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cymbalta and weight gain


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#1 funsandroses

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    to share with all my 6 year experience with cymbalta

Posted 05 August 2009 - 12:57 PM

besides the horrific withdrawals of cymbalta,,,the weight gain has pulled me down lower than i was b/4 cymbalta....i dont eat hardly anything,,,i havent ate beef,pork,,,and basically i am pretty much a vegetarian,,,so how can it be,,to gain 70 lbs on cymbalta????????/ this drug should be pulled from the market,,unless they put the withdrawals and side effects on the bottle,,,and all doc's should have to take this pill at least 3months,,,and get off of it alone ,like all of us have to do now................
brutal...unreal...

#2 IamAwesome

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    I'm on my 5th day getting off of Cymbalta.

Posted 06 August 2009 - 09:16 AM

Well I don't know which drug may have helped my weight gain.... WHen I was on Seroquel I would get hungry late at night. Of course not the best time to eat.

I've been on some sort of anti-depressant most of my adult life and I'm 250 lbs. I started at 185 before I began taking any medications.

So I hope getting off these medications will assist me in loosing the weight.

Oh to be 185 again!!!! :o)

#3 renee

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    I am withdrawing from Cymbalta. I needed some help.

Posted 20 August 2009 - 04:30 AM

ha hah ha
You made me giggle.
YES I'VE GAINED WEIGHT!
and...
the weight I've gained because of Cymbalta has made me feel more depressed than before.
Let's start a new thread and see if people are loosing weight since coming off of it- I'll try to do that.
By the way, I'm on day 5 of my own reduction/weaning program (6omg every other and every 2nd day). I'm having some symptoms, but feel hopeful and am managing ok- can do the regular day to day things. Family and friends make a big difference. I'm looking forward to having more energy and getting some things done that I've let go for a while.
I have a funny story about my weight gain too...
Will share.
Thanks for starting this thread.

#4 nursedeborah

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    I am reallly trying to get off Cymbalta, and not having, well I am having nightmares even with the decreased does, and clanging in my head.

    I just found this site, and I really need help, I can't do this, I fear I willl never get off this brutal medication.

    Deboreah Wesson

Posted 17 December 2009 - 02:16 PM

ha hah ha
You made me giggle.
YES I'VE GAINED WEIGHT!
and...
the weight I've gained because of Cymbalta has made me feel more depressed than before.
Let's start a new thread and see if people are loosing weight since coming off of it- I'll try to do that.
By the way, I'm on day 5 of my own reduction/weaning program (6omg every other and every 2nd day). I'm having some symptoms, but feel hopeful and am managing ok- can do the regular day to day things. Family and friends make a big difference. I'm looking forward to having more energy and getting some things done that I've let go for a while.
I have a funny story about my weight gain too...
Will share.
Thanks for starting this thread.



Renee,
Just to let you know what your doing is a big NO NO here.
Skiping days is not the way to get off this drug. It only
causes the brain to need more for not getting any for the
day you missed, also the withdrawls are much more brutal
than what your having.

We use a everyday slow weaning process here, and when your
in too much mental.physical pain, confusion, well you know
some of them already, just let us know, and we will give you
the best weaning system, and one you do have control over if
your still uncomfortable.

Debbie :)

#5 Junior

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Posted 17 December 2009 - 09:47 PM

Have you all gained weight while on Cymbalta or after going off Cymbalta? I've gained weight while on it, but don't know if it's due to the drug or due to menopause. I'm trying to get off Cymbalta by reducing my 60mg to every other day. We will see.


Hi Kim

I can't comment on the weight issue as I was only on Cymbalta for 19 days (although I think Aropax / Paxil makes me feel more hungry) but I'm concerned about your weaning method. I know a lot of Drs recommend the 'every other day' method but many here have found that it just doesn't work. What happens is that you are withdrawing..then reintroducing the drug to your system, which therefore confuses your body. It is much better to drop the dose and stay on that amount until you feel stable, then drop it again. For example, maybe drop from 60 to 40mg and wait a week. It takes 4-6 days for Cymbalta to be out of your system so it can take that long before any withdrawal symptoms will happen. If you are ok after a week or two, then drop the dose again. If the 20mg drop is too much, then go more slowly. There are others here who can explain how.

Welcome to the forum btw :)
Junior

#6 nursedeborah

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    I am reallly trying to get off Cymbalta, and not having, well I am having nightmares even with the decreased does, and clanging in my head.

    I just found this site, and I really need help, I can't do this, I fear I willl never get off this brutal medication.

    Deboreah Wesson

Posted 30 December 2009 - 02:26 PM

Hi to all who want to know about weight gain,
I was only 118, and now weigh over 155 :unsure: , all
due to this drug, and I don't even eat!

Many of you psych drugs make you gain weight, and
they do not even know why!

Really sucks, and only adds to the depression.

No I don't think it's the menopause. Then every woman
would be fat just because she was going through meno
pause.

Debbie

#7 Junior

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Posted 02 January 2010 - 09:51 PM

Hi all

From what I have read, experiences with weight gain /loss vary according to a person's own 'wiring' and the drug they are taking. Also, depression itself can alter one's appetite. My first episode had me struggling to force 1/2 a sandwich down my throat for lunch. The cigarette after it was much easier to manage :)

When I came off Cymbalta, I struggled to eat. Initially it was because it affected my GI system so much, later I think it was my own brain trying to rewire itself. The funny thing is, the moment I went back on Aropax (Paxil) - to stabilise - I was constantly hungry again.

I've gained a lot of weight in the years I've been on Paxil, none of it due to metabolism changes (I can maintain if I'm reasonably careful) and I find myself wondering if it's due to the increased appetite. Hmmmmm.....

Junior

#8 nursedeborah

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    I am reallly trying to get off Cymbalta, and not having, well I am having nightmares even with the decreased does, and clanging in my head.

    I just found this site, and I really need help, I can't do this, I fear I willl never get off this brutal medication.

    Deboreah Wesson

Posted 19 January 2010 - 02:18 PM

Hi,
I only know I wore a size 2-4, and if very well made I could wear 0-1.
I was so very thin prior to the Cymbalta, and Lyrica too.

I didn't eat then, and it's still very hard for me to get anything down my
throat, but I do try.

I hate having all this extra weight, 20 lbs to 25 lbs.

Debbie

#9 medwardsmumah

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Posted 20 January 2010 - 11:04 AM

I've gained wait continually over the years while being on a "borage" of anti-depressants. The potential of slimming down is something I look forward too also!! I've gained a solid 30-35 lbs and have tried lots of things to no avail to get rid of it. Hoping for energy!

#10 medwardsmumah

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Posted 20 January 2010 - 11:06 AM

Have you all gained weight while on Cymbalta or after going off Cymbalta? I've gained weight while on it, but don't know if it's due to the drug or due to menopause. I'm trying to get off Cymbalta by reducing my 60mg to every other day. We will see.



Yes M'am I have! I'm 42, been on Cymbalta for the last 5 years. Prayers for your strength through w/drawals!!!

#11 Dixiedoo

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Posted 22 January 2010 - 10:24 AM

I gained around fifty pounds on Cymbalta.What really stinks is that I had surgery to lose weight, and it was brutal.I made it very clear to my doctor that I did not want to be on a drug that would cause weight gain and she insisted this would not happen.LIAR. Even after knowing I was gaining weight, she insisted it was not the drug- but more pounds packed on with no changes to my routines.
In December I stopped this drug and I am happy to say that the changes were amazing.My appetite is back to normal, I am losing weight slowly and I am more active. It is possible to kick this drug and get back to good.

#12 MaureenV

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    Am trying to get off Cymbalta 30mg and wondering about brain zaps.

Posted 12 February 2010 - 04:49 PM

I gained around fifty pounds on Cymbalta.What really stinks is that I had surgery to lose weight, and it was brutal.I made it very clear to my doctor that I did not want to be on a drug that would cause weight gain and she insisted this would not happen.LIAR. Even after knowing I was gaining weight, she insisted it was not the drug- but more pounds packed on with no changes to my routines.
In December I stopped this drug and I am happy to say that the changes were amazing.My appetite is back to normal, I am losing weight slowly and I am more active. It is possible to kick this drug and get back to good.




It's not your doctor who's the liar, but the drug companies. Their information about Cymbalta is that it's weight neutral, which doesn't necessarily mean that you WON'T gain weight, but that ON AVERAGE, a group of people taking it didn't change their total weight in the short period it was trialled.

There have been posters here who've lost weight on Cymbalta, so it's got more to do with how Cymbalta reacts with different individuals than just the drug contents. Also, any drug which leaves you lethargic and unmotivated (a common side effect it would appear) is going to cause weight gain due to a drop in metabolism.

I actually gained a huge amount of weight - went from 52kg (a bit underweight) to 65kg in four months on Lexapro, and started to lose the excess easily once on Cymbalta. Others haven't put on weight with Lexapro.

So don't be too hard on your doctor, save your energy for Eli Lilly.

regards, Maureen.

#13 suzieq11

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    I have been taking Cymbalta since December 2009 and would like to stop taking it. I am curious about side effects of Cymbalta and what happens when you are taken off of it.

Posted 03 May 2010 - 07:00 PM

I started Cymbalta in December last year and have only put on 5 lbs, so far. My appetite has been very poor since taking Cymbalta. I have never been a big eater anyway.

I was very ill with a bad gallbladder and was hardly eating at all, so I could not understand the weight gain (116 up to 121) but I suspected the Cymbalta.

I had my gallbladder removed in March and still no weight loss. I exercise almost daily now and it's not helping, so far. I have always been a very fit person, so this weight thing depresses me. I figure if I continue to take Cymbalta I will continue to gain weight no matter what I do.

So it must change the metabolism in your body? Or is it that I am eating less, therefore my body is hanging onto every single calorie I eat?

I just can't understand how one can eat less, exercise regularly and gain weight :blink:

It's not muscle weight because I am definitely gaining around the middle :(

#14 MaureenV

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Posted 03 May 2010 - 10:07 PM

I started Cymbalta in December last year and have only put on 5 lbs, so far. My appetite has been very poor since taking Cymbalta. I have never been a big eater anyway.

I was very ill with a bad gallbladder and was hardly eating at all, so I could not understand the weight gain (116 up to 121) but I suspected the Cymbalta.

I had my gallbladder removed in March and still no weight loss. I exercise almost daily now and it's not helping, so far. I have always been a very fit person, so this weight thing depresses me. I figure if I continue to take Cymbalta I will continue to gain weight no matter what I do.

So it must change the metabolism in your body? Or is it that I am eating less, therefore my body is hanging onto every single calorie I eat?

I just can't understand how one can eat less, exercise regularly and gain weight :blink:

It's not muscle weight because I am definitely gaining around the middle :(




I'm not sure. I think there's a lot of debate about how it happens, and a lot of confusion because there are different types of weight gain with anti depressants.

Mostly, it seems to be people like yourself, who are adamant they're eating and exercising in just the same way.

Sometimes it's because people who are depressed don't eat properly until they're on antidepressants (people can also lose excess weight because they sat around eating when depressed). Even on this site I've seen people swear that nothing has changed, then in the next para talk about how lethargic Cymbalta made them feel and that they just couldn't get motivated to get of the sofa (decreasing their maetabolism).

Then there's the weight gain I had on Lexapro (20% increase) simply because my appetite was such that I constantly craved (good) food, and if I didn't eat, would actually feel quite sick and dizzy, like someone who hasn't eaten for a day. Despite that, my motivation to exercise seemed to disappear into thin air - I stayed fit(ish) but was certainly doing less, and needed more sleep.

I lost 3kg of the Lexapro weight gain (about 7 - 8 lbs) in the first three weeks on Cymbalta, simply through not having a huge appetite. My GP suggested that some anti depressants may affect the way the pancreas works.

I wasn't on Cymbalta long enough to know what would have happened after that, and I didn't attempt to diet while going through withdrawals, but it does seem to be an individual thing, with the vast majority in your shoes - weight gain with no other changes.

sorry, don't think I've helped there!


regards, Maureen.

#15 MoonDancer

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Posted 16 June 2010 - 11:28 AM

Do not stop it cold turkey. I will tell you tapering down and the withdrawals are bad. Then you still have to deal with the withdrawals after you are off for how long I do not know. Day 5 for me. I went from 90 to nothing under doctors care.

#16 scarbro222

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Posted 20 July 2010 - 01:24 PM

im on day 8 going from 120mg to 60mg and in the last 5 days have lost 3 pounds. thats not good either!!

#17 scarbro222

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Posted 20 July 2010 - 01:26 PM

btw....i am 40 and take cymbalta for migraines that i have suffered for about 9 years now.

#18 DLAO83

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Posted 24 October 2010 - 10:26 PM

I also gained weight on Cymbalta- 40lbs. And when I spoke with my doctor about the weight gain, she told me that I really need to go on a very strict diet and increase exercise. But no matter HOW MUCH I exercised and HOW MUCH I dieted, nothing seemed to work. I know now it's from the Cymbalta. I got even more depressed because NOTHING I did seemed to work. I went from 120lbs to 160lbs. Nothing fits.

Jeez, life just sucks right now...



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