Weight Gain On Pristiq? (Page 4)
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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 taken pristiq. Then I tried effxor also no luck now I have depression, no sleep, and more anxiety. And have put on several pounds. Am seeing my doc on Monday hoping to find out something. I know zanaz. Does not do very well. The anxiety gets so bad at times I get nasuaed and getting sick..is there any suggestions. Thanks

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I have been on Pristiq for several years! I originally started taking it to cope with PMS, but stayed on it longer after losing my beloved father and sister.

I have gained 15 pounds and simply cannot lose it while continuing to take the drug. I work out two hours per day and eat approximately 1500 calories, yet my weight remains the same.

It is my intention to go to the doctor to seek her assistance in getting off this drug as I want to lose weight and am convinced that I will not be able to while still on Pristiq.

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I stopped taking Pristiq last week cold turkey. I was so over the weight gain I decided to just stop and deal with the consequences. First of all have to mention that when I told my doctor about my weight gain, she replied that the tablets are so good at making me feel better that I am eating more and that no way is it the Pristiq causing the weight gain! RUBBISH, its the tablets, my diet is and was always healthy and I exercise daily, there have been no changes except lots of weight gain.

Since coming off Pristiq, about 5 days ago now, I have been dizzy, mood swingy, tearful at the slightest thing, and tired.

Most of the symptoms have gone now, I still feel slightly dizzy, but generally, I feel great and so glad I stopped them. I feel positive, happy, relaxed and clean inside. I'm just left with the extra 6 kilos, which I'm hoping will drop off. I will let you know how the weight loss goes.

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What dosage would that be?

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the most ridiculous one is Effexor. I was on it for 4 yrs. I Started when I Was 20, and those 4yrs were my saddened yrs of my life. It made me gain 40 lbs. 'i had trouble sleeping, eating, sitting still, concentrating, and when I told my doctor he kept increasing the med, till one day I decided that I will take control of situation. trust me guys there are a lot more effective ways to cure your depression, being on med is no answer. eat healthy, exercise, and if you can afford it then go to homeopathic, or someone with natural medicine background. do yoga and etc. doctors would love to fill u up with toxic pills. If you really have to be on med - then plz get a copy of your med ingredient from your pharmacy or doctor, know exactly what is in it, and do your full research.. Cheers

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Hi, I was prescribed this medication for depression. I took 50 mg of pristiq for a year, then 100 mg for 6 month, down to 50 mg for 1 months then weaned off for three weeks where I took 50 mg every other day. Coming off the drug was the most horrible expereince of my life in terms of withdrawl. I experienced most of the symptoms everyone else has described (dizziness, mind zaps, tingly limbs, tiredness, etc). I have now been completely med free for one month and 6 days. I am feeling 'myself' most days. I am a little more stressed then I would like sometimes, but I am a single mom of a 2 yr, 4 yr and work for Child protective serviced so stress might be something to expect!

What I am finding the hardest to deal with through this whole process is the weight issue. I am an active person. I work out at least 4 times a week, I participate in runs and physical challenge races. I eat pretty clean, am dairy, gluten and red meat free. I gained 20lbs on this medication and just can not get it off. I am wondering how long it might take to see some progress. People say it takes time, but it's really difficult to feel good about yourself and attractive when you feel like you are stuck in a foreign unattractive body. It's very discouraging to work hard and get nowhere.

Thanks for the vent!

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I started taking pristiq a few months ago for menopause symptoms and anxiety. I am in my 50's so am having to put up with body changes anyway. I exercise everyday and eat healthily but I've gained 6 kilos since taking it. Weight loss during menopause is not easy now I have an extra 6 kilos to loose! I've tried many other anti depressants but they enhance my menopause symptoms, Pristiq has controlled the symptoms but now I'm fatter, have no libido and feel unattractive and being single feel I have no chance of ever dating again because in this world only very skinny seems to be acceptable.

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I too have been on pristiq for 3 months & have gained 6kgs... I didn't feel any better if anything I was more snappy and agitated! I have been off pristiq for 10 days now and I feel better but now I have to loose the weight I have gained. I didn't change my eating habits if anything I exercised more & gained more weight in 3 months than I had in my pregnancies. I figure any tablets will effect people differently but it is absolute crap that you won't gain weight on these tablets! I feel more depressed about gaining 6 kgs now than I did before I started taking the tablets. My suggestion to anyone considering taking Pristiq would be seek alternative other options. Also getting off this drug is a nightmare so be very careful!!!! Good luck

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I've been taking Pristiq for almost 3 weeks and my appetite has decreased about 50% plus I have more energy. Weight loss has always been slow, so I guess it won't show straight away-perhaps in another few weeks it should be noticeable :) I have also just started exercising almost regularly so far for at least 20 minutes a day on an ellipitcal.
(Before switching to Pristiq I was on Prozac for about 2 years. It made me lazy, groggy and dreamy).
Everyone has a different reaction to anti-depressants. So you should talk to your doctor and perhaps give it a try! :)

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I am 37 and starting nursing school. I have been on lexapro for 5 yrs plus. Has worked great. My pmdd has goten really bad. Went to dr. Put me on kopleapen. .lol..wants to winge frm lexapro and put me on pristiq. I've never heard of it. Prior to leaxapro I tried paxell, well butrin and notjing worked. He said my body may have become immunto leaxapro. 20mg Dailey. ..after reading yalls post...I don't even wanna try it..need resolves begore svjool kivks in....hopegul

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I know most of you have only found this thread post only after you've taken Pristiq, so I can't warn you about not taking it. I can only tell you what I've done since then. I've now been off Pristiq for I believe almost a year. I've still not been able to lose the weight I gain (35lbs) from taking this drug. I've tried everything (diet, exercise,ect) possible to lose weight to no avail. Had a bunch of test to see if it was anywhere from my thyroid to checking my other organs and ect. The one and only thing I found that helped with the fatigue was a Vitamin B-12 shot.

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I read your response and wondered if you have ever been tested for celiac disease. I felt the same way with fatigue and irritable all the time. Talk to a gastrolegist. It a simple gluten free diet that could help you. Good luck.

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I know this was a while ago but I started taking 100mg and felt wonderful but started gaining weight my dr decreased it to 50mg and I actually started loosing weight!!

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I have been on pristiq for about 8 months and I've gained 20 lbs. I'm 21 so this is really upsetting to me. I don't eat alot and I don't eat fast food/snacks or anything bad. I didn't see a gain in appetite. I don't know what to dooooo!

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I actually lost weight on Pristiq 12kg, but have put some back on from binging due to not dealing with some emotional issues. Have just started Seroquel and feel invigorated with life and wanting to eat well again. I can lose 1kg in a week from clean eating and no sugar

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My appetite has increased since being on 50mg Pristiq for almost 10 months. I've gained about 15 lbs. I exercise as little as I did prior to Pristiq so if I exercised more I'm sure I'd be fine. I noticed that I am constantly looking forward to meal or snack time whereas before I rarely had an urge to snack.

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Just wanted to add my experience. Have been on pristiq for 2 years and have gained 25lbs even though my diet is good and hasn't changed since going on it. Have recently gone off it and am starting to lose the weight thank god as I was already overweight to begin with :( the brain zaps and dizziness has been yuck but bearable since going off it but worth it. My sex drive has increase since going off it too just wanted to share my experience as I felt really lost confused and alone with the unexplained weight gain whilst on it and didn't realise anyone else had reacted to it like me.

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I started pristiq 10 days ago and have gained 6.5kg in the 10 days.... The dietician nearly died this morning and rang my dr straight away who also nearly died.... I have a PEG so it's not diet related and pristiq is the only new thing... So they have put the massive weight gain down to that as there is no change in calorie intake...

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I've gained about 15lbs mostly in my belly while on pristiq for 2 months.
I'm also having all of the bloating, nausea, diarrhea and constipation. I'm nausea most of he time, then when I eat I'm bloated, them have diarrhea, and then I feel like I have to "go" all day, and feel like there is obviously something that wants to come out, but won't. Hence constipation and diarrhea. Crazy but true. Trying to stop hate the withdrawals. Any other similar experience... Advice?

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I am post menopausal, and prior to taking this medication I was far from being overweight. I find it interesting that it says one of the side effects is sweating. So the claim that it helps with hot flashes is hypocritical. I so hate that we are all guinea pigs for this medication and no one will do anything about it. Even my ex Dr. said oh it can't make you gain weight. I bet if he took it he would see for himself. Or is this affecting only women?

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