Packing on the pounds with Paxil?

So I am sure this has been discussed many times before on this page, but I am not sure what to do...

After trying a couple of antidepressants before (Prozac and Effexor) with no real benefit/bad side effects, I was prescribed Seroxat (otherwise known as Paxil i think). However, I did my usual stupid thing of looking up the internet horror stories, and the main thing I found was WEIGHT GAIN! At the time losing weight was the only thing I was feeling good about and there was no way I could give up control of my body. So I didn't take them and haven't taken anything for months.

Now however I think the balance is swinging. I am feeling worse and worse and so disconnected from the world that I'm not sure I'm really here. I am terrified all the time, and I want something to make it stop. I have started seeing a new counsellor who thinks maybe the drugs would be a good idea. But I still feel the same way about not wanting to lose control of my body seeing as I've already lost control of my mind.

I'm starting to waffle so my questions are- why do you gain weight on Paxil? Is it because your appetite changes and you crave foods (which could be kept under control with sensible calorie counting) or does it actually affect your metabolism/fat storing which is much harder to control? Any one had experience of this? I am kind of embarassed about admitting to my doctor I am worried about weight, but are there any alternative antidepressants people have good experiences of?

Thank you so much for your help

Hi Sparky_n,

To be honest when I took Paxil for six months I gained over twenty pounds, I can't say it was completely just the anti depressant or just part of the depression still present while on the medication. I tried Wellbutrin for awhile but didn't really see any improvements from the low-lows. I will tell what has been working incredibly for me, I started a regime of Omega 3's, and vitamin D, and I have to say it has almost been five months since I felt really low. I do take a really good multivitamin and I did a cleanse (which helped me lose weight :D). It's funny because everywhere I look I see articles about using Omega 3 and Vitamin D as a treatment for depression. You can google it and read more if your interested. Good luck and I hope you feel better.

Original Post by kmar:

Hi Sparky_n,

To be honest when I took Paxil for six months I gained over twenty pounds, I can't say it was completely just the anti depressant or just part of the depression still present while on the medication. I tried Wellbutrin for awhile but didn't really see any improvements from the low-lows. I will tell what has been working incredibly for me, I started a regime of Omega 3's, and vitamin D, and I have to say it has almost been five months since I felt really low. I do take a really good multivitamin and I did a cleanse (which helped me lose weight :D). It's funny because everywhere I look I see articles about using Omega 3 and Vitamin D as a treatment for depression. You can google it and read more if your interested. Good luck and I hope you feel better.

 

This is a major dillema for lots of us.  I think that depression may be a major cause for most of us being overweight. 

Personally I have been on almost every anti depressant out there with nothing good coming out of it.  The last (almost) 3 yrs, I have been drug free.  My last psycologist put me on a regimine of Fish Oil (Omega 3) and 5HTP (the nature that was researched to create prozac and other seratonin inhibitors).  I've even dropped off that and only use the 5HTP for PMS (as needed) and am eating flax seed in my yogurt for breakfast (I get more protien and fiber than with fish oil alone).

Please DO NOT feel bad or stupid for researching a new medication.  Most doctors do not have personal experience with the drugs they are prescribing, they are going off literature (and possiblly incentives from the drug companies).  Take what you learned to your doctor and ask questions. 

Doctors and medicines do help, but you are your biggest tool in this battle with depression.

Sparky, please feel free to add me as a friend and email me anytime you need to talk.  As I said, I've fought this battle for decades, and infact my family has fought it (sometimes unsuccesfully ) for generations.  I'm by no means an expert, doctor or counselor, but I am a good listener (okay, reader LOL).

I've been taking Paxil for four months now and I have lost 10 pounds.  I don't feel that the medication has added weight to my body or that I'm struggling to lose weight while on it.  When I'm doing great eating healthy and moving more, I lose.  When I'm not so great (I love sweets!!!!)  I tend to maintain or gain a pound or two. 

 I have tried for a few years now not to take medication but have never been successful.  I feel much better on the medication and still losing weight!

I am on paxil but did not know about the weight gain.  I have been slowly trying to ween off them since I have been on them for over 12 years.  I was up to 40's I am now down to 20's and I am cutting them in half.  Soon I will ask for the 10's and use them for awhile before cutting them in half.  

I have tried going cold turkey but get wild mood swings and ringing in my ears. I have also got out of the bad relationship I was in, so hopefully I can totally get off or at least the lowest dosage.

I did gain about 20 pounds when I was on Paxil, but as a few others here have pointed out I'm not sure it was the medication as much as the depression.  I sat around and drank and ate chips and cheese and crackers all day - no wonder I gained weight.  I think as long as you maintain your proper eating habits, it shouldn't make too much of a difference.  Good luck.

i've really been wanting anti-depressants but am so afraid i'll have to rely on them all the time.

I don't know why, but yes, paxil does often lead to weight gain.  Welbutrin is good because it has few side effects and generally does not cause weight gain; some people even lose weight on it.  But none of the anti-depressants I tried really helped me.  Having my life circumstances improve is what worked for me.

When I went off of such medications (while still being clinically severely depressed), I lost 30 pounds in 6 weeks without dieting.  So I think it's about the drugs, not so much what you eat.  But I'm just one case.

I would talk to your doctor about your concerns, especially because how you feel about your body affects a lot in your life.

Good luck to you!

This post definitely caught my attention! I, too, have had weight control problems while on paxil. In fact I got off of it once for that specific reason and only went back on it after I had my son and was dealing with post-partum depression. I have currently been on it for a little over a year now. When I got on it, I had lost all my baby weight...which quickly returned (and then some) once I got back on the medication. I don't place all blame on paxil, but I know without a doubt that it plays a pivotal role.

I've wanted to get off of it again for awhile, but I feel like I still need something. I would LOVE to try the omega-3/vitaminD/5HTP combo. I've found some websites with some information, but none that really help me figure out what would work best. Does anyone know of any good websites with information about this?

Also, and forgive me if this is silly, but I know that some people treat depression with St. Johns Wart (which gives me insomnia) but it interferes with birth control. Has anyone read anything about these pills interfering?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm just really interested in giving this a shot. If you want to email me its crazykiddos@Yahoo.com

Thanks for reading!

This post about paxil scares me.  I have never been on an antidepressant, so I can not add input about the weight gain.  But my sister was on paxil when she took her life.  Please be careful with this drug.  There is research that there is a "window" where you do down before you go up.  She was 20, in college, had lost weight, smiling, things were great...then my family got the call.  So please stay in touch with family and friends while you are all taking this drug.  Thanks.