medication interfering with weight loss

NewLeaf

NewLeaf

New member
Has anyone else taken any type of medication that is hindering their weight loss? Currently I take paxil for panic/anxiety issues.

Is anyone else on any other medication and find that you put on weight due to it or is hindering you losing it?

I realize these medications are NOT supposed to have a side effect of weight gain or effecting your metabolism but I've heard a lot of people gaining weight due to paxil specifically.. just curious of anyone else's experience on this forum! :)
 
I've heard some antidepressants and "the pill" can make it much harder to loose weight, and make you prone to gaining weight. There are other medications as well, but I don't remember what they are.
 
I know they say Paxil has no connection with weight problems but that's bull! My daughter was put on Paxil and with no other changes in food activity or any other meds she gained 30 pounds in 4 months. She just bloated up! Prozac does not seem to have that problem but it's a heavy duty drug!!!
 
Thanks for the info you guys. Well as i have not put on a TON of weight since I started Paxil, I'm not sure how legitimate my complaint is. However, I never have recalled losing weight int he past to be this hard, (granted I am older, slower metabolism etc.) But, for me to even start putting weight on while attempting to diet, seems a bit nuts!

So I guess I am debating going off Paxil, but the problem is, with my wedding in 5 months, I don' tknow if when off Paxil I'd have my panic attacks under control by then.. Its one to debate..
 
Remember one thing. It is an antideppresant so you should never just STOP taking it. It has to be a gradual drop. People who suddenly stop taking antideppresants almost always suffer with symptoms that are worse than before they started. Thousands of suicides every year are attributed to the sudden stop of anti-d medications in people who were never considered to be suicidal to begin with. Please talk to your doctor before making any decisions.
 
Ooh April no worries here!! Sorry I failed to mention that IF I decide I'd like to go off Paxil, I'll be visiting my doctor to have her cut the dosage properly and ween me off. They say its not habit forming, but I can already guarantee I'll have side effects, since I sure had plenty going ON it. Yes I definitely will NOT be going off it cold turkey by any means..!! :) Thank you for posting that warning though, esp. for anyone else that is not aware of those circumstances! :D
 
VERY true. all of it. i dont think i've ever read a study that proves this but personally, i've found it harder to lose weight etc. but yes, it could be being older/slower metabolism etc... newleaf..when is your wedding?
 
I have been on Celexa, Wellbutrin and Lexapro and I gained weight with all of them. Even though they say that while on Wellbutrin you normally lose weight, that was not the case for me. When I had lost down to 165 lbs I was put on Celexa and I started gaining wait like crazy so the doctor put me on Wellbutrin to help with the weight gain and that didn't help so my last choice was Lexapro and that didn't help either. I eventually quit taking them (not cold turkey... tapered myself off of them - don't ever stop cold turkey - can cause MAJOR problems) because I couldn't stand the weight gain.
 
I take ritalin for add, and they told me, that it might help me lose weight. But the opposite actually happen. I gained about 40 lbs. since I started taking it.
 
Skyler, the wedding is June 10.

Thanks guys for the input. If nothing else it comforts me that I'm not nuts and that my Paxil medication may be toying with my weight loss a bit. Alas.. if nothing else I guess my efforts here will at least maintain my weight! :) Thanks again you guys...
 
Hey Newleaf, one of Paxil’s side effects is actually anorexia so I do find it strange that you are having those side effects. When the drug companies put together a side effect profile they study a ton of people and every problem they have is put down as a possible side effect. Thats why all drugs have SO MANY, even when they seem to oppose each other. Thats the way I understand it anyway. I think you may be looking into the med as the problem too much. I dont think Paxil will cause weight gain unless your less anxious about your weight so your eating more. (just a thought) Talk with your doctor about it but I think you should stay on it at least till after your wedding...that can be a bit stressful. You may need paxil just to get through that. good luck. :cool:
 
Yeah, I was on a small dose of Zoloft few months before and few months after my wedding. It was stressful time for me, and having zoloft helped to even out my mood swings and take me out of the downward spiral.

I also think that medications can affect our bodies in many different ways, so weight gain is a possibility, even though it is not listed as a side effect. Anything that effects brain chemistry can sure change the way our brain percieves hunger.
 
Well I am not looking for Paxil as my escape goat. But I think it may explain why its been more difficult for me to lose the weight than normal. Not to mention I talked to my sister who has been on it, and read several different articles and reports online all of which have said they've gained weight while on Paxil. I even found a website commenting that they've done studies that indicate weight gain while on Paxil. The thing is they claim to not understand the reason as to WHY. So.. none the less. :) It is interesting to hear everyone else's stories. Thanks.
 
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