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buddha504 Member  Posts: 45 |
posted 04-06-2003 09:24 PM
  
Are there any Topomax users out there? I am curious if anyone has been prescribed topomax (a migraine medication-- also used for bi-polar and also purportedly causes weight LOSS) along with an SSRI to counteract weight gain. I was on paxil and gained weight; tried wellbutrin to counteract weight gain but it made me incrediby anxious; so now I'm on lexapro and so far it seems to be causing some weight gain  I feel terrible off meds and would like to stay on them for awhile, but I can't stand the weight gain. Has anyone had any good weight experiences on either topomax and/or lexapro? IP: Logged |
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lexy2222 Member Posts: 37 |
posted 04-13-2003 10:38 PM
Hey, how much weight did you gain from paxil and how long were you on it? i'm on paxil right now and am having issues with the weight gain as well. if anyone out there has experiences with a pill that doesn't make you gain too much weight - please let us both know!! thanks, lexy IP: Logged |
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buddha504 Member Posts: 45 |
posted 04-21-2003 03:01 PM
i gained about 10 lbs., most of which i haven't been able to lose yet. i think i would have gained more but i really tried to watch myself and limit my eating and work out more. i was on paxil for about 4 months total. i found the weight gain very frustrating, especially because my doctor seemed to insist that the weight gain was in my head and that most people don't gain any weight from paxil. i obviously haven't conducted any formal research on this topic, but almost everyone i know has experienced weight gain-- guess we're all "imagining" it. IP: Logged |
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Basslinegirl Senior Member Posts: 134 |
posted 04-21-2003 04:48 PM
Hey all... I'm 23.. 5'3"... My average body is fit and trim and ideally 117lbs. In the past year, I've gained 50lbs from Zoloft..you do the math while I sit here and cry.. ;-) Thought it was me at first. Then I back tracked a little, did some research and realized that it was the meds. Funny how the doctors don't tell you this huh? I'm in my first week drug free - a little jittery but I'm prepared. ;-) I found that we've got to be careful with our diets while taking anti-depressants. Did you know that some vitamins have side effects with our pills? Don't worry though because there's a very gentle solution. SSRI's not only inhibit certain chemicals in your brain - they also slow your metabolism RIGHT DOWN... This would obviously explain the weight gain, even when you're eating healthy. Omega 3 Fatty Acids along with Vitamin E, are a great gentle way to get our livers working in full force again; especially while you're still on the meds!! (Omegas are fish oils - and our bodies just love them...and the vit e's are needed because they help our bodies absorb it better) I tried this 3 weeks ago, and I lost 8 lbs. As with anything, I'd check with your doctor though!!! Good Luck.. V Eat lots of fish - walk around..and don't worry. IP: Logged |
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buddha504 Member Posts: 45 |
posted 04-21-2003 09:52 PM
bassline--congrats on your weight loss! glad to hear a succesful story! so did you get that vitamin e/omega 3 recipe from prozactruth.com? i saw something about it and tried it for a few days, but it didn't seem to work and it was a pain taking even more pills, so i stopped. can you tell me how much you're taking exactly? our body frames are probably about the same-- i'm about 5'4 and my ideal bodyweight is around 120. i was about 123 lbs when i started taking an ssri about 8 months ago and now i'm up to 135. sigh!! congrats again and good luck!!! IP: Logged |
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Basslinegirl Senior Member Posts: 134 |
posted 04-22-2003 10:51 AM
Hey Buddah.... I have a friend who got the pills for me (Omegas and Vit e's) He's getting his PhD in Body and Nutrition Sciences so he's pretty informed on this stuff. I'm not sure of the brand, or the dosage. I will get home tonight and check for you, then I'll post on here. As for where I got the info from - YES!! Truth about Prozac (or whatever it's called)... That's where I got the idea, then I ran it by my friend, he said it would most likely work, and it really has. You're right, it does sound like we have similar body frames... Look for an update late tonight or definitely tomorrow morning. :-) Violicy..~ IP: Logged |
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Mommy2LittleMan Newbie Posts: 2 |
posted 04-23-2003 01:39 AM
I am relly glad I stumbled upon your messages. A month ago my new doc put me on Lexapro and Topomax. This all was to help me with depression and anxiety. He chose Lexapro to replace the Celexa I was currently taking. Lexapro is suppose to be a newer, better version of Celexa. Topomax was suppose to help me and the "losing weight" side effect was going to be a HUGE plus. Yeah, right! Here I am a month later and a whole size bigger in clothes. Needless to say, I am not a happy camper and he is really going to hear about it at my next appt. My intent was to go in there and demand to be taken off and try something else but, it sounds like no matter what he puts me on, weight gain may be a problem forever. :0( I also have a thyroid disease, graves disease that does not help my metabolism issues any. Double :0( :0( I was just really glad to hear that I was not just one in the million "rare" people who gain on these meds and that I am not the only one dealing with the same issues. IP: Logged |
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Basslinegirl Senior Member Posts: 134 |
posted 04-25-2003 11:22 AM
Hey BuDDaH!!! I am taking the GNC Natural E 400 IU, and Jamieson Omega 3-6-9 Complex... V IP: Logged |
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buddha504 Member Posts: 45 |
posted 04-28-2003 02:34 PM
bassline-- thanks for the info. i'm going to try it again. hopefully it will work for me too! m2littleman-- nope, it's definitely not you. seems that there are tons of us out there who suddenly began gaining weight. at least we know the reason behind it. i have a close friend who began taking an ssri several years ago and gained about 40 lbs. she had no idea to attribute it to the ssri b/c at the time everyone was heralding the ssri's as weight loss miracles. people told her she must have changed her lifestyle and gotten "lazy". how frustrating!!! IP: Logged |
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Mommy2LittleMan Newbie Posts: 2 |
posted 04-29-2003 07:46 AM
Thank you two for the insight you have given me! I went back to my doc on the 24th and told him what has been happening and he just gave me the strangest look, like I had two heads or something. He INSISTS it is not the topamax or lexapro that he has me on, it HAS to be something else. I tried to explain to him that NOTHING else has changed. I am going to go to GNC and get those vitamins you all mentioned and give them a try. Thanks again, I am just so glad that I am not the only lonely out here. IP: Logged |
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seids40 Member Posts: 26 |
posted 04-29-2003 10:15 AM
Hey all, I read too that by taking omega 3 fish oil combined with vit E is to help when taking an SSRI. I've been on Zoloft since last summer and have gained 7 lbls. I know that might not seem much to some of you but I work out and really try to watch what I eat. Hardly to I ever eat any junk, greasy foods. I am 42 going through early menopause I know getting older puts on lbs too, but with how much I eat and exercise, does not make sense. So, I quit the zoloft about a week and 1/2 ago. My head is wiggin out sometimes and can tell my body is getting back to the anxiety stuff, but I'm hoping I can deal with it better. Has anyone had these feelings when going off an ssri ?????????? I hope I'm doing the right thing. I think I;m going to start taking primrose oil too for moods. Hoping it will help with hot flashes. IP: Logged |
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trobmacho Junior Member Posts: 6 |
posted 05-01-2003 11:23 AM
I have worked out for years, always been a muscular guy, and continue to work out. Started taking paxil a few years ago, went to celexa to try something to stop the 10 lbs i had gained, went to celexa to try to rid the extra 10 additional lbs i had gained, and then finally lexapro cuz it was so "weight neutral".. funny term for a make you fat pill!!! I have gained a total of 20-25 lbs since i started taking ssris, and i eat pretty goo and bust my ass in the gym at least 3 times a week, usually 4. I am still strong, but have accumluated some fat layer or something that i know is related to the ssri's. well, finally my concern over the weight has led me to ween off my medicince(my 2nd week off basically), and so far so good. i havent dropped any weight yet, it takes time, but i know i will. My pants are tight allthe time and thats a ****ty feeling! Ill keep some klonopin with me in case i begin to feel anxious, but i hope i am able to deal with this ***** of a disorder/disease. good luck to all of you on losing the lbs, been there and it aint worth a damn. but it aint near as bad as having panic attacks... ps anyone taking busbar for generalized anxiety? any weight gain? ------------------ IP: Logged |
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buddha504 Member Posts: 45 |
posted 05-01-2003 01:50 PM
macho--good luck to you! i hope things work out. i just started on topomax along with lexapro the other day. i'm starting very very low on the topomax-- splitting 25mg for now so i'll let you guys know how it goes. so far, so good. IP: Logged |
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Troopergirl Newbie Posts: 1 |
posted 05-06-2003 02:35 AM
Hi I've been on topamax alone for 2 yrs now. I have 3 Children and wear a size one, so I would say it works...it just takes time. I noticed after six months a big change in my appetite and energy levels. I can basically eat whatever I want and I have to fight to keep the pounds on. After my first son I was as size 13. My doctor informed to drink a lot of water while on Topamax as it can cause kidney stones. So, I do that. However, I've noticed I no longer need the antianxiety medication I once was on. Maybe you are on too low of a dose. He started me on 100 and now after two years I'm up to 200....so it could be all in the dosage too. Believe me I've been on almost everything and yes, it all made me gain wait and I hated it, but I love topomax, I've never felt better in my life. It just took some time and patience...and like I said...that is the only medication I am on now. Well, good luck and have patience it will work just give it time and maybe check into having the dosage upped. Take Care and God Bless!! IP: Logged |
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buddha504 Member Posts: 45 |
posted 05-06-2003 02:25 PM
trooper--thanks for the info. i just started the topamax last week and so far no change at all! in fact i gained a three lbs initially (might have been due to a particularly bad weekend of social occasion eating) but now i'm back down to my starting weight. i've tried so many things that my patience is very thin and i'm easily frustrated, so it was really good to hear from you! what meds were you on initially with the topamax? are you sensitive to meds? i seem to be particularly sensitive to medications (i was like a zombie for weeks when i first started on the lowest dose of paxil) so my dr. is starting me off very slowly on the topomax. IP: Logged |
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meemiki Newbie Posts: 5 |
posted 05-06-2003 04:13 PM
quote: IP: Logged |
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buddha504 Member Posts: 45 |
posted 05-06-2003 06:27 PM
thanks meemiki! IP: Logged |
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meemiki Newbie Posts: 5 |
posted 05-10-2003 08:55 PM
Well TrooperGirl, I sure hope your right. I need to take off some weight, so I want to have a positive attitude with taking this medicine. I have noticed in my first week that the taste of soda has changed for me. Now the doctor has started me slow and I'm to increase my dosage each week. I hope it helps with my headaches along with me losing some weight and having increased energy. Have you felt in the beginning more tired at first? Everyone thanks for sharing your stories. IP: Logged |
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buddha504 Member Posts: 45 |
posted 05-14-2003 03:57 PM
Meemiki, what is your dosage? I'm on very little so I haven't had many side effects at all, but I also haven't had any weight loss at all. I've tried to up my dosage a few times, but I've been so exhausted and non-functioning as a result, that I've tapered down right away. No change in soda taste at all. IP: Logged |
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meemiki Newbie Posts: 5 |
posted 05-15-2003 07:45 PM
Right now my dosage is 75 mg and then next week it gets increased to 100 and then the following week to 150. But I have been so tired lately. All I want to do is sleep. I just up my dosage today to the 75, my doctor started me out on 50 mg a day. The only change I have noticed so far is the soda and the fact that I am always so tired. IP: Logged |
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buddha504 Member Posts: 45 |
posted 05-23-2003 08:29 AM
meemiki, how's it going so far? i'm up to about 100 mg right now and so far i feel very good and much more energetic. i was worried that the topomax would interfere with the SSRI and make me feel anxious, but so far, so good. unfortunately, no weight loss though. but on the plus side, no weight gain. my appetite is still pretty strong. IP: Logged |
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lifeisgood Newbie Posts: 3 |
posted 06-02-2003 02:54 AM
I have been on three different SSRIs over the past 2 years. After gaining 50lbs I came and found that even off of the meds, three months later, I hadn't lost a pound. After reading this post last week, I went to GNC and purchased the Vit E caps and Omega 369 caps. I have been taking them as per the bottles for a week now, but haven't noticed any weight loss. I am also taking Celexa, Wellbutrin and Topamax (75mg). Am I just one of those folks that that the EFAs aren't going to work for or is there a trick to taking them that I missed? Thanks! -M IP: Logged |
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buddha504 Member Posts: 45 |
posted 06-08-2003 07:50 PM
lifeisgood--maybe you just need more time? seems like you're on two meds that are weight neutral or even help with weight loss--wellbutrin and topamax. any progress since you wrote last? IP: Logged |
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meemiki Newbie Posts: 5 |
posted 07-07-2003 08:25 PM
Well since last writing, I have lost ten pounds and the migraines have been so much better. I adjusted when taking the meds so that I am not so tired during the day and its working. My doctor seemed pleased with the results. After all it takes time to lose the weight and my appetite has decreased. My dosage a day is 150 mgs and the doctor would like to keep me there. My advise to those new trying it would be, is to give it a chance. I still can't soda, but hey, water is better for you body and I can drink juice. IP: Logged |
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chicagogirl Junior Member Posts: 8 |
posted 07-22-2003 04:36 PM
I am supposed to start taking topomax next week (after I'm done with methylprednisolone pack). I'll be taking one 50mg pill at bedtime. My question is - can I drink alcohol and still take the pill afterwards? I'm talking having a glass of wine or a drink with dinner.... I forgot to ask the doctor and I haven't seen anything mentioned about the alcohol anywhere. Little paranoid - my first time taking something on regular basis. It's supposed to help my migraines..... I really hope it helps. IP: Logged |
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buddha504 Member Posts: 45 |
posted 07-25-2003 01:14 PM
i never had any problem having a drink or two while on topomax, but i would ask your doctor. also, i was not on topomax for migraines so perhaps that might make a difference. good luck, i hope the topomax helps your migraines. IP: Logged |
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chicagogirl Junior Member Posts: 8 |
posted 07-25-2003 02:18 PM
Thank you! I took my first topomax last night and woke up with the worst migraine. Not a good start. Hope it goes away after couple days - I'm sick of taking pills all the time. IP: Logged |
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dolly linvil Junior Member Posts: 14 |
posted 07-27-2003 03:47 AM
Here's one that will stump everyone!  I have been taking topomax for awhile now, before that I was taking effexor for depression and gained major weight. I went to my doctor and he gave me some phentermine to get me started on losing the weight. I didn't know topomax was prescribed to obese people for weight loss so I quit taking the phentermine to see if I would lose weight. I didn't  . I started taking the phentermine again and haven't noticed a difference in my appetite. I'm always the exception to the rule. [This message has been edited by dolly linvil (edited 07-27-2003).] IP: Logged |
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buddha504 Member Posts: 45 |
posted 07-27-2003 09:33 PM
sorry the topomax and phetermine didn't work for you. if it makes you feel any better, the topomax didn't worked for me either! it just made me very thirsty, ditzy and forgetful, but no real weight loss. seems that i am always the exception to the rule as well! have you tried wellbutrin for depression? personally it made me very anxious, but it seems to work for some people and has the added benefit of being weight neutral most of the time. IP: Logged |
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dolly linvil Junior Member Posts: 14 |
posted 07-28-2003 10:58 PM
I tried welbutrin when I tried to quit smoking, I didn't lose weight. The only good thing I can say about topomax is that it seems to keep my depression under control (along with my nail biting  ). My new doc is going to wean me off of the topomax. Maybe now I'll lose some weight  . I'm kinda scared about the depression coming back. He told me if I start to feel weird I should start taking it again. I hate being dependent on pills to be happy or to feel normal (if such a thing even exists).IP: Logged |
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LynneJW Junior Member Posts: 18 |
posted 07-30-2003 01:34 PM
Oh my god, I'm glad I found this posting!!!! I recently stopped taking paxil (20mg/day for the past 6-7 years) because the weight gain was sooooo bad!! 60 pounds in that time. I am having a hell of a time being drug free, since my panic and anxiety has returned. I have been trying to find something to suggest to my doctor, but everything I read about seems to cause weight gain. I will definately ask her about this combo when I go in 2 weeks! IP: Logged |
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