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...............

[brightermornings]

I have weird dreams aswell sometimes about people I work with I get quite embarrassed when they walk past my desk
And I snore doesn't matter if I'm on my front back side I snore

[Pseudonymity]

I'm on 40mg and I've intentionally lost 8 pounds recently. I do feel lethargic and previous to this loss I had probably put on a few pounds due to general lethargy. I don't really understand the relationship between SSRI's and weight loss/gain. One of the SSRI's was used specifically as a weight-loss drug and was banned in the past few years wasn't it?

For me one of the things that Citalopram does is keep me more on an even keel - so, since I've instituted a more restricted way of eating (which was tough to begin with) I've not found it difficult to stick to at all. Obviously I don't know if that is down to the Citalopram or not.

I hope you can find a solution OP. I have found weight loss possible on Citalopram so if it is working for you in other ways then might it be worth hanging on to it? If your energy/activity levels are very low (as mine have been over the past couple of years) then it is surprising how little food you need to eat.

My GP advised me to give up alcohol in January to help with depression and because it might interfere with the Citalopram. I have done that so I guess that was an easy source of calories to cut out.

[Sparklingbrook]

I feel cheered up by your post Pseudonymity. i think if I stopped stuffing the carbs and did the 3 mile walk I could make a difference

[cupofteaplease]

I had NEVER considered there could be a link between the two, but I am bigger than I have been for a long time. I was a size 10-12 before dd1, a 12-14 after dd2 and I'm a solid size 14 after dd3 and really unhappy. My confidence is low due to my appearance which raises my anxiety, which makes me rely on my citalopram even more! I am on 40mg a day but am thinking of going to the GP soon as I need a bit of a boost.

[doubleshotespresso]

Pseudonymity thanks for all that info- I don't really drink alcohol, I may occasionally have a glass of wine witha meal, but I've never been a booze fan really.....

Howerver, you are probably right about the little amount of food I actually need, my main problem is occupying myself with other stuff really and am struggling on a daily basis to find ways of avoiding food tbh.

Seeing GP on Friday so am hopeful he might have some ray of light for me...

What is so good here is the fact that it's obviously not just me, I was absolutely convinced until yesterday that I was a complete freak.

[Sparklingbrook]

Back from the Docs. Not my usual Doctor so didn't raise the weight question, but i will do on the next visit. You are definitely not alone doubleshot.

[doubleshotespresso]

sparklingbrook no worries- and thank-you!
Well thanks everybody-am feeling a little less lost due to the kindness of everybody on this thread.

Am going to the docs this week and think I might just print this thread off so as to re-enforce my point and maybe encourage him to let me have something else?

[OrmIrian]

Hey ho Funnily enough weight gain was one of the main reasons I stopped my cit this time last year. Went back on them again after a major mood crash over christmas. And having lost half a stone without even trying it's going on again. Bugger! I hate being fat. Before I got ill 4 years ago I was at my slimmest and fittest and felt great. Now I feel, fat, tired, defeated and old. And yes the cit helps a bit - I no longer feel suicidal - I still feel like a dirty, ugly,flabby great blot on the lovely spring landscape. Sorry - had a baaaad day. Back to how I was over christmas. Everything has gone wrong today - hoping to be back on track tomorrow,

[Hebiegebies]

OrmIrian, sorry you are having such a bad day. I feel like that at times when struggling to find clothes that fit

[OrmIrian]

Thanks heebies. I have just been running. Couch to 5k week 4 - so I managed 16 mins. Which sounds alright except 2 yrs ago I was running 12 miles regularly. And I know I have to cut back on food too which always makes me miserable. Dh gave me a lovely cropped cardi for Valentine's day - it was really flattering and I cheered myself up by wearing over a sundress this morning, Then spilt bleach all over the front of both

My wardrobe is severly reduced these days - not one pair of jeans that fit properly and my legs have got a bit too flabby for all my above-the-knee skirts that were my staple last summer. Ah well... onwards and upwards.

[brightermornings]

I'm the same I'm dreading summer I can't afford to buy any new clothes. I'm considering coming off ad's I think summer is the best time to do it. I feel good but i feel a bit scared.

[existentialmum]

How long can you be on Citalopram? I have been on it for 3 years. I have also put on a lot of weight and have lost all motivation to do anything.

[cupofteaplease]

I went to the GP today as I'm feeling myself slipping away under the dark cloud again. She was sympathetic, but said she couldn't up my dose of citalopram any further (I'm on 40mg). I'm sure I used to have 60mg though...

Is anyone on a higher dose? If so, when did you start taking it?

[buterflies]

I am on citalopram 40mg and have a DS 3 weeks old. Cupoftea The guidelines have been changed and 40mg daily is highest dose now.
This is a wee bit unrelated but just wanted to say my DS is fine despite me taking citalopram throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding.
I don't know if it affects my appetite as I have always loved my food but for me they work so well I would rather be heavier and happy than miserable and thin.
Been on citalopram on and off for years, dont think there is a time limit, if they are not working and you have no motivation, get back to docs and ask for another treatment. Dont suffer in silence!

[ThatllDoPig]

I'm on sertraline and am losing weight as it is controlling the anxiety and depression that made me eat and eat previously, and I just don't feel like eating as much anyway. It sorts of numbs lots of feelings and that is comforting, but it does feel like its numbing my appitite too. (Apart from when premenstrual).

[doubleshotespresso]

Thanks guys for all your contributions to this thread- am so relieve to know it is not just me.

Well I just got back from my GP who has told me that all anti-depressants are pretty much the same in terms of weight gain. TOLD him about this thread and the varied experiences on different drugs, asked if I could maybe give sertraline a go. He said no- because he didn't think it would be worth it?!?

At a total loss now- and zero energy still-feel like the preverbial hamster in its pesky wheel!!

cupoftea I amon 60 mg and have been for some months now..... They are allowed to give anybody under 60 a higher dose. Those over 60 are not due to the new guidelines due to heart/blood pressure complications. Had this confirmed this morning........ I started taking this higher dose before Christmas...

[ThatllDoPig]

If you still feel the same in a couple of months go back and ask again. What does GP mean 'not worth it' for him or you?!
Only you know how you feel and you can find out a lot on line about the different AD's the GP is exactly that, a general practitioner, he can't possibly be the expert on absolutlely everything.
Hope you feel better soon.

[doubleshotespresso]

Thanks so much Thatlldopig

Funny I asked that too- he said he didn't believe the chance of me seeing positive effects were strong enough to change the prescription

I've been feeling like this pretty much after a couple of months on them and itss now been ages...... am seriously considering just flushing all of them down the loo and doing without- things I don't imagine would get much worse than I feel now..... I don't know what to do for the best at the moment, binning them seems to be my only route out..... I'm too battered everyday to do anything and too wired awake at night to sleep.

It scares me how much these ADs effect me and how crap I end up feeling some days

[ThatllDoPig]

double don't chuck them down the loo. It really isn't fair on your brain to muck about with the hormone levels in a drastic way. You are likely to feel worse than you do now.
Did you explain to your gp how crap you are feeling now? It really sounds like the dose of what you are on isn't right, let alone changing ads.
Cold you go to a different gp and ask for more help?
Its your body, your brain and only you know how you are feeling.
It will pass, and there is the help out there, you need to get more support.

[doubleshotespresso]

ThatllDoPig -yes I know you are right- I guess I was just so over it yesterday..... I don't know-will continue for now though yes.

Yes I was really honest at GP's and I told him exactly how low I was feeling (for a good while now) I don't know whether the dose is right tbh- I'm not entirely sure what I need to do, but something has got to change soon....

Thanks for your support x

[buterflies]

You need to see a different GP. Whatever you do please do not suddenly come off the anti depressants. You will get withdrawal effects and coupled with the fact you are low already, you will feel bloody awful. Trust me been there done that and its not good!!!
Everybody reacts differently to different anti depressants even in the same type eg citalopram is a SSRI but I have taken different SSRI's and had bad reactions to them. It is definately worth trying sertraline, can't believe the doc wont try. I would push the issue.

[doubleshotespresso]

butterflies thanks for that- no I've carried on throughout the weekend, something must give soon. I have asked to see a different GP this morning- but I am apparently "allocated" mine, I have requested a callback at the end of morning surgery.......

Want to ask for sertraline then I think- gotta keep trying?!

[ThatllDoPig]

How's it going double ? Any luck at the docs? How are you feeling?

[doubleshotespresso]

Thatlldopig- thanks for your concern- I really don't know what is going on with me at the moment- I have zero appetite and can't settle into any form of sleep at all.

Have been taking the meds as normal but every day is getting harder and harder to keep it together-I feel like I'm shaking inside sometimes and I don't know why..... this just is not me. Doiing all the right things to try and balance things out, you know, I went swimming yeterday and baked cakes for a friends child too- but I am utterly zombified.

Spoke to the GP over he phone yesterday and expalined all this and he said he would be happy to see me again, but still thinks I should stay on the citalopram. I'm now on 60mg. Wish I could stop with ADs alltogether tbh.

Anyway- how are you?

[inhibernation]

I wondered if any of you have had your thyroid tested? Underactive thyroid can cause depression type symptoms and anxiety too. I have subclinical hypothryoidism and started thyroxine when ttc. The depressive symptoms went, I started exercising again and I lost weight. I also find that running or other types of cardio exercise is great for boosting mood - even though the getting there part is hard!