Update: Effexor

Joyful Day · 11-18-2006, 10:58 PM

I was on Effexor XR and I gained a hell of a lot of weight. It totally stunk. I am off now and the anxiety thing os going OK, but I am still gaining weight:) I agree that they do help you to gain the problem is that sometimes you really NEED to take them.

AHHHH- I am glad I am in good company:)

FullofGRACE · 11-19-2006, 12:37 AM

I went off cold turkey and I had no side effects...I think however you are supposed to do a step down dosing and would recommend that. Like I said I lost 30 lbs after a year of dieting on the anti depressant I go off and get the band and am down 27 in three weeks...that's enough of a trial for me

Bullwinkle · 11-20-2006, 06:11 PM

What about Wellbutrin? I take Wellbutrin. Should I ask my surgeon (Dr. Curry) about not taking it once I'm banded?

need2bhealthy · 11-20-2006, 11:25 PM

I have been on psych meds for the past 13 years. I am not bi-polar but I have Major Depression, OCD and anxiety disorder. Paxil was the first med I went on when I was 19 years old. I blew up like a blimp and have never been able to get off the weight.

However, since I have been taking a cocktail of Wellbutrin XL and Celexa, I am not gaining and have maintained my fat self for two years.

I have tried going off medication before (against the wishes of my MD) but I end up having sever axiety and depression. It just doesn't work for me.

I wish you all the best of luck and I hope to banded sometime soon!

StephC · 11-21-2006, 07:25 AM

A couple years ago when I was going through the empty nest thing and crying all the time, gaining weight... menopause... who knows... my gyn prescribed effexor and he told me that it would help with my weight - I didn't lose any weight but I only stayed on it for about 6 months. I lost all sexual desire being on it and that was far worse then the crying. LOL