Weight Gain On Pristiq? (Page 18)

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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Hi again all! I just wanted to update everyone if interested. My doctor put me on Wellbutrin (Start with 150 mg for 7 days, then to 300 mg thereafter) Since it's more for depression, and I have more anxiety, she also gave me a low dose of Lexapro (10 mg) to take if I feel anxiety coming on after 2 weeks on the Wellbutrin. She also gave me a prescription for 50 mg Pristiq, and advised me to take every other day for two weeks. She chose this pattern going off of what I told her I had done. (Two days with none of my 100 mg Pristiq, then cut the 100 mg of Pristiq in half, because I didn't have any 50 mg) She said since having two days of no Pristiq, this would probably be the best route. I must admit, since my doctor's visit (two days ago) I have not taken the Pristiq, as I was feeling better. Today I am a little nauseous, but have a leftover script of compazene for nausea :) I am finding I am tired faster, however, that could be I am staying up late baking Christmas cookies. I will probably give it two or three weeks, and then update again.
Also: just a response to the last post, gaining weight etc. I agree with your response, ie. excercise, upping your routine, watching your diet etc. However, I had weight loss surgery, and the weight still packed on. Very bizarre indeed. My doctor did admit there are many people who have issues with this medicine.

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Have been on Pristiq for about two months and gained 7 pounds. I have read so many posts from others who have also experienced weight gain. I haven't eaten any more than previously, exercise almost every day, typically 60 to 90 minutes, walking, biking. Weight seems to be in midsection, which I hate! Sent message to my doctor that I was "weaning" off the Pristiq due to weight gain, constipation, etc. She replied that the 7 lb weight gain was "sadly not the result of the Pristiq". Royally pissed me off. I think I know my body better than she does, and guess she doesn't read posts like this from others who have gained weight on Pristiq . . . not to mention the body aches, etc. I have been weaning myself off the Pristiq by cutting in half and taking every other day. It is HELL. I never experienced anything like this when going off Paxil or Celexa.

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Charlene, your doctor was WRONG! The mid-section weight gain IS ABSOLUTELY THE DIRECT RESULT OF PRISTIQ! I am only 4'10", super petite my whole life, less than 100 lbs & the biggest size I've ever worn in my life is size 2. After being on Pristiq for 3 months I gained 15 lbs all in my mid section. Before taking Pristiq my waist was about 24" max. After Pristiq I can't even get one of my belts to buckle. If I had known what this drug actually does to your body I wouldn't have taken it for a million dollars. I stopped it cold turkey on 10/4/11. I have lost about 7 lbs but it is pure hell! My midsection is hard and just bulky. It's difficult to describe. Previously if I needed to lose a pound or two I could do it in a couple of days. Not any longer though. This drug messes with your metabolism and causes weight gain in the worst possible place on your body...midsection weight gain is directly responsible for heart attacks.. If you weren't depressed before you will be after taking it. I just hope this drug hasn't ruined my body forever. I hate the way I look and am just praying to get my old body back. Hang in there and get yourself off that horrible drug! Good Luck.

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Lynne, I so agree with you. Before starting on Pristiq, I was pretty close to an ideal weight for myself and very happy. Felt "lean" and healthy. I had worked very hard over the past two years to get to that point; did P90X with my son a couple of times and always, always exercise at least 5 out of 7 days a week. I could even "splurge" and eat very bad things once in a while and not even gain weight. NOW, I have experienced the weight gain - and the bloated feeling in my stomach . . . never before felt, plus probably eat even less than ever before. Nothing seems to work with losing the weight, and like you, previously I could drop 2 to 5 pounds in a matter of days. I am so OVER this, and if I sound angry, I AM!! I am finding a new doctor, obviously. And I am on day 3 of no pristiq. I would never recommend this drug to anyone.

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Hi again group. I've tried to go off Pristiq and hate to say that no other drug that I've tried has taken care of the depression and anxiety like Pristiq. I've also gained 27lbs in the three years that I've been on the medicine. I do believe that this is caused by the Pristiq as my sister started the meds before me and has had the same issue! Working out every day does nothing! So I've recently had my thyroid checked and have found that my thyroid is hypo (slow functioning) I have started Synthroid and Cytomel 7 weeks ago, feel better but haven't seen any weight come off yet. The other thing I wanted to report is that my best friend did some research on how to lose weight on an antidepressant and found a great resource: The Serotonin Power Diet. She has lost 2.5lbs per week for three weeks in a row! She also takes Pristiq. She didn't gain the 25lbs yet but has gained 5lbs and wanted to lose it. I'm on day two of the diet and have lost 1 lbs, which is the first pound I've been able to lose in three years since I started taking Pristiq!!! Check out the book! I checked mine out of the library. Good luck!

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I was looking at the same thing. This is the first drug I have ever used where I feel better and can still orgasm. On the other hand I have gained 15 pounds. I go to the gym regularly and love to exercise.

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I also have this problem I was on effexor for 4 years and got switched to Pristiq 50mg. I was 124lbs. when I started this mega weight gainer, i am now 162lbs. I have been on it for about a year now. I am always hungry and bloated so bad. I look and feel terrible. The docter has checked my thyroid and said it is fine..
My cholesterol is now threw the roof along with my triglycerides. My vitamin B is very low and had to be put on a prescription for that. My docter told me she couldn'tgive me no dose higher then 50mg. that was the highest she could prescribe. My panic attacks are so bad I have a hard time going anywhere. What to do about all ths is the question. We can all talk about it but for real what does a person do??

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Lori I am so sorry! You did not gain on Effexor? I know how your feeling. Are you still on Pristiq? I have been off and on it for the last 2 years. I can not drop a pound off it no matter what I do. I take it because I am much more calm but stil have some depression and TONS of Fatigue. I wish we could find a cure all and get off this med! Hang in there..Lost of support here!

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I stopped taking Pristiq about two-and-a-half months ago because I was having trouble concentrating and focusing and had also gained about 25 pounds in the 2 years I was on it. I am now doing Weight Watchers and finally starting to lose weight, but very slowly (about 1 pound per week if I am lucky). This is the only thing that has worked for me. I do miss the amazing calmness I felt while taking Pristiq, but I just couldn't take the side effects anymore. Detoxing from Pristiq was horrible! It took me 2-4 weeks to start to feel okay again. I felt comfortable enough to stop taking it--I was mainly taking it for anxiety, and I am able to manage that now with the help of my therapist. I wouldn't recommend stopping taking it if your depression is acute, but for me the negatives had just started to outweigh the positives.

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Hi Everyone. I have been off celexa for almost 2 weeks now. Ive been withdrawling since mid december. It was the worst thing ive ever been through. Almost ruined my marriage and I just wanted to die. I have to say, now off the meds, I feel like a million dollars. Past couple days have been rough. Feeling kinda depressed and moody but I know it will go away. Now i just have to focus on losing weight. My appetite has slowed extremely. I dont eat to feel good anymore. I know it is a long road ahead to lose weight but I will take any tips i can get to accomplish this.

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Hello. I can relate to everyone's pain. The misleading thing about Pristiq is that, like many others, it can work well for a while before it starts causing complications. I took a small dose for over a year (without side effects) before I started experiencing mild weight gain, bloating, major appetite increase, and mood changes. What worried me was that my depression/anxiety got worse, with regular thoughts of suicide. I recently realized that it had to be the med when I increased the dose and the side effects got much worse. I weaned off it over the past couple weeks and am still going through slight detox. Weight gain and bloating are one matter, but ask yourself whether it's worth being on an antidepressant that actually worsens your mental state. Also, Pristiq's active metabolite is the same as Effexor's, a more common drug with lots of similar side effects and withdrawal symptoms. Antidepressants almost always cause side effects at some point. This drug should be pulled from the shelves. I'm sure it will be in time, as the law suits start to roll in.

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I am totally with you! I was 50kgs when I started taking Pristiq and now I am nearly 60kgs! I eat less and I am on a Gluten Free diet so technically, I should not have gained weight. I don't know about you guys, and I am trying not to sound vain here, but when you wake up one day and all your clothes don't fit, it doesn't really help your depression. I have tapered myself off the drug and I am now 5 days clean. I feel terrible but I know it is for the better that I get this drug out of my system for good. I am not sure doctors know or even care what effect these drugs have on people and their diagnosis is based on a law of averages. Good luck everyone (:

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I am a 53 y.o. female who switched 2 months ago from Cymbalta to Pristiq due to cost. I was on a strict diet of no sugar, no gluton, and I was walking for 2 months. I expected to lose weight. Unfortunately, I have gained 10 pounds and have lost my sex drive and energy/motivation. I also experienced a couple of days in bed depressed and daily dull headaches. The weight gain appeared in my stomach area although this is typical for me. I know it is the Pristiq and I have gone to my doctor and switched back to Cymbalta. For me, the Pristiq was not as effective for depression and the weight gain and headache were unpleasant side effects. I do not get side effects from Cymbalta. I will be happy when the Cymbalta patent runs out and a generic becomes available because it is expensive.

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I have been taking Pristiq for 2 years in which time I have gained 20 lbs. I have also been going through marital problems, separation and my only child going away to college, so lots of depression and anxiety which can also contribute to the weight gain. I feel better anxiety wise, still feel sad sometimes but I have started working out and watching my diet. No matter how much I work out (which is pretty intense, I bike ride long distance and spin, also do yoga and pilates) I see no change in my weight , not loosing at all. I also take ambient at night for sleeping so I don't know if that could be contributing to the weight gain. I am considering tapering down the Pristiq. I really think that it is not letting me loose weight

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Dear Crazytime,
The weight gain is 100% caused by Pristiq. I was on it from Feb-October of 2011 and I gained 15 lbs. Once I realized where the weight gain was coming from I quit that horrible drug cold turkey. It makes me livid to think that this drug is promoted with the side effect of weight loss. I am having the most difficult time trying to take off this 15 lbs. That drug should be off the market immediately.

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I have has stomach trouble as well and it has been very difficult to lose the weight. I have been off of all medication since September and I feel wonderful but still struggling to lose any weight. My digestion and stomach cramping has been a real issue no matter how healthy I eat

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I have the same problem with my stomach. I always feel bloated and have feel like I have air trapped in my throat and stomach that gurgles constantly. It's so embarrassing. I never had this problem before. I wish I had never tried this horrible drug in the first place. I'm so afraid that it has changed my body chemistry forever. Does anyone know how long it takes to get this drug completely out of your system? Can it cause lasting effects?

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I think it must be lasting because it has been over 6 months for me since I was off all medication.

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I have read that the half life of Pristiq is 11 hours so it should be out of our system in 2 days. I may be wrong. I came off Pristiq with Cymbalta and had no withdrawel symptoms (60mg per day of each). I am going to the MD. tomorrow to find out what happened to my intestinal system while on Pristiq. I continue to be bloated no matter what I eat or don't eat. I did not lose any of the weight gained yet. I do not feel good.

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I have been off Pristiq since November, and am now starting to lose some of the 25 pounds I had gained while on it. It has seemed to take my body a while to adjust. It was strange because all the weight gain seemed to be around my stomach (very unusual for me as I usually gain in my hips). As far as the stomach problems, I found that taking a probiotic helped me immensely. The one I took was called Healthy Trinity by Natren. It is expensive, but really works. Good luck everyone!

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