SSRIs: Tapering, weight gain etc

[campermom]

I went back on Zoloft in April and steadily gained weight over the course of the next several months. Weight gain on SSRIs has never been an issue for me and I’ve been on and off many times throughout my life. I mentioned it to my OB in the summer, and he said if it didn’t improve then I should do blood work.

In the fall, I went to my PCP about it. Blood work was perfectly normal including thyroid. He switched me to Lexapro which still had a weight gain side effect but not as bad, he said.

I gave it a run and my weight just keeps creeping up.

I ran a marathon in November, and a 50k in January, plus I lift weights, so I get plenty of exercise. My eating is healthier than the average person I would say, although I do eat some crap sometimes.

But, I don’t eat enough junk to explain a 23 lb weight gain since April. Besides, my eating habits didn’t change/get worse.

I’m uncomfortable, my clothes don’t fit and I wanted to get back off if this is the problem.

I discussed it with my doctor and I know my anxiety can be managed, given the advantages/disadvantages I’m experiencing. My PCP gave me a 6 week taper plan. I’m on week 7, because I didn’t have any issues until this last week and I experienced that brain zap feeling. I’m really tired, Too.

Talk to me about your experiences with tapering off, how long was this transition? If you gained a lot of weight when on them, how was it for you to start losing? My scale has not budged.

[lostlenore]

I’ve been on and off antidepressants for the past 12 years or so. Zoloft, lexapro and trintellix. They all made me gain weight (40-50 lbs over my normal).

I had trouble going off Zoloft and lexapro. I had to take it very slow or else the brain fog and headaches and nausea were too bad. Trintellix was totally easy for me to wean off of for some reason.

Each time I’ve gone off the meds, it’s taken 6 months or so before I’ve noticed any change in weight, so not until long after the withdrawal symptoms are gone. But somehow, each time, with just a little extra diet/exercise effort, I’ve been able to easily start losing the weight 5 or 6 months after stopping the meds. Most recently, I went off meds last spring, really started buckling down on my diet in August and by January I had lost the extra 50 lbs.

For me, I’m sure part of it is the meds effect on my body, but I also think that a big part of it is that while I’m on them, I’m pretty much just surviving. Like, while I’m not so super depressed, I’m also not super happy either. And I definitely lose motivation to do stuff other than what is absolutely necessary. So I think that the motivation to be fit and eat healthy comes back when I stop meds. But it seems like that is not a problem you are having, OP, as you are much more active than I ever was.

Good luck, it’s not easy figuring out what works best for you. I hope you are able to work it all out without too much difficulty.

[ilikedonuts]

I weaned off 50mg a day over a 3 week period. I made up my own schedule so I’m no help with that part. I occasionally still have brain zaps now months later but very rarely.

This was back in early November and I’m juuuuuust now starting to drop some of the weight I put on (I gained 30 lbs over my 18 months on Zoloft). I’m down maybe 7-9 lbs.

My anxiety has been not great now that I’m off, but it’s not overall bad and honestly while I was surviving on ADs, I still wasn’t great. They just made me plug through each day.

[tiki]

I can't remember what my weight was up to at the time, but I was on Zoloft for about 2 months once before deciding it wasn't for me. I had a very difficult time tapering due to zaps and intense vertigo. I just could not get below 25mg. After about 6 weeks of that my doctor put me on a different SSRI with a longer half life so I could quit the Zoloft first, then quit the second SSRI.

[woodgnome]

I’ve been on Zoloft for 2 years & have gained about 15 lbs. I’m also extremely active- I run a lot, including a half marathon, spin classes all the time, lifting weights, etc. I eat *mostly* healthy but yeah, I haven’t loved the weight gain aspect. A big symptom of anxiety for me though was loss of appetite- when I was at my worst, I weighed around 115 & I’m 5’9”. So maybe my weight gain was due to the anxiety being alleviated?

[fortnightlily]

Feb 20, 2019 11:26:48 GMT -5 woodgnome said:

I’ve been on Zoloft for 2 years & have gained about 15 lbs. I’m also extremely active- I run a lot, including a half marathon, spin classes all the time, lifting weights, etc. I eat *mostly* healthy but yeah, I haven’t loved the weight gain aspect. A big symptom of anxiety for me though was loss of appetite- when I was at my worst, I weighed around 115 & I’m 5’9”. So maybe my weight gain was due to the anxiety being alleviated?

This is what my psych says.  She's adamant that studies have shown SSRIs do not affect metabolism (even though I remain skeptical).  She says increased appetite could be a side effect, but that more likely it's people's eating habits changing as a result of reducing depression/anxiety.

I've been struggling with weight gain while on Zoloft, too, though I haven't been actively trying to lose, which I need to .   I was 'could eat whatever I wanted' for years in my youth but also struggled with IBS.  Pregnancy just reset my body completely, but I definitely have less stomach issues while on the Zoloft, which means I'm eating more :/  And feeling nauseated and unable to eat was a major affect of my PPA.

[maggyd]

I was on Lexapro for 3 months and tapered off for about 2 weeks. The brain zaps and nausea were terrible and lasted about 2 weeks after taking my last one. I gained about 10 lbs on it. My diet did not change while on it and I have cleaned it up since then with no luck losing any weight so far. I absolutely believe it changed my metabolism! I am hoping a few more months Lexapro-free will get me back to normal.

[campermom]

Wow thank you for all the responses. I definitely do not feel alone. I wish I didn’t have to choose between these effects because I was pretty happy with the positive effects of the medication.

[wambam]

Feb 20, 2019 15:15:27 GMT -5 campermom said:

Wow thank you for all the responses. I definitely do not feel alone. I wish I didn’t have to choose between these effects because I was pretty happy with the positive effects of the medication.

Have you tried Wellbutrin? It is less likely to cause weight gain and sexual side effects. 

[imchuckbass]

Zoloft made me gain about 15 lbs. I was always active and never had an issue with weight but I swear as soon as I went On Zoloft it swiitched something with my metabolism. I had a terrible time tapering off and had horrible brain zaps and vertigo. I have been on Paxil for a bit now and find I have zero side effects and have not noticed any weight gain. It seems a much better fit than the Zoloft. Best wishes. It’s a struggle to find the right med and the weight gain is such a hard side effect for some!