Pristiq And Weight Gain
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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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Re: Pristiq user (# 3) Expand Referenced Message

I gained 8 pounds eating the exact same thing going on 50mg Pristiq while everything else remained the same. Around the middle as well as the other comments. I'm off it and going on 300mg SR Wellbutrin. It better come off.

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76

I was put on Pristiq for both depression and fibromyalgia. I have not only put on much weight in 3 months, I'm also suffering with swelling and water retention all around. Especially hands and feet where I can’t wear my own shoes and stated to have a moon face. I can’t seem to find any information on this topic. Although it does wonders for fibromyalgia pain side effects are just too much.

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75

Pristiq has basically ruined my life. Even on just 50 mg, I’m gaining weight like crazy with no explanation (all around the middle, and my body leans toward apple shape as is), I never sleep through the night anymore (and I’m a champion sleeper), and I generally feel like garbage—nausea, bloating, constipation. It also appears to be affecting my menstrual cycle now. I am a week late, very unusual for me. If I miss even one dose, it’s brain zaps and feeling like I was hit by a truck. I wish I never heard of Pristiq, much less taken it. I know antidepressants affect everyone differently, but I could never recommend this drug to anyone. I’m in the process of weaning off. It did help my depression and anxiety, but the side effects are too much and are actually giving me anxiety and depressing me, so I guess ultimately it’s a draw in that regard. It makes me want to take my chances with the depression and not go on antidepressants ever again. I just pray the weight comes off once this poison is out of my system.

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74

I never noticed any weight gain with Pristiq, and i've been on it at least eight years. However, when I was put on a beta blocker, it was a different story.
Also, I have to reiterate to people on the spelling of Xanax (sounds like Zanax). It only sounds like Zanax, it's spelled Xanax.

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73

I am experiencing the very same thing. I can't believe that in 6 months, time I've been on pristiq, I've gained 30 lbs! I've never been a small girl but I went from 178 to 210 and I'm absolutely miserable. Im going to talk to my Dr about Effexor...its an older version of Pristiq.

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72

I experienced weight gain that did not subside while I was on Pristiq even when we lowered the dose to 50 mg. I gained weight when I started on it and was unable to lose it. I have been off of it for about a month and need to jumpstart my metabolism to get rid of the excess pounds. I eat a good diet with as few calories for my body as possible. I am not an overeater, sweet lover, or nighttime snacker. I am married to a marathon runner so we eat very healthy food. This has been my experience so I hope yours is different.

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71

I have been on pristiq 50mg for about 6 months and I have lost 15lbs. I was taking Abilify and it caused me to gain over 30lbs. I did research and found that Pristiq could have a weight loss so I asked my doctor if I could take that and he prescribed it for me. I have had no side effects from Prisitq and I would recommend it to everyone.

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70

My doc started me on 100 mg of Pristiq. All I wanted to do was eat. Really unusual for me. I'm glad I'm off. I've lost about 2 pounds but haven't been exercising so we'll see. I feel bad that you have worked so hard and now Pristiq is changing things for you.

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69

When I was on 50 mg of Prestiq I was weight neutral. It was increased to 100mg two weeks ago and all I do is eat all day.
I as well as many of you WILL NOT STAY on this either. I have lost 55 lbs and will NOT get depressed or lose my self esteem staying on this drug.
Let's hope that there is another reason for this. It has taken me years to find a drug to make me feel as good as I do. I do not want to start over and try many drugs only to fail.

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68

I have been off Pristiq for 5 days. I am now on Wellbutrin. I also take Doxepin at night plus Clonazepam. The doctor wanted me to change off of the Pristiq and the Doxepin because he said that this was enough, that is, my discomfort over the weight gain. Oh, really! I haven't been able to quit the Doxepin yet but when I feel comfortable with what he is going to replace it with I am just going to go off of Pristiq.
I hope your weight starts to melt off. I think I am going to have to work hard at it. I am at the calorie count for losing but I will see.
This change has been hard as it is most of the time. This is my first try at Wellbutrin alone.
Please, keep reporting back.

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67

"I do know that if your Leptin is too high (often caused by too much sugar or starchy carbs in the diet), it can cause weight gain specifically in the mid section, too. The Rosedale Diet is a great book for this. It's balanced and healthy." <-- dumbest advice ever. If anything, high leptin levels actually DECREASE appetite not the other way around. Leptin levels vary with body fat mass too so changes in weight will affect levels of leptin in the body. It has nothing to do with 'too much sugar or starchy carbs'.

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Val. How are you going with the weight loss. I'm so worried I'm stuck with this pristiq weight gain forever. I'm fatter than I was after having my son. My dr is in the process if checking thyroid amongst other things. Id love to hear if people having managed to lose weight after coming off it. It's only been a week or two for me but I'm panicking. I wish I had read these posts before going on it. I honestly think this drug is evil

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65

Oh, I was on Prozac many years ago and gained 50 pounds on it. It took months of work to get that weight off. That's the only other time in my life that I have been heavy until now.
The weight seems to be all over but especially around my middle. it's quite embarrassing when people haven't seen me in a while because I'm usually quite thin. I try not to think about it.
My challenge is that I cannot go off of it completely. I need a replacement med to deal with my anxiety and depression. We will replace it with Wellbutrin but I don't think that will cover my symptoms. I'm willing to try. I have been on medications for 25 years with 4 hospitalizations and ECT. I'm not an easy case. I went off of meds 2 years ago and I made it for a little bit but my anxiety rose up loudly. It was a nightmare. I have PTSD also, but we have worked through most of that. I pray that I can stop taking Pristiq and will be okay on Wellbutrin.
I don't know what a person can do while on Pristiq and not gain more. Keep eating very carefully, exercising, and watch your weight constantly so that it doesn't get out of control like mine did and all of a sudden you are up 45 pounds.

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64

I was on Pristiq for about 4 years and gained a massive amount of weight. Total - about 50+ pounds! My doctor said it DID cause weight gain as a side effect and that I should be on a low carb diet. I tried that. Nope. I finally decided to take a chance and get off the medication. I have been doing well mentally and emotionally since going off of it and I thank the good Lord for that! Now I just have to lose the weight which is a big challenge for me! There are so many diets out there it's crazy! But I'm bound and determined to get this extra 50 pounds off! I'm exercising by walking and cutting down on my fat intake, eating more fruits and vegetables, and drinking more water. I don't know why this medicine does this...especially to women's bodies. I got to the point where I couldn't look in the mirror anymore. I hope you find the answers you need. Most antidepressants DO cause weight gain. Prozac may be safer as far as weight gain goes just from experience. Good luck!

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Next month my doctor said I can try to go back on Wellbutrin and wean off the Pristiq to deal with my 45 pound weight gain as I mentioned earlier. I have lost over 6 pounds recently but have been very strict with my food intake using SparkPeople online to keep track of all I eat. I am more active, too but have decreased the Pristiq from 100 mg to 50 about 3-4 months ago. Forty pounds is a lot for me to have gained. It bothers me and then I try to talk to myself about who I am is more important than what I weigh. My doctor is sympathetic. I have been on almost every drug out there for my depression and anxiety. I'll let you know how this goes. Pristiq has been helpful with my mental health issues, but the weigh gain makes me feel poorly about myself. May all of you do well and find ways to deal with the adverse symptoms.

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62

I have lost 50 pounds on Pristiq. I have taken it for two years and it has SAVED MY LIFE!!! I am full of life and energy. I guess it does affect different people in different ways.

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61

I've been on Pristiq for almost 6 months now and have only noticed a very slight weight gain, but I think this is due to feeling better enough to start eating again and have been slightly over indulging hehe. I was on Paxil 20mg to begin with but that made me so sick, heavy headed and I was getting nose bleeds and felt like a zombie. I had a major generalised anxiety disorder and couldn't function daily. I decided to try Pristiq as my brother was on it and he had no side effects, so I figured it might work for me and it certainly did! It's been the best thing I've done for myself since this ordeal and it saved my life. I am on 100mg and I still get odd days of anxiety but it sure is better than the debilitating illness I had before and obsessive thinking. It must just work differently for people but I do notice that I crave sugar a lot more than usual, I just try not to feed those cravings. I also get strange racing heart palpitations on the odd occasion for about 10 seconds and then it stops. It feels like my heart is about to jump out my mouth but I am sure it's just a small side effect. Good Luck everyone!

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60

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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59

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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58

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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