[auntybiotic]

Hi,

Staring a new more specific post.

Want to hear if anyone else is experiencing severe stomach cramping and naseau either while on lexapro or while tapering.

Also how much weight did you gain while on lexapro and did you lose it after stopping lexapr?

[mp3wishes]

I have taken lexapro for 8 months just stopping about 2 weeks ago. The following were my symptoms.
stomach cramping, weight gain about 10 pounds, (mostly in the last 4 months), night sweats, extreme tiredness!!, and headaches after stopping.

I am looking to lose the weight I have gained. I am lifting weights 3x's a week and getting exercise at least 3 - 4 times a week any where to 1/2 hour to 1 hour 1/2 worth of biking at 15 - 18 miles per hour. I am about 5' 7" 152 pounds and was eating about 1700 a day. I have recently cut that back to about 1200. I have been doing that for about 2 weeks and have not lost a pound yet. 4 months before I started the drug I was 142 at 17.5 % body fat. I will continue to let others know the length of time it takes to loose some of this extra poundage!

My doctor has no information about the any side affects after stopping the drug, and also indicated that if my weight gain was from the drug it would have happened right away. Based on what I have read, it appears that may not be the case.

quote:Originally posted by auntybiotic

Hi,

Staring a new more specific post.

Want to hear if anyone else is experiencing severe stomach cramping and naseau either while on lexapro or while tapering.

Also how much weight did you gain while on lexapro and did you lose it after stopping lexapr?

[auntybiotic]

MP3wishes,

I how are you doing with the lexapro withdrawal?? Hows the weight issue. Just thinking of you.

[cmlc]

I started taking lexapro 10's in Aug 04, and then went up to 20's in Nov 04. It is now August '05 and I have put on a good 30 pounds. I am (was) a very thin girl at 5' 8" and 125 lbs. I am now a solid 150-155. Working out vigorously has not put a dent in this weight gain. I have been working out 6 days a week for almost 2 hrs a day for 6 weeks. I have now figured out that the only way to lose this weight is to get off the lexapro. I have been taking 10's for 6 days now, and am not experiencing any withdrawal. However, I am very moody and don't have the "up" that I was experienced with the 20's. I feel mellow, tired, and fat. I will keep you posted, and have a question...can you lose that weight that you gain from lexapro?

quote:Originally posted by mp3wishes

I have taken lexapro for 8 months just stopping about 2 weeks ago. The following were my symptoms.
stomach cramping, weight gain about 10 pounds, (mostly in the last 4 months), night sweats, extreme tiredness!!, and headaches after stopping.

I am looking to lose the weight I have gained. I am lifting weights 3x's a week and getting exercise at least 3 - 4 times a week any where to 1/2 hour to 1 hour 1/2 worth of biking at 15 - 18 miles per hour. I am about 5' 7" 152 pounds and was eating about 1700 a day. I have recently cut that back to about 1200. I have been doing that for about 2 weeks and have not lost a pound yet. 4 months before I started the drug I was 142 at 17.5 % body fat. I will continue to let others know the length of time it takes to loose some of this extra poundage!

My doctor has no information about the any side affects after stopping the drug, and also indicated that if my weight gain was from the drug it would have happened right away. Based on what I have read, it appears that may not be the case.

[auntybiotic]

Hi,

I have heard mixed reviews. some cannot get rid ofthe weight while others are able to lose some of it. I believe that Lexapro messes with the metabolism and it may be a permanebt effect. Let us know how you do.
aunty

[scruffi]

I too have gained 20 unwanted pounds on Celexa (similar to Lexapro).

Isn't there some way we can do without them? I read about the weight gain problem from all types of ssri's, so switching is probably not the answer.

Does the weight just fall off if you stop taking them? Being overweight sucks!

[cmlc]

I am not sure if we can do without them, but I am going to try. I am in my 7th day of tapering off of lexapro, and it will take 30 days to complete. I honestly think that my body is already starting to shed some of the excess fat that has landed in my mid section (my abdomen looks like it has eaten a small animal!). I am also starting a psychologist next week, and hopefully psychotherapy can replace medicating. However, as we all know, this is a chemical deal (or so the psychs say), so clinically speaking I will be "unbalanced'. I have found a lot of relief by exercising vigorously 5 to 6 days a week. It really helps clear my mind. I will, keep you posted on my progress. I have noticed that I am a little moodier than where I was while taking 20 of lexapro. I also have no patience these days, but if I can conquer this then I will feel like a real champ!

quote:Originally posted by scruffi

I too have gained 20 unwanted pounds on Celexa (similar to Lexapro).

Isn't there some way we can do without them? I read about the weight gain problem from all types of ssri's, so switching is probably not the answer.

Does the weight just fall off if you stop taking them? Being overweight sucks!

[auntybiotic]

CMLC,

You do not have a chemical imbalance, Lexapro causes one. My daughter was Rx for Jaw Clenching, now she is depressed with anxiety and insomia all due to the Lexapro.

You can get off, 30 days may be too fast to taper from 10 Mg. See how you do, if it gets bad you can always slow down the taper. Try The Carlson's Fish Oil Liquid for the weight. Let us know how you are doing and what symptoms have snuck up.

The moodiness and temper rages are withdrawal, so is anxiety, nightmares, craving carbs, crying at the drop of a hat and sleeplessness, dizziness, naseau, sinus pressure and ear ringing. Just a warning in case you may develop any of them.
Keep us informed.
aunt y

[Patty123]

About the weight gain--

This has always been my chief distress regarding ssris which I have taken now for ten years. At the beginning, I was so unhappy that I was willing to trade that for 'fat'--but I have over the years become increasingly upset about the weight. Over ten years, I have gained 20-30 pounds--from 130 to 150 and sometimes 160 when it is really bad. I am 5'3". Over the last year, I have reduced Lexapro from 20 to 10 and have instead taken Wellbutrin XL (600). Mood has been really good on the Wellbutrin, but weight has not budged despite regular exercise at least 5x a week plus healthful diet.

The fact that I cannot take weight off despite effort is maddening. I am now trying to get off the Lex in the hopes of making a difference.

I am interested to hear whether anyone has been able to shed the pounds after forgoing the Lex. How long did it take?

Patty

[auntybiotic]

Patty123,

How are you doing? Did you stop the Lexapro? Did you lose any weight. Please let us know because there are so many wanting to do the same thing.

How are the withdrawals from the lexapro?

[cmlc]

Hi Patty. I wanted to let you know that I too have packed on the lbs with lexapro and am so mad. I was on 20's, and then went down to 10's. I have been on the 10's for 3 weeks now, and no weight change. I am about to taper to 5's for 10 days and then be done with the lexapro. I went to my psych. yesterday, and he told me something I found very interesting. He told me that the dosage of lexapro has nothing to do with the amount of weight you gain meaning that if you are 5mgs or 20mgs, if you are going to gain weight you are going to gain it. I thought that when I went down to 10's, I would see some of my extra 30 lbs slide off. Nothing. As long as it is in your system, the dosing is irrelevant as far as weight gain. By the way, I work out 5-6 days a week for almost 2hours a day, and the weight in my middle will not budge. It is kind of funny. It's like someone filled my midsection with lead.

Anyway, my doctor suggested Effexor or a new SSRI that came out 6 months ago. I am trying to get off of any and all of this stuff, and find another way to deal with my anxiety. I have taken Wellbutrin, and that lasted about a week with me (I experienced all the side-effects). I hope that you find something that works, and I will keep you posted on my weight-loss efforts. In 10 days I will be off lexapro, so we'll see what happens!

[bella_mania]

Just thought I'd chime in that I've gained about 25lbs in the 8 months that I've been on Lexapro. I started off @ 10mg went up to 15mg and stayed there. I'm currently in my end week of 10mg since I'm starting to wean myself off the meds altogether.

Anyway, my weight gain has been steady at about a pound a week. At first I didn't notice is at all since I was underweight (due to my depression/anxiety) and was looking to gain about 5-10 lbs. But, when the weight wouldn't stop adding up I started to get upset (I still am). I'm a total gym rat - I work out 5 days a week. I alternate my workouts each day so it's either 5 miles on my treadmill, 3 mile intervals on the elliptical or 1 hour weight training.

I'm hopeful that with the reduction (and eventually cesstation) of lexapro that I'll be able to get rid of these unwanted pounds.

I'm also really looking forward to getting rid of my awful, horrible night sweats, too. Anyone else experience this?

[shora]

I've been searching the net for information on weight gain and lexapro, since I was told by my doctor that this would not be a problem.
Have been on lexapro for about a year and half and it did help my depression enormously. I felt like a new person - being able to think clearly, no more obsessive, sad thoughts. And the first few months I actually lost a couple of pounds.
But the past five months or so, it seems my metabolism has suddenly become stuck in low gear. Now about 15 pounds heavier, and no longer depressed - but fat, I'm trying to get off the stuff. Was able to get down to 2.5 mg, but can't seem to quit completely. When I don't take a dose, I get "brain shocks", low-grade fever and massive stomach cramping. I've been on the low dose for weeks, but no weight loss, despite working out every day.
Can someone give me hope that my body will someday get back to normal? maria

[auntybiotic]

Shora,
What dose of Lexapro were you on for a year and a half. How did you taper down to 2.5? Did you have many withdrawals? Have you tried going on the liquid and tapering from 2.5 to 2.25 them 2 then 1.75 and so on?

Do you crave carbs?
Does your stomach seem bloated.
Do you have trouble sleeping? Any nightmares?It is hard to say how long it will take to get your metabolism back to normal.
Thanks,
aunty

[cmlc]

Maria,

I weaned from 20s to 10s, and stayed on the 10s for a while (around 3 wks). Then weaned to 5s, and then I quit. My doctor told me to take 5s for 7 days, and then gave me klonopin for the days where I needed a little help. I thought that he was tapering me too quickly, but he wasn't.

Well, I have now been off lexapro for a week. I have not had the drug in my system for 7 days!!! Although it was a very hard thing to stick with, I wasn't going to turn back. The tapering down to 5's, and taking those for a week really was no problem. The problem started last Sunday (8 days ago) when I woke up not taking the lex.

My major complaints are complete grumpiness and absolutely no patience. (These are beiginnging to subside, and the past 2 days I have noticed being a little nicer and having more patience). My doctor says that these are actually symptoms of withdrawing from the drug. My head symptoms: it feels like my brain is re-arranging itself; I cannot explain this, but if you have it you know what I am talking about. Also, if you have ever watched a piece of ice start to crack before it melts, I feel like that is what has happened to my brain. I have not had any headaches, just weird little zings here and there. And, sometimes when I am driving my car I honestly feel like I am on drugs. I am in some parallel dimension! I think the drug plays tricks on us, using our heads as a way to get back in. I am not budging!

All of the symptoms above started 2 days after I stopped taking lexapro. They got worse, and now they have gottem a lot, lot better...I expect that within 3 days they will all be gone. Also, please note that I really haven't experienced any major anxiety! This is why I was placed on lexapro. Two times I thought I could feel anxiety coming on, so I quickly took klonopin. (however, I think these attacks were directly related to what has happened with hurricane Katrina...seeing those people in such bad conditions overwhelms me).

I will sing the praises of lexapro all day long. It really worked great for me! However, it is very scary the way my body has responded to not having it anymore. This drugs really messes with your head and body, and I mean down to the physiological level. For now, I have no problem taking a klonopin every once in a while when I feel like anxiety is coming. I just have to remember to be proactive, and not reactive! I have even thought about psycho-therapy sessions to replace the benefits of lexapro.

So for the good part....weight loss! Finally!!! My husband looked at me for the first time in a really long time and told me he could see a weight change. Anyway, I know it has only been a week but I swear some of the changes the lexapro did to me are going away. I do work out on average 5 days a week, with around an hour of cardio and then weights. Exercise did not made a dent in my body while on lexapro. And finally, I feel like I am getting somewhere! I don't think that any of us can sit around and think that we can quit lexapro and watch the weight we gained go away. But, I do think that once off of the drug, we will finally find positive results from the hours at the gym.

So Maria, you can get off the lexapro. You are almost there. I told myself I was going to suck it up, and that I couldn't be stuck in a state of withdrawl funk forever! Yeah, it really kinda stinks for about 5 days. But if you can get through a couple of bad days you can do it. Make sure you talk to your doctor, and maybe he can give you something to help through the especially hard days. And just think, you can finally get back to being your real self! How great is that!!!

quote:Originally posted by shora

I've been searching the net for information on weight gain and lexapro, since I was told by my doctor that this would not be a problem.
Have been on lexapro for about a year and half and it did help my depression enormously. I felt like a new person - being able to think clearly, no more obsessive, sad thoughts. And the first few months I actually lost a couple of pounds.
But the past five months or so, it seems my metabolism has suddenly become stuck in low gear. Now about 15 pounds heavier, and no longer depressed - but fat, I'm trying to get off the stuff. Was able to get down to 2.5 mg, but can't seem to quit completely. When I don't take a dose, I get "brain shocks", low-grade fever and massive stomach cramping. I've been on the low dose for weeks, but no weight loss, despite working out every day.
Can someone give me hope that my body will someday get back to normal? maria

[lisah]

I just called my doctor and told them to take me off of Lexapro. I have only been taking it since July 1st and have gained 10 lbs. I work out 5-6 days per week and have never gained weight this fast. I would rather be INSANE than gain this kind of weight. I am only on 10 mg. Anyone have any luck with any other antidepressant? I guess I might just go without. Thanks.

quote:Originally posted by cmlc

Maria,

I weaned from 20s to 10s, and stayed on the 10s for a while (around 3 wks). Then weaned to 5s, and then I quit. My doctor told me to take 5s for 7 days, and then gave me klonopin for the days where I needed a little help. I thought that he was tapering me too quickly, but he wasn't.

Well, I have now been off lexapro for a week. I have not had the drug in my system for 7 days!!! Although it was a very hard thing to stick with, I wasn't going to turn back. The tapering down to 5's, and taking those for a week really was no problem. The problem started last Sunday (8 days ago) when I woke up not taking the lex.

My major complaints are complete grumpiness and absolutely no patience. (These are beiginnging to subside, and the past 2 days I have noticed being a little nicer and having more patience). My doctor says that these are actually symptoms of withdrawing from the drug. My head symptoms: it feels like my brain is re-arranging itself; I cannot explain this, but if you have it you know what I am talking about. Also, if you have ever watched a piece of ice start to crack before it melts, I feel like that is what has happened to my brain. I have not had any headaches, just weird little zings here and there. And, sometimes when I am driving my car I honestly feel like I am on drugs. I am in some parallel dimension! I think the drug plays tricks on us, using our heads as a way to get back in. I am not budging!

All of the symptoms above started 2 days after I stopped taking lexapro. They got worse, and now they have gottem a lot, lot better...I expect that within 3 days they will all be gone. Also, please note that I really haven't experienced any major anxiety! This is why I was placed on lexapro. Two times I thought I could feel anxiety coming on, so I quickly took klonopin. (however, I think these attacks were directly related to what has happened with hurricane Katrina...seeing those people in such bad conditions overwhelms me).

I will sing the praises of lexapro all day long. It really worked great for me! However, it is very scary the way my body has responded to not having it anymore. This drugs really messes with your head and body, and I mean down to the physiological level. For now, I have no problem taking a klonopin every once in a while when I feel like anxiety is coming. I just have to remember to be proactive, and not reactive! I have even thought about psycho-therapy sessions to replace the benefits of lexapro.

So for the good part....weight loss! Finally!!! My husband looked at me for the first time in a really long time and told me he could see a weight change. Anyway, I know it has only been a week but I swear some of the changes the lexapro did to me are going away. I do work out on average 5 days a week, with around an hour of cardio and then weights. Exercise did not made a dent in my body while on lexapro. And finally, I feel like I am getting somewhere! I don't think that any of us can sit around and think that we can quit lexapro and watch the weight we gained go away. But, I do think that once off of the drug, we will finally find positive results from the hours at the gym.

So Maria, you can get off the lexapro. You are almost there. I told myself I was going to suck it up, and that I couldn't be stuck in a state of withdrawl funk forever! Yeah, it really kinda stinks for about 5 days. But if you can get through a couple of bad days you can do it. Make sure you talk to your doctor, and maybe he can give you something to help through the especially hard days. And just think, you can finally get back to being your real self! How great is that!!!

[NomoreLex]

Hi, I am new here and I am really glad that I am not alone in this lexapro dilemma. I have gained so much weight on this drug... I have been on it for the past couple of years and now plan to wean myself off of it.. I am only 23 years old and my metabolism is very slow due to this drug. Yes it did help me but I somewhat feel tired all the time and I find myself not leaving the house... strange when I wasn't on medication I was outside all the time. I suffer from deression/anxiety/paranoia/bi-polar. Even being on this drug I find myself still getting nervous when I go to shopping centers. One time I went with my family on vacation to Las Vegas and I was having terrible panic attacks... my mom told me its because I dress different that people are staring but it was really bugging me to the point where I didnt want to leave the hotel and I was on meds! hah! I have tried Paxil/zoloft/prozac/celexa/cymbalta/trazadone/risperadol.....heh honestly I dont want anymore made made meds in my body... but I am afraid... once I get off these meds will I still be as bad as I was before I got on them ???! I am really scared! I don't know what to do! my dr doesnt give a ****, he just gives me the meds like candy and says that the meds don't make you gain wieght! Bull****! I am hoping that maybe this one natural anti-depressant called Deprex would help. I think about the future as well.. I want to eventually get married and have a child but how can I bare a child when I am taking meds that might ruin the pregnancy? I know I should'nt think this far ahead... but I am up to my neck here!

[auntybiotic]

No More Lex,

There are posts on this forum under Lexapro Withdrawal that is very active with 30 pages of posts and can help you along with the tapering off of lexapro. Taper by no more than 10% of your present dose.

If you are on 10 Mg that would mean by no more then 1 Mg (or less) about every 4 weeks or longer until you feel stable. Expect withdrawals from the tapering of Lexapro. See you at that forum. If you have trouble finding it............... Let me know

[DarlinDenise]

From what I can tell and from reading everyone's stories, Lexapro is a quick fix. The doctors put you on it and suddenly you feel better. I think it just puts off the inevitable.

It really messes with your brain and I'm sure the liver is really working overtime. Lexapro doesn't stand alone with this.

If you can work through your problems without the meds, then that's probably the best route to take.

My husband is doing much better and I have noticed withdrawal symtoms in him. He angers easily (which is something new). He's not sleeping at night (unless he takes a sleeping pill). And he did have one panic attack (from when he first started tapering off).

But on the better side of things, he seems more focused and more in control of himself.

I'm proud of him for realizing what has been going on in his brain and body and now he wants to do something about it. Our goal for 2006 is to come off all meds! (Both of us) And we promise that we will never feed our children any medication without reading all about it first.

I wish everyone the best of luck and I'll pray for everyone to have a quick and painfree recovery.

I wish more people would read this forum. There is so much useful information on here. So many people are on this medication and have no idea what they are doing to their bodies.

[RuthNash]

Hello everyone - I have been on 10 mg of Lexapro since mid May - they drug has definately calmed my mood swings and made a difference in my life... I started noticing mid August that I was starting to gain and just relaxed since Sept. brings a new exercise schedule my way -- since I started exercising I have gained 4 pounds and all in my mid section (it appears to me)... I KNOW this is now where my normal weight would go and am absolutely baffled by it all.... I have already reduced my dosage in the last days to 5 mg... Tonight I am taking nothing.. We'll see about these side effects - I might already be slightly more edgy but am hoping the exercise can offset it all... Also - I have had a lot of sleepless nights in the last 3 weeks and that cannot be good... I will keep you abreast of my experince... Thanks for sharing..

[gsdmom]

Hello--I've been on 10mg Lex for 1 yr 8 mos. I am very happy with how it's helped my anxiety, depression & subsequent indecision.
It was recommended for me since I have high blood pressure and it and Selexa seemed to have the least effect on that. Since
starting I've been able to make some tough decisions I knew I had to, but was paralyzed to deal with before. I still have my moods, but don't we all? BIG downside has been the weight gain--I am so happy to find validation here that it's not all in my mind or something else. My doctor (new to me after a move) sort of smugly suggested when I mentioned it that probably I was happier & eating more. Total gain has been 30 lbs and it keeps rising, lately getting worse, it's almost like the less I eat the faster I gain--just like everyone else has said it seems to make no difference on what I eat when, how active I am. And it's primarily in my stomach--I'm thinking that there is probably some bloating involved too. I guess misery loves company, I felt better reading that someone else was having the same experiences I was, . I am at the point where I buy [u]everything</u>
no fat, low cal, etc. Never been into fast food, junk food, love
veggies, couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. I would like to scale off & quit but the same doctor also told me, well, if you feel good there's no reason to quit. AND, I do feel well most of the time, that's surely important, and I don't want to go back to where I was . After reading everyone's experiences here, I think I will ask for a slow weaning with a backup plan. As far as other side effects, I have nausea on a semi regular basis, no rhyme or reason, and not severe. Thank you all for all the info posted.



Chris

[RuthNash]

Hello everyone... I have been off of 10 mg of lexapro for 4 weeks now... The first 2-3 weeks affected me with difficulty sleeping and dizziness and headache and nausea... Now things have tapered off - somedays I feel a little out of it --- I do exercise to keep down the moodiness and deal normally with life. I did gain about 7-9 pounds on Lexapro - I was on it for 4 months --- I started gaining in the 3rd-4th months and have still to see it taper off now that I have come off it... I am still diligently exercising but see no real weight loss bordering on possible weight gain... I am still thinking that the substance is in my system and I won't see results for maybe another month or two... Does anyone know for sure when things will go back to pre-lexapro?? Also - I have about 4-6 bowl movements per day - this never happened before lexapro.

Thanks for sharing...

Michelle

[flwrgrl]

this is the first time i've written, but i've been reading a lot. especially the Lexapro withdrawal forum. excellent. i was taking 15mg since may 2004. i have gained 15 lbs. and like many of you i never had a problem with my weight. my friends would joke i had a "hollow leg". i weened myself off over a month and half. 10mgs for 3-4 weeks, 5mg for a week or so, then 2.5 for a week or so. i did not experience the real bad symptoms, i did have very vivid dreams. because of the LW forum, i take two Omega 3 fish oil pills and a b50 twice a day. seems to be working to keep me calm, but i learned a lot about myself and my triggers and how to get a handle on them. i am doing well, BUT no weight coming off. i am hoping...