Gaining rapid weight going OFF PAXIL??

Not Paxil but Lexapro.  I gained weight while on it but nothing like when I weaned off...22 pounds.  I read somewhere it's because of the cortisol and other hormones  these drugs trigger which in turn leads to weight gain.  The same thing happened to me while weaning off valium. (Benzo Belly) I am now losing the weight so I tend to believe it's temporary.

Donna

How horrible, Donna!! :( 22 pounds?? I'm so scared that's going to happen to me as well. So how long has it taken you to lose the weight? Has it come off easily or have you had to work hard? I'm not in good health physically so I can't exercise like I wish I could!! This is just upsetting me so much. Before going on these meds, I was thin. Never had a weight problem. I'm so glad to hear you are losing the weight.

Kitt, my doctor says she is very familiar with the weight gain with these meds (glad she's honest!) but not going off them. I seriously doubt I'm the only one going through this, though.

Thanks so much. :)

Kitt, I craved food a little on Paxil but not even close to since I weaned off!!! It's crazy! But I haven't been giving in much at all. The weight is just going up and I'm really not doing anything different. I do hope this is temporary and that it at least stops!! I already am so disheartened about how much I weigh. Can't really deal with gaining even more.

Just read this is actually very common and it's called 'paradoxical weight gain,' according to a book called "Paxil Backlash" (or something like that). I wish I could read what that author says about it - if it's something that it just temporary? I sure hope so. Really scary being so out of control of my weight. I already have so many health problems, I really don't want to be overweight on top of it all.

Anyway, thanks so much for your replies.

I gained 40 lbs on Paxil...didn't make my hungry...made me crave carbs/sweets.  I just got off if it and I didn't gain any more getting off of it.  I'm beginning to lose. : )