Losing Weight That Was Gained From Cymbalta

I am new to this site and just started the Cymbalta weaning process. I have been on 30 mg for 1 1/2 years and have actually gained over 40 pounds after starting this drug (with no changes in diet)!!! It has been EXTREMELY difficult to lose even a couple of pounds where in the past I have never had such an issue. I am beginning to taper down and am very eager to see how my weight responds after stopping Cymbalta. Could some of you please post your experiences with losing weight that was gained while previously taking Cymbalta? I am hoping this weight gained comes off easily... thank you!!

I am new to this site and just started the Cymbalta weaning process. I have been on 30 mg for 1 1/2 years and have actually gained over 40 pounds after starting this drug (with no changes in diet)!!! It has been EXTREMELY difficult to lose even a couple of pounds where in the past I have never had such an issue. I am beginning to taper down and am very eager to see how my weight responds after stopping Cymbalta. Could some of you please post your experiences with losing weight that was gained while previously taking Cymbalta? I am hoping this weight gained comes off easily... thank you!!

Dear Katelyn:
I weighted 110 lbs before taking cymbalta. After taking cymbalta I gained a lot of weight (52 pounds) reaching 162 lbs. For 5 years (while taking cymbalta) I tried several times to diet, with no results. I went to a nutritionist who gave me a diet, and started exercising. The diet excludes processed food, sugars. I am eating lots of vegetables, fruits, fish (salmon), soy milk, seeds and some carbohydrates (complex carbohidrates, no flour) that are important to maintain good mood. I am taking a multivitamin and b-complex. I am walking 40minutes 4 times a week, and doing yoga. Also quit smoking (which scared me because most people increase weight when quitting). I started diet and exercise on february and in 5 months I have lost 32lbs. I feel so much better. When I started my weaning process my appetite increased, but then stabilized. So there is hope!.....Make your diet and exercise plan.
hugs
Cookie

Two doctors told me this drug doesn't cause weight gain and I called BS. I'm a triathlete so I know my body and track my calories and body fat religiously. I gained 30 pounds faster on this drug than I could eating pizzas. My body fat went up and self-esteem went down. I pushed harder and harder to lose the weight but not going anywhere. I'm the only person who can do multiple triathlons, countless mountain bike races and still gain weight.

I'm a month off the drug so only minor zaps now and then. Whoever gave the gatorade advice is a genius. That treats them instantly (make sure you get the low calorie gatorade since regular is high calorie). Anyways, I've already lost 20 pounds within two weeks. My doctor says it must be something else so I now I have a new doctor. At least the new doc said he'd never 'rule it out'.

I've been taking Cymbalta for about 4 years and have slowly been gaining wait nonstop over that time. I've gained about 40 lbs. It didn't make sense to me because I never used to exercise and since taking Cymbalta I have started exercise classes 2 to 3 times a week and have been gaining more weight than I ever have before. I'm hoping that now that I am tapering off that I will lose some of it. I'm glad to hear that someone else has lost some of the weight after quitting. Right now I have just finished two weeks at 20mg and started taking 10mg yesterday. Luckily I have not had any new side effects since starting to taper off. The side effects that I have experienced while taking Cymbalta are weight gain, major lethargy, night sweats, and gas. It did cure the depression though.

Thank you guys for sharing your experiences.. please keep us posted along the way! I am dying to lose all of this weight I gained... sounds like there is some hope!

Hi, Cymbalta has been fantastic at treating my depression and as it was my 4th episode in my life I was committed to staying on it for as long as I could.......but I have been totaly well for a year now and my weight has slowly but surely reached such a high level that my cholesterol and blood pressure have been affected plus every time I look in the mirror or want to look good in my clothes it make me feel like crap so I decided I would wean myself off - well that was 14 days ago. In short I need to loose around 40-50lbs! The weaning off was going well, a little dizziness but not too bad but as fate (or whatever) would have it I got food poisoning! I was so ill that I quit the Cymbalta cold turkey as I was feeling so sick anyway!

Officially Cymbalta is "weight neutral" but there will be a range above and below the average. Plus everyone is different, the 2nd highest levels of serotonin are found in the stomach and intestines & serotonin plays a major part in appetite regulation so doctors and patients should not be suprised when individuals experience weight change (up or down!).

Well no doubt mostly due to the stomach flu I have lost 3kg/7lbs in the last week and I am not wanting to eat rubbish food so long may the weight loss continue! I cant seem to tolerate fat, dairy products of red meat - again the tummy bug I think but I am really enjoying more fruit and drinking loads of water plus I've weaned myself off caffeine too!

Its getting the balance right between being mentally and physically well. Its great to have 'friends' to share stories with xoxoxo

Hi, Cymbalta has been fantastic at treating my depression and as it was my 4th episode in my life I was committed to staying on it for as long as I could.......but I have been totaly well for a year now and my weight has slowly but surely reached such a high level that my cholesterol and blood pressure have been affected plus every time I look in the mirror or want to look good in my clothes it make me feel like crap so I decided I would wean myself off - well that was 14 days ago. In short I need to loose around 40-50lbs! The weaning off was going well, a little dizziness but not too bad but as fate (or whatever) would have it I got food poisoning! I was so ill that I quit the Cymbalta cold turkey as I was feeling so sick anyway!

Officially Cymbalta is "weight neutral" but there will be a range above and below the average. Plus everyone is different, the 2nd highest levels of serotonin are found in the stomach and intestines & serotonin plays a major part in appetite regulation so doctors and patients should not be suprised when individuals experience weight change (up or down!).

Well no doubt mostly due to the stomach flu I have lost 3kg/7lbs in the last week and I am not wanting to eat rubbish food so long may the weight loss continue! I cant seem to tolerate fat, dairy products of red meat - again the tummy bug I think but I am really enjoying more fruit and drinking loads of water plus I've weaned myself off caffeine too!

Its getting the balance right between being mentally and physically well. Its great to have 'friends' to share stories with xoxoxo

Dear RachelO
I took cymbalta for depression. While on cymbalta I gained 52lbs. I had always been a very thin person, and I turned into a huge person. None of my cloth fit me. I even got more depressed. With all the weight I´ve gained, I developed glucose/insulin problems, having to take diabetic pill.

The good news, is that with a very healthy diet and regular exercise, I was able to lose weight and even improve my mood.

I started eating healthy, and lost much of the weight gained while taking cymbalta. I eat lots of veggies and fruits, fish, nuts, skimmed yogurt. I do not eat sugar or artificial sweeteners. I only eat complex carbohydrates. I try not to eat processed packaged food or drinks. I rather make my own fruit juice. It is great that you are not taking any caffeine.

Like you, I´ve had more than 1 episode of Depression in my life. My doctor told me that once a Depression episode repeats, there is a high probability to get another one in the future. This preocuppies me. So I am very curious in knowing if you plan to take something else when you quit cymbalta? Or replace it with natural/alternative therapy? I am in the weaning process, and I want to have chosen an alternative to give a little support to my mood once I am cymbalta free.

hugs
Cookie

Dear RachelO
I took cymbalta for depression. While on cymbalta I gained 52lbs. I had always been a very thin person, and I turned into a huge person. None of my cloth fit me. I even got more depressed. With all the weight I´ve gained, I developed glucose/insulin problems, having to take diabetic pill.

The good news, is that with a very healthy diet and regular exercise, I was able to lose weight and even improve my mood.

I started eating healthy, and lost much of the weight gained while taking cymbalta. I eat lots of veggies and fruits, fish, nuts, skimmed yogurt. I do not eat sugar or artificial sweeteners. I only eat complex carbohydrates. I try not to eat processed packaged food or drinks. I rather make my own fruit juice. It is great that you are not taking any caffeine.

Like you, I´ve had more than 1 episode of Depression in my life. My doctor told me that once a Depression episode repeats, there is a high probability to get another one in the future. This preocuppies me. So I am very curious in knowing if you plan to take something else when you quit cymbalta? Or replace it with natural/alternative therapy? I am in the weaning process, and I want to have chosen an alternative to give a little support to my mood once I am cymbalta free.

hugs
Cookie

Hi, I'm not planning any other meds right now but cymbalta was so.effective I would take again it if I had a relapse. I had 8 years between episodes 3 & 4 so I live in hope that I will be well for a few years. I have stayed on cymbalta for just over a year since I have been well, a total of 18 mtgs treatment (citalopram for 6 mths before cymbalta). I also had cbt which helped me to manage my thoughts; with talking therapies you have to put the work in!! I also plan to learn about Mindfulness' as I think it will suit me & it's a good life tool.

Other things which I have identified as important for me are a list of early warning signs eg sleep disturbance; a mind map (there is a free app for mind map) on my 'map' I put depression in the centre and loads of strands off it, like support- family, friends.

In short I know cymbalta is the right medicine to make me well, no medicine is free of unwanted effects so at least I know it will work. Psychology I trust will help me maintain the recovery cymbalta gave me. I would also consider ECT if any relapse was severe; it is reportedly extremely effective

If you still have symptoms now or have had them in the past 6 mths then my suggestion would be to take a med that does suit you until you have been well for 6-12 mths, & get talking therapy as well - cbt, dbt, mindfulness...... etc.

Of course body & mind are as one so healthy eating & exercise are also essential; a holistic approach & I tell loved ones & work colleagues about depression, it is a physical illness & any stigma attached to it must go!

I hope this helps you & others, this is a great forum xx

I am new to this site and just started the Cymbalta weaning process. I have been on 30 mg for 1 1/2 years and have actually gained over 40 pounds after starting this drug (with no changes in diet)!!! It has been EXTREMELY difficult to lose even a couple of pounds where in the past I have never had such an issue. I am beginning to taper down and am very eager to see how my weight responds after stopping Cymbalta. Could some of you please post your experiences with losing weight that was gained while previously taking Cymbalta? I am hoping this weight gained comes off easily... thank you!!

Katelyn, I have a diary on the weaning process area. Every day I post my weight. Keep in mind that it is local fair season, and I have been a very bad girl! What can I say? I love funnel cakes! lol

KrisAnn

MMMMMM! me toooo!

Laura

I am new to this site and just started the Cymbalta weaning process. I have been on 30 mg for 1 1/2 years and have actually gained over 40 pounds after starting this drug (with no changes in diet)!!! It has been EXTREMELY difficult to lose even a couple of pounds where in the past I have never had such an issue. I am beginning to taper down and am very eager to see how my weight responds after stopping Cymbalta. Could some of you please post your experiences with losing weight that was gained while previously taking Cymbalta? I am hoping this weight gained comes off easily... thank you!!



I was on 90mg Cymbalta for 3 years and slowly gained 40-45 lbs. I also had other side effects, but the weight gain is one I can't handle anymore. I don't wan to sit around anymore working out like crazy and the gym and just keep seeing the scale go up and up. When I was down to 30 mg I noticed that my clothes were getting looser. I am now completely off Cymbalta and have lost 7 lbs in 2 weeks. It is a relief that I am losing the weight, but I am having awful withdrawals like many other people on the website. So I am at the point where its like get back on and keep gaining weight, but not have to suffer these awful withdrawals or try and push through (Sorry family because they are suffering right along with me). I feel like I can't win either way.