New here- Please Help I'm in Tears!!

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

Ok, I really need some help, please!! About a year ago, I went on celexa because of some depression I was having. My DR assured me there were virtually no side effects. I took it for 6 months, and then went off cold turkey. It helped me to feel better, but now I am worse because I have gained 30 pounds this year!! I have always been a thin person, about 5'9 and 130 -140pounds, which I was OK with. But this I can't handle. I had no idea it could cause weight gain or I wouldn't have ever done it! Just today I am reading how hard it is to lose weight caused by antidepressants. Diet and exercise alone aren't enough???? No wonder I'm getting discouraged!!! Somewhere I read omega 3? Can someone help me, I've got to get this weight off and get back to my normal life!! I'm so scared now that I can't!!!

 

[Evil Genius]

Oh I'm sorry your so panicked. Slow deep breaths. Have you talked to your doctor about all this? He might be able to tell you a safe way to lose the weight. I wish I could be more help.

 

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

No, I can't stand my Dr- I haven't been back since he prescribed the meds. He tends to think women are silly creatures not worth his time. Thanks for caring Evil Genius!! Yes I am panicked, I'm afraid I'm stuck with this weight!

Has anyone been thru this and can give me some advice as what to do? PLEASE!!!!

 

[tbstein]

Hmmm...time for a new doctor. I changed dr's once because of this very same reason.

I have heard about similar issues with anti-depressants. But you will do ok. Diet, exercise and yes, Omega 3 will help you. You may want to look into some amino acid suppliments to help to get back to balance.

I wish you good luck, and hope you can find a different doctor. Have you considered a D.O. rather than an M.D.? They are a bit more holistic and such.

Here's some pixie dust to brighten your day! You can do it! After 8 years, I finally found the right doctor and lost the first 45 pounds of the 80 I need. You can do it!

Best to you

Wendy

 

[MiniGirl]

I'm so sorry to hear about what you're going through. I have absolutely no medical training or experience with this drug or others like it. I do understand though. When I was going through my chemo, I was given prednisone, and I gained quite a bit of weight. I did eventually get it off though.

If your comfortable talking to your friends, I would suggest you ask them for the names of doctors in your area or to ask their friends for names, too. One or 2 names will keep coming up, and maybe this new, more caring doctor could help you.

Good luck to you. Please let us know how you're doing.

 

[blue_eyes5212]

I know how frustrating and upsetting being overweight is. Sometimes you feel "trapped" inside your own body!

I don't have any tips, but I just wanted to say that I understand.

I found a DR that I really like and I think it helps that she is a woman, because she can understand better what women go through. So that might be an idea as far as a new DR goes

 

[donac]

I agree that when I found a female doctor who takes the time to really talk to you and understand you that I did much better. Ask around. Talk to some nurses, they seem to know the right doctors to go to.

 

[tbstein]

Hope you are getting into a better swing! I did send you that info you wanted. I really hope it helps. Sometimes the emotional aspect of being a woman with any issue is hard for some doctors. I am thinking of you and sending you lots of pixie dust to help you!

Here's a hug too!


Best to you! Hope to see you soon!

Wendy

 

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

Thanks so much tb stein! I will definitely look into that this weekend. ALso , thanks to all for the support.

I think the hardest thing for me to deal with is knowing that I did this to myself, I took that stupid medicine, and this weight gain is the result. I really wouldn't have taken it had I known. I didn't even ask for it, It was only situational depression, we had a death in the family. And now I feel like I am facing real depression. But, I am feeling a bit better about it, knowing that some of you have beat this thing. I just hope I'm strong enough to do it!

There is a website, something about the road back. Anyone ever heard of this? It has to do with medicinal weight gain. It states that exercise and diet are not enough and then refers you to a company that sells omega 3, some protein somethings, etc etc. It scared me to death, thinking I would have to do all of this to lose my weight. I don't mind taking a supplement or two, but this was quite a lot, and quite alot of $$. I am going to take the omega 3, not from there, but just regular omega 3, and see if that helps. Wish me luck!

Someone said something about feeling like you are trapped in your own body. Absolutley!! When I think of myself, I don't think of myself the way I am now. I think of myself the way I was before, much thinner. It's very depressing. But I'm bound and determined to do something about it!

 

[tbstein]

You bet! You sure sound like someone who is determined, and that will bring about your success!

Good luck! I agree, just go to walgreens and buy omega 3 supplement. No need to spend big bucks for stuff that isn't necessary.

Best to you!


Wendy

 

[miss missy]

Hi there!

I was once on Celexa and for me I lost weight! Big time! I had 0 appetite. Now as far as side effects, mine where bad! No drive at all in the b-room and I started grinding like crazy. I went through mouth gaurd after mouth gaurd! It was aweful! I am happy to report ALL side effects are gone now, except I do clench my teeth and have to concenstrate not too.

I am sad that they put me on it. Mine was situational, something that would go away with time, yet they through me on that so fast and I went numb, oh it helped, becuz I didn't care about much of anything LOL!

Anyway, all it great now. I did gain since and went back to where I was and am now working to loose again, and it is coming off no problem.

You should NEVER go off these meds cold turkey- NEVER! So I would take to the DR about that. And as far as losing the weight, weight is weight, no matter what caused it, it can come off if you work at it. Don't believe the lie that it is harder beacuse Celexa caused it, that a lie.

Best of luck. Put your mind to it and it will go!

 

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

Hi there!

You should NEVER go off these meds cold turkey- NEVER! So I would take to the DR about that. And as far as losing the weight, weight is weight, no matter what caused it, it can come off if you work at it. Don't believe the lie that it is harder beacuse Celexa caused it, that a lie.

Best of luck. Put your mind to it and it will go!

I wondered about that, because when I decided to go off of them, I started feeling really funny. So I called the Dr after a day or two-after hours on the weekend even- to see if I should taper, and he said no, I would be fine. It went away after awhile, but for days I would yawn nonstop. And I just felt weird. It was really hard. Around here, Drs are not known for being super knowledgable. If you have something really serious, it s wise to drive about 3 hrs to a larger city for a second opinion. Anyway, I'm Ok now, but that probably wasn't the best thing to do I guess.

And that's good to know about the weight. I'm trying, trying trying....


And, Thanks once again Wendy!

 

[miss missy]

I wondered about that, because when I decided to go off of them, I started feeling really funny. So I called the Dr after a day or two-after hours on the weekend even- to see if I should taper, and he said no, I would be fine. It went away after awhile, but for days I would yawn nonstop. And I just felt weird. It was really hard. Around here, Drs are not known for being super knowledgable. If you have something really serious, it s wise to drive about 3 hrs to a larger city for a second opinion. Anyway, I'm Ok now, but that probably wasn't the best thing to do I guess.

And that's good to know about the weight. I'm trying, trying trying....


And, Thanks once again Wendy!

WOW! It is such common knowledge to never go off ANY anti-depressant cold turkey, where has the Dr been? How many mg's were you on? It was 2 weeks on each mg to get off. So if you were on 20, you would cut them to 10 mg's and take 10 for 2 weeks...

 

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

I was on 20mg.....I don't know, but what's done is done so hopefully there are no long term effects

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

Haley'smomom, I'm sorry you're feeling in bad sorts. Depression sucks. I was diagnosed with Manic Depression / Bipolar disorder back in 2000 shortly after my father passed away. The doc's put me on so many different meds, trying to find one that worked for me. I can tell you that depakote and neurontin made me blow up and gain a ton of weight - some of which I still carry, but am working on losing now.

Please find a new doctor who will be sympathetic to your needs and will work on finding the right combination of meds that will help you out. Going cold turkey isn't good, but it is what I did, and I feel much better. I no longer need the medication, and only rarely exhibit any symptoms of my diagnosis. And yes, I am still under a doctor's care, I know that should the symptoms ever re-appear, I will seek out help again.

Did you know, that some doctors advocate sunlight instead of pills? 15 minutes of sunshine is said to have the same chemical effects as prozac. Gardening, likewise is said to have a calming effect and releases seratonin. These may not work for you, but it is how I found my center again.

Best of luck sweet heart.

 

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

Thank you UrsulasMyHero! Actually I'm feeling much better now, just bound and determined,lol I decided it won't do any good to sit around and feel sorry for myself. And Yesterday I woke up just feeling good, and it has continued on thru today. Maybe it does have something to do with that sunshine. We were out in it all weekend I've always heard of natural light therapy, but I didn't know it could have the same effects as prozac in 15 min. Very cool! I also planted all of my flowers Saturday, so I think you may be onto something there Thanks so much and best of luck to you too!

 

[miss missy]

Thank you UrsulasMyHero! Actually I'm feeling much better now, just bound and determined,lol I decided it won't do any good to sit around and feel sorry for myself. And Yesterday I woke up just feeling good, and it has continued on thru today. Maybe it does have something to do with that sunshine. We were out in it all weekend I've always heard of natural light therapy, but I didn't know it could have the same effects as prozac in 15 min. Very cool! I also planted all of my flowers Saturday, so I think you may be onto something there Thanks so much and best of luck to you too!

Oh there is for sure a sun factor for some of us. There is a thread around the CB board about SAD and how some vitimins can help! Have a great day!

 

[tbstein]

I have to agree about tapering off these types of meds. I am on cymbalta, and one of the warnings that was on the first print out I recieved with my first filled prescription warned heavily about it. Shoot, if I am off a day, I feel weird.

Good luck Haley's mom!


Wendy