anti-depressants and appetite suppresants

what do you think are the best meds that encompass both of these..?

I have heard a lot of bad things about seroquel with regards to weight gain and sedation.

Original Post by dc_runner81:

Musical--I didn't mean to imply you should just try to combat the depression with diet and exercise.  Sure, it helps, but you've BEEN doing that and it isn't working for you.  I was exactly where you are about a year ago.  I decided not to take meds, but I DID commit to a once weekly therapy session, which has made a tremendous difference.  I couldn't have gotten to where I am now by myself!  Just remember, finding a good therapist is as (if not more) important than finding the right medication!  They aren't all created equally, and not every one will be the right fit.

PM me if you want to talk more personally about this stuff.  I can definitely empathize with you--down to your statement about feeling like a burden on the people around you.

no worries, runner. I'm pretty sensitive about all of this anyway.  Some days I just feel at my wits end.  I think you're right about therapy being a wonderful tool I need to utilize.  The couple of initial visits I've had so far to a clinic I've only had a chance to voice what I'm feeling, but it truly did make me feel a little better saying out loud to another person some of the things the are whirling around my mind.  I have another visit with a Clinician scheduled for next Tuesday, but I'm not able to see an actual M.D. until a week after that.

*sigh*

as my mom would say, "slow and steady wins the race"...

i've certainly got the slow part down. steady? i'm not so sure about that one on some days..

Original Post by musicalfishmich:

having said that, though, i've read a lot about anti-depressants causing weight gain, and i am desperately afraid of that.  but i think it might actually be the opposite for me.  when i'm said, depressed, stressed, overcome with anxiety; i tend to flock toward food. so i'm hoping that with the help of anti-depressants, maybe i won't eat emotionally so much..? we'll see. i'm at the start of what i'm sure will be a long, arduous journey...

I went on Citalopram (Celexa) this January for depression, and I've managed to lose weight healthily for the first time in my life since then.  I started exercising and counting calories immediately after starting the meds out of fear of weight gain, but I haven't gotten obsessive or unhealthy about the weight loss as I always have done so in the past, and I'm much more relaxed about the occasional accidental binge on cupcakes/pizza/etc.

I don't think Citalopram has reduced my appetite at all or sped up my metabolism, but it has definitely made me feel more balanced emotionally, which has contributed to a healthy and sustainable weight-loss.  I can now fit into a size 10 instead of 12 or 14, and I'm feeling great about my weight-loss.    It's definitely not a miracle drug, but it's been helpful so far and I can live with the side effects (lowered sex drive).

I definitely think there's a possibility that antidepressants may help you to lose weight because ideally, they'll help reduce your stress/anxiety/sadness/etc, and thus you'll eat less.  Talking to your doctor about *all* your concerns re: antidepressants is a great idea, as is doing some research before hand.  Doctors may favor one SSRI over the other just out of personal preference, and I think it's a good idea to be informed from more than one source.

For instance, the first doctor I talked to said he usually liked to prescribe Paxil for depression, but I nixed that idea because so far as I know, it's linked to weight gain more so than some other SSRI's.  My current doctor told me that he almost never prescribes Paxil, thinks its generally a bad idea, and thought it was great that I chose Citalopram! 

Best of luck to you, whatever you decide to do!  It can take some adjusting of medication dosages/types of medication at first, but antidepressants can be very helpful - you just have to find what works for your body.  I'm rooting for you. 

I'm on Effexor XR right now and for the first week or so I lost my appetite, but it came back eventually. Now I've upped the dose and my appetite is lessened again. It's also been the most helpful antidepressent I've been on so far, I think because it does two things at once, but I don't remember all the science behind it. But yeah, ask your doctor and all that.

So i finally had my psych. appt today and was prescribed with Lamictal and clonazepam.  Lamictal sounds like it will help with the depressive episodes, and then the clonazepam i guess will help bring me down from the mania..

i am so relieved to have something that may create that light at the end of the tunnel within my reach..