How long after you came off anti-depressants did you lose weight?

[mummy6tummy]

Asking in here as it gets more traffic than MH.

I was taking anti-depressants for about 6 months (escitalopram). I have finally tapered off it over 6 weeks (although I am STILL getting brain zaps!), I think it must have played havoc with my metabolism/hormones because although I am not eating more than usual, am pretty active (walk about 2 miles each day), the weight has crept up. Over that time I have put on about 5 or 6 kilos and have this strange layer of fat around my middle which feels really unnatural as though it is hormonal. I have never been super skinny but have always been slim. I am quite short 5'2" so this extra weight is quite noticeable and I am probably now the heaviest I have ever been.

What I wanted to ask was, if you came off anti-depressants, how long did it take you to lose weight and did it start coming off naturally or did you have to really change your eating and exercise habits to compensate? And no, it didn't help much with my depression (and I feel even worse now I have this extra weight).

[scarpa]

I put a LOT of weight on while on citalopram. Haven't lost any yet 2 months after stopping it entirely :(

[Raisinn]

I know it's been a while but I came across this thread while looking for answers so it may help someone too. I definitely know that my weight gain on sertraline was due to medication and not the change of my eating habits.
I have been watching my diet for years and have been on low GI/low saturated fat diet prescribed by my dietician, my weight was the same since I was in high school and I never was prone to weight changes. Because I recorded my food so many years I know that I didn't increase calories, nor changed the timings or frequency of eating. My diet was exactly the same. Yet, I have gained 5kg in 3 months and developed fat deposit around my belly. It doesn't seem to come off even with increased activity levels and reduction in calories. Weight is up every time I check. I am 5'0'' so it is noticeable and alarming.
My doctor told me it is most likely that my anxiety made me burn more calories for years, I had higher heart rate, frequent bowel movements and now when I'm fine, my body slowed down. Before my body was used to burn certain calories and maintain same weight but looks like now that amount of calories is too much.
I wonder if that is really the case. I am worrying and slowly thinking to switch meds to something else but looks like everything can cause weight gain :(