WHY do THEY LIE TO US?!?!??!?!

[Kinkay]

I was going to start taking effexor tonight. I'm terrified! I did a search on google, "lost weight effexor" and everything that turned up had to do with weight GAIN! I can't bear the thought of gaining weight because THAT'S WHY I'M DEPRESSED!!! Why do the drug distributors lie?! Drug information says effexor doesn't cause weight gain, but experienced individuals say otherwise!!!! Why don't they care about depressed people?!?!? When many of us are so affected emotionally by our weight, why on EARTH can't they formulate something that doesn't cause weight gain?!?!??!? Now I don't know what to do. I just want help and this was supposed to be my hope. I read about people who gain 60 lbs and more, and I tremble at the thought of having to put myself through that emotional turmoil! Oh CRAP now I'm crying.

[lawyerchick]

Re: WHY do THEY LIE TO US?!?!??!?!

Kinkay, first HUGS. I'm so sorry that you feel like you're not being told everything you need to know about Effexor. I've never taken any antidepressants, but I am hypothyroid (which caused weight gain) and take birth control (which causes weight gain). My experience has been that if you stick to your Atkins and exercise, you should be able to take the drugs that cause some people to gaim weight without gaining. But please talk over ALL of your concerns carefully with your doctor so you can decide what's best for you. Your health and well being are what matter most!

Anna

[loriv19]

Re: WHY do THEY LIE TO US?!?!??!?!

Hang on, I'm currently taking Effexor XR, 75 mg daily and I have not gained. In fact I am losing, slowly but I am doing it. I also take Welbutrin 300mg.

Don't think because some people gain that you are going to as well. You can lose, you just have to give it a try and have a little faith.

You can do it.

[2big4mysize]

Re: WHY do THEY LIE TO US?!?!??!?!

they have now discovered an individuals reaction to antidespressants depends on their genics for liver protiens. SOme folk can process them ver y well somefolk can't some folk gain some folk lose.

Take you meds and see what happens remember nobody losing weight on anitdepressants is liking to be complaining on websites about them so you get a very skewed view on a site.

[womanpraised]

Re: WHY do THEY LIE TO US?!?!??!?!

KINKAY....

Honey, depression is a chemical thing... your weight may be a symptom, but you have to be in this for your life... not your waistline. If taking the meds evens out the depression, and you feel better about your life, and yourself and start taking care of you, IE, eating right and exercising, then it is a good thing. Depressed people gaining weight isnt really big news... kind of expected. PLEASE be in contact with your doctor, keep an emotional journal, and take care of yourself.

[cleochatra]

Re: WHY do THEY LIE TO US?!?!??!?!

Kinkay--anecdotal though it may be, everyone I personally know who has taken Effexor has lost weight.

[Kinkay]

Re: WHY do THEY LIE TO US?!?!??!?!

Thanks, everyone. Today is my fourth day on it. I'm not going to weigh myself until the end of boot camp so my spirits aren't crushed if I see the scale move up (or not budge at all).

I'm relieved to hear that people lose on Effexor. And 2big, you raise a good point - the answers are probably skewed.

[Analog6]

Re: WHY do THEY LIE TO US?!?!??!?!

I was depressed, mainly because of my weight and being unemployed, before I started Atkins. I did not go to the doctor for drugs because I have many allergies anbd very adverse reactions to a lot of drugs, so avoid them like the plague. I know they will just make me worse. The drug companies always lie - otherwise no one would take their toxic cocktails!

I was lucky enough, through contacts, to score a job for 12 months, which is going really well, and decided to start Atkins on the same day.

I cannot beleive the change in myself. I had no energy and was so dispirited and unhappy I was worried my dear partner would leave med. Now I am full of energy, I am much, much happier (I find myslef suinging and humming) and it's all due to the weight loss and exercising.

Try to get yourself exercising, even oif it is just a gentle walk to start. It is really benefical to you body and body chemicals. After some weight loss on Atkins, you may be able, with doctors help, to reduce your Effexor or wean your self off it.

See how you go, and good luck.

[ttdriver]

Re: WHY do THEY LIE TO US?!?!??!?!

I've taken Effexor for a year and haven't gained an ounce. Matter of fact, I lost a few pounds.

Betty

[Kinkay]

Re: WHY do THEY LIE TO US?!?!??!?!

Analog- I'm glad to hear you're doing so much better. It's just that my brain won't let me stay dedicated to a plan. I act so erradically. I figure a new job could help me (it has in the past) but I'm beginning to feel discouraged because my applications have all been rejected. I've been reduced to having to beg for my old job back.

ttdriver - That's good to hear. Although, you do exercise MUCH more than I do. Nevertheless, no gain is good enough for me!

[loriv19]

Re: WHY do THEY LIE TO US?!?!??!?!

Morning Kinkay,

If you don't mind me asking, what is the dose that your on? I took from 37.5 to 150 and am back down to 75. Give it time for the meds to work. It usually takes a good week or two to really feel the results.

Than you can discuss how your feeling on this med with your dr and see if anything else can help or if this alone is enough. I needed the combination of Welbutrin too. And wow what a differnece. I still have my moments of sadness and anger but I doing 99% better. I don't think their is really anyway to be 100%. You have to have these feelings, their normal but they don't have to run your life. That's not a typo, they do not have to RUN you life, for if they do it will only RUIN your life. I don't like feeling like that but it does make the good times that much sweeter.

Hoping you have a good day.

[Kinkay]

Re: WHY do THEY LIE TO US?!?!??!?!

Hello Loriv,

I'm still on 37.5 but I'll be moving onto 75 tomorrow. Actually, the first three days I couldn't eat or sleep but I definitely didn't have any fear attacks nor did I think suicidal thoughts. Although, that may be attributed to the lack of sleep and food.

I agree with you on the feeling 100% part. I just want to wake up and feel the need to live another day.

Glad to hear it's working out for you!

[2big4mysize]

Re: WHY do THEY LIE TO US?!?!??!?!

how you doing with your new dose?
Are you feeling better?

[Reveal]

Re: WHY do THEY LIE TO US?!?!??!?!

I had the same reaction when I started Lexapro, but I've lost 40 pounds in the 8 months since I started it, so it was fine for me. Again, I think feeling better helped me work harder and eat less for emotional reasons. Like everyone has said, see if it works for you, but give it time. I had a friend who was on Effexor and she gained in the first month (a bit) and then it sort of settled in and she's actually lost about 70 pounds in the year since. So give your body some time, okay?

[killerbombshell]

Re: WHY do THEY LIE TO US?!?!??!?!

I took Effexor for about a year with no weight gain. The first two months it supressed my appetite quite a bit. I ended up stopping it due, instead, to severe sexual side effects.

If you're very concerned and notice problems, I would talk to your doctor about working with another kind of drug therapy. I know my doctor was always willing to take my concerns about weight into consideration when prescribing medication. I have had excellent success on Wellbutrin.