Any good alternatiives to citalopram where I might actually LOSE weight please?

[doubleshotespresso]

I have been taking citalopram (a fairly high dose) and was wondering if anybody out there has had a similar experience to me?

Its generally worked in terms of depression/insomnia/anxiety- like many of you I guess- some days are better than others, but I'mnot "on edge" quite so much now...

However, I don't seem to be able to control my weight at all- I have zero energy most days, a walk around the park literally exhausts me to the point of tears and I seem to be craving starchy/high carb foods all the time, which is totally out of character for me normally. I don't have a sweet tooth at all and virtually never eat crap/take-out foods.... I don't eat red meat .... I eat loads of fresh fruit & veg...... I am at my wits end- and now am terrified of going beyond a size 14..... (big for me)

My GP describes it as a common side effect, but didn't offer any solution.

Can anybody recommend any alternatives please? Or any other helpful pointers?

Am getting desperate...............

I do know what you mean with the carbohydrate cravings and weight gain. I get the same and my tummy has definitely got bigger since I've been on ADs.
Unfortunately I think a lot of ADs seem to do this. It isn't the same for everyone though. I actually lost weight on citalopram. It suppressed my appetite so much in that I didn't want to eat at all!

I'm on dosulepin now, an older tri-cyclic AD. It's very good for my depression but I'm sure it's caused me to gain weight. If I'm honest it's getting me down a bit too. I'm hoping I can reduce the dose over the summer months and maybe reduce the size of my tummy at the same time! Is there a chance you can do the same?

I'm trying to think of alternative ADs for you. Maybe sertraline? I generally thought the SSRi ADs were more appetite suppressing but I'm not sure.

Sorry if I've not been much help. Hopefully someone else will come along who will be able to help you more.

orangeflutie-thanks- been beginning to think I was losing it a bit. It's just so frustrating!!

Thanks- I'll look into the sertraline....... something has to give soon.

Anybody else MN?

2 1/2 stone gain later, I'd agree with you about Citalopram

Hebiegebies- can I ask how long you have been taking it? Does it ever level out do you think?

www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-antidepressant-diet/201007/reversing-antidepressant-weight-gain

Well that IS interesting! Thanks so much Hebigebie. x

When i first started on Citalopram I hardly ate for 2 months. Then I got my appetite back and am constantly starving. I don't seem to know when i am full any more and my trousers are getting tighter.

I need to gain some control back somehow.

Sparklingbrook yes that's pretty much how I'm doing right now- have never felt so out of control when it comes to myself.

TI cannot seem to get out of this rut I've been in for way too long now- such a vicious circle-completely run out of ideas!

I used to walk 3 miles a day but I stopped doing that due to lethargy and general can't be botheredness. I keep half heartedly starting a weight loss regime and then it all goes to pot.

I am seeing the GP for more Citalopram tomorrow and i am going to ask his opinion.

Yes I have an appointment again this Friday but feel kind of vain asking for a change of meds based on weight, however, I feel this last week or so as if I'm "slipping" and just need to eliminate this problem as fast as I can. If you get any pearls of wisdom, please do share...... thanks

I will. i am happier in general but now feeling down about putting weight on-kind of defeats the object.

I know it certainly does! I have never felt so exhausted either!

Are you sleeping ok double?

Erm -well I have a long history of insomnia, but in the last two months I've been slleping for about 4 hours a night which is great for me-real progress....

But I am getting that "did somebody bash me on the head in the night" feeling when I have to get it together in the morning....

I feel quite dopey in the morning.

I lost half a stone in the first few weeks of citalopram, and it has mostly stayed off so I think it varies a lot- might be worth just swapping to another ssri?

Hmmmm - I think I definitely need to look at something else-this is getting ridiculous....

I've noticed a weight gain and I crave carbs aswell. I'm only on 10 mg I was on fluoxetine but it made me really tired.
I'm trying to make small changes to my diet cutting portion sizes and I've given up chocolate for lent.

I could quite happily eat a white sliced loaf with butter for every meal.

brightermornings -I like the name! Yes- I've been on fluxoteine too- didn't really do anything so after other options am now on citalopram.

Yeah-the carbs thing seems to be the killer- I've never felt like this before, I'm on 60mg at the moment, I just want my life back I guess. Just feel if I could get the old energylevels raised slightly, I might stand a chance.

And you know what's even more unfair? I hate chocolate so eat very little sugar! Aaaaggghhh!!

Oh thank you so much for posting this! I'd never heard of a link before but it certainly helps explain why I'm now 2 stone heavier than when I had DS!

Well TheMightyLois i've spent months questioning myself and quite why jeans etc were becoming so tight.... I just decided to see if I was a feak of nature or not....

Turns out not....... am pleased at this, but not so pleased that others are also feeling so crappy! I'll be in touch if I come across any further pointers/alternatives...

I have stopped sweating all morning though, so that's a plus. But still getting the surreal film-like dreams.

Oooer- don't really ever remember any dreams I may or may not have.......

That must be weird huh?

The GP warned me about the dreams. I have had some corkers, about deceased relatives and all sorts. None of them scary, just very very real.