Pristiq And Weight Gain (Page 3) (Top voted first)

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 personally do NOT think it's worth it to take Pristiq because of the weight gain. Pristiq seems very similar to the old tricycle antidepressants (elavil, etc.) which also help depression, but they make you gain weight. I was on "Elavil" in the 70's, and although it helped my depression enormously, I gained A LOT of weight. If you're depressed to the point that Pristiq is the ONLY antidepressant that helps you, then I think it's worth it to take it. Better to be FAT & ALIVE, rather than "thin & miserable. But Prozac works very well for me. Prozac stopped working for awhile, that's why my doctor put me on Pristiq. Pristiq helped my depression enormously, but I began to rapidly gain weight in the middle section of my body. It was so odd, because I never had gained weight in the middle of my body before, usually my thighs and butt. I went off Pristiq after about 3 months, and a 15 - 20 lb. weight gain, & switched IMMEDIATELY back to Prozac. I didn't "wean myself off the Pristiq", I just STOPPED. I started back on 80 mg. of Prozac the next day. My depression is under control again, and my weight is back to normal. But the weight didn't just "fall off", I had to really diet for a month or so to lose it. I won't/can't take any pharmaceutical that will cause weight gain. Weight gain itself causes me to become VERY DEPRESSED.

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I just noticed that I wrote I went off Pristiq "cold turkey" and started back on 80 mg. of Prozac the next day. I must correct that. I did stop Pristiq "cold turkey" but I didn't start on 80 mg. of Prozac the next day. I started on 20 mg. of Prozac the next day, and over the course of 6 months, I now take 80 mg. of Prozac. I just wanted to clear that up. Starting on 80 mg. of Prozac immediately is dangerous! You have to let your body get accustomed to it, much like ANY drug.

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I was just tapered off of it and my doctor added Lamictal in it's place! I also gained a lot of weight on the medication! 40 lbs in a six month timeframe. Without changing my diet, I have been off Pristiq for the last five days, tapering off of course and have lost three pounds! This medication helped the depression but did horrible things to me health wise!

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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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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 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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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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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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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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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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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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