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Weight gain, weight loss, appetite changes, hunger


Neuroplastic

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I definitely gained weight from the meds.  When I switched from Prozac to Zoloft and I gained 15 lbs in 4 months.  Sadly, the weight did not melt away when I switched back to the Prozac. 

 

Now, as I'm trying to get off of all of the psych meds, I'm also looking at the gut which I didn't have a year ago and wanting to rid of it, too. I know that I should focus on my taper, but I'm impatient with those extra pounds.  There are some awesome clothes in my closet that I can't fit into!! 

 

Every week I weigh in, and I formulate a new "plan" for getting rid of the weight - a change in my diet or in my exercise routine.  But, I can't tolerate hunger when I'm feeling like cr*p from WD. And exercise is inconsistent, too.  When I'm well enough to get out, hiking and mountain biking help clear my head and WD symptoms (it's amazing that I can ride a bike when I'm too dizzy to drive a car!!). And I'm very grateful that I'm able to do these things.  But I've tried going to my exercise classes at the gym, and I can't bear the noise or the stimulation. Those will clearly have to wait for another day. 

 

-Mtnbkr.

07.2004 Prozac. Greadually increased to 40mg. Good control of depression, but eventually developed muscle spasms and akathesia.

08.2010 Switched to Celexa. Suicidal ideation was constant.  Unable to sleep without ambien.

05.2012 Switched to Zoloft. Absolutely the BEST control of depression but caused severe bloating and rapid weight gain. Acne.

11.00.2012 Returned to Prozac 40mg

04.00.2013 Prozac 40mg + Wellbutrin 150mg

06.25.2013 Prozac 60mg and Wellbutrin 300mg

07.08.2013 GRAND MAL SEIZURE

07.09.2013 Prozac 40mg and Wellbutrin 300mg

07.26.2013 Prozac 40mg and Wellbutrin 150 mg

08.01.2014 Prozac 40mg and Wellbutrin ZERO

08.09.2013 Prozac 30.0 mg

09.13.2013 Prozac 27.5 mg

10.04.2013 Prozac 25.0 mg

10.25.2013 Prozac 22.5 mg

11.15.2013 Prozac 20.0 mg

12.06.2013 Prozac 15.0 mg

12.21.2013 Prozac 10.0 mg

 

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Want to be normal and thin :) Is that too much to ask :angry::P

It is absolutely NOT too much to ask!  You deserve that and more!!!  Good luck!!!

07.2004 Prozac. Greadually increased to 40mg. Good control of depression, but eventually developed muscle spasms and akathesia.

08.2010 Switched to Celexa. Suicidal ideation was constant.  Unable to sleep without ambien.

05.2012 Switched to Zoloft. Absolutely the BEST control of depression but caused severe bloating and rapid weight gain. Acne.

11.00.2012 Returned to Prozac 40mg

04.00.2013 Prozac 40mg + Wellbutrin 150mg

06.25.2013 Prozac 60mg and Wellbutrin 300mg

07.08.2013 GRAND MAL SEIZURE

07.09.2013 Prozac 40mg and Wellbutrin 300mg

07.26.2013 Prozac 40mg and Wellbutrin 150 mg

08.01.2014 Prozac 40mg and Wellbutrin ZERO

08.09.2013 Prozac 30.0 mg

09.13.2013 Prozac 27.5 mg

10.04.2013 Prozac 25.0 mg

10.25.2013 Prozac 22.5 mg

11.15.2013 Prozac 20.0 mg

12.06.2013 Prozac 15.0 mg

12.21.2013 Prozac 10.0 mg

 

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  • 2 months later...

I have been off Celexa for awhile (not sure) maybe a month????

 

I have actually started to lose some weight.  For years I had heard on support websites that the weight does not come off until off the drug.

 

This is good but the price to pay is intense.

 

Next is the imipramine and getting off of that.  Does this insanity ever end :wacko:

Intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1902-nikki-hi-my-rundown-with-ads/

 

Paxil 1997-2004

Crossed over to Lexapro Paxil not available

at Pharmacies GSK halted deliveries

Lexapro 40mgs

Lexapro taper (2years)

Imipramine

Imipramine and Celexa

Now Nefazadone/Imipramine 50mgs. each

45mgs. Serzone  50mgs. Imipramine

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Very exciting re the weight loss, Nikki!! 

 

I made an earnest attempt in Sept-Oct, but didn't see any change on the scale.  I weighed in on Sunday morning, though, and it looks like I held steady through the first part of the holidays.  Yay! It would be nice to get down to my pre-Zoloft weight, but my priority for now is to get strong and healthy. 

 

Smiles,

-mtnbkr

07.2004 Prozac. Greadually increased to 40mg. Good control of depression, but eventually developed muscle spasms and akathesia.

08.2010 Switched to Celexa. Suicidal ideation was constant.  Unable to sleep without ambien.

05.2012 Switched to Zoloft. Absolutely the BEST control of depression but caused severe bloating and rapid weight gain. Acne.

11.00.2012 Returned to Prozac 40mg

04.00.2013 Prozac 40mg + Wellbutrin 150mg

06.25.2013 Prozac 60mg and Wellbutrin 300mg

07.08.2013 GRAND MAL SEIZURE

07.09.2013 Prozac 40mg and Wellbutrin 300mg

07.26.2013 Prozac 40mg and Wellbutrin 150 mg

08.01.2014 Prozac 40mg and Wellbutrin ZERO

08.09.2013 Prozac 30.0 mg

09.13.2013 Prozac 27.5 mg

10.04.2013 Prozac 25.0 mg

10.25.2013 Prozac 22.5 mg

11.15.2013 Prozac 20.0 mg

12.06.2013 Prozac 15.0 mg

12.21.2013 Prozac 10.0 mg

 

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mtnbkr I tell people that weighing in is against my religion :D

 

My pants are loose rather than turning me blue in the face as I attempt to zipper them up.  This is a good thing.

 

I sometimes feel that I look like SpongeBob Square Pants.  LOL 

 

Serzone is not a weight gainer which is why I opted to use it.  My mother did not gain weight on it (been on it for years) and she did not gain weight from Zoloft but she gained weight from Elavil.....

Intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1902-nikki-hi-my-rundown-with-ads/

 

Paxil 1997-2004

Crossed over to Lexapro Paxil not available

at Pharmacies GSK halted deliveries

Lexapro 40mgs

Lexapro taper (2years)

Imipramine

Imipramine and Celexa

Now Nefazadone/Imipramine 50mgs. each

45mgs. Serzone  50mgs. Imipramine

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  • 1 month later...

 

 

 

Want to be normal and thin :) Is that too much to ask :angry::P

It is absolutely NOT too much to ask!  You deserve that and more!!!  Good luck!!!

 

 

I definitely gained weight from the meds.  When I switched from Prozac to Zoloft and I gained 15 lbs in 4 months.  Sadly, the weight did not melt away when I switched back to the Prozac. 

 

Now, as I'm trying to get off of all of the psych meds, I'm also looking at the gut which I didn't have a year ago and wanting to rid of it, too. I know that I should focus on my taper, but I'm impatient with those extra pounds.  There are some awesome clothes in my closet that I can't fit into!! 

 

Every week I weigh in, and I formulate a new "plan" for getting rid of the weight - a change in my diet or in my exercise routine.  But, I can't tolerate hunger when I'm feeling like cr*p from WD. And exercise is inconsistent, too.  When I'm well enough to get out, hiking and mountain biking help clear my head and WD symptoms (it's amazing that I can ride a bike when I'm too dizzy to drive a car!!). And I'm very grateful that I'm able to do these things.  But I've tried going to my exercise classes at the gym, and I can't bear the noise or the stimulation. Those will clearly have to wait for another day. 

 

-Mtnbkr.

Mtnbkr, I am curious how you are doing with your taper? From your signature you dropped your Wellbutrin pretty fast and now your Prozac.  For most people this would be pretty fast and give them worse WD.  Have you been having any intense WD sypmtoms like bad anxiety or insomnia?  I just find it interesting how we all share so much the same and also so much can be different for each of us!  Thanks for any info. you care to share with me.

Sept-1990 started my first AD Zoloft never got higher dose than 50mg

Dec-1990 Quit Zoloft  =Nov-1995 Back on Zoloft for Post-partum depression/anxiety

early-1998 Quit Prozac to get pregnant   =Feb-1999 Back on Prozac 20mg

10-1999 Prozac 30mg  =12-1999 Prozac 20mg

7-2001 switch to Wellbutrin SR 100mg

8-2001 increase Wellbutrin SR 150mg

10-2001 adding back Prozac 20mg

5-2003 tapered off Prozac  =7-2003 back on Prozac 20mg

8-2003 Add in Imipramine 25mg then to 50mg    (given Xanax for bad panic episodes

9-2003 Imipramine 75 mg then to 100mg

1-2004 switch to Lexapro 10mg

8-2004 Lexapro 20mg, Imipramine 75mg

4-2006 Adding Wellbutrin 150mg then to 200mg

7-2006 switch Lexapro to Celexa

12-2007Celexa 40mg Wellbutirin 150mg

9-2009 switch back to Lexapro 20mg, WellbutrinXL 150mg

2-2010 stop Lexapro start Celexa 40mg

11-2010 switch Celexa to Cymbalta 60mg

3-2011 Cymbalta 60mg switch to Effexor 37.5 to 75mg

10-2012 thru 12-2012 taper Effexor 75mg to 37.5 and off.

5-2013 start generic Prozac 10mg to 20mg, Trazadone 25mg  BEGIN THE TAPER(6-2013 Prozac 20mg to 10mg, Trazadone 25mg. 7-2013 liquid Prozac 7mg, Trazadone 25mg 8-2013 liquid Prozac 8mg, Trazadone 25mg9-2013 liquid Prozac 5mg, Trazadone 25mg10-31-2013 liquid Prozac 3.25mg, Trazadone 25mg=11-11-2013 liquid Prozac 3.0mg, Trazadone 25mg=12-4-2013 liquid Prozac 2.8mg, Trazadone 25mg=12-13-2013 liquid Prozac 2.5mg, Trazadone 25mg=1-5-2014 liquid Prozac 2.0mg, Trazadone 25mg=(CURRENT/06-01-2014 LAST dose liquid Prozac, Trazadone 25mg)((Aug. 13, 2014 reinstate .20mg of liquid Prozac for crippling anxiety, dread (still on same Trazadone...)supplements are probiotic, Vit. D3 and Fish Oil daily)Aug 19th reinstate 6.25mg Zoloft, Sept. 4th 25mg Zoloft.CURRENT(50mg Zoloft, 25mg Trazadone)

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2 reminders/suggestions -

 

People will have physical cravings, especially for salty food, when they have not had enough water. Next big craving try drinking a glass of water and waiting 15 minutes.

 

Also, muscle weighs more than fat so as our bodies start to change and become healthier a scale may not offer an accurate read. They do make some that will do weight,% of water, % fat etc. They are pricey but effective and mostly accurate. 

 

I've been all over the place on the weight spectrum. I'm at the can't keep it on side. Much of mine is muscle loss which is a bit scary. Sometimes it sucks to be here too. "You're too skinny. You need a burger. You call that a meal? etc."

 

Oh to find that middle ground of healthy body AND healthy self-esteem. We will get there!

Current:

Lorazapam2mg: 4/9/152mg - 1.5mg: already sick/nothing noticed. No changes in sleep noted after illness.  

Lamictal: 7/27/13 - 8/6/13: 400mg - 500mg(dr order) mouth sores, headache, cognitive/balance, heart palp...8/7/13 - 8/23/13: 500mg - 400mg; symptoms↓...10/10/13: 350mg; fever/flu-like <2-weeks...12/30/13: 325mg; fever/flu-like symptoms <1-week...2/10/17: 300mg; no significant changes noted. 

 

Discontinued:

Omeprazole: 09/2103 40mg...5/1/14: 20mg... 8/21/14 = 0

Wellbutrin: 11/22/13: 300mg – 225mg...12/6/13 delayed reaction- mood swings, weight↓, heart palp/chest pain, alerting...12/14/13: 187mg; physical symptoms↓, neuro emotions ↑, weight stable...12/20/13: 225mg; physical symptoms return, emotions stable <1-week, weight↓...4/21/14: 187mg; weight↑...5/17/14 (neurologist ordered discontinue asap):168mg; headache, mood swings, ↑weight, sleep flux...5/24/14: 150mg; headache, mood swings, ↓cognitive/balance...6/2/14: 112mg; see above, weight stable, <3-weeks... 6/28/14: 100mg; moody...7/25/14: 87.5mg; family troubles... 8/4/14: 75mg; headaches; moody... 8/9/1450mg headaches... 8/12/14: 37.5mg; 8/17/14: 25mg...8/26/14 = 0

Hydroxyzine; 10mg: 5/20/15 *prn 4/5 times then dc'd. Mood changes/rage 

Buspirone: 7.5mg: 5/20/15 *prn 4/5 times then dc'd. No changes.

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I was hoping that coming off the Lexapro last fall would also help me shed the 40 lbs I have gained since I began taking it 6 years ago.  I never had a weight problem at all until I started the Lexapro, but it was the first drug to ease my depression, so I decided it was worth it.  My doc had me taper off last fall because he was afraid it would peter out on me and I might need it again in the future.  Now I'm stuck with withdrawal syndrome and STILL can not shed ANY of the weight.  Even dieting isn't working.  It's like my body is stuck in whatever mode the Lexapro put it in. :/

Been on many and various AD's since 92. Began Lexapro, a life saver, in 08. Began taper Aug 13 - Oct 13. Terrible time with the withdrawal.

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I am wondering if the cortisol problems associated with withdrawal keep some people from losing weight in the short run.

1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms.

Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12

Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13

Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15

11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble)

9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol

7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol

56 years old

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  • 2 weeks later...

I am trying to withdraw from a benzo and am experiencing massive, like one pound a day, weight gain. Because of this I have not been able to taper hardly any of my dose. Is there anything to help? I have gained 50% of my body weight...in eight months...thyroid is normal, blood tests look normal basically...should I be taking a cortisol supp or something. I am not even eating enough to be gaining this much weight, even if every calorie were stored as fat, but still it never comes off, it just goes up and up...exercise makes it much worse, even just walking...is this an overreaction to cortisol or what? I am utterly depressed...I would've posted on the benzo board but this one seems more active...

 

Please help

Lexapro & Wellbutrin ~2003-2012

Switched from Lexapro to Prozac early 2012

CT all meds mid 2012, manic episode; put on every bipolar med known to man June-Aug 2012

Stopped meds CT Aug 2012

50 mg Lamictal Nov 2012

Ativan 0.5mg/PRN Dec 2012 (up to 2mg by May 2013)

Lunesta Jan-June 2013, CTed

Trazodone 100mg June 2013

[non-psych: Nature-Throid/Cytomel Dec 2012-June 2013; progesterone cream Nov 2013-pres]

current:75mg Lamictal (raised to help with benzo withdrawal)

1.6mg Ativan (very slowly tapering)

30mg Trazodone (holding)

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I have gained a good 20 lbs. after going off Zyprexa and Wellbutrin...and gaining 90 lbs. on Zyprexa. Going off the Wellbutrin seemed to radically change how I metabolized my benzo, so it was a big shock to my system. I do think it is a cortisol issue for me, sounds like for you as well, as you have problems with exercise. My blood sugar is also way up with exercise and in the morning (fasting). I am just trying to get off the drugs as soon as I can, and hope things will settle down then. And trying to eat as healthy as possible. Really, everything else is difficult enough, I just don't have the bandwidth to get too upset about it. But I'm older, so probably easier for me to say :). Also, are you sure your thyroid meds are right?

1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms.

Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12

Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13

Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15

11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble)

9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol

7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol

56 years old

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I'm not on thyroid meds, my thyroid free t4 and t3 levels are normal...

 

I was on a low dose of wellbutrin too but taken off of it because it can cause seizures... How do you think it messed with your benzo metabolization? I haven't heard that. I am sorry about your weight gain, that must be very traumatic...it has me crippled with depression...have you found anything to help cortisol? Mine tested low with saliva tests but I don't think that's accurate because all my symptoms are of high cortisol. I have to be sedentary all the time because of a vast overreaction to movement including heart palps, muscle weakness, and whatever the overreaction is is causing all my weight gain. It has gotten awful since my lowering benzo and trazodone, so I can only put two and two together and think it's cortisol spikes. It seems to happen overnight, literally if I reduce my dose too much one night my weight goes up one pound th next day and just keeps climbing. I just don't understand how I can gain this much without eating this much. Is my body unable to release fluid or something? How is it creating weight from nothing?

 

High blood sugar with exercise? I have not heard that either. Does that cause weight gain? I have a low fasting blood sugar, I think I have hypoglycemia.

Lexapro & Wellbutrin ~2003-2012

Switched from Lexapro to Prozac early 2012

CT all meds mid 2012, manic episode; put on every bipolar med known to man June-Aug 2012

Stopped meds CT Aug 2012

50 mg Lamictal Nov 2012

Ativan 0.5mg/PRN Dec 2012 (up to 2mg by May 2013)

Lunesta Jan-June 2013, CTed

Trazodone 100mg June 2013

[non-psych: Nature-Throid/Cytomel Dec 2012-June 2013; progesterone cream Nov 2013-pres]

current:75mg Lamictal (raised to help with benzo withdrawal)

1.6mg Ativan (very slowly tapering)

30mg Trazodone (holding)

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weight often goes up and down for people...and generally does right itself as we heal...

 

tending to diet (in a healthful manner, not to lose weight specifically) is important...so learning what your particular body needs and thrives on as well as eliminating food sensitivities...

 

it's a long journey for most of us..

 

I had gained 95 lbs prior to withdrawal and then I yo-yo'd for several years but am now 85 lbs down almost back to my weight in highschool...

 

one of the most important things someone told me early on was to NOT worry about my weight...but to instead think about getting healthy...

 

for me that meant getting off the drugs (more important than weight initially) and then both while withdrawing and after that learning to feed my body with optimal nutrition...as I did that my weight did continue to fluctuate, but in the end...the weight came off...

 

again...I never made the weight a motivating issue...I always ate to satisfaction and did not starve myself ever...I don't think i would have gotten healthy had I approached it otherwise.

Everything Matters: Beyond Meds 

https://beyondmeds.com/

withdrawn from a cocktail of 6 psychiatric drugs that included every class of psych drug.
 

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Ok. Wow 95 lbs? This is unbelievable. Did you ever find out the direct cause of the weight gain, like insulin resistance from meds or something? How did it come off? And how long did it take? Did you have to diet and exercise a lot? Everyone says to me it will just come off and rebalance but I don't know how, I suppose people who are lucky, it happens to, but not me. Last time i gained from psych meds diet and exercise did nothing. I am forty lbs from high school weight. I don't know if I can ever get back there again, even though it was five years ago. I was very tiny. That would be a dream come true.

 

My weights just going up now, never down, for eight months it's been going up as I believe I've been in tolerance withdrawal. I've eliminated a lot from my diet and eat pretty much all healthy. No junk food, gluten free soy free sugar free, low glycemic, etc etc. but body is not responding. I know it is directly related to ativan withdrawal because as soon as I updosed last night the weight gain stopped, but then it never goes back down. And then it goes up more with exercise. I think I'm going to have to order a cortisol supplement to see if that helps. I don't know what I'm supposed to do, all the things one does to lose weight do the opposite for me, nothing works.

Lexapro & Wellbutrin ~2003-2012

Switched from Lexapro to Prozac early 2012

CT all meds mid 2012, manic episode; put on every bipolar med known to man June-Aug 2012

Stopped meds CT Aug 2012

50 mg Lamictal Nov 2012

Ativan 0.5mg/PRN Dec 2012 (up to 2mg by May 2013)

Lunesta Jan-June 2013, CTed

Trazodone 100mg June 2013

[non-psych: Nature-Throid/Cytomel Dec 2012-June 2013; progesterone cream Nov 2013-pres]

current:75mg Lamictal (raised to help with benzo withdrawal)

1.6mg Ativan (very slowly tapering)

30mg Trazodone (holding)

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Part of the issue is that Wellbutrin sometimes helps people lose weight, so there is a rebound reaction when it is stopped. And stopping the Cytomel might have an effect.

 

Wellbutrin and benzos are both processed by the liver. W actually slows down an enzyme system. So with stopping, my liver started "chewing" the backlog, including the benzo, faster, leading to lower blood levels. I have actually been tasting chemicals for almost a year. Juicing finally got rid of it. Don't know if it would happen to everyone. I think non-strenuous exercise is your best bet for the cortisol.

1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms.

Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12

Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13

Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15

11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble)

9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol

7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol

56 years old

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Gia and I were both on antipsychotics which are famous for causing weight gain and/or metabolic problems.

1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms.

Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12

Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13

Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15

11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble)

9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol

7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol

56 years old

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these are a few posts that talk about my weight loss process...

 

http://beyondmeds.com/2012/08/06/weight-psych-meds/

 

that's at 56 lbs down

 

http://beyondmeds.com/2013/08/31/losing-85-lbs-buying-new-clothes/

 

and that one is once it had all come off...it's stayed off now too...

 

the whole thing took about 10 years...I came off 6 drugs...I'm still healing. 

 

and I told you what I did...I learned how to eat healthfully and I did NOT diet for weight loss...

 

exercise involved no longer being bed-ridden...so it was complete rehab...I was atrophied. I still can't do vigorous exercise...I do yoga and I walk and swim a bit...I move my body as it wants to be move when it wants to be moved. I still stay in bed when it needs that as well.

 

take a look at the posts I've written above if you want to know more...I had a very complete healing protocol which has been in constant evolution and continues to be...it's mine...I researched and shared with people like you and trialed and errored and experimented and came up with what works for me...

 

everyone has to do that really...I started considering it an adventure...not one that is always fun, but it's a way to consider it that helped me very much.

Everything Matters: Beyond Meds 

https://beyondmeds.com/

withdrawn from a cocktail of 6 psychiatric drugs that included every class of psych drug.
 

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Wow, you're a very strong person, I would not be able to handle what you went through. Congratulations. So you mostly just did light everyday type of exercise? What changed with your eating? I see you no longer eat grains. The first link didn't work but I read the second one and a page that it linked to. You are still not fully recovered after ten years though? You were on a long time though...do you think you will ever be back to normal?

 

I do eat very healthy, that is what's so disappointing, the way I eat doesn't help in the least. I gain weight in big spurts, when I lower my meds. This to me signals a cortisol problem, especially since any exercise makes it worse. I did not gain weight with exercise before I was taken off some meds, lunesta, wellbutrin and thyroid. I think the lunesta set it off because my thyroid is normal and wellbutrin was very low dose, though I know I did gain some weight from stopping it, I never lost while on it though. And lunesta is like a benzo, and I'm experiencing the same thing getting off the benzo only it's taking much much longer. Anyway...i have gotten a product called sleep tonight that will hopefully help with sleep and it helps cortisol.

 

Will my body learn to use cortisol properly once I am off benzos? Which will be over a year at this rate? I mean how long does it stay messed up like this? Is there anything I can do to stop it from overreacting with the cortisol? I can't stay couch ridden for years...I'm not even out of college yet...I want to be able to build muscle back up, instead of just gaining more fat from exercise...right now my body cannot carry it's own weight...gets worse as time goes on...

Lexapro & Wellbutrin ~2003-2012

Switched from Lexapro to Prozac early 2012

CT all meds mid 2012, manic episode; put on every bipolar med known to man June-Aug 2012

Stopped meds CT Aug 2012

50 mg Lamictal Nov 2012

Ativan 0.5mg/PRN Dec 2012 (up to 2mg by May 2013)

Lunesta Jan-June 2013, CTed

Trazodone 100mg June 2013

[non-psych: Nature-Throid/Cytomel Dec 2012-June 2013; progesterone cream Nov 2013-pres]

current:75mg Lamictal (raised to help with benzo withdrawal)

1.6mg Ativan (very slowly tapering)

30mg Trazodone (holding)

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Part of the issue is that Wellbutrin sometimes helps people lose weight, so there is a rebound reaction when it is stopped. And stopping the Cytomel might have an effect.

Wellbutrin and benzos are both processed by the liver. W actually slows down an enzyme system. So with stopping, my liver started "chewing" the backlog, including the benzo, faster, leading to lower blood levels. I have actually been tasting chemicals for almost a year. Juicing finally got rid of it. Don't know if it would happen to everyone. I think non-strenuous exercise is your best bet for the cortisol.

Wow, that's very strange. How did you find that out? That's pretty nasty...

 

I feel like my body is permanently in this spike and drop cortisol state, I don't know when I can exercise again, it seems to get worse as time goes on, is there anything to be done about this? Like I said above I cannot stay sedentary for years... How do I teach my body to stop overreacting to cortisol?

 

And can anyone explain why I gain weight more than I eat? Even if every calorie was stored as fat it would not lead to this much weight at once, yet it never goes away? The doctors say I am not retaining water because my hands and feet are normal but I don't see how this is possible, it defies laws of physics.

Lexapro & Wellbutrin ~2003-2012

Switched from Lexapro to Prozac early 2012

CT all meds mid 2012, manic episode; put on every bipolar med known to man June-Aug 2012

Stopped meds CT Aug 2012

50 mg Lamictal Nov 2012

Ativan 0.5mg/PRN Dec 2012 (up to 2mg by May 2013)

Lunesta Jan-June 2013, CTed

Trazodone 100mg June 2013

[non-psych: Nature-Throid/Cytomel Dec 2012-June 2013; progesterone cream Nov 2013-pres]

current:75mg Lamictal (raised to help with benzo withdrawal)

1.6mg Ativan (very slowly tapering)

30mg Trazodone (holding)

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The best book I have seen on this is available as an e-book from amazon. I think the brain issues in the book are a bit different in withdrawal, but the outcome is the same. The book is Unravelling CFS.

1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms.

Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12

Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13

Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15

11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble)

9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol

7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol

56 years old

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My first thought was fluid retention, I can't imagine that you could accumulate so much fat

in a few hours. Do you pass water more when you updose?  

 

I would keep a written diary for a month with your doses, food intake, exercise and weight so you can

track it and see where things change, then show it to your doctor. I know from experience that you

don't have to have badly  swollen feet and ankles to have fluid retention! 

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

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No the weight never goes away when I updose...I don't understand how fluid keeps accumulating, is it being replaced with fat or something? Yes it's impossible to have all this be fat...

 

I work with a dietician for many months now, have been to a doctor and she didn't have much to say, only that I'm not overweight, but that was a month ago and I'm pretty sure I am now.

 

How could you tell it was fluid retention? My legs are becoming misshapen from all this weight gain...I hate my life truly...

Lexapro & Wellbutrin ~2003-2012

Switched from Lexapro to Prozac early 2012

CT all meds mid 2012, manic episode; put on every bipolar med known to man June-Aug 2012

Stopped meds CT Aug 2012

50 mg Lamictal Nov 2012

Ativan 0.5mg/PRN Dec 2012 (up to 2mg by May 2013)

Lunesta Jan-June 2013, CTed

Trazodone 100mg June 2013

[non-psych: Nature-Throid/Cytomel Dec 2012-June 2013; progesterone cream Nov 2013-pres]

current:75mg Lamictal (raised to help with benzo withdrawal)

1.6mg Ativan (very slowly tapering)

30mg Trazodone (holding)

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Mei I will look up that book, the reviews. I have many symptoms of CFS but am positive it is med induced, I wish it would go away and resolve itself...

Lexapro & Wellbutrin ~2003-2012

Switched from Lexapro to Prozac early 2012

CT all meds mid 2012, manic episode; put on every bipolar med known to man June-Aug 2012

Stopped meds CT Aug 2012

50 mg Lamictal Nov 2012

Ativan 0.5mg/PRN Dec 2012 (up to 2mg by May 2013)

Lunesta Jan-June 2013, CTed

Trazodone 100mg June 2013

[non-psych: Nature-Throid/Cytomel Dec 2012-June 2013; progesterone cream Nov 2013-pres]

current:75mg Lamictal (raised to help with benzo withdrawal)

1.6mg Ativan (very slowly tapering)

30mg Trazodone (holding)

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I am not a doctor or have any medical training except for watching tv and reading but have experience 

of fluid retention.  If you press your thumb into your leg, does the indent stay there for seconds/minutes 

or does it spring back right away?  With me the indent stayed for a several seconds, 

If I sat down and had my leg/arm against something hard like a chair arm or seat corner, the indent

could stay for quite a while.  I had this twice, once a side effect of an AD and once when I had an infection. 

Both times doctors said it wasn't fluid because my ankles were not very  swollen . 

 

How slowly are you tapering? Maybe making very tiny cuts and a long hold would help. 

You've had quite a lot of changes the last 2 years and your poor body will be suffering for it. 

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

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No, I don't have the pitting, I've read there's non pitting edema but I don't know. Makes me depressed, I don't understand how every single thing I eat could be stored as fat. I get lots of redness and clothes wrinkles on my skin. That's all.

 

Yes, I have to do very tiny cuts and hold a long time, that's the only thing that works...my body has been through a lot but I wish it would not respond so harshly...it will take me at least one year to get off this damn drug unless it lets up. I don't think it is normal to gain this much weight, I think something else must be wrong. One pound a day if I cut too much. I would be physically disabled if this keeps up. Something is wrong...

Lexapro & Wellbutrin ~2003-2012

Switched from Lexapro to Prozac early 2012

CT all meds mid 2012, manic episode; put on every bipolar med known to man June-Aug 2012

Stopped meds CT Aug 2012

50 mg Lamictal Nov 2012

Ativan 0.5mg/PRN Dec 2012 (up to 2mg by May 2013)

Lunesta Jan-June 2013, CTed

Trazodone 100mg June 2013

[non-psych: Nature-Throid/Cytomel Dec 2012-June 2013; progesterone cream Nov 2013-pres]

current:75mg Lamictal (raised to help with benzo withdrawal)

1.6mg Ativan (very slowly tapering)

30mg Trazodone (holding)

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I have tried to come up with the reason behind this but still nothing, however I read that lymph backup can cause weight gain? Does anyone know about this? I go to a massage therapist who does some lymph drainage stuff but no help so far...

Lexapro & Wellbutrin ~2003-2012

Switched from Lexapro to Prozac early 2012

CT all meds mid 2012, manic episode; put on every bipolar med known to man June-Aug 2012

Stopped meds CT Aug 2012

50 mg Lamictal Nov 2012

Ativan 0.5mg/PRN Dec 2012 (up to 2mg by May 2013)

Lunesta Jan-June 2013, CTed

Trazodone 100mg June 2013

[non-psych: Nature-Throid/Cytomel Dec 2012-June 2013; progesterone cream Nov 2013-pres]

current:75mg Lamictal (raised to help with benzo withdrawal)

1.6mg Ativan (very slowly tapering)

30mg Trazodone (holding)

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Wow your weight gain is bizarre to me and I'd try to get to the bottom of it. If I were you I might buy a food scale and measure your food. Ideally you are eating 3-4 lbs a day with 2lbs coming from vegetables (not startch). I think it's really useful to track what I eat. I do this most everyday, 9/10 at least but sometimes miss one due to symptoms. I also am mindful of my urine outflow. I realized I was eliminating more fluid than I drank (on some days!) so I actually collected my urine in 32oz mason jars over a couple of 24 hr periods. It turns out I am urinating more than normal. 

 

I don't see why your weight would go up so much on a cut if you are making some cuts, honestly. If you go from 90% of your max dose to 80% and you gain a 1lb a day, this is symbolic of an underlying pathology beyond reducing the dosage by a cut.

"Well my ship's been split to splinters and it's sinking fast
I'm drowning in the poison, got no future, got no past
But my heart is not weary, it's light and it's free
I've got nothing but affection for all those who sailed with me.

Everybody's moving, if they ain't already there
Everybody's got to move somewhere
Stick with me baby, stick with me anyhow
Things should start to get interesting right about now."

- Zimmerman

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I've been seeing a nutritionist since June when it started. I weigh everything and count everything. Yes there is something else going on but I don't know what, and no one seems to care to find out but only treat the severe depression the weight gain is causing. I never ever had a weiht problem in my life. Withdrawal is doing something to my body to gain weight and I don't know what to do. I am up another pound in one day today. I didn't even eat that much. I don't get it ;(

Lexapro & Wellbutrin ~2003-2012

Switched from Lexapro to Prozac early 2012

CT all meds mid 2012, manic episode; put on every bipolar med known to man June-Aug 2012

Stopped meds CT Aug 2012

50 mg Lamictal Nov 2012

Ativan 0.5mg/PRN Dec 2012 (up to 2mg by May 2013)

Lunesta Jan-June 2013, CTed

Trazodone 100mg June 2013

[non-psych: Nature-Throid/Cytomel Dec 2012-June 2013; progesterone cream Nov 2013-pres]

current:75mg Lamictal (raised to help with benzo withdrawal)

1.6mg Ativan (very slowly tapering)

30mg Trazodone (holding)

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  • 2 weeks later...

Ks, do you have other symptoms that accompany weight gain? Upper body fat? Stretch marks? High blood pressure? Excessive hair growth anywhere? Moonface? Maybe a good endocrinology workup would help you rule out the cause of hypercortisolism (if that's what you're describing)...even depression for long time can cause elevated cortisol (read that somewhere) and cortisol causes weight gain around the middle normally. Sounds like you're doing all you can do in the nutrition aspect of things - so that's not the issue. I'm so sorry for your struggle with this and hope you find answers soon. 

Took A/Ds between 1988-1992 & '92-2011
2011 tapered off Cymbalta 20mg. 
2013 tapered off Seroquel (sleep) 12.5-25mg after 9 yrs. 
2013 tapered off prn Xanax 0.25-0.5mg while reducing Seroquel.
PRN/sporadic use of Xanax x 13+ years. MD said take "as needed" or taper off 4-6 wks and stop. What a joke.
Reinstated Xanax 0.25-.5mg for sleep after a month benzo-free due to sleep deprivation. Continued PRN. 
Currently: 0.5mg at 11 pm, 0.125mg at 7am & 3 pm (0.75mg total)

 

 
 

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Hi freedom girl, the fat is everywhere, especially in my stomach, I have tried taking something called Sleep Tonight which is supposed to lower cortisol, but it doesn't help. I took a urine cortisol 24 hr test and it was in range. My cholesterol is now high, it's never been high in my life. I also have very high testosterone and too high estrogen, and low progesterone. I've been to an endo and she was completely unhelpful and dismissed everything, saying nothing was wrong and I just need to build muscle to burn calories. Complete idiot. I can't even look in a mirror without wanting to scream or vomit, it's absolutely out of control. I estimate I have over fifty percent body fat. Everyone says it will regulate itself, it's been nine months and not even showing signs of turning around.

Lexapro & Wellbutrin ~2003-2012

Switched from Lexapro to Prozac early 2012

CT all meds mid 2012, manic episode; put on every bipolar med known to man June-Aug 2012

Stopped meds CT Aug 2012

50 mg Lamictal Nov 2012

Ativan 0.5mg/PRN Dec 2012 (up to 2mg by May 2013)

Lunesta Jan-June 2013, CTed

Trazodone 100mg June 2013

[non-psych: Nature-Throid/Cytomel Dec 2012-June 2013; progesterone cream Nov 2013-pres]

current:75mg Lamictal (raised to help with benzo withdrawal)

1.6mg Ativan (very slowly tapering)

30mg Trazodone (holding)

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  • 4 weeks later...

I'm so sorry you're going through this. As a woman, I understand how weight gain (especially that fast and unpredictable) can make everything worse.

 

It seems odd that you'd be adding fat that fast. Have you had a body composition test to see what the gain is from (muscle vs fat vs water)?

 

If your hormones are that messed up, how could the endocrinologist claim you just need exercise??!! You definitely need to consult with a well known reproductive endocrinologist and hopefully one that can prescribe bio-identical hormones in doses custom-made for you at a compounding pharmacy.

 

Were the levels of the hormones abnormal in your blood tests or how did you conclude they were not ok?

 

If you were not overweight a month ago, perhaps you should think about what changed in the last month?

 

How much weight have you gained since you saw the dr a month ago and he/she said you were not overweight? What is your BMI and body fat percentage now?

 

It's important to know these things because, as women, we often feel and perceive ourselves as more "fat" than we actually are. I would avoid weighting yourself daily and/or looking at the mirror constantly. The body fluctuates a lot in weight from day to day due to hormones, food, fluid retention, exercise, sleep, etc. Those changes are normal and you'll drive yourself crazy trying to understand or challenge them.

 

It's more objective to take body measures once a month and/or use a body composition device (preferably both). Way more accurate.

  • SSRIs 3-4 times in the last 14 years; would take them for 6-8 months and then taper off under dr supervision with no problems.
  • Med history prior to 2015: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/6012-newbeginning-my-withdrawal-story/?p=267313#entry267313
  • 04/2015: Prozac decreased to 15mg over last 3 months; effexor held steady at 8mg; current effexor XR: 20 beads of a 75mg capsule per day (about 8mg)
  • 06/2015: Prozac: 10mg; effexor XR: 19 beads (about 7.5mg); 07/2015: Prozac: 8.5mg; effexor 18 beads; 08/2015: Prozac: 7.5mg; effexor: 17 beads
  • End of August: withdrawal: depressive symptoms, crying spells. Realized I was measuring prozac dose wrong for the last 2 months. Reinstated Prozac 8.5mg; Kept effexor at 17 beads. Stabilized in 5 weeks.
  • 10/2015: Prozac: 8.5mg; effexor: 17 beads11/2015: Prozac: 1.9ml (7.5mg); effexor: 16 beads12/2015: Prozac: 1.6ml; effexor xr: 16 beads. Withdrawal: neuroemotions
  • 01/2016: prozac: 1.6ml; effexor xr: reinstated 17 beads, withdrawal improved; 02/2016: Prozac 1.5ml; Effexor: 17 beads; 03/2016: Prozac 1.3ml(5mg); Effexor: 17 beads (7mg)-withdrawal (flu-like malaise, lightheaded, drowsy) started end of March. April 15: reinstated Prozac 1.5ml. Stabilized. 2 weeks ok. End of April: Withdrawal (neuroemotions). Eventually stabilized in April-May. Apathy improved.
  • 3 month hold until August. August 2016: apathy came back;

  • October 2016: updosed to Prozac 1.6ml. Bad reaction: anxiety, depression. End of October: went down Prozac 1.5ml. Stabilized over several weeks.

  • Dec 9: tried macca for energy: anxiety/depression. Improved over several weeks, but not completely resolved.

  • Dec 31: cut Effexor 5% to 16 beads. After 9 days: withdrawal anxiety, depression; tried updosing to 17 beads Feb 7 but anxiety got worse; went down to 16 beads

    May 2017: Anxiety improved; severe depression continuesSeptember 2017: finally stabilized!!!!!! 09/07/2017-12/31/2017: hold

  • Stable on Effexor 6mg and Prozac 6mg until around 2019-2020. Side effects (fatigue, anhedonia) continued, but had some long lasting windows thanks to therapy. Windows lasting 5-6 months each year followed by relapses.

  • 2019: bad reaction to melatonin 3 mg. Withdrawal after taking it 2 months. When I tried to stop it developed severe insomnia that lasted 6 months even after I reinstated melatonin. Only slept again because I took hydroxyzine 5 mg 3 times a week for few months. Stopped hydroxyzine with no issues. Sleep normalized.

  • 2020-2021: Holding on Prozac 6mg, Effexor 6mg, Tapered melatonin 1 drop every 2-4 weeks down to 1.5mg. Had to hold because further cuts were causing severe drowsiness. 

  • 2021: Insomnia returned due to caffeine use for few months (only started after months of use). I also had a concussion at this time.

  • 2023: took hydroxyzine 5-100mg for one month (kept increasing dose every 3 days because I developed tolerance). Tapered for 1 week. After 1 month: withdrawal neuroemotions. Reinstated 5mg 2 months after stopping. Gradually increased to 25mg, stabilized, but withdrawal came back after 10 days. Kept increasing dose and withdrawal returning. Currently at 40mg. Not sure how to stabilize. 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Since I've been withdrawing from the last bit of Prozac I've gain around five pounds. I'm sensitive to weight gain, though, from insulin resistance. I'm assuming the gain now is from spikes in cortisol.

Tapering Zoloft, Dec 2014

Started Lamictal

Re-started Zoloft mid-Oct 2014, 25-50mg

Stopped Zoloft end of Sept 2014

Started Zoloft July 2014, 50mg

Stopped Prozac from 3mg May 2014

Stopped Effexor Dec '13 Started 10mg Prozac

Reinstated Effexor 15mg on Nov 2013

Stopped from 21mg on Oct 2013
Effexor 112.5mg, since Dec 2012

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Finn I have lost some weight from getting off Celexa recently.  Weight has always been a motivational force for me with getting off drugs. 

 

I believe the cortisol spikes have added to weight in the middle/trunk part of my body.  Most of these drugs shut down a fat burning enzyme which causes the weight gain.

Intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1902-nikki-hi-my-rundown-with-ads/

 

Paxil 1997-2004

Crossed over to Lexapro Paxil not available

at Pharmacies GSK halted deliveries

Lexapro 40mgs

Lexapro taper (2years)

Imipramine

Imipramine and Celexa

Now Nefazadone/Imipramine 50mgs. each

45mgs. Serzone  50mgs. Imipramine

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Finn I have lost some weight from getting off Celexa recently.  Weight has always been a motivational force for me with getting off drugs. 

 

I believe the cortisol spikes have added to weight in the middle/trunk part of my body.  Most of these drugs shut down a fat burning enzyme which causes the weight gain.

 

Hi Nikki & Finn,

 

Thanks for sharing your experiences with weight issues. It sounds like you both agree that the SSRIs might cause weight gain when you take them and/or during withdrawal.

 

You mentioned cortisol and changes in enzymes as possible reasons for this.

 

I have found my appetite is less regulated than it was before SSRIs, especially in the third week of the menstrual cycle (10 days before my period). To be sure, depression can cause these things too (appetite changes and/or weight gain, as it changes cortisol and God knows what all else in the body).

 

I have also read that depression and/or SSRIs can change blood sugar and lipid levels (cholesterol). I have both issues and they can of course be mediated by weight gain.

 

I'm trying GTF chromium and Fish oil, along with healthier eating and slowly tapering off all SSRIs. Since the apathy is getting better as I taper off SSRIs, I'm also able to be more active in my daily activities (I just spend less time sitting/lying down). I'm hoping one or all of those things will helps with weight loss.

 

Would you please keep us updated on things that help with weight loss during/after SSRIs/depression? I will too.

 

Thanks!

  • SSRIs 3-4 times in the last 14 years; would take them for 6-8 months and then taper off under dr supervision with no problems.
  • Med history prior to 2015: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/6012-newbeginning-my-withdrawal-story/?p=267313#entry267313
  • 04/2015: Prozac decreased to 15mg over last 3 months; effexor held steady at 8mg; current effexor XR: 20 beads of a 75mg capsule per day (about 8mg)
  • 06/2015: Prozac: 10mg; effexor XR: 19 beads (about 7.5mg); 07/2015: Prozac: 8.5mg; effexor 18 beads; 08/2015: Prozac: 7.5mg; effexor: 17 beads
  • End of August: withdrawal: depressive symptoms, crying spells. Realized I was measuring prozac dose wrong for the last 2 months. Reinstated Prozac 8.5mg; Kept effexor at 17 beads. Stabilized in 5 weeks.
  • 10/2015: Prozac: 8.5mg; effexor: 17 beads11/2015: Prozac: 1.9ml (7.5mg); effexor: 16 beads12/2015: Prozac: 1.6ml; effexor xr: 16 beads. Withdrawal: neuroemotions
  • 01/2016: prozac: 1.6ml; effexor xr: reinstated 17 beads, withdrawal improved; 02/2016: Prozac 1.5ml; Effexor: 17 beads; 03/2016: Prozac 1.3ml(5mg); Effexor: 17 beads (7mg)-withdrawal (flu-like malaise, lightheaded, drowsy) started end of March. April 15: reinstated Prozac 1.5ml. Stabilized. 2 weeks ok. End of April: Withdrawal (neuroemotions). Eventually stabilized in April-May. Apathy improved.
  • 3 month hold until August. August 2016: apathy came back;

  • October 2016: updosed to Prozac 1.6ml. Bad reaction: anxiety, depression. End of October: went down Prozac 1.5ml. Stabilized over several weeks.

  • Dec 9: tried macca for energy: anxiety/depression. Improved over several weeks, but not completely resolved.

  • Dec 31: cut Effexor 5% to 16 beads. After 9 days: withdrawal anxiety, depression; tried updosing to 17 beads Feb 7 but anxiety got worse; went down to 16 beads

    May 2017: Anxiety improved; severe depression continuesSeptember 2017: finally stabilized!!!!!! 09/07/2017-12/31/2017: hold

  • Stable on Effexor 6mg and Prozac 6mg until around 2019-2020. Side effects (fatigue, anhedonia) continued, but had some long lasting windows thanks to therapy. Windows lasting 5-6 months each year followed by relapses.

  • 2019: bad reaction to melatonin 3 mg. Withdrawal after taking it 2 months. When I tried to stop it developed severe insomnia that lasted 6 months even after I reinstated melatonin. Only slept again because I took hydroxyzine 5 mg 3 times a week for few months. Stopped hydroxyzine with no issues. Sleep normalized.

  • 2020-2021: Holding on Prozac 6mg, Effexor 6mg, Tapered melatonin 1 drop every 2-4 weeks down to 1.5mg. Had to hold because further cuts were causing severe drowsiness. 

  • 2021: Insomnia returned due to caffeine use for few months (only started after months of use). I also had a concussion at this time.

  • 2023: took hydroxyzine 5-100mg for one month (kept increasing dose every 3 days because I developed tolerance). Tapered for 1 week. After 1 month: withdrawal neuroemotions. Reinstated 5mg 2 months after stopping. Gradually increased to 25mg, stabilized, but withdrawal came back after 10 days. Kept increasing dose and withdrawal returning. Currently at 40mg. Not sure how to stabilize. 

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  • 3 weeks later...

I'm so sorry you're going through this. As a woman, I understand how weight gain (especially that fast and unpredictable) can make everything worse.

 

It seems odd that you'd be adding fat that fast. Have you had a body composition test to see what the gain is from (muscle vs fat vs water)?

 

---no, I can tell it is not muscle by touching it. It is all fat or water but no pitting so I assume fat

 

If your hormones are that messed up, how could the endocrinologist claim you just need exercise??!! You definitely need to consult with a well known reproductive endocrinologist and hopefully one that can prescribe bio-identical hormones in doses custom-made for you at a compounding pharmacy.

 

---I am seeing a new one but my body is making too much sex hormones, not too little

 

Were the levels of the hormones abnormal in your blood tests or how did you conclude they were not ok?

 

---testosterone was above the lab range and progesterone was at the bottom of the lab range

 

If you were not overweight a month ago, perhaps you should think about what changed in the last month?

 

---weight gain has been continuous for eleven months, not just in the past month, no matter how much I eat or don't eat

 

How much weight have you gained since you saw the dr a month ago and he/she said you were not overweight? What is your BMI and body fat percentage now?

 

---I have gained sixty pounds in eleven months, I am not willing to put bmi here but as I said I am now overweight and body fat is probably in obese range

 

It's important to know these things because, as women, we often feel and perceive ourselves as more "fat" than we actually are. I would avoid weighting yourself daily and/or looking at the mirror constantly. The body fluctuates a lot in weight from day to day due to hormones, food, fluid retention, exercise, sleep, etc. Those changes are normal and you'll drive yourself crazy trying to understand or challenge them.

 

---not a perception, I never look in the mirror anymore I can't bear to, weighing or not either way I am still gaining weight so it doesn't make a difference, weight never fluctuates day to day it either stays the same or goes up, my weight has always been very stable day to day

 

It's more objective to take body measures once a month and/or use a body composition device (preferably both). Way more accurate.

 

---I don't need to measure anything to see I am most definitely getting bigger and I most certainly don't want to measure body comp as I have no muscle mass and cannot seem to put any on

 

 

Lexapro & Wellbutrin ~2003-2012

Switched from Lexapro to Prozac early 2012

CT all meds mid 2012, manic episode; put on every bipolar med known to man June-Aug 2012

Stopped meds CT Aug 2012

50 mg Lamictal Nov 2012

Ativan 0.5mg/PRN Dec 2012 (up to 2mg by May 2013)

Lunesta Jan-June 2013, CTed

Trazodone 100mg June 2013

[non-psych: Nature-Throid/Cytomel Dec 2012-June 2013; progesterone cream Nov 2013-pres]

current:75mg Lamictal (raised to help with benzo withdrawal)

1.6mg Ativan (very slowly tapering)

30mg Trazodone (holding)

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Sorry if I sound blunt in the last post. I don't know what to do and honestly if this keeps happening I'm going to kill myself. Literally nothing helps.

Lexapro & Wellbutrin ~2003-2012

Switched from Lexapro to Prozac early 2012

CT all meds mid 2012, manic episode; put on every bipolar med known to man June-Aug 2012

Stopped meds CT Aug 2012

50 mg Lamictal Nov 2012

Ativan 0.5mg/PRN Dec 2012 (up to 2mg by May 2013)

Lunesta Jan-June 2013, CTed

Trazodone 100mg June 2013

[non-psych: Nature-Throid/Cytomel Dec 2012-June 2013; progesterone cream Nov 2013-pres]

current:75mg Lamictal (raised to help with benzo withdrawal)

1.6mg Ativan (very slowly tapering)

30mg Trazodone (holding)

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