Is anyone here on antidepressants of any kind? I'm currently on Paxil and thinking of switching to Lexapro because of weight gain. I'm wondering if anyone in here is on this?

I take it for OCD (obbseissve compulsive disorder) and anxiety attacks.

Christy

By Tink on Thursday, April 29, 2004 - 10:59 am:

Christy, I took Paxil off and on for depression and mild anxiety. I never noticed a weight gain but eventually had blinding headaches. I switched to Welbutrin and did really well on it. I haven't even heard of Lexapro. Good luck! Let me know how you do on it.

By Mommyathome on Thursday, April 29, 2004 - 11:11 am:

I took Lexapro for post-partum depression after my 3rd baby was born. I didn't really notice a difference in how I felt. I didn't gain or lose any weight while I was on it, but that's different for everyone.

I now take a low dose of Effexor for anxiety and I absolutely love it. It has been amazing for me. My doctor said that Effexor is a really great drug for anxiety and/or depression. He wasn't surprised that I hadn't had much of a change with the Lexapro.....he said it's not one of his "top 5 to prescribe" drugs because his patients haven't found it to be too effective.

Different drugs react different depending on the person. It's mostly just trial and error until you find the right one for you. Hope you find something that works great for you.

By Emily7 on Thursday, April 29, 2004 - 12:27 pm:

I took Welbutrin for post-partum with my son. It worked well for me. I took paxil for depression when I was 19, I didn't gain weight with it.

By Karen~moderator on Thursday, April 29, 2004 - 12:33 pm:

I'm on Paxil for panic attacks. Been taking it for 4 years with absolutely no side effects.

By Christylee on Thursday, April 29, 2004 - 12:47 pm:

Hmmm, after reading all this I'm wondering if it is the paxil? I just know that I started gaining this excess wieght when I started the paxil, even with exercise and watching what I eat I can't seem to get it to go away. I've been researching on the web side effects of paxil and they all list it as one so that's what I thought was causing it, my BC doesn't list it as one at all and I've been on it for years before the paxil.

Oh well I guess I'll discuss it with my doctor and see what he has to say, I have an appointment on Monday at 11.

By Kay on Thursday, April 29, 2004 - 08:30 pm:

I'm on a low dose of Celexa, and it's really been a bonus for me in regard to my OCD.

By Bobbie on Thursday, April 29, 2004 - 09:13 pm:

They all effect everyone differently. And it is possible for weight gain on Paxil. Dh gained weight on it too. He has also taken everything listed above. Effexor gave him the best results..

By Insaneusmcwife on Friday, April 30, 2004 - 09:27 am:

I am on Celexa for depression and Ativan for anxeity. They both work great for me, at first I didn't think the Celexa was helping because I didn't feel any different so my doctor doubled my dosage and its been wonderful and with NO weight gain, if anything its been helping with the loss. As for the Ativan I only take it when I really need it and when I do take it, it knocks me out. So I have learned to stay away from the situations and people (certain family members) that cause those attacks. Good luck finding the meds that are right for you.

By Joanne on Wednesday, May 5, 2004 - 02:49 pm:

I was on Paxil and gained 40 pounds very rapidly. I'm 5'4" and weighed 104 at the time that I started. I'm 30 now and before Paxil I had never weighed more than 115 in my whole life, so a 40 pound weight gain was astounding. I loved the way Paxil took away my anxiety, so I was reluctant to get off of it, but my doctor insisted and switched me to Lexapro. I wasn't able to get on Lexapro for several months because I was starting a new job, but the thing was, I now felt fine without it (except for my PMS moods). Paxil must have changed my brain chemistry because I no longer have the panic attacks that I used to have. Anyway, the weight that I gained from Paxil melted off without any dieting. It took about 2 months or so for the weight to even begin to come off, but once it started, it rapidly came off...I'm down to 119 and I like the weight (I finally look healthy), but I also know that I will continue to lose more weight. It's only been my 4th day on Lexapro but I can already tell that my PMS mood is lifting. Good luck! Oh, one more thing for Paxil takers- not everyone gains weight on Paxil. In fact, more people lose weight with it, and some people don't lose or gain with it.

By Christylee on Wednesday, May 5, 2004 - 04:56 pm:

Oh thank you for posting that Joanne, it just made my day! I went to the doctor on Monday and we are weaning me off of the paxil but he didn't want to try the Lexapro so we are doing some other kind. I pick it up tomorrow at the pharmacy.

We sound the same, I've never weighed over 112 even when I had Brendan I weighed 118 so this 135 is KILLING me. I've been so miserable since the weight gain and have been trying really hard to loose it and watch what I'm eating, etc... I'm SOOOO happy to hear that your weight just went away, let's keep our fingers crossed that happens for me as well! Thanks again!