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Weight gain on an A/D... Controllable?

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Posted 8/19/2016 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
Can you control weight gain from taking an A/D? Does the pill itself make you gain weight or does it sometimes just make you crave food more? If that makes sense.. I feel like I've eaten more in the last 3 weeks since being on lexapro and now my belly looks kinda bloated. Just curious if the weight gain can be controlled or not
Posted 8/19/2016 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
It might be hearsay, but I know one school of thought is that A/D make you feel better about life in general so you have more of an appetite for good things like food and friends. Would it help to keep a food diary? Not to give you something new to worry about, but just for an idea to see what keeps you full and makes you feel good. You might even be surprised that you didn't eat more than usual. The science is still up in the air on whether it's the pills that make you gain weight, or your increased appetite as part of the attenuation of depression/anxiety.

Otherwise, do you feel better?
Posted 8/19/2016 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hadricat, I do feel like I'm becoming less anxious. I still feel like it's too early to tell just yet. ;/ I don't feel 100% back to normal. But I feel like lately I've just been eating more. The first week I was on lexapro I wanted the same kind of icecream from a little icecream place here every single night for like 4 days in a row. My boss keeps buying icecream cones at work for us too lol so that doesn't help. grrrrr! How can you say no to the chocolate!!!! Haha ;(
Posted 8/19/2016 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
i agree with hcat . just felt better and enjoyed food more
Posted 8/19/2016 5:20 AM (GMT 0)
MOT,

I have heard contradictory schools of thought on this.

On the one hand, the indisputable weight loss/gain formula is either less or more calories consumed than expended.

...but I have heard many reports from members that are adamant they have neither increased their caloric intake, nor decreased their activity level...yet have still gained weight with their Rx...

...so it is hard to say.

I have also heard of people losing weight with a start up, so it is impossible to predict how it will go with any individual.

Likely your weight will level out once your system adjusts.:)

S.C.
Posted 8/19/2016 6:00 AM (GMT 0)
It's very true ,either I gorge on food like I have been hungry for ages or I tend not to eat for hours.
I have blood sugar troubles and I tend to get increased anxiety because of this.My dad also does the same and get sick.
I have OCD I feel too.
Kinda addictive personality.Iget fixated on things or ppl.But I do not cross lines.I do not do anything illegal.
I need help but I tend to not talk to therApist as I feel their agenda is to make money out of our misery ,they tend to pretend to listen but actually they are not listening.
Anyways I can't afford them at all either.
I have seen Ambien is terrible,I eat things in mid morning high I don't recall eating.
It is scary drug.
Yes Lexapro can make you very hungry.
But I cannot imagine living without it.
Posted 8/19/2016 8:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

Yes some antidepressants definitely make you pile on the weight and this is quite often listed as a common side effect.

The worst corporate is Mirtazapine (Remeron) it really makes you crave sugar I have been on it a couple of times and put a lot of weight on. I am currently taking 45mg and did put on a lot of weight but since April this year I have been doing a lot of walking around 3/4 miles a day plus watching the calories I eat with help from the App called My Fitness Pal and have lost over 2 stone so it can be managed.

Hibee
Posted 10/4/2016 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
I have gained 6 pounds since starting this A/D two months ago. My belly has gotten more bloated and my thighs are getting bigger. I do notice myself eating more than I should... and I eat unhealthy things. But honestly I was eating the same way/things before the medicine and was staying at my same weight, but now the weight is piling on it seems. This really stinks. I feel less anxious over all, I guess. I still have breakthrough anxiety and worry over little things... I've been on my increase to 10 mg for 2 1/2 weeks
Posted 10/4/2016 4:46 AM (GMT 0)
MOT,

Would you be okay with the 6 pounds, if it stops there? IOW, is the trade off of less anxiety worth it?

It may be that you don't gain anymore...and if so, 6 lbs is a small amount, really. People don't even notice a gain in another person until the increase is over 10 lbs. Only WE see it in ourselves!

I would advise seeing how the next couple of weeks go before making any final decisions.

I know this is tough though...so I send my encouragement!

S.C.
Posted 10/4/2016 7:27 AM (GMT 0)
Weight gain is one of the most common side effects of most antidepressants so you have to way up the positives v negatives.

It is possible to manage weight gain through exercise but you need to do it daily I try and do an hour a day which I have found effective at lowering my weight and I am currently taking two of the worst medication for weight gain.

Hibee
Posted 10/5/2016 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
i gained 30 lbs with even daily exercise.
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