losing weight after effexor

[vrinaldi]

I gained 20 lbs in the last 3 years that I was taking Effexor. I have tried everything. I'm eating less & working out more. I started taking Paxil but that didn't work at all as I have anxiety issues. Anyhow Effexor did wonders for my attitude however after 3 years I am now convinced that it was the cause for all the excess weight. Anyhow I was wondering if the weight comes off after I get off the meds? or am I stuck with excess weight forever in which case I will be contacting my doctor because they lied to me.

[Kelly2021]

I was put on Effexor up to 150mg.  I have gained water and weight.  15-20lbs later, I started researching.  I went from a size 4 to 8/10 in a few months.  My new doctor did me no favors.  She took me off Adderall for  ADD  and put me on Effexor and Wellbutrin.  I lost my job in April. I am convinced it was due to this medication change! She also dropped me as a patient when she learned I was fired!  I went off Effexor 5 days ago, was taking 37.5 every other day.  This withdrawal is the worst I've ever experienced! I'm moody, cranky,flying off the handle,not sleeping, brain zaps, dizzy, blured vision.  It's taking every ounce of strength to not take a pill!  I'm very concerned about the fat metoblism issue.  I am 54 and feel terrible with this added weight.  I don't want to go out with friends,etc. Nothing fits me and I live in leggings with long, blousy tops.  This medication should be taken off the market!

[Carmella12]

I have been skinny my entire life and gained 30 pounds on Effexor. I recently stopped taking it but haven’t lost any weight yet. My doctor told me Paxil makes you put on weight in your hips. I was skinny while on Lexapro and Zoloft, no weight gain.

[dvmason]

Good grief--I am so glad to have found this thread!  Apparently weight gain is on the top of most folks' list of side effects on Effexor.  I started in 2016 on 150mg, increased to 225 in 2018, tried to go back down.  Since the COVID pandemic and no access to my doc, I decided to start weaning off and am now down to 75mg/day.  I gained over 40 pounds over the past 4 years and, as many of you say, no matter how healthy I try to eat or how much more movement I try to cram into my day, I can't lose weight to save my life!  On top of that, I've developed other issues:  as Kpb77 mentioned, 200 lbs on a 5'2 body and breathless all the time (which makes exercise more difficult), extreme and random pain all over, edema just popping up out of nowhere--doctors and specialists pretty much shrug their shoulders and don't know what's going on.  I've only just started the 75mg regimen, and I'll be keeping an eye on the results, as well as doing some more research.  Best of luck to all of you.  

[Kaj10]

Hi everyone I never normally post but I am 2 years after coming off Effexor after it caused me to have an absolute breakdown, outrageous levels of social anxiety, electric shocks, paralysing brain fog and motivation issues and then an onset of awful symptoms relating to digestion, leaky gut, memory loss, food intolerances and 15kg of pure fat weight gain around my stomach. After many hours of research and tests and going down various route with Gastro, internists, Naturopath's, neurologists, gynae, endocrinologists and hours of crying and having to leave two jobs, I finally discovered that the cause is actually that Effexor causes adrenal exhaustion. Not just fatigue but full on exhaustion. It depletes your norepinephrine receptors which impacts excessive cortisol production to the point of flooding   you may recall going through phases of feeling wired and having massive pupils. This is how it starts or when u realise the extent of something wrong. Once the cortisol is over producing and wearing out it draws on the energy from other bodily functions to survive hence why leaky gut, constipation, libido, thyroid, panic attacks and weight gain elements kick in and the recovery takes some time but after working now on purely natural remedies i am starting to be me again.  Wish  you all the best I truly know that this is a terribly long recovery but if you stop trying to fix the individual elements that are ailing you and just work with a therapist to restore your adrenals naturally you will start to recover from Effexor damage.

[Kpb77]

Thank you so much for this informative post. Went up to 200 pounds on a 5’2 tall body and was out of breath all the time. Down now to 75 mg over several months from 350mg. Weight is dropping off consistently. I was not aware of all the effects of Effexor that you mentioned. So glad I made the decision to leave this drug behind.

[KittymcDee]

I am just coming off effexor and am now down to 75mg a year. Whilst I have gained quite a bit of weight, I know that I needed effexor to help me deal with my depression. I have been through counselling and now have strategies in place to help me cope. Had I NOT been on effexor,  I never would have made it through the fog of depression. I would not have had the ability to listen properly to my psychologist and I certainly would not have been able to cope day to day. I feel for everyone who suffers from depression but each person is on their own journey and sometimes medication is the ONLY way you can function. Do whatever works for you and worry about the weight issues when you are in a better place mentally

[farkas10]

Oh yes, and I also take a multi-vitamin, Omega 3, Vitamin D and Braggs Apple Cider vinegar (1 tablespoon in a small glass of water and just down it). Make sure to get the Braggs which is sold in a glass bottle rather than a plastic bottle.

Google rebooting your metabolism and you'll come up with the information that will work for you.

[farkas10]

GOOD NEWS EVERYONE!  

Been Effexor free for 6 weeks.  After reading up on the effects of Effexor on the metabolism, I have been doing  the following to reboot the metabolism with steady results!

- Taking Renew Life Critical Liver Support capsules (liver learned to metabolize fat differently while on meds and I want to restore previous function)
- To replenish the adrenals, I'm taking AOR Ortho Adapt.  It contains rhodiola rosea and ashwaganda.  
- To introduce/replenish beneficial gut bacteria, I'm taking a good probiotic Renew Life Ultimate Flora probiotic.  
- Drinking 2 litres of water every day
- Exercising 4-5 times a week.  I jog, take brisk walks and do basic resistance exercises to tone and build some muscle.
- Keeping food mostly plant based and basically choosing foods which support all of the above.

Besides having so much more energy since getting off the meds, I am definitely seeing a difference in my body and getting my spunk back!  It's slow but it's steady so you just have to have patience and keep at it.

I hope this site doesn't mind me mentioning the brands of products which I use.. do your own research and choose what you feel is best for you.  I just mentioned what I chose for me..

[farkas10]

I totally get how you feel.. Good news though...It seems to be working for me!!  Been Effexor free for 6 weeks - weight according to a scale is coming down slowly, and I definitely am seeing difference in my measurements. Just need to stay disciplined and patient..  The Effexor did it's job but I will NEVER EVER EVER deal with stress via meds again though!

[Charbella22]

Thank you so much for sharing this. I am in such an angry, disillusioned, desperate state about being put on this traumatizing med. I am withdrawing now bout week and a half... After 5-6 years on Effexor XR... And "Tapering" off  since Nov/Dec 2015. Thirty additional pounds- UNMOVEABLE-that every doc denied. As a very lean athlete/dancer growing up and gym rat for life. My four-pack abs are long gone-if muscle exists there anymore I go into cardiac arrest. I've been scouring website for som hope on the weight gain end at least. Not much shows... Your post has given me some hope.

[farkas10]

I've been off effexor for about a month now.  Got back to exercising and eating better.. scale hasn't budged but I do feel better.  Just came the following link which makes sense.  Basically says that the adrenals need help to get back to being properly functioning.. and that makes sense since they get so drained when dealing with chronic stress.  Adrenals have so much connection with the metabolism.  

[Tfaw2016]

Thanks for taking the time out to give help and advice hope all is well for you . i was doing the HIIT workout whilst i was on the venlafaxine and zopiclone however my then psychiatrist took me off the zopiclone which i was on for 5 years and he took me off it way too fast!! i started getting bad withdrawals and when i tried doing my regualar 30 minute a day hiit workout after it i would go into a seizure like state brain felt like it was gonna come through skull i lost the ability to smell i felt like i was in another world absolutely terrifying .... i havent been able to workout now for 8 months i am currently withdrawing from venlafaxine down to 75mg from 135.mg and i will be then put onto sertraline, i was wondering if you have experienced anything like this and do you know how long this will last i lost 2 stone in the space of a year and now i fear i will gain that weight back fast now i cant do the exercise thanks

[Tfaw2016]

Thanks for taking the time out to give help and advice hope all is well for you . i was doing the HIIT workout whilst i was on the venlafaxine and zopiclone however my then psychiatrist took me off the zopiclone which i was on for 5 years and he took me off it way too fast!! i started getting bad withdrawals and when i tried doing my regualar 30 minute a day hiit workout after it i would go into a seizure like state brain felt like it was gonna come through skull i lost the ability to smell i felt like i was in another world absolutely terrifying .... i havent been able to workout now for 8 months i am currently withdrawing from venlafaxine down to 75mg from 135.mg and i will be then put onto sertraline, i was wondering if you have experienced anything like this and do you know how long this will last i lost 2 stone in the space of a year and now i fear i will gain that weight back fast now i cant do the exercise thanks

[cactuslexa]

Can anyone give positive weightloss feedback after coming off effexor? Not copying well with this gain iv been trying desperately to budge for the last 1 and half years.

Thanks! Im obviously desperate!

[Cassaundra34]

When I first was on Effexor years ago, I did not have this problem. I went of it for a few years and I feel I have put on 30 lbs I work out I eat right and nothing I'm having a hard time losing it. Never had this issue before

[cactuslexa]

I've been trying to get off the horrid stuff for two weeks. Like you i was on 150mg (for about 2 years give or take) and then down to 75 for a month then 37.5 for what was meant to be a month, but i tried ending 2 weeks early. The side effects after 3 days without were horrendous, with dizziness and mild brain zaps - however nothing compared to when i would runout of my prescription on 150. I am so incredibly upset about all the weight i put on from it - about 12 kg! Which makes a HUGE difference since i was very slender, often getting called anorexic- but i wasn't. I ate like a trooper. My boobs have gone up atleast 2 sizes and I'm at uni - i can't afford to buy new bras and clothes! but nothing fits me! i feel like I'm more depressed than i was prior to going on them due to this FAT! I haven't had a tablet since 5 days ago and trying to push past the symptoms cause i don't want to cave and have another again.

Anyway, as long-winded as that was, i was wondering how you are feeling now? i know it has only been about 2 weeks for you. have you seen any weightless? I'm desperate!!! I work out 2 times a day and watch what i eat and if anything I'm putting on. Iv never been this strict and 'fit' in my life, yet I'm the fattest!
Im so desperate to lose this effexor weight!

how are you feeling now? are you still feeling free? i can't wait for that! i still tear up over the smallest things such as things that i read or the news! and i still feel really light headed and in a daze but I'm hoping they will ease up soon. was this the case for you?

[farkas10]

Been Effexor free for 6 weeks.  After reading up on the effects of Effexor on the metabolism, I have been doing  the following to reboot the metabolism with steady results!

- Taking Renew Life Critical Liver Support capsules (liver learned to metabolize fat differently while on meds and I want to restore previous function)
- To replenish the adrenals, I'm taking AOR Ortho Adapt.  It contains rhodiola rosea and ashwaganda.  
- To introduce/replenish beneficial gut bacteria, I'm taking a good probiotic Renew Life Ultimate Flora probiotic.  
- Drinking 2 litres of water every day
- Exercising 4-5 times a week.  I jog, take brisk walks and do basic resistance exercises to tone and build some muscle.
- Keeping food mostly plant based and basically choosing foods which support all of the above.

Besides having so much more energy since getting off the meds, I am definitely seeing a difference in my body and getting my spunk back!  It's slow but it's steady so you just have to have patience and keep at it.

I hope this site doesn't mind me mentioning the brands of products which I use.. do your own research and choose what you feel is best for you.  I just mentioned what I chose for me..Oh yes, and I also take a multi-vitamin, Omega 3, Vitamin D and Braggs Apple Cider vinegar (1 tablespoon in a small glass of water and just down it). Make sure to get the Braggs which is sold in a glass bottle rather than a plastic bottle.

Google rebooting your metabolism and you'll come up with the information that will work for you.

[farkas10]

Now that I'm off, I'm so enjoying the spunk that I didn't realize was even missing!.  So much more energy now without sacrificing the insight gained while on it.

[farkas10]

Thanks for sharing.  I gained 30 lbs while on 150mg of effexor for almost a year. It took 6 weeks to gradually come down to not taking it at all.. thankfully no side effects.  Now waiting to see what happens with the weight.  I already feel a couple pounds lighter though.  It's nice to see success stories in these blogs.

This was my weaning plan from 150mg for those who are struggling:
112.5mg for 3 weeks
75mg for 2 weeks
37.5 mg for 1 week

I'm on my second day of not taking it at all and I'm side effect free so far!

[shouldagonetoacupuncture]

Started weaning off Effexor because of insurance issues. I was only on 75mg for two years. But when I went off Effexor completely over the holidays my husband had to run out and get me a refill-- I thought I was going to have a seizure! Now I'm off completely. The dizziness, nausea, and brain shivers/pops have subsided. I'm 21 lbs heavier than I was when I started taking Effexor. And despite eating extremely healthy and exercising intensely 2-4 times weekly... still gaining. I'm way more unhappy than I ever was when I first started this medication. Going to a doctor in a few days for blood tests--hoping to get something to help what is clearly f-ed up hormones. Why is this not a class action lawsuit?

[slenderbodysolutions]

You've heard it before: To shed pounds, essentially eat less and practice more. In principle, that bodes well. Really, it's not simply in principle—science has demonstrated that blazing a bigger number of calories than you devour will bring about weight reduction. However, the inconvenience is this just has fleeting results. For long haul weight reduction, it essentially doesn't work, say famous stoutness specialists in  JAMA commentary.

[slenderbodysolutions]

I'm Emma Holden.I'm new and I'm excited to be here. Hoping to learn more about living a simple but productive life.
Also hoping that I can share some tips that have helped me with others!

[nessygirl]

Not the best place to advertise whatever you're trying to sell. I can see how coming to a forum where there are desperate people willing to try anything to get back to the life they had before taking this drug would seem like a great place, but perhaps, find some humanity. Not everything is about the all mighty dollar.

[Marshamarsha]

I have been in Effexor for 7 years now and have recently decided to ween myself off. 2 weeks at 75 from 150 and now at 37.5 for 2 weeks. Having withdrawals of course and severe back pains. Anybody else having this issue with their back? Also, over the course of 7 years I have put on 30 pounds. I do my best to jog or power walk 20 miles a week.

[Ghazal1]

i am on effexor since 1 year.  but with ablify as well.  i gained 25 kg.  i dont know is it the effexor or the ablify or its is the mix of both, probably it is the worst mix for weight gain.  i am now off effexor since only two weeks.  still planning that i get off the ablify.  it seems from all comments even if i stopped all medication there is nothing magical that will get me back to my original weight :(  yes drs dont acknowledge its the effexor, but they sure admit the ablify is the cause, but i beleive that both did this to me.  now i am stressed more from weight gain than my depression.  i promise if i get any better in weight loss i will post again here.

[CafeAmericano]

I made the same mistake with Lexapro…worst thing I ever did and totally afraid I will never be able to lose this weight.  I've been totally off for 3 weeks and no change on the scale.  I am still kind of hungry but not as intense as I was when weaning and the first 2 weeks off.  I just don't seem to have the will power I've had in the past.  So, it must be the cravings from this horrible class of medicines.  What I can't believe is that the doctors won't believe it and they don't weigh in (no pun intended) on how to lose this lousy weight.  Mine said, nobody will feel sorry for you, your BMI is still in range and that REALLY ticked me off.  I worked hard to be the weight I was and had stayed at 118 pounds for 8 years…then I went up to 134 on this ridiculous Lexapro.  I did feel great and not anxious at all but when I realized none of my clothes fit, that itself made me anxious. So I went off on my own..no doctor consultation.  I weaned from 10 to 5 mg for 2 weeks and then off.  Had some headaches and dizziness (still dizzy) but I think the worst of that is over (I hope).  Now, why doesn't the weight just fall off…why can't they tell us how to make that happen?  Lousy medicine and lying doctors!

[robbiqu]

I was taking venlafaxine for 2 years and went from 135 to 175lbs. I've now been off for 2 months and have already gone down about 8lbs without even trying. I can especially notice the puffiness in my face has subsided. Venlafaxine was great for giving me this "not a big deal" attitude all the time but I didn't realize by me using this to ease out on my low frame of mind I was sacrificing any highs I ever feel. I really believe it should be taken off the market, I have a couple of friends who are on it and their vibrant personalities are now dulled out. Getting off venlafaxine was the best thing I've ever done for myself, I know now how to identify my hapiness and thrive on it without taking those moments for granted.

[chasinSF]

back in the spring, i made the bold decision to begin weaning myself off on Effexor with my doctor's guidance.  i had been taking 150 mg for close to 10 years with 100 mg of Wellbutrin chaser.  Wellbutrin was the first to go in the spring.  no horrible side effects.  then i begin phasing out of Effexor.  150 mg to 75 mg to 37.5 mg with a full month on each reduced dosage.  not an easy journey.  the headaches and brain shivers were horrible at first, but things have leveled off for now.  well, i am down to 37.5 mg... BUT my weight has gone UP 15-20 pounds since june! it's unbelievable how much weight i've packed on.  i've gone from 165 to 180+ in a matter of weeks!  the triumph of getting off Effexor has been overshadowed (literally) by my EVER-growing backside.