Pristiq And Weight Gain (Page 3)

I started pristiq approx 5 weeks ago and altho my doctor assured me that it was a weight neutral drug I have easily gained 12 pounds and right exactly around the middle. I have been very careful not to consume more calories and have even been more active. I am very concerned that the weight gain will continue or will it just become a side effect that the body gets used to and eventually levels out? I do feel so much better on the drug and this has been my only side effect. I have a small frame however, and a dozen pounds all in the same spot is hard to conceal especially in the warmer weather. If anyone has any thoughts on some solutions other than discontinuing the drug I would greatly appreciate the advice. I sure wish that all these antidepressants did not come with some major trade offs.

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I gained 40 lbs on this drug! within a 4 month time frame, i never stopped excercising or watching my diet, i finally took myself off it, now I am struggling to even lose one of those lbs, very depressing! wish I would have NEVER took even one!

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Try a Lifecycle. I'm titrating down ( 25 mgs now every other day) til I get off and can already feel that I'm not ravenously hungry as I've been for over a year. With the Lifecycle you can do longer cardio at a slower pace and start losing the fat. I'm starting to see a difference finally. The belly's getting better.

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I recently tried taking Pristiq. In some ways it helped to "even out" my emotions, but I also think it made me feel apathetic. The worst side-effect was that in 3 weeks time I had gained 15 lbs. I was hungry constantly and could not get enough to satisfy me. I tried to restrain myself, but I felt famished. I stopped taking the drug immediately and changed to Effexor. Within a week I had lost 5 lbs and my hunger abated almost immediately. Definitely depressing to gain weight so quickly and I will have to work to continue losing it. Changing over so quickly I didn't have too many problems, but did have a slight headache for a few days.

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Hi Jan & other gals w/ this same darn problem~ hot flashes, feeling sad & weight gain.
I am a recent stage 3 breast cancer survior, went thur chemo, radiation, double mast, I had started menopause before I found my lump & chemo made my hot flashes crazy every 20 mins for at least a year. I've tried EVERYTHING that the drs & anyone esle would suggest. I have NOT slept through a night in over 2 years. My hot flashes are every 45-60 mins & wake me up. I have gained weight in the middle from many of these meds. I've always been thin, i'm 55 now. Cancer free now:) BUT the hot flashes keep coming, my doc wants me to start pristiq but I won't do it! Sadly I am crying & just feel terrible:(
How are you anything you can pass on? I hope your feeling better. Just needed to tell you that I feel the SAME as you about the weight gain.
There got to be something out there for us~
Best to you, Diana in Ct

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I had been only prestiq for a year until the last few weeks when i have weaned myself off. I noticed initial weight loss due to inappetance, but that only really lasted until those first side effects wore off. Over the year my weight fluctuated 1-3kg, but losing it if I did gain was difficult. It the last 5 months, I noticed a spike where it sat between 2.5-3kg and would not budge. I realise this is a small amount of weight compared to what some other people gained, but it's worth noting I ran a marathon last year and train regularly, along with eating a vegan diet, there was no other cause for the weight gain. Like others, it is specifically around the middle. I am hoping to see it start to shift no that I am off the medication, although at this stage I have only been completely off for 5 days.

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I hate to be the odd one out but I actually lost weight within a month of taking pristiq. It has not effected my weight in a negative way and I have ben taking it over a year. I lost about 5 - 8lbs. My worst side effect was feeling like I had an enlarged prostate. Trouble with urination and sex. This eventually went away, but was really aggravating for about three months. My urologist said to way out the benefits vs side effects and if I couldn't deal with the sex drive problems and the discomfort to stop the pristiq. I read that side effects usually go away eventually and decided to try and tuff it out. After just over a year on the medicine things are pretty good.

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I've gained 60 lbs over the last 5 years on Pristiq. also since starting it my cholesterol went through the roof and is still uncontrollable, have been diagnosed with liver disease, have sun sensitive skin, poor memory, insomnia, tiredness, irritability...this is an awful drug

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I went on pristiq a year ago 50 mg and was good so 8 months ago went up to 100 mg and gained 35lbs. Have never been this heavy it's making me crazy and have spent the last month weaning myself off it. I am on day 3 of being completely offf couldn't sleep the last two nights and have a headache but am optimistic that will level off I just want to get this weight off!!

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I have been on Pristiq and Abilify for 5 years now and have gained over 50 pounds! I have tried every diet conceivable to man and woman and have not dropped the weight! It's frustrating and I am just now thinking that it's due to these antidepressants that I am on. I don't know what to do. Have you gotten any more information on this?

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I have been on pristiq for about 6 months & put on 6kg. I was in Effexor prior to this & Lost weight, but sweats were bad, so needed to change. I had thought that pristiq was good, no obvious side effects, but nothing else in my life has changed, if anything I am walking more & eating smaller meals. I am heading to the doctor to get some test done next week & look to get off pristiq if the weight gain is a result of taking it.

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I had a similar experience with effexor & Paxil a few+ years ago. I knew my eating habits hadn't changed and when I cut back on daily intake it was impossible to lose more than 2-3 lbs so I knew it was the medication. I didn't have the same issues with cipralex...and it really did nothing to help depression. Started Prestiq 2 months ago and haven't gained any weight. If you want to determine if Prestiq is causing the weight gain cut back for a week or 2 - if your weight stays the same or you have minimal loss it could definitely be the meds. When you talk to your doctor you'll know its not because your happier therefore eating more or regularly and you can lobby for a different medication. 12 lb weight gain in one area can be caused by a number of things...either way you should get it checked out asap..as you know ;)

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There seems to be a pattern - the people who have gained on effexor have lost or maintained weight on Prestiq and the people who have gained in Prestiq have lost or maintained on effexor. Although the medical world doesn't know why some do and some don't its obviously an issue that causes concern-especially if there is history of heart disease. Our doctors can only be knowledgeable about our unique makeup based on the amount of information and specific details we tell them. I'm not a vane person but gaining more than 5-10lbs in a short period of time can be unsettling and uncomfortable...its enough to make clothes uncomfortable & carrying the extra weight can be cumbersome. I personally think that anything that makes you gain weight other than food is a significant concern and needs to be diagnosed. I have wondered if women experience hormone changes that have an effect on the thyroid or pituitary with antidepressants- men don't seem to experience the same burden.

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Topiramate is a short term fix for weight loss. After awhile it changes your metabolism, and not the good way. I also developed severe intestinal problems from Topiramate. I wouldn't take it.

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Pristiq works well, but I think it causes weight gain. I think it is more of a problem with metabolism than it is with overeating.

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I have been taking pristiq for almost a year now, im a cury girl and last march i probally weight around 170, but now i weight 210. I dont eat a ton and i work out. I also have had irregular periods, rapid heart beat and problems urinating, all side effects of pristiq and i just put two and two together. Pristiq is also almost 120$ PER BOTTLE and my health insurance will not cover it because its not in theyre fourmulary. Lets just say as of this week i will no longer take pristiq.

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Oh this is 1 reason Im getting off of it. I have went from a size 10 to a 16 in about 6 mths.

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I have never writen on anything like this before but couldnt help it as I can relate to everyone so perfectly. Im a 29yo female and was on Pristiq 200mg for 18 months and put on 25kg! I weaned off slowly and now have been completely drug free for a month. I am just wondering whether the weight will come off now pristiq is out of my system? Obviously i am doing everything I can in the way of diet and exercise but does anyone know or have experience with this? 25kg is alot to handle and ive never been overweight before. Its very overwhelming. On a positive note ive never felt better mentally! Looks like anxiety and depression are a thing of the past. So to everyone out there suffering right now....I promise you, one day you will get better! I never thought id be the one saying that after 3 years of hell but its happened! Stick in there!

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I cant beleive how much j can relate to everyone on the forum. I put on 30kg and yes mainly around my middle...on pristiq! I admit it was caused by complete inactivity but my diet wasnt bad and I didnt eat much so I know all this weight cant be just me. Especially since I was never overweight before. I was on a very high dose of 200mg daily. I have been completely pristiq and drug free for a month and working hard of loosing the weight. Im hoping it might come off faster than normal...but I know this is wishful thinking. Been off pristiq for a month now and despite the incredible weight battle I have a head of me I feel more clear headed and better than ever! I just really want to know....Does anyone know or have experience of wieght lose once your of pristiq?

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Hi. I feel just like you. But I am still on it. I am making the move to weaning in the next couple of months. Has the weight gotten any better. And how did you wean off. I am also following another chat on weaning off pristiq which is pretty helpful.

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I started on Pristiq 1 1/2 years ago and immediately had an unquenched appetite. I have gained 45 pounds and significantly around my middle. I am on a lower dose now (50 mg) I cannot lose the weight. It's very depressing. I want to change to a different med but have been on so many already. Hope you are doing better.

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