Zoloft and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Gin...
• March 7, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "I've taken 50 mg Zoloft for almost 2 years for anxiety. I love Zoloft and am so grateful for the mental freedom that it has given me. Since I have been on it, I have been much, MUCH happier. Recently, I decided that I am finally ready to embark on a healthier lifestyle. I started working out religiously 5-6 hrs/week, a combination of weight training and cardio, along with calorie monitoring of 1200-1500/day. I have been unable to lose hardly any weight. I've lost 5 lbs total. I am wondering if it is because of the Zoloft? I am now weaning myself off of it to see if I am able to maintain a happy disposition. I'm hoping that I succeed in controlling my anxiety on my own & will be interested to see if the weight starts coming off."

• Anonymous
• December 21, 2017

For Depression "I started this medicine for depression and anxiety. Every medicine works differently on everyone, but this medicine altered my life completely and not in a good way. I turned into a person who wasn’t me, I lost friends from my changed personality, ruined relationships, and went from 130 lb to 160 pounds in just three months. I cried and was more suicidal and sad than I’ve ever been. People would always tell me, “What happened to the old you?” I didn’t know and went to my doctor, was quickly switched off, and went onto a different medication, and getting off of it was the best thing. My personality went back to the old me, and I regained my relationship and friendships back, and I lost almost all the weight I gained. Zoloft wasn’t for me personally."

• Pee...
• May 2, 2016

For Social Anxiety Disorder "In a desperate effort to get help for my anxiety, depression, and PMDD symptoms, I turned to Zoloft. I was happy with it at first, as I did feel better. I was very tired, however. A happy zombie, really, with poor concentration and memory and a huge appetite. But after a few months, the effects started to wear off. My Dr. increased my dose steadily, and with that, my weight increased rapidly. Other side effects were uncontrollable diarrhea and TMJ. I discontinued the medication, and after 9 months on it, I was left with a 17-pound weight gain, mostly in my belly and back/upper sides. The other side effects are over, and I didn't have many withdrawal symptoms. After 2 months, my appetite and energy are back to normal, but I've not lost a pound yet."

• Cri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2017

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I was put on Zoloft for PTSD. I took 25 mg daily for just over 3 months. It really did help my anxiety and allowed me to finish the school year. With Zoloft, I have been a lot calmer, and it really helped me with day-to-day activities. If you just started this medication and are experiencing side effects, hang in there! My first week made me very nauseous and gave me insomnia. The nausea lasted only a week for me. Even though it did wonders for my mental health, it gave me a lot of physical health issues, so I had to stop taking the medication. It caused me to gain a lot of weight in a short amount of time. Furthermore, it caused a slight bedwetting issue and very elevated liver enzymes. Good for anxiety, but my body didn't like it."

• The...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 24, 2022

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I was on Zoloft from September 2003 until December 2008. It didn't do anything for my anxiety; it made me have a feeling of overwhelming fear (which was diagnosed as simple partial seizures in December 2008) and heart palpitations. I only disclosed the overwhelming sense of fear to my pediatrician; personal reasons made me not disclose the heart palpitations. Whenever he examined me, he didn't say anything, so neither did I. I thought I was paranoid and crazy because of this; I still managed to walk, run, and swim since I thought I was imagining this. It made me physically slower (I didn't realize this until I spoke to my mother about the drug sometime after 2008). I discovered, in 2013, that this drug causes palpitations when I spoke to a (now ex) boyfriend. He was telling me about the side effects he experienced. It now made sense as to why this happened. I also gained a lot of weight. I stopped cold turkey and had no withdrawal symptoms due to the drug's bad side effects."

• NTa...
• March 12, 2020

"I started Zoloft 3 months postpartum. Not for postpartum depression, rather for anxiety and OCD. I experienced no side effects initially at 50 mg. I felt great the first month: annoying habits of my husband's didn't bother me as much, my thoughts didn't spiral into negativity like they tend to, and work issues didn't affect me much. I can't say it helped OCD at all - I saw no change. However, my experience declined steadily over the next 3 months due to side effects. I started grinding my teeth, causing the growth of mandibular tori (bony outgrowths in your mouth - permanent), absolutely zero sex drive, and weight gain (about 25-30 lbs). The latter was particularly upsetting because I had lost nearly all my baby weight before. My husband said I seem unhappy now that I've weaned off (been off about 2 weeks). However, this could be because I'm speaking up about his annoying habits again. My mood feels fine to me. 100% the benefits of this drug do not outweigh the negatives."

• Dan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 16, 2019

For Postpartum Depression "Zoloft pulled me out of a dark time, but I also literally cannot stop eating. I have no self-control and gained 15 lbs in 4 months. I’m titrating myself off because being fat is making me feel horrible."

• Lil...
• April 19, 2016

For Panic Disorder "Horrible. I was put on it right after the birth of my second son for anxiety. It took me two years to realize that the Zoloft was the cause of my increased desire to drink (I would drink a bottle of whiskey and think nothing of it, and before Zoloft, that never would have happened), weight gain (over 30 lbs), and an overall depersonalized and foggy feeling. I felt like a robot going through the motions. I became very lazy (I am a go-go-go person. Never have I been lazy in my life), and it negatively affected my relationships with my husband and kids. I was just disinterested in everything. I was really unhappy. I never thought it was the Zoloft, I just thought I was a stressed, tired, and burned-out mom... I've successfully weaned off and will never take it again."

• sle...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 25, 2016

For Panic Disorder "I was put on Zoloft by my doctor for panic attacks about sleeping/falling asleep after she felt I was too dependent on Clonazepam. This definitely worked for anxiety, however, I gained around 30+ pounds in a little over a year and a half. I was still exercising regularly and eating normally. It started slowly, and then one day, none of my pants fit me anymore. The last straw was when I went to the doctor for my yearly check-up and was 200 pounds. I weaned myself off of it, and almost immediately, I felt less bloated. It has been a little over a week, and I'm suffering terrible dizziness and headaches. I'm determined to never be on this crap again."

• Sus...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 19, 2017

For Social Anxiety Disorder "Worked well when I started the 25 mg, but then after a few weeks (maybe 2) I went back to being anxious as ever but only now with tons of side effects, caused me to gain a ton of weight and increased my appetite, causes excessive sweating, and a bunch more. Basically, I'm on medicine that causes a bunch more problems, and I feel like it makes my anxiety worse. And no, I haven't just been on Zoloft for a few weeks. I've been on it for at least 8 months already, and I'm now on 150 mg. And still no change. It works for some people and not for others, and it did not work for me."

• lum...
• June 1, 2009

For Depression "I was very depressed during and after my pregnancy. Finally, I found a good doctor, and she prescribed Zoloft. I felt the difference from the beginning. I had some side effects, but nothing major, however, the only complaint I have is the weight gain. I take 25 mg daily, a very low dose, but I am getting very heavy. I've been taking Zoloft for almost 2 years and feel okay, but not cured."

• Old...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 21, 2016

For Social Anxiety Disorder "Causes extreme drowsiness. Can sleep anywhere and anytime. Tough to do any driving of over an hour or two. Slowed metabolism and resulting weight gain. Motivation is gone. Just want to sit around and do nothing. Erectile dysfunction is also a problem but addressed with other very expensive drugs."

• Anonymous
• March 21, 2012

For Depression "I was on Zoloft for two years. I started taking it after I had a panic attack due to extreme stress. It worked well for me. I tried Lexapro for a few days, maybe 9 to be exact, and I couldn't function. I couldn't lift my head or have the strength to care for my son, who was a baby at the time. Zoloft was amazing. I stayed on 50 mg and felt normal again. But with that said, I did gain 30 pounds. The medicine makes you feel so relaxed, as before I was a calorie counter and obsessed with what I ate. I didn't mind much because I was better, that's what mattered. I came off of it and decided to get back on 5 months after stopping. I can say the second time around of being on it doesn't work for me. Like others, I must have become immune to it."

• Syd...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 21, 2021

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I started on a low dose of Zoloft a few years back but was still experiencing severe anxiety. My doctor upped my dose, and I have been on 200 mg of Zoloft every day for a few years. It definitely helps with my anxiety but is not the best drug. I have experienced a nonexistent libido, inability to orgasm, and have definitely gained a few pounds. I’m currently weaning off meds altogether, and it has not been pleasant. My withdrawal symptoms are extremely fatigue, stomach problems, irritability, increased anxiety. All of this is expected but still uncomfortable. While taking the Zoloft, my anxiety was better, but I always felt apathetic. Not the worst drug for anxiety but definitely not worth the side effects for me."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2018

For Panic Disorder "I took Zoloft for approximately five months. It helped a lot with my anxiety, particularly as it pertained to driving (I have had panic attacks when driving on the interstate). However, I gained 10 pounds and did not change my eating or exercise habits. I cannot tolerate weight gain--then I really would be depressed! My doctor said to half the dose (from 50 mg to 25) for a week, and then I could stop. This worked fine for me, and I only experienced a headache and fuzzy feeling the first day off. I am not going to try another drug of this type unless necessary. I am going to try other ways of dealing with anxiety. I know that is not always an option, and my anxiety is pretty much circumstantial. I hope the weight comes off, as many have said it hangs on!"

• koo...
• November 10, 2009

For Depression "Started taking 100 mg one year ago for mild postpartum depression. It really helped me for the first 6 (ish) months, and I definitely felt a change. I started feeling depressed again (several life 'happenings'), so my doctor increased my dose to 150 mg, which I have currently been taking for going on 4 months now. I've been feeling depressed again and am at the point where I either need to increase my dose (again...and I'm already on a high dose) or switch to a different medicine. I think I'm trying the latter. Some of the side effects I have experienced: insomnia, extreme fatigue, slight weight gain (10 lbs over a one-year period...active young mom, so very weird for me), increased depression, headaches."

• Hea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 12, 2021

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "So I've had severe panic attacks, anxiety, and depression from losing my mother in 2010. I had tried others before taking Zoloft, and they weren't as good as taking Zoloft. I have finally stopped taking it because it has made me gain so much weight. I was 135 lb when I started and am now 200 lbs, but other than the major weight gain, it has helped me. The withdrawals are pretty bad currently, but I'm hoping that now that my life is in order and great, I can do it without it. Just wanted to tell my experiences."

• Anonymous
• December 6, 2011

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I was diagnosed with PMDD about 9 months ago, after tracking symptoms with my gynecologist. We tried the Yaz/Zoloft treatment (25 mg) for three months, one week prior to my period. The first month, it worked like a charm. The second, I started feeling off, almost numb to things. By the third, I was a basket case. This is also when the weight gain kicked in - I gained almost 15 lbs in 5-6 weeks. If I wasn't depressed before, this definitely did the trick. My doctor then took me off the Yaz/Zoloft regimen and opted to stop my periods altogether, to stop the monthly hormone fluctuation. I have been on Seasonique for three months, and it has been amazing! I am finally feeling back to myself after almost a year."

• Lan...
• October 23, 2011

For Depression "I took this for over a year at age 20, it got me out of a depressing time. I have always been a VERY shy person and quiet. Literally, a day or two after I started taking this, I was with some friends, and I was like the center of the conversation. I felt like all the mental stuff holding me back was gone! I started thinking more positively while I was on this. I still had bad days, I was unemployed at the time but got through it. I did gain 25 lbs while on this. I finally got to a point where I wasn't depressed anymore and was beginning to overreact to situations and was getting a discontented/sad feeling where I felt like I had to be doing something, so I stopped cold turkey and was okay. I lost all 25 lbs, my quieter self is back and depression-free."

• Lpa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 16, 2016

For Panic Disorder "I had some anxiety in college, then graduated, and the anxiety stayed. I used medication as my last resort, and after my doctor decided taking clonazepam every day wasn't cutting it, I went on Zoloft. I expressed my concern about the weight gain aspect of this drug, and my doctor told me this was weight neutral....HA. A year later and I am 25 pounds heavier despite a strict diet and exercise. The drug does wonders for anxiety, but I cannot deal with the weight. I am now considered obese. I've tried everything, and the only thing that seems to work is simply not eating (which obviously isn't practical). I am in the process of getting off this drug."

• Hop...
• November 19, 2011

For Depression "Recent depression creeping up; extreme lows and mood swings, general and especially social anxiety, lethargy, nighttime binge eating ... so gained weight (52 lbs) in the last 1.5 years, which destroyed my self-confidence/image. I've been spending my life in bed, only getting up to go to work where I'm very distracted and have difficulty concentrating, mind racing with negative thoughts and having anxiety. I finally decided that it was time to try medication. Started 50 mg with dinner tonight. Halfway through dinner, I lost my appetite and became very tired, decided to take an hour nap and woke up 1 hour later with pupils dilated, jaw clenched, shivering, and diarrhea, feeling cloudy mentally. Hope it gets better."

• Mad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2018

For Panic Disorder "I was on Celexa for 6 years for panic disorder, depression, and generalized anxiety. After 6 years of being on Celexa, I was really fed up with the sexual side effects and the weight, so I switched to Zoloft. I was super skeptical at first, given I was starting a new job at the time, and it is never easy to change medication. I sucked up my fears and weaned off the Celexa and started the Zoloft. Unfortunately for me, I have had really bad side effects from Zoloft. My panic disorder and anxiety are through the roof... It has never been this bad before. Additionally, my heart rate is extremely accelerated and causing heart palpitations. I am mad at myself for weaning off the Celexa because it did indeed help with my panic disorder, depression, and anxiety. Although I gained weight on Celexa and experienced a lot of negative sexual side effects, I am hoping to get back on it next week! I know Zoloft works for a lot of people (my roommate included), but this was not the drug for me."

• zol...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 10, 2021

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have panic, anxiety, OCD, depression, PMDD. Guys, apart from the horrible first-month side effects, Zoloft was perfect on depression and OCD for me, but not that good for my anxiety. Also, I sometimes would wake up at night feeling jittery, anxious, and sweaty, which is gone now since I stopped Zoloft. I'm using escitalopram now. I just wish my food cravings would stop. I gained weight on Zoloft, and now with escitalopram, the increase of appetite is still there, if not more. But I guess you won't gain weight if you exercise more."

• Rac...
• March 8, 2012

For Panic Disorder "I have been on Zoloft for the past two months. In that time, I have been less angry and anxious. However, I have gained 20 lbs. I have had gastric banding surgery, and I follow Weight Watchers. I stay within my food intake guidelines, and in the past month, I have introduced exercise. I was losing weight steadily at a healthy rate before I started on Zoloft. Even though the medication is working to help my anxiety, OCD, and depression, I am willing to try another medication because the weight gain is one of the issues affecting my moods. It may work for some, but I am finding more and more people who have had drastic weight gain while taking the medicine."

• LSA...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 27, 2021

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "Okay, but not great, still irritated in luteal phase, gained a lot of weight on this pill, pretty sure it played a part. The most difference I noticed with the drug was my focus improved very little in the luteal phase, but not so much it was worth continuing."