Weight Gain On Pristiq? (Page 16)

I have been on Pristiq now since November of 2008...not quite 5 months...and I have put on 15 lbs since starting it. DESPITE working out with a trainer at the gym twice a week weight training, 3 days a week of cardio AND counting calories. My doc assured me that I would also have a decreased appetite on Pristiq, which I have yet to find true...so he has now increased my dosage to 400 mg. Does anyone have anything to add to this?? I'm just frustrated!

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I have been on Pristiq for almost three years and it has helped me tremendously with panic attacks and exteme anxiety. It has even helped with my compulsive worrying. However, I have gained 25 pounds and my cholesterol has gone from 169 to 223 and my triglycerides have gone from 189 to 362. I can't have this. Has anyone else had this problem and what did you do to get your numbers down? Now, I have these problems to deal with. Thanks to all!

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As I learn more about these medications (as I've taken some) I learn that they all have weight gain issues...some more than others. Currently I'm on Pristiq and Abilify. I just started Abilify after trying Seroquel XR. Seroquel XR made me drowsy. These medicines also have different drowsiness levels as well. I'm not a doctor and am just sharing what I've learned. What I want to know is what research is being done on these meds. My sister in law is in school to become a nurse and she said that they seem to know the least about these medications.

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I've been on Pristiq 50mg a day since Nov 2009 and have gained 30 lbs! I've worked out with a trainer and only had 1200 calories a day and nothing worked! Prior to starting pristiq I was in the best physical shape I'd ever been in @ 41! I have tried to go off it and after a few months have the need for it again because I've not found the medication that will work for my depression. I've read what Shea has done and am inspired to stop and be determined to just push through it. I've heard that the HCG diet resets your metabolism, have been thinking about trying that, what could it hurt since Pristiq has destroyed something in my system already. Has anyone had good results with another antidepressant that worked mentally but not caused weight gain? Hang in there everyone! Thanks for posting!

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Kimberly: I think the Pristiq was amazing for the first year. After about 1 1/2 years I could feel the anxiety creeping back and the Pristiq was no longer as effective on me. I can't say I didn't mind the weight gain. I totally did. But I told everyone (part of my problem was Irritable Bowel Syndrome), "I don't care if I put on 20 lbs. I want to live a normal life." But once I started to feel anxious and IBS return, there was no point on being on Pristiq. By then I had gained 30 lbs. I've been off for more than a year now, and I'm only down 5 lbs. I do believe Prisitq has messed with my metabolism. When it wasn't working and I was 30 lbs heavier, was when I was at my all-time worst. It was frustrating and depressing. I must not lie: I haven't been really working with my diet, but I have been exercising -- 3 miles a day -- running it every other day and doing other cardio. Maybe if I do work on my diet, I will start to lose. I had done Weight Watchers on Pristiq, very seriously and exercised, and I couldn't lose a lb. That caused a ton of frustration. Once I went off Pristiq, I went off WW just to give myself time to get it together. Good luck Kimberly, you will be better for not being on Pristiq. Have you tried Xanex? I only take that as needed. It isn't great, but it helps. The fact that I take as needed (maybe four or five times a month) as opposed to having it in my system 24/7 (like Pristiq) makes me feel better though.) Good luck!

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Shea: I also tried Weight Watchers (which I have done very successfully in the past) and did not lose an ounce. The last WW meeting I went to, I came out crying. I had tried so hard, not one ounce. I don't know how to lose weight while taking Pristiq. It's so disheartening. Now I have the cholesterol and triglyceride problem on top of that.

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I wanted to update where I am. I went back on Pristiq as I LOVE the mood control but I literally could not stay awake, I switched to Prozac. EVERY med I have ever taken has made me sick and HYPER...since pristiq.. nothing works...IT SUCKS!! My weight is miserable and I am miserable...this med messes with "something" in our bodies..

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Could someone please offer suggestions as to the best (if there is one) way to wean yourself from Pristiq? I am thinking about taking mine every 36 hours instead of every 24. Has anyone tried that?

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I took 5mg of prozac for a week and had no withdrawl. Good Luck! Why are you coming off it?

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I have gained 30 pounds and my cholesterol and tryglycerides are through the roof. BOBP

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Ok so I just read every post on here, and over the past yr and a half have read many threads about Pristiq but have never bothered to post this time I feel desperate for feedback. I just moved to a new city and don't have a doctor so a few ideas would help.

After successfully being on Pristiq for about 15 months I went to my doctor with concerns about weight gain *30lbs in about 7months (after quitting smoking with Wellbutrin in the first 6 months then being on only Pristiq), he flat out said it was probably the Prisitq. He was the best Dr I have ever had (a walk in clinic fluke, I just kept going back) unfortunately we had to move. He put me on Topiramate to try to help me lose weight/balance the gain caused by the Pristiq, it started to work but slowly. after about six weeks and maybe 10lbs loss I told him I wanted to come off the Pristiq feeling my depression was stable and I couldn't live with the weight gain and didn't want to have to be on pills for weight loss on top of pills for depression forever!

I don't have to say the with drawls are awful, and I believe worse for some then others cause we all deal with how our bodies handle things differently, I tried weening myself it for me was worse than doing it cold turkey ( I did cold Turkey with Effexor 300mg) With cold turkey I felt Like A@@ for three solid days but with weening I was a roller coaster for weeks! My poor husband. Anyways I have been off for about a month~ Yay the bloating and being hungry all the time is gone but my depression is definitely back, I don't have the suicidal type depression but I know enough about myself and emotional/mental state to know I need meds.

My biggest depression symptom at least the one that bothers me the most is my lack of energy/motivation.

I want to hear peoples experiences/knowledge with different AD's I have only been on Effexor/Pristiq/Wellbutrin this way I can go to the doctor prepared, with questions, suggestions etc... Mayeb I can stay on the Pristiq but with Cabergoline or another Dopamine type drug like suggested early on? I know I said I didn't want to be on a diet type pill and an AD forever but if I need it, I need it.... All ideas/ suggestions welcome, I am a super positive person even in my depression which makes the depression even harder to understand especially for the people around me.

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I am so glad I came across these postings about weight gain and pristiq. I have been on pristiq for about 5 months now and at my highest weight ever. I knew this and my previous anti- depressant were both affecting my weight gain. I am a very healthy person. I exercise at least 5 times a week. I am a vegan and a runner. Have ran more miles over the past several weeks and have not eaten any more and can not loose a pound ! Everytime I get on the scale I am heavier. I am going to start weening myself off tomorrow. Already took that darn pill tonight. Ugh!!!

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I have been on pristiq 100mg for about 6mos and gained 20lbs and no decreased appetite I have gone off of it I have been on other antidepressants and never gained weight like this, I can't imagine how you feel on 400mg. Good luck!

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I started Wellbutrin 300 mg in 2004 and lost the 15 lbs I'd been trying to lose for years - I stayed at my goal weight until 2009 when my dr put me on Pristiq for anxiety in addition to the WB.. I gained it all back plus some, even though I never changed my diet or exercise. If anything I work out more and harder now than I did when I lost the weight. None of my clothes fit and I never really felt like it did anything for the anxiety. It just made me feel like crap if I missed a dose, so I never quit. But I'm fed up with the weight gain. I do have nightsweats too, which I didn't realize were associated with it until I read these posts. Also the heart palpitations and mouth sores. I'm tired of putting up with it. I'm starting weaning off of it tomorrow. Scared to death of the WDs, but I can't do this anymore. Does the weight come off after you stop taking it? If it'd happen quicker, I'd probably put up with a week of cold turkey hell, but I'm not that brave. lol

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I was a swimsuit model as well... and I am so tired of having to turn down jobs because of the 30 lbs sitting on my thighs and stomach. Grrrrr.... I wish I'd never taken it.

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i have been on pristiq i lost my appetite i am losing weight without exercise so i guess it depends on the person...the only side effects is it makes me sleeply

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I have also found this to be true. My doctor assured me that there would be a decrease in weight and there would be no sexual side effects and that there would be no withdrawls from it. these are all not true for me.

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Bless each and everyone of you and thank you all for your input...Feel so much better after reading through this site!! Similar story as most...I went from a 43 yr happy fun loving stable engaging woman to a raging, misrable unhappy emotional freak by my 44th birthday. My poor Husband, family and friends. After many hundreds of dollars spent on self help books, therapy and hypnosis getting no where and feeling out of control and not knowing who the person was starring back at me in the mirror...off to the doctors, for what I was desperately hoping would be the cure. Started on ceprolex the begining of this year and almost instint relief..felt like my old self. All the normal side effects however, the lost of libido was just to much to take so two months in we change over to Pristiq. 10 months now and I have packed on 20lbs of cheese on my small frame...so very depressing and the AD's dont seem to have the same effects. Still have my moments and emotions are up and down. After reading all your stories I feel that I too can come off of Pristiq...the WD symtoms doesnt sound like much fun..:( and the thought of becoming that horrible person again is unbareable. The reality of putting on more weight is so painful just in thought. It is a nasty circle..but here's hoping we can all move forward and find the happy again. Nobady said life would be easy...just dont get why it has to be so hard at times. I take 50mgs once daily and can go 2 days before I feel dizzy with a headache. So today, I start weaning down...Thanks again my new Pristiq friends and the very best of luck and best wishes to you all!!

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I have posted several time on this site...To Jane...Ask for Prozac to take to come off of Pristiq. I would go thru major withdrawls if I missed on dose....but taking prozac in its place i really did not have any.
A few questions. Has ANYONE lost weight after getting off this med?? I gained 5 more an have had stomach issues since being off and it has been MONTHS! I tried going back on in Aug for 2 weeks and it had a opposite effect on me and horrible. How can I get this weight off. I workout every day.Eat very little and no luck. I know serotonin is in the stomach and I think this med messed up my metabolism...NEVER had a weight problem till now.
Hope your all doing well getting off Pristiq

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I began detoxing on Sept 7 taking 1/2 pill a day for a week and then 1/4 pill every other day for 2 weeks. The only time it was REALLY bad was the first day I had to go without completely. It has now been 4 days since I last took any and I feel fine... I'm just waiting for the weight to start dropping. I'm still working out an hour a day 6 days a week as I always have, drinking lots of water, and watching my diet. I'm still on the Wellbutrin XL (that made me lose weight when I was just taking it alone). Does anyone have any information on losing the weight after stopping the Pristiq? Does it take a while? Does it EVER happen? Help! I'm so sick of this fat on my belly!!

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A year and a half later, my belly fat is still here.

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