Switching anxiety meds due to weight gain

[Endlesspursuitofhapppines]

Hi all,

I have been taking an SSRI for anxiety for two years now. I am certain it has affected my weight, and am 15kg heavier than I ever was prior to taking them (I am a 36 year old female). I have tried various weight loss diet and exercise programs with no success. I have been trying to wean off them to try and deal with the weight loss, but my anxiety and mental health has declined dramatically in the process. I have sufferered anxiety/depression my entire life and think I may not be able to manage without meds. I have two children now so I feel I owe it to them to be mentally fit.

But my weight just keeps gradually going up so I now have the concern for my physical health. My question is, has anyone had success in switching meds for anxiety and achieving weight management goals? I am also worried about the mental effect of switching meds, is it difficult changing?

Thanks
-L

[Catie 08]

Hi, I hope you don't mind but I'm going to follow your thread. Im in a similar position at the moment. Ive been taking meds to help calm anxiety but the weight gain has started to really get to me. I've been exercising and eating well but it doesn't help. I have been doing better lately so I spoke to my Dr and we agreed that I would try and reduce the meds, that was just over a week ago and I've really seen a decrease in my mood since. This morning I woke with an overwhelming feeling of dred and ive been really low all day. I am also reluctant to change meds as I know that this one actually works. Looking forward to seeing what has worked for others 😊

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Endlesspursuitofhapppiness and Catie 08

(Catie 08 gosh that is such a cute picture!!)

Thank you for your posts. This is such a tough question because everyone is so different when it comes to medication and their side effects. Some are common, some are rare and there's no easy answer about what to do since everyone reacts so differently.

What I can say though is that with anxiety there are lots of different varieties of medication and not all of them have weight gain listed as a side effect. So there is absolutely the possibility of trying one again, although it's not really known whether you'll get other side effects that will bother you too.

When reducing meds, its a very good idea to go slowly - I know when I've reduced some meds I even cut them in half with a little pill cutter! So this can definitely help your body get used to them.

For my own experiences with medication, one of my doctors said I really have to weigh up the pros vs the cons. I've finally got on some good medication and one of them has sadly come with weight gain, but I feel like the benefits of being on it have outweighed it. Everyone is different of course. I encourage you to have a chat with your GP and get some advice.

Best of luck

rt

[Breeza1]

Im in the exact same boat and also 36! Ive been on an SSRI for a 1 1/2 yrs and gained so much weight 😞 i have always been so active and health has always been a priority. But ever since starting the meds, ive lost motivation and almost like im too relaxed plus drinking so much more than i ever have. My Doc finally has just started me on a new anti depressant, ive only been taking them for 2 weeks and had no side effects changing over at all! Fingers crossed this will help with weight loss x