during one of my many searches. I learned that Buspar is an older medication, has less side effects than most other AD's, and pairs well with Wellbutrin. However, my doctor, and the psychiatrist decided to keep me on Cipralex. I then decided to start taking Cipralex every other day to see if this would make a change in my weight but it didn't. When I went back to visit with the resident doctor (psychiatrist sits in another room observing), the psychiatrist suggested taking 2.5mg Cipralex every other day to help with the weight loss. I wasn't sure about this but tried it however within 6 weeks, I noticed myself feeling more anxious, irritable, and depressed. I knew that it was because of the taking Cipralex 2.5mg every other day.

I went back, and the doctor told me to start taking 2.5mg every day for a week, and then up it to 5mg every day thereafter. I have been doing this for about a week now but still feel "meh". I don't feel motivated to do anything. I don't feel excited about life, and feel really bothered by how I feel and look. I haven't lost the 16lbs that I gained, and many of my clothes don't fit. With it being summer, it's been very frustrating, and upsetting. I wear a lot of summer dresses to "hide" but this doesn't make me feel good either. My friend wants to go away to the Caribbean at the beginning of September, and asked me to go with her. Rather than feel excited about going, I feel anxious and panicky because of the weight gain, and also due to the fact that I'm still feeling down.

I find myself being at home a lot because most of my friends are busy with their families. I also have two friends who are going through their own depression so this doesn't help. It just brings me down. I need to get out and do things for myself in order to feel good but I don't know what to do as I don't feel excited about anything. I also feel anxious and I'm not sure why. I think it's because I find myself in this slump that I can't get out of. I have done so much in my past but since moving out on my own, it's been lonely. I like my peace and quiet but miss having a social outlet.
I get jealous of couples and families going away to cottages, or other places. I want to do fun things but I also want to feel good to enjoy doing them with someone - if I can find people to do things with.

It's the summer and it makes me feel sad that I feel this way because I should be out there enjoying it rather than think about my depression, anxiety and weight gain. I started feeling depressed last year in May and had a tough summer. I was hoping this year would be better. It is in some ways but I'm still not 100%.

I requested to see a psychiatrist who was highly recommended, and different from other psychiatrists. From what I read about her, she is warm, compassionate, understanding, and listens. She has helped many people, and they wrote about how grateful they were to have her help them, and wish that they had met her sooner. However, I won't be able to see her until September, which is tough. I want to feel better, and don't want to continue gaining weight. I don't know what to do.

I'm seeing a naturopathic doctor who put me on some supplements to help i.e., omega 3, adrenal function (includes high vitamin B's) and magnesium. I'm still waiting for another supplement to arrive in the mail - iodine. I have read many good things about this and how it helps our body. I really hope that I will notice a difference.

I have a wedding in October, and already I'm worrying about this. I want to be feel good and lose the weight that I gained otherwise, I don't want to go. I know that I will feel anxious about my weight gain, which will affect me having a good time.

I don't understand why doctors don't understand how weight can affect your mental health. Obviously, the weight gain is affecting me and for doctors to suggest that mental health is more important than physical health is irresponsible.

I would like to hear if anyone has had success with weight loss while on Cipralex, and if not, what did you do? Did you switch to another medication without the weight gain?

Sorry for the long message. I greatly appreciate your helpful advice.
Thanks.

Isabella,

I could not read your entire post, my head pain is so bad today my sight is blurry. Apologies.

I can say that I have been on Buspar as a supplement to Cymbalta then to Effexor. I started at 5mg 3xday now up to 15mg 3xday. If takes the edge of along with lamictal 100mg in am.
I do not have weight gain on Effexor, although it is not for everyone, some folks have bad side effefcts from it. Research first.

Anyone out there, I know there are a few, please let Isabelle know your experience with Effexor,.

Thanks.
Peace and Strenght Isabella
Trina

Hi,

Sorry. I haven't been on in a while. I was dealing with some personal issues, and working on feeling better with the Cipralex as I was taking 2.5mg every other day and now taking 5mg everyday. I do feel better mentally (Thank God) but the weight gain is still a problem. I forgot to bring it up to my doctor during my last visit as I was covering so many other notes, and focused on sharing how I was feeling good. However, as I still here typing this, I can't believe how uncomfortable I feel with the 16lbs weight gain! I know that I'm on a low dosage of Cipralex but I still have sugar/carb cravings.

I don't want to continue gaining weight because seeing how I feel now with the extra weight is not making me feel good. I'm finding that I need to push or force myself to work out because I don't feel motivated to. When I was losing the weight before, I felt like putting in the work ~ eating healthy meals, and exercise but when I stopped seeing much difference on the scale, my attitude is, "What's the point?!'

I have gotten really down about it even though I am feeling better mentally. I just want to feel better physically too especially since many of my clothes don't fit, and I am supposed to go to Punta Cana in less than 3 weeks. I'm already starting to feel a little anxious about what I will wear, and whether I will feel comfortable in a bathing suit in front of people! : (

Can a low dosage on Cipralex really affect my appetite that much? I started taking some supplements ~ omega 3, magnesium, and adrenal with vitamin B's, biotin. I'm also taking iosol iodine, which seems to be helping with my mood/energy levels a little. At times I'm wondering if I'm making excuses, and not putting in 100% with clean eating and exercise, and whether Cipralex is really influencing my weight gain.

Sometimes I wonder whether to take Wellbutrin at 450mg and ditch Cipralex but I'm nervous to go that high on Wellbutrin. I will explore Xanax and Valium although I don't want anything addictive.

Hello,
It's been a while since I was last on. I have been meaning to write but never got around to sitting down and responding.
Just an update: I went away the first week of September with a friend to Punta Cana (first time) and I had a wonderful time. There were a few hiccups with my friend but we worked through it. It felt so good to get away, and no think about anything back home. I also noticed that I felt happy, and smiled and laughed! It felt natural and I didn't have to consciously think about what I was grateful for, and try and make myself feel happy or analyze my thinking. It felt so natural. I didn't want to leave! I was sad coming home whereas my friend was excited. The first week back was rough. I felt depressed, and questioned many things in my life. I also wondered why I felt so down. I did some research and learned that there is such a thing as post-vacation blues or depression! Who knew?! But it makes sense. I had this wonderful trip, and came back to my reality where I wasn't happy. After 1.5 weeks of being home, I decided that I needed to make some changes as they weren't going to home on their own. I wrote down things that bothered, and/or were affecting me and made a note beside each one asking myself some questions:
1. Can I change him/her or whatever the situation is?
2. Is it my responsibility?
3. What can I do to change it?

I started by tackling things bit by bit, and completing tasks that I could accomplish. They are nothing big but they are making me feel a little better because I am getting it done rather than hiding it in the closet, or stuffing it in a bag, etc. Also, when I was away, it confirmed to me that I don't want to stay in teaching. I have said this many times before but didn't really feel it and wasn't certain about it. Now I am. I have been in this job for 11 years and can't do another 11 years! Or even 1 year! I really didn't want to go back to work when I came home. I could tell that my body was reacting negatively to the idea of going back to school. I'm lucky that I supply teach because I can take a day off here and there, or work 1/2 day (like today) and come home in the afternoon and get things done. Or rest, like I am today as I feel a sore throat/cold coming on! : ( I have been trying to nip it in the butt but it doesn't look like it's easing up. I think rest/sleep is what I need as I haven't been sleeping well. Anyways, I got off topic for a bit but if I am able to figure out what I want to do or find something that I may enjoy in the meantime until all the stars line up and push me in that direction!! : )

So, I am working on some things that I can control in my life, and I would also like to work on losing the weight that I gained from being on Cipralex. I saw my doctor on Monday, and I told her that I'm not happy with the weight gain. I even pulled up my top to show her my "muffin top" and everything else around it so that she could understand where I was coming from. *This was very hard for me to do and I had to talk myself up to doing it but I am so frustrated with this weight gain, and wanted to get her attention. She doesn't think that the weight gain is from Cipralex as I'm on a low dosage (5mg) however, I disagree. I keep mentioning that prior to Cipralex, I lost close to 50lbs by January 2016. Also, if it's such a low dosage, than how can it help me feel better mentally?! I don't understand how she can't see the correlation but I know that it's caused indirectly from taking Cipralex as it increases cravings and my appetite! I have been getting better at controlling it but there are times when my stomach starts to growl 2 hours after I ate! It shouldn't be like that. I ate cod, cauliflower rice and slices of tomatoes for lunch. I also had some cheese and 2 crackers as a snack prior. She wants me to see a dietitian. I don't think that this is going to do anything. I already know what to do as I studied nutrition in university, and got my personal training certification and took continuing education courses in nutrition! I realized today that a friend I went to university with is a dietitian so I am going to contact her just to see what she has to say. In the meantime, I want to figure out what to do. My doctor asked me if I want off Cipralex and I do but want something to replace it as I'm nervous about how I will feel with just being on the Wellbutrin (300mg). Cipralex was added because I was still feeling a bit sad and emotional about things. I suggested Xanax, Valium but she said 'no' because they are addictive. I suggested Buspar and she told me that there is a long list of side effects including damage to the liver and kidney's. I asked about Celexa and she said that it would cause more of a dry mouth, which I am experiencing with Cipralex! I am drinking ALL THE TIME! I go through 1.5 cases (24-500mL) of water a week! I like drinking water but I'm tired of this. I'm always feeling thirsty and it seems no matter how much I drink, I need more water.
My doctor suggested Prozac but I'm very apprehensive about it. I'm not keen on taking it and would rather not. I told her that I would let her know but in the meantime, I decided to SLOWLY wean myself off Cipralex as I am going to do it over the course of a few months. That's why I did with Paxil and I didn't have any side effects. However, I think that I will have to cut the 5mg pill in two so that I am taking 2.5mg each day or every other day? I was going to take 5mg every other day (started this on Monday) but had a bad headache yesterday and today. I have a feeling that it's because I missed a dose as my headaches feel similar to when I started taking AD. What is your recommendation on weaning off of Cipralex? I am being realistic, and not just going to quit cold turkey or stop them in a few weeks or a month. I know my body, and weaned myself off of Paxil without telling my doctor (another doctor at the time) until my next appointment. It took me about 3 months so I'm not being irresponsible. I would rather not hear any criticism. I don't see my doctor until October 19, which is about a month away and I'm going to a wedding on October 22. I was really hoping to wear a sexy dress that showed a little more skin but seeing how I am feeling about my body, I don't know if I will. A part of me wants to not go but I don't want to do what I used to do when I was in my 20's and avoid going out because I was bothered by my weight gain. I thought that if I start now, and really watch my diet (eating mostly fish, green veggies, eggs, egg whites, whey protein powder, some cheese in small portions, nuts and small portions of berries) than I may be able to lose some of it. I am also working out and doing yoga.

With regards to the psychiatrist that I was supposed to see in September, it is not happening. I messaged her to confirm that she received my referral and she messaged me back telling me that she is not taking on new patients after she told me during the summer that she was after September 5! I was not impressed or happy. I let her know that she was the one who told me to contact her after September 5 so what happened?! She told me that something unexpected happened beyond her control and that she was unable to take any new patients at this time. She told me to ask my doctor to refer me to another psychiatrist. : ( It sucks because I did so much research on her, and she had all positive reviews. Out of the 11-12 psychiatrists at the hospital, only 2 had positive reviews and they only received 2 reviews each! I'm not jumping to go there.

For now, I am coming on here to get some encouraging, positive, and useful feedback. I am also going for hypnosis. This is something that I was always skeptical about, and didn't take seriously but my neighbour, who has known me for several years, and has seen my ups/downs suggested it to me as he did it to help him deal with some emotional issues. He told me that he thinks it would benefit me. Also, when I finally decided to meet the hypnotist (I will call her M) in person for a consultation, and talk to her, I felt very relaxed around her. I usually have a good intuition about people, and felt comfortable with her. She shared her story of how she got into this field. She worked in the corporate world, which was stressful, her husband was an alcoholic, and she wasn't happy. She fell into a depression, which later affected her so much that she was bedridden for a long time. She was on AD's and on other medications as well. A friend suggested hypnosis and at the time, M was not feeling much better, and was tired of taking AD's. She was desperate to try anything so she did. After a few sessions, she started to feel like herself again. She had a lot of things buried that needed to come out. Eventually, she stopped taking AD's and hasn't been on them since.

I'm in the same boat. I have carried a lot with me over the years and want to release it.
I'm spending so much money on AD's that are causing me weight gain, which has been frustrating. I decided to keep an open mind, and give hypnosis a try.

I would like to know:

1. How can I wean myself off of Cipralex. I am taking 5mg/every night although I skipped Tuesday's dosage.

2. Is there another medication similar to Wellbutrin that I can pair it up with? Or, is there an AD that has less side effects than most other AD's?

I just want to mention that if I decide to want to take something and try it, then I will be more assertive with my doctor. The reason that I wasn't this time around was because I didn't do my homework in researching a lot of the other AD's. I didn't get a chance to but I'm not afraid to say 'no' anymore. That's why I hesitated with taking Prozac but I will let her know because in the end, this is my body and my physical health is just as important as my mental health.

Thank you for listening! : )

Thank you for letting us know howhat you are

For weaning of the ciprilex, I strongly suggest you do this underived you docs care. This could be where your headaches are coming from.

I agree with Karen. Sometimes we the patient have to get some information on medications, present it the Doc and discuss how the current med is not working.

Most of us have been through the mighty med hunt, for that cocktail that works. Takes time.

Peace
Trina

Hi,
It's been a while since I have been on. I apologize for not responding sooner. A lot has happened. My brother-in-law passed away suddenly on Remembrance Day (Canada), which was a shock to my family. And a few weeks later, I fell at work, and suffered a concussion, so I have been dealing with that. However, I will let you know what's been going on with my meds.

I am taking Wellbutrin 300mg, and switched to Pristiq 50mg. Prior to this, I was taking Cipralex 5mg with Wellbutrin 300mg for about a year but gained over 20lbs. My doctor wanted to put me on Prozac but I detested. I did some research, and decided on Pristiq as it wasn't an SSRI. I figured that it would help me to lose the weight that I gained but I haven't been successful. Pristiq has curbed some of my appetite, and cravings but I still get them from time to time but nothing compared to Cipralex. I craved a lot of sugars, and simple carbohydrates while on Cipralex, and know that this contributed to my weight gain.

It's frustrating because I was doing so well when I had the mindset to get healthy, and take better care of myself. I was feeling great, and receiving a lot of compliments, which made me feel better. Now I find that the extra weight makes me feel depressed, and very self conscious. My clothes are tight, or don't fit; I have a lot of weight gain around the middle area, which I read many do when on certain anti-depressants. Has anyone else been on this combo or Pristiq on it's own? I know that Wellbutrin helped suppress my appetite, and cravings, which I believed helped me to lose weight but when I got off the Cipralex, and onto Pristiq, I found that my weight did not budge. Instead, I have stayed the same. I haven't been 100% with my diet because there are days when I wake up late (10:30-11:00am) due to having insomnia or feeling tired from the concussion so I end up eating breakfast when it's almost close to eating lunch. Lunch then is around 3pm, which is when I would normally have a snack, and dinner is at 7:00pm or later. I think this hasn't helped as it throws off my body, and most likely, my metabolism. I haven't been very active due to the side effects from the concussion so I am not making any progress. I feel like I'm going in circles.

Any advice or suggestions? I know both meds are good, from what I have read but wondering if they are not working well together for me? My doctor wants to eventually up the Pristiq but due to everything that I am experiencing with my concussion, she wants to wait. I just know that I am so tired of this, and wish that I could get off of them, and just be but I can't. I don't want to go through another year of feeling this way, and being overweight. I'm tired of this too.

For those of you who are on this combination, or understand how these two medications work together, should I potentially be able to lose weight while on Wellbutrin, and Pristiq? Since I was on Cipralex prior to taking Pristiq, would this have made it more difficult to lose weight? I know that Cipralex would be out of my system by now but would the effects endure?

Thanks.

Post Edited (Isabella36) : 1/4/2017 10:22:55 PM (GMT-7)

I take pristiq. 150 mg a day. I was losing weight until the HOLIDAYS... So don't beat yourself up if you are having a hard time losing right now. I try to walk daily and sometimes I skip a meal or eat very little. I eat a lot of fruit and always eat breakfast.

The doctor once told me if you don't want to have to run 20 miles a day, eat very little. A lot of times it is what you are eating not how much.

I wish you the best and hope you give Pristiq a fair chance, it is a very good antidepressant.

Hugs, Karen...