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Effexor XR and IMPOSSIBLE Weight-loss
I've been on 75 mg. of Effexor XR for about 4 years now. I do realize that this is a very small dose to be on in comparison to some people. A year before that (when I was first diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety/Panic Attacks), my dr. prescribed me Paxil. While on that, I gained upwards of 30 lbs. in only 1 year!? It worked for my attacks, but after a while, it's effectiveness wore off and my body seemed to have plateaued. The weight-gain was out of control, so I asked my dr. what I should do. She switched me to Effexor XR from that point on. Since that time, I have had excellent success with this med. in the respects of controlling my anxiety (almost to a fault). But since starting all of my drug therapies (in total), I have gained 75+ pounds!!?!?!?? Being that I am barely 5'2", you can imagine how awful I look. I have tried every avenue of removing this weight (from the most basic & strict diet you could imagine, to the South Beach-esque diets) to no avail. I would love to get off this type of med. altogether, but if that is not an option, I am desperately seeking some advice on any other meds that may allow my body's natural metabolism to correct itself and return to what it used to be before I started any meds. Just for a visual, before I started I weighed 114 lbs., now I weigh 200 +. Please help me.
I have been on Venlafaxine ER (Effexor XR) for about 6 years. I refused for awhile to take any medication, but eventually I was convinced by my therapist to try it. The psychiatrist she referred me to prescribed me Effexor XR. After a few months on it, I felt a lot better. The only issue I have had is with weight gain. During the first few years I didn't notice anything, but during the last 4 years, I have noticed that my weight went up tremendously. When I started it I was about 155 pounds, but now I am 200! I work out at least three times a week and it seems impossible to lose weight. The doctor that prescribed it to me told me he didn't like Paxil because of the weight gain, but Effexor does the same. I've been taking this medication for awhile and I want to start weaning off and will tell my doctor at the end of the month. I alternated between the 75, 112.5, and 150, but I am prepared to go back down to 37.5 and off. My original therapist told me it wasn't meant to be on forever and I am ready to get off it, but still continue psychotherapy. I guess everyone's body has a different response, but the weight gain is making me miserable, despite staying active :-(
I have been on Effexor for about 7 weeks now. It seems to reduce my appetite. I lost 1 stone in 6 week...
wellbutrin helps with weight loss, depression, anxiety, and I have also quit smoking. It is definitely worth trying.
I know everyone is different but I take 150 mg of Effexor and since starting have lost 30 lbs (slowly). I think that I was obsessing about food prior to starting the medication and Effexor just kind of made me stop doing that and gave me more self control. I feel for anyone who gains from an anti-depressant as I have been there too and it does make you more depressed. Keep looking and eventually you will find something that works for you.
I am on cymbalta right now but it's expensive and I am also quitting smoking right now so everything is hard. My doctor has just switched me to effexor but I haven't started yet. I already weigh almost 200lb's and used to be 120....I'm worried but I just want to be stable. I just need help...
Looking at the message from happylynnwaterfall it shows that people can lose weight as well as gain it on Effexor, which is what the leaflet with the medicine says.
I am on a slimfast diet at the moment, eat one 600cal a meal a day, and have a drink or bar of slimfast other 2 meals. I have now lost 17lbs. I am going to my son's wedding in two weeks and wanted to lose weight so I could look decent in a dress I already had. Lost from around my waist, but tummy and bottom not much difference. It shows that trying hard we can lose weight.
Whether I keep the weight off is another matter. Without Effexor I lost my appetite and did lose 42lbs, but when on Effexor again put it all back on. I am sure you will lose weight once your body gets back to "normal." I hope you don't get a return of the depression.
Unfortunately I always have a return of depression, and Effexor is the best anti-depressant for me. So fat as I am, I will continue to take it. I would rather be overweight than in a deep depression!!
Good luck, and let us know if the weight goes.
I am on a slimfast diet at the moment, eat one 600cal a meal a day, and have a drink or bar of slimfast other 2 meals. I have now lost 17lbs. I am going to my son's wedding in two weeks and wanted to lose weight so I could look decent in a dress I already had. Lost from around my waist, but tummy and bottom not much difference. It shows that trying hard we can lose weight.
Whether I keep the weight off is another matter. Without Effexor I lost my appetite and did lose 42lbs, but when on Effexor again put it all back on. I am sure you will lose weight once your body gets back to "normal." I hope you don't get a return of the depression.
Unfortunately I always have a return of depression, and Effexor is the best anti-depressant for me. So fat as I am, I will continue to take it. I would rather be overweight than in a deep depression!!
Good luck, and let us know if the weight goes.
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