Have you experienced weight gain from SSRIs/SNRIs?

[soundsofsilence]

Hi everyone,

Those of you who have taken antidepressants (particularly SSRIs/SNRIs), have you experienced any weight-related side effects?  I know ADs affect us all differently and it's a very "your mileage may vary" thing but I am still interested in hearing about others' experiences.

So far I have avoided going the antidepressant route, and my main reason has been fear of weight related side effects.  I'm really nervous that ADs will cause me to gain weight or impede my ability to lose weight, and that these side effects may persist even after I go off an AD. This which would make me even more depressed and anxious, LOL.  I get mixed opinions as to whether weight-related side effects, for those who experience them, are caused by increased appetite so they are eating more than usual or actual changes in metabolism.  I've heard from people who are pretty diligent with their diet and exercise routines that they were unable to lose weight while on ADs even if it didn't cause them to gain weight, and I've also heard people say that they gained weight on them AND had difficulty losing even once they were off them and that they feel it actually affected their metabolism.

What have you tried, and what have your experiences been like? TIA.

[sixpack]

I took paxil in 2000 and zoloft in 2003.  I did gain with both.  Now is it really the meds causing the gain OR is it the fact that my anxiety went down so my metabolism slowed down OR better said went back to normal.

[soundsofsilence]

I took paxil in 2000 and zoloft in 2003.  I did gain with both.  Now is it really the meds causing the gain OR is it the fact that my anxiety went down so my metabolism slowed down OR better said went back to normal.

If you don't mind me asking, did you experience a significant weight gain?  Did your diet/exercise habits change during that time? And were you able to lose the weight while still on the AD, or at least after going off the AD?

Thank you for your response :)

[sixpack]

I gained about 10 with each.  In both instances I was not on the meds more than 6 months.  I went off the paxil (after 3 mo) because I got pregnant.  And with pregnancy you simply gain weight.  With the zoloft, hmm I didn't drop the weight after going off.  I don't think my diet changed while on the meds.  I had a friend at the time, who was taking zoloft as well.  She was always a rather petite person.  But she gained a good bit---I'd say 25 pounds.  She told me that she'd rather be fat and happy than skinny and miserable.  They have since moved and I don't know if she lost the weight.

A couple of years ago--2008--I dropped 22 pounds by cutting out all junk foods and exercising more.  Of course I let some of the junk food back in and gained about 8 back in the last year.  I'm trying to get back on the band wagon. 

SSRI's are known to cause weight gain.  I think you could help mitigate the weight gain if you are vigilant about what you eat and keep up with exercise.

[Chunky]

I lost weight w/ both Prozac and Celexa.  Unfortunately, they also made me psycho.