Anxiousmindsthinkalike

Date posted: 1y

Coming Off Lexapro

Hi all, It’s been a really long time since I’ve been on here and I’d consider that a great thing. In February 2022 my OCD was triggered by a bad experience with THC and I experienced OCD themes that I never could have imagined. It was debilitating until I started to take my first ever antidepressant, Lexapro in April of 2022. For the most part it HAS helped my OCD symptoms. But here’s my dilemma- I have gained SO much weight. I’ve always been a small person (5’2 112-115lbs was average for me). Since being on Lexapro I am now 140lbs. To some this wouldn’t matter and that’s completely okay, but for me it has really taken a toll. My appetite increased slightly, but I’ve always ate clean and worked out regularly. Nothing really changed besides the addition of Lexapro. I don’t know what I should do. Has anyone had a similar experience? Are there ways to lose weight while being on antidepressants? I never intended to stay on them for life but I’m also so scared of the withdrawal symptoms/ how I’ll feel when I’m not taking them. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

Chambers Bryan

Date posted: 1y

I’m in the same boat, but I have gained like 50 lbs. it’s heartbreaking i was in the best shape of my life and have slowly regressed. I have come to the conclusion that my mental health is first, I don’t like the weight gain but it pales in comparison to the mental anguish of obsessions.

Anxiousminds...

Date posted: 1y

@Anonymous Ugh I’m sorry to hear that. I know how frustrating it can be. So you’re telling me I can’t be skinny and happy at the same time??? 🥹

Chambers Bryan

Date posted: 1y

@Anxiousmindsthinkalike No didn’t mean to that, just wanted you to hear from a fellow sufferer who is trying work toward weight loss and practice acceptance at the same time.

Anxiousminds...

Date posted: 1y

@Chambers Bryan I’m joking, I understand. I’m going to do some research and come back here with any findings. I wonder if there are any supplements to take to help

Chambers Bryan

Date posted: 1y

@Anxiousmindsthinkalike Oh phew lol. Believe me this has been such a bane. I was ripped 1.5 years ago, then had surgery the long Covid fatigue and here we are. I’m glad to see some light heartedness this stuff gets too serious. I have embraced my in fat child temporarily, but I ll get back to running/gym weight. So will you!

Anxiousminds...

Date posted: 1y

@Chambers Bryan I’m consistently working out 5x a week at Pilates/ weight training at the gym. If I wasn’t on Lexapro I’m sure I’d be really happy with the way I look, but it just seems like I’ve made no progress and am gaining instead.

Chambers Bryan

Date posted: 1y

@Anxiousmindsthinkalike I’m sorry…that’s serious dedication. That’s got to be infuriating.

Anxiousminds...

Date posted: 1y

@Chambers Bryan Very much so.

Ricky01

Date posted: 1y

Hi! I’m also on Lexapro. While I haven’t noticed any weight differences being on it, I will say the effects of not taking it are not great. I’ve run out in the past and I got the worst headache, in addition to exhaustion and a decline in mental health. Whatever you do, make sure to consult your doctor before so you can work out a plan that keeps you safe.

Anxiousminds...

Date posted: 1y

@Ricky01 I too have went through brief periods of not taking it for a few days and I’ve felt all of those symptoms. Not fun! I will be sure to consult a doctor to properly wean me off if that’s what I ultimately decide to do ☺️

Chambers Bryan

Date posted: 1y

@Anxiousmindsthinkalike It sucks that weight gain is such a common side effect.

N..

Date posted: 1y

I will be starting lexapro soon after a bad reaction to prozac, really hope it works:( worried about weight gain as well

Anxiousminds...

Date posted: 1y

@Nin_a I’m sorry you had a bad reaction to Prozac. It’s actually the medication I was thinking of switching to. I’ve had nothing but great success with Lexapro other than the weight gain. I hope it works well for you!

andthesatellite

Date posted: 51w

@Anxiousmindsthinkalike I know this is an old post but curious how you’re doing now? I just stopped my meds because of weight gain (and subsequent new intrusive thoughts about my weight gain - ugh I can’t win) but the symptoms coming back are horrible. I’m hoping it will pass, or that I can find another med that doesn’t make me gain weight :(

M1133

Date posted: 38w

@andthesatellite Hello I also am tapering off lexapro 10mg bc I noticed a 10 pound weight gain ( without change in food intake or exercise ) symptoms I am experiencing are more intense- having more compulsions and irritability

andthesatellite

Date posted: 38w

@M1133 If it helps, I posted this 13 weeks ago and back then I had just started my nocd therapy and since then I’ve seen so much improvement!

lemon tears

Date posted: 25w

Looking for insight on OCD/depression medications

(25f) Before I was diagnosed with OCD I tried Lexapro (wasn’t bad but wasn’t great) and Citalopram (partially think it was a part of what caused me to develop severe anxiety that ignited my once not so active OCD.) After diagnosis tried Effexor and didn’t see an improvement. Was on Adderall for a good amount of my life and mentally did good on it, stopped about 2 years ago because the physical side effects started to become more noticeable. Maybe I go back on Adderall? Maybe SSRI’s and I aren’t a great fit? Anyone taking other medications that helped?

Megcurry

Date posted: 20w

Starting new anxiety meds

Hi everyone, I’m 23 and have been on Zoloft since I was 16. For the past couple months I’ve been having panic attacks more and I’m sick of feeling like a zombie everyday. My boyfriend said I’m very sad and unhappy then when I first met him 2 years ago…. He thinks it’s the medicine. Throughout the years I have upped and lowered my medication, but now, I feel as though it’s not helping. Either it was too much where I didn’t feel emotions at all like very scary stuff or it wasn’t enough to help me. I was given 5mg of Lexapro to try…. I’m scared to take it. All I know is how Zoloft is. I don’t want to go crazy on it, be allergic to it, etc. I feel like I’m going to trip myself out when I take it and not actually feel the difference. I could really use some positive feedback I really just want to be a normal human😭

Health Concern OCD

Overdramatic...

Date posted: 16w

Weight loss after SSRI?

I know this isn’t directly ocd related but I feel like it’s got to be a shared experience between a lot of us. When I ask in fitness groups no one seems to have anything to offer. Anywhooo I started celexa in October I believe? In January I started going hard in the gym and tracking my macros to a tee. In the past I have done this and got really fit and muscular. This time around the progress has been going at a snails pace. I almost feel like progress has even haulted and hasn’t even been that long. Anyway I really think I have a good amount of knowledge on this stuff and mostly want to know if anyone has had this experience after taking celexa? I can’t think of another factor that it could be. I would almost like to get off of it because of it. I hate to sound vain but with the extra weight I feel depressed and uncomfortable. I’m putting in soooo much work and seeing the results but like I said it’s going ridiculously slow. Any advice for this kind of thing? Thank you :)

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Coming Off Lexapro

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