New member with Lexapro question...huge weight loss!

Hi there,
this looks like a great, informed bunch of users so I welcome your input and thank you in advance. Have GAD and have had probably forever. Tried all the SSRIs and new doc tried lexapro. Love it! No yawning (Celaxa) No jitters (Welbutrin) No freaky dreams and general unrest (Paxil). I have been on 5mg for maybe 6 mos. (Im good at low dosage). Though noticed anxiety beginning again, and weirdly, an apathetic/depressive state..which isn't really me. (No, I'm not a "happy" gal, but not usually depressed). Doc up'd me to 10mg. Doing fine. Take clonipin as well at night. My major concern tho is that Im pretty small framed and am losing a lot of weight (almost 20 lbs in 6 mos, and im at 125 now). I attribute it to the fact that I don't "stress eat" like I used to. I have combed this site for similar stories and have found some. Just looking for a little support and maybe some guidance on how to curb this. My appetite comes and goes...and I used to be a cook! Love food...
Am being hounded at work "what's wrong with you?"...can't take it anymore! Even when I tell them I think its my meds (Im very open about it), I get one eyebrow up and the response that "those make you gain weight". I know that is BS because everyone is different, but it sure is grating on the 3 small nerves i have left!!

If anyone has some similar issues or advice i thank you very much.

chickenhawk

Welcome to Anxiety and Panic Forum .

As others and yourself know meds can cause either weight loss or gain.

Perhaps you would benefit from planning your meals ahead of time and then setting a goal of how many calories you need to maintain your weight.

You mentioned your feeling somewhat depressed which may account for your loss of appetite.

There are times when people speak out of turn in a workplace situation and you are left with your mouth hanging open...........I saure have been in that spot. It is very inappropriate for people to behave this way. I am sorry this has happened to you.

Sometimes just ignoring it is the best road to take and they will move on to another topic.

Please stay with us and keep posting.

Harry is right, the meds don't affect your metabolism but some may cause cravings for food and you feel like eating all the time.
That would be in my case. In your case your not eating as well as you were. Sure wish we could switch places..........lol.

I've been on Lexapro only since beginning of June and I've seen weight loss not gain. Only about 8 lbs. as of now. I was thinking after reading about Lex. that I'd be putting on instead of losing. I think you're right that it depends on your body and your response to food. : ) I'm getting the same questions from my friends and family - why are you LOSING!?!

I have been on Cipralex for 2 months now (which I believe is the Canadian brand name of Lexapro?) and have lost about 8-10 lbs. I was wondering if others had the same experience too.

I gained weight on Effexor so I was surprised to turn around and lose weight on a different med. I don't have much of an appetite, although occasionally I get an intense sweets craving. People keep commenting on my weight loss as well, as I'm a pretty short/small person to begin with. I guess there is an assumption out there that depressed people only gain weight?

I do think that I was stress eating while on Effexor though - lots of pastries/cookies/sugar/carbs, etc. Sitting on the couch, stuffing my face, not exercising. Now I'm feeling a bit better since being on Cipralex, even though it's only been 2 months - exercising more, etc. So I don't know if it's the Cipralex itself or just feeling a bit better that has caused the weight loss - prob. a combination of both?

Here's a good update...I still am losing weight yet it seems to have stabilized (I lost a lot very rapidly). Im trying much harder to eat when hungry!, rather than waiting for a specific meal. Grazing seems to be the way to go. I think it's harder (Lillady) when you are small framed as we are because going from (in my case) from a size 8 to a 4 makes people shake their head and say "what's wrong with you" rather than "Gee, you are looking great"! Now I have started lifting small weights in hope of defining this tiny frame and also feeling better about myself...plus we all know excercise makes a difference w/ depression...real hard to do when you're depressed and anxious though!
Thanks for everyone's thoughtful input!