8 replies to this topic

[emoboy44]

I have a couple of questions. I started taking cymbalta 18 months ago. 30mg. I weighted 190 lbs. I was a bit soggy, but I'm from WI, and that's ok. The medication worked well for the depression, but I noticed that I have been gaining weight. I now weigh 223 lbs. Now I'm down to a 20mg pill pulled apart and the little pellets fill the long tube and get dumped. If you're splitting pills I hope that makes sense. I have joined myfooddiary.com to track what I eat, but I want to know if the weight gain could have been from the meds?

anyone elso with a similar story?

[Lori]

Its really hard to say if Cymbalta causes weight gain simply because our body chemistrys are so different. Alot of people eat when they are depressed, seeking comfort foods, so they may gain weight when they are not on an antidepressant. Some people eat more when they feel great, so they would more likely gain weight from being on an antidepressant. It seems to me, alot of antidepressants cause weight gain. I gained about 10 or 15 lbs when I went off the Cymbalta but that was mainly due to eating a bite and going back to bed for the rest of the day. The egg sandwich may have been harmless and would not have put weight on me, but laying in bed all day is where the weight gain came from. Too, at the beginning we tend to grab the comfort foods to make us feel better. I have lost the weight now, but it was just from being active again. I personally did not gain weight from being on the Cymbalta, but I do know that some people do.

[pickiechooo]

Yes to the weight gain and believe me...I was trying to lose weight before I went on the drug from hell. I gained 14 lbs after I started taking it (probably within a 7 month period and I didn't feel like I was eating more). I'm only 4'11" so you can imagine the hell that caused. I just stopped taking it a week ago and can't wait to stop feeling like I have the flu...not to mention the brain shakes. UGH!!!!!!

[Lori]

Hang in there Pickiechooo, and as far as your weight, set it aside. Right now, the most important thing is to get you through the 'discontinuation side effects'. Read posts on different foods and supplements, see what works for you, and in a couple of months, when you feel better, then you can start working on your weight, with good eating habbits and exercise. We are here for you!!!!!

Lori

[Lolita]

I know exactly how you feel.. lost a stone and a half on Cymbalta. I got on the scales today and ive gained half a stone.

Im devastated, i was going to pull myself to the gym but i just cant now, im so upset and afraid to eat.

Good luck and all the best.

Lucy

[Lori]

You really need to eat, Lucy, try and eat some of the foods we have mentioned here on different threads. Like I told Pickiechooo, dont let your weight get to you right now, its only added stress that you dont need to deal with. Get past the withdrawals and when you feel better and in a better frame of mind, you can begin the weight loss regimine. Good luck to both of you!!
Lori

[Genealogizer]

I also have found that somehow I've gained eight pounds since the Cymbalta taper began; I am now on Prozac instead, and sincerely hope the weight goes away as rapidly as it came. Hah. I have discovered that since eliminating Cymbalta, tastes seem to be more vivid; I find myself turning more to highly spiced foods, whereas two months ago I would go for prefer mashed potatoes with a little butter and salt, now I go for onion gravy and pepper it lavishly. As soon as I noticed this (last week), I began substituting low-fat spice & taste carriers, like paprika, soy sauce, fresh garlic etc. Has anyone else noticed taste perception changes?

[Attorney_Victim]

I gained between 15-25 pounds while on Effexor and Cymbalta...before these two drugs, I had NEVER had a weight problem!

I also experienced a decrease in my "taste sensations" while on Cymbalta. Also, I have been experiencing a "tingle" in my tongue (don't know how else to describe it)...anybody else with this particular symptom??

[emoboy44]

well I started to log my food on a website to see if I can counter some of the weight gain and leverage the lack of cymbalta to my advantage. It's a good idea for me anyway.