Anti Depressants with Minimal Weight Gain?

[ladyamalthea]

I am thinking about telling my doctor that I need to get back on anti depressants. I can tell that I'm not doing well at the moment. Last time I tried anti depressants, I was given samples of Lexapro. Then I came here and got psyched out about people saying Lexapro caused weight gain for them, and I'm already 145 pounds overweight.

I don't do well with Effexor either.

Suggestions?

[historyteach]

Wellbutrin.
It's known for the fact it doesn't cause weight gain. And it *may* help you loose weight!

I also answered your other post, so, you may want to read that before you go off to the doc, but, Wellbutrin, or it's generic, buproprion, is the best bet. Furthermore, it has few sexual side effects too.

One caution. It *may* cause anxiety. At regular dosage levels, (300 mg), it can cause me panic attacts. I'm sensative to meds. So, just be aware. I take only 100 mg as a result.

Good luck to you. Let us know what you decide!

Shalom!

[Mkiz418]

well, I am currently on Lexapro (though I dont take it regularly) and it actually caused me to lose weight, though I had a normal appetite.
Then I didnt think Lexapro was working well enough, and i was put on Effexor, but that made my depression worse. It made me have suicidal thoughts that I had never had before. it also made my anxiety worse, but Im not sure what else is out there...I wish i knew too.

[historyteach]

Mkiz,
Did you tell your doc that you were not taking the Lexapro regularly?
It is not going to work "well enough" if you don't take it as directed. It has to build up in your body to work correctly.

Please be sure to be honest with your doc. That's the only way you can be a partner in your health care. Though I know this can be difficult, it's the only way a partnership can work.

Shalom!

[Mkiz418]

well it started with just forgetting to take it, then thinking I didnt need it. But no, i never told him....I dont know if I just told myself i was going to from now on, or if I forgot to tell him. I should though, I know...

[nandm]

I am in total agreement with Teach; AD's have to reach a theraputic level in your bloodstream for them to be effective. That is why it can take several weeks for some people to start feeling better after they start them. Please remember that with mental health medications especially, it is essential that they are taken as prescribed for them to be of much help.

I used to have trouble remembering to take my meds as well. What I finally did was figure out where I went first thing in the morning after the restroom. That was the kitchen to get breakfast. So I put the meds where I would have to move them to eat. Once I got in the habit of taking them when I first went into the kitchen I was able to move them out of the way and still remember to take them. It is now a habit to go to them first thing in the morning. I would suggest trying a simliar technique to help you remember to take them.

Cymbalta has worked well for my depression and I have not had weight gain with it.

[ladyamalthea]

It's okay Mkiz418... I've got the same problem. I have a hard time being honest with my doctors too... and I'm even worse about taking my meds. I'm trying... so are you back on Lexapro now?

[Mkiz418]

yea, I started taking it again, but i think I need a higher dosage because it has become virtually ineffective

[ladyamalthea]

hmm... well, maybe it hasn't had time to kick in yet?

that reminds me that I need to go take my metformin lol...

[hbb]

I'm on Wellbutrin and haven't gained any weight. Part of my depression IS being overweight so i did alot of research to find one that didn't cause weight gain and it's also used with weight issues. It's been great for me and i've been on it almost a year now.

[msiam207]

Lamictal. Especially if your depression is in some way related to mental chaos, typically found in bipolars and the personality disordered. About a 1% chance that you could develop Steven-Johnsons syndrome from it, either a 5 or 40% chance it would be fatal or disfiguring. Otherwise its side effects are pretty much null. No weight gain, possible insomnia or sleep problems.

All anti depressants are just drugs, drugs are just drugs, theres no scientific understanding of it so you could basically try anything and it's a matter of rolling the dice but success has been reported with Lamictal in treating depression, especially in people with bipolar or personality or thought disorders.

[pedagogue]

Trying to predict side effects can be tricky, as each med can interact with a person differently, and side effect profiles are based on research that was used to approximate the general population.

The best thing to do is let your prescriber know of your concerns, be honest with them about any challenges you may be having (whether it is taking it consistently, side effects you've experienced, etc), and see if they have any suggestions for your situation.

Sometimes there are things that can be done at the same time as starting the meds (light exercise, meal planning/support, talk therapy, etc) that can help with some possible side effects as well as be a positive contribution to your overall health. Obviously, your physician can best recommend what is appropriate in your case...but it could be helpful to ask him/her about possible adjunctive options.

Weight gain is a common issue with many anti-depressants (and it happens for a few different reasons). Being able to do even a couple things can make a difference...both in how you FEEL and how your body manages some of the changes that can occur with med changes.

[colagirl]

I agree that side effects are different for everybody on every anti-depressant. I did not gain weight on Celexa and am losing weight on Prozac. I also have a friend on Wellbutrin who says that she has not gained weight and also doesn't have the sexual side effects. Good luck!