Weight and Paxil

03-29-2006, 11:52 PM

Hi there!
It's been a while since I last been around, but I have a question.

Since the age of about 20, I have always... and I mean "always" weighed 167 lbs. Now I'm 29 and weight 205 lbs. Taking Paxil for 2 years now.

Recently, about 3 months ago, I started an exercise program (jogging 3 miles 5x a week) and follow a strict diet.

But every time I hit the scale every week, I am amazed to see my weight at 205 lbs or maybe 200 at the very least.

I know that Paxil hinders weight loss, but this is RIDICULOUS!

Any hints from people? Like I used to take 30mg but now just 20mg. I DON'T want to be 167 lbs, but I don't think aiming for 185 lbs should be impossible...

Any tips?

Thanks

03-29-2006, 11:59 PM

I guess my question is, is there anything I can take that you folks have shown helps with weight loss while being on Paxil? I just want to lose 15-20 lbs.

mach3939 · 03-30-2006, 12:15 AM

Paxil is known around here for putting weight on not for taking it off?

Good Luck
Debbie

03-30-2006, 12:22 AM

Sorry... i don't understand your reply...
I take currently 20mg of Paxil and have experienced some weight gain. Is there anything that can help counter this?

scotty · 03-30-2006, 12:34 AM

Our experience is that paxil weight gain is due to the chemical alterations in the body, cortisol being the biggest culprit. Most have tried everything, but the weight still piles on. I know my son couldn't stop gaining weight while on paxil... now 2 years off he's lost 70 pounds with no change in diet or exercise. Average weight gain is approx. 1 pound per mg of paxil.

So to answer your question.... I don't know of anything that can help except to get off the paxil.

03-30-2006, 12:52 AM

Laurie...

Is this claim of 1lb/mg of Paxil true? If so this could be clue to my weight gain... going from 167 lbs (approx. 170) to roughly 200 lbs (I am on 30 mg of Paxil.

I have started to wean off of it... been down to 25 mg for about 2 months...

Going to try 15 mg soon...

Should this alieviate the weight a bit?
Does dosage influence amount of weight gained?

I have also heard of Omega-3 vitamins helping?

scotty · 03-30-2006, 12:55 AM

With my son he didn't see any weight loss until he has been off paxil for about 10 months. The significant weight loss came at the one year mark(this has been others experience as well). Paxil is notorious for weight gain. Don't worry about the weight. Concentrate on weaning.. the weight will come off.

Ryan took no supplements.

mach3939 · 03-30-2006, 01:04 AM

grcboy2

Sorry if I was confusing! Laurie pretty much straightened it out I hope. I can tell you that I was about 120lbs when I started an antidepressant 8 years ago. I got to a high of 166. Started weaning in June no weight loss till dec lost 5 lbs. by Feb I was down total 15. At 145 now. Lots of people here are strong exercisers and have had problems loosing weight while on Paxil, it magicly seems to start going away either during or after weaning?

Good Luck
Debbie

03-30-2006, 01:12 AM

Thanks guys!

Yeah its just strange... been jogging straight for about 1.5 months and NO fast food or goodies! Strict on that one... but I seem to lose 1-3 lbs and it comes back...

Well... I hope that this wean from 30-15 mgs will help...

LCrawford67 · 03-30-2006, 08:33 AM

Just weaning from 20 mg to 10 has helped me lose weight. Albeit, very slowly...keep in mind, weaning is a very, very slow progress. Laurie is right, concentrate on the weaning, not the weight. The weight will come off. Good luck!

Suze · 03-30-2006, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grcboy2

I have started to wean off of it... been down to 25 mg for about 2 months...

Going to try 15 mg soon...

This is too fast. Going to 20mg first is kinder and wiser to your body, your brain and your mind.

LCrawford67 · 03-30-2006, 10:19 AM

Speaking from experience.....GO SLOWER! Again, I've stated this several times this week...Last Tuesday, 3/21, I dropped from 10 mg to 5, NOT GOOD, NOT GOOD! I went back to 10 mg on Friday, 3/24 and I'm STILL not right! The slower, the better. You will do this! We all will.

bigscarylesbo · 03-30-2006, 03:13 PM

I've also experienced the same problem. I ballooned up to well over 310 pounds while on Paxil. I excerised, never smoked, and watched what I ate, but I could never get below 270 pds. Now after 10 months, I'm down to a fabulous 202 and I really haven't been trying. It's been only in the past 4 months or so that things have been melting off.
Careful with the weening, that final drop will be the bear, and you might actually gain some back. Personally, the w/d made me so sick, I just didn't feel like eating

punky · 03-30-2006, 03:20 PM

Hey there,
Have you ever tried the low carb approach? I lost a little over 60lbs. a few years back even while on paxil...no exercise just the diet plan. I'm doing it again...still on paxil... and have lost 20lbs. It takes some dedication and probably you should continue exercise to help keep from gaining it all back--like i did. Just an idea to throw out there for you to try if you like. PM me if ya have an specific questions.

Scott · 03-30-2006, 04:18 PM

i gained 70 pounds on ssri's... i'm 32 now and it wasn't until i was off the meds did i drop 70 pounds without trying. in fact when i went back to a small dose of lexapro my weight loss promptly stopped and i even gained 5 pounds before quitting and losing it again. So you may see some loss as you go down in dose.

cinderella · 03-30-2006, 10:35 PM

Couldnt lose weight while on paxil, cant lose it off either, while on holiday I dieted and walked 45mins up and downhill sometimes even twice a day for two weeks, (was off paxil) didnt lose a thing!! I have only lost 3-4kg in 6 months, waiting for the miracle to happen!

03-29-2006, 11:52 PM	#1
grcboy2 Posts: n/a	Weight and Paxil Hi there! It's been a while since I last been around, but I have a question. Since the age of about 20, I have always... and I mean "always" weighed 167 lbs. Now I'm 29 and weight 205 lbs. Taking Paxil for 2 years now. Recently, about 3 months ago, I started an exercise program (jogging 3 miles 5x a week) and follow a strict diet. But every time I hit the scale every week, I am amazed to see my weight at 205 lbs or maybe 200 at the very least. I know that Paxil hinders weight loss, but this is RIDICULOUS! Any hints from people? Like I used to take 30mg but now just 20mg. I DON'T want to be 167 lbs, but I don't think aiming for 185 lbs should be impossible... Any tips? Thanks

03-29-2006, 11:59 PM	#2
grcboy2 Posts: n/a	Re: Weight and Paxil I guess my question is, is there anything I can take that you folks have shown helps with weight loss while being on Paxil? I just want to lose 15-20 lbs.

03-30-2006, 12:15 AM	#3
mach3939 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Romulus, Michigan Posts: 1,089	Re: Weight and Paxil Paxil is known around here for putting weight on not for taking it off? Good Luck Debbie __________________ Antidepressants since 1997 Zoloft, Serzone, Paxil for 7 years, Effexor for 9 months of that Welburtin & Lexapro mixed in too. Paxil 30mgs July 8 till Aug 6th, 15mgs Aug 7 till Sept 14, 10mgs sept 15 till Nov 14, 5mgs (Oct sinus infection 10 days antibiotics), Nov 15 thru Now, 2.5mgs (Dec sinsus infection 20 days antibiotics) Last Paxil 1/10/06 (Feb Bronchitis & URI 7 days antibiotics and Inhalers) (March Severe Sinus infection 5 weeks antibiotics & diflucan)

03-30-2006, 12:22 AM	#4
grcboy2 Posts: n/a	Re: Weight and Paxil Sorry... i don't understand your reply... I take currently 20mg of Paxil and have experienced some weight gain. Is there anything that can help counter this?

03-30-2006, 12:34 AM	#5
scotty Administrator & Advocate Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 38,590	Re: Weight and Paxil Our experience is that paxil weight gain is due to the chemical alterations in the body, cortisol being the biggest culprit. Most have tried everything, but the weight still piles on. I know my son couldn't stop gaining weight while on paxil... now 2 years off he's lost 70 pounds with no change in diet or exercise. Average weight gain is approx. 1 pound per mg of paxil. So to answer your question.... I don't know of anything that can help except to get off the paxil. __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

03-30-2006, 12:52 AM	#6
grcboy2 Posts: n/a	Re: Weight and Paxil Laurie... Is this claim of 1lb/mg of Paxil true? If so this could be clue to my weight gain... going from 167 lbs (approx. 170) to roughly 200 lbs (I am on 30 mg of Paxil. I have started to wean off of it... been down to 25 mg for about 2 months... Going to try 15 mg soon... Should this alieviate the weight a bit? Does dosage influence amount of weight gained? I have also heard of Omega-3 vitamins helping?

03-30-2006, 12:55 AM	#7
scotty Administrator & Advocate Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 38,590	Re: Weight and Paxil With my son he didn't see any weight loss until he has been off paxil for about 10 months. The significant weight loss came at the one year mark(this has been others experience as well). Paxil is notorious for weight gain. Don't worry about the weight. Concentrate on weaning.. the weight will come off. Ryan took no supplements. __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

03-30-2006, 01:04 AM	#8
mach3939 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Romulus, Michigan Posts: 1,089	Re: Weight and Paxil grcboy2 Sorry if I was confusing! Laurie pretty much straightened it out I hope. I can tell you that I was about 120lbs when I started an antidepressant 8 years ago. I got to a high of 166. Started weaning in June no weight loss till dec lost 5 lbs. by Feb I was down total 15. At 145 now. Lots of people here are strong exercisers and have had problems loosing weight while on Paxil, it magicly seems to start going away either during or after weaning? Good Luck Debbie __________________ Antidepressants since 1997 Zoloft, Serzone, Paxil for 7 years, Effexor for 9 months of that Welburtin & Lexapro mixed in too. Paxil 30mgs July 8 till Aug 6th, 15mgs Aug 7 till Sept 14, 10mgs sept 15 till Nov 14, 5mgs (Oct sinus infection 10 days antibiotics), Nov 15 thru Now, 2.5mgs (Dec sinsus infection 20 days antibiotics) Last Paxil 1/10/06 (Feb Bronchitis & URI 7 days antibiotics and Inhalers) (March Severe Sinus infection 5 weeks antibiotics & diflucan)

03-30-2006, 01:12 AM	#9
grcboy2 Posts: n/a	Re: Weight and Paxil Thanks guys! Yeah its just strange... been jogging straight for about 1.5 months and NO fast food or goodies! Strict on that one... but I seem to lose 1-3 lbs and it comes back... Well... I hope that this wean from 30-15 mgs will help...

03-30-2006, 08:33 AM	#10
LCrawford67 Moderator "Everybody poops" Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 26,493	Re: Weight and Paxil Just weaning from 20 mg to 10 has helped me lose weight. Albeit, very slowly...keep in mind, weaning is a very, very slow progress. Laurie is right, concentrate on the weaning, not the weight. The weight will come off. Good luck! __________________ aka LC aka Laurie C. Paxil, 20 mg since 1997, for IBS Two unsuccessful attempts to quit. Started tapering 11/27/06 PAXIL FREE 12/29/07 If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart Thanksgiving, man. Not a good day to be my pants. ~Kevin James

03-30-2006, 10:19 AM	#12
LCrawford67 Moderator "Everybody poops" Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 26,493	Re: Weight and Paxil Speaking from experience.....GO SLOWER! Again, I've stated this several times this week...Last Tuesday, 3/21, I dropped from 10 mg to 5, NOT GOOD, NOT GOOD! I went back to 10 mg on Friday, 3/24 and I'm STILL not right! The slower, the better. You will do this! We all will. __________________ aka LC aka Laurie C. Paxil, 20 mg since 1997, for IBS Two unsuccessful attempts to quit. Started tapering 11/27/06 PAXIL FREE 12/29/07 If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart Thanksgiving, man. Not a good day to be my pants. ~Kevin James

03-30-2006, 03:13 PM	#13
bigscarylesbo Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lakeland, FL Posts: 20	Re: Weight and Paxil I've also experienced the same problem. I ballooned up to well over 310 pounds while on Paxil. I excerised, never smoked, and watched what I ate, but I could never get below 270 pds. Now after 10 months, I'm down to a fabulous 202 and I really haven't been trying. It's been only in the past 4 months or so that things have been melting off. Careful with the weening, that final drop will be the bear, and you might actually gain some back. Personally, the w/d made me so sick, I just didn't feel like eating __________________ Started Paxil in 1994 at the age of 14. Took religiously for 11 years. Highest dose 60mg. Clean since May of 2005. Still messed up, thank you very much Mr.GlaxoSmithKline.

03-30-2006, 03:20 PM	#14
punky Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 834	Re: Weight and Paxil Hey there, Have you ever tried the low carb approach? I lost a little over 60lbs. a few years back even while on paxil...no exercise just the diet plan. I'm doing it again...still on paxil... and have lost 20lbs. It takes some dedication and probably you should continue exercise to help keep from gaining it all back--like i did. Just an idea to throw out there for you to try if you like. PM me if ya have an specific questions. __________________ 7/00-1/1/06 Paxil 20-40mg 1/2-2/18 Paxil CR 25mg 2/19-5/3 Paxil CR 12.5mg 5/4-5/9 Paxil CR 25mg 5/10-5/15 Paxil CR 12.5mg 5/16-6/10 Paxil CR 10mg 6/11-7/13 Paxil CR 6.25mg 7/13-7/31 Paxil CR 3mg 8/1-9/5 Paxil CR 6.25mg 9/6 to 9/11 Paxil 10mg/5ml Suspension 5mg (2.5ml) 9/12 to present Paxil 10mg/5ml Suspension 7mg (3.5ml)

03-30-2006, 04:18 PM	#15
Scott Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: somewhere in between Posts: 11,616	Re: Weight and Paxil i gained 70 pounds on ssri's... i'm 32 now and it wasn't until i was off the meds did i drop 70 pounds without trying. in fact when i went back to a small dose of lexapro my weight loss promptly stopped and i even gained 5 pounds before quitting and losing it again. So you may see some loss as you go down in dose. __________________ Scott aka Scott What has happened to it all? Crazy, some are saying Where is the life that I recognize? Gone away But I won't cry for yesterday There's an ordinary world Somehow I have to find And as I try to make my way To the ordinary world I will learn to survive surviving an ssri reaction alternative anxiety treatments

03-30-2006, 10:35 PM	#16
cinderella Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Auckland New Zealand Posts: 804	Re: Weight and Paxil Couldnt lose weight while on paxil, cant lose it off either, while on holiday I dieted and walked 45mins up and downhill sometimes even twice a day for two weeks, (was off paxil) didnt lose a thing!! I have only lost 3-4kg in 6 months, waiting for the miracle to happen! __________________ Panic/anxiety started Dec 03 Tried a few meds before starting Paxil Oct 04 (worked way up to 20mg) july 05 15mg aug 05 10 sept 05 5mg paxil free since oct 05 Lost 3kg in 5 months (72kg to 69kg) still waiting for the other 11kgs to go Still suffer morning anxiety, jittery during the day Paxil did help my anxiety/panic when nothing else did. March 06 Reflux, burning, more anxiety worsen. Put back another 1kg : ( (70kg) March 20 noticing hairloss scalp more visable March 23 (68kg)

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