SSRI weight gain - can it be reversed?

[beezlebubnicky]

Hi,

I've always been fairly slim, a size 8-10. Went on escitalopram for anxiety in August 2022 - it has helped, but a few months later I've put on three stone and am struggling to fit into size 14 trousers. I walk a lot and I'm not inactive by any means. I think the medication has definitely made me hungrier but my usual go-tos of calorie deficit or intermittent fasting aren't even working anymore. My memory has also gotten a lot worse on recent months and I generally feel quite demotivated and lazy; not sure this is due to the meds but I'm feeling now the side effects are really outweighing any benefits for me.

My anxiety isn't debilitating enough that I'm willing to put up with gaining that much weight - and my waist is now so big I'm risking diabetes. This weight gain is now just making me feel crap, unfit and worse about myself than ever. I'm not comfortable at this weight and now can't fit into most of my wardrobe.

I've been tapering down from 10mg and now down to nothing. So far so good although feeling a little up and down and sweating a lot. I was wondering if anyone else experienced similar weight gain on your SSRI, and did you manage to reverse it when you came off it? Feeling so despondent about ever losing this weight.

If you've stopped taking them, it should disappear by itself. But ... are you comfort eating, d'you think? Or perimenopausal?

I'm still on mine, and just putting up with the extra 12kg. Like you I was slim & fit beforehand, but a lot has changed and it's just too damn hard to tackle it now! SSRI-related weight gain does stop; you don't keep piling it on. But as you've stopped the meds now, it may just be a matter of waiting a bit for the weight to go.

Losing weight more quickly than your biochemistry wants is obviously going to involve things like trying keto, doing a lot more CV activity, just as it always does.

BUT your last paragraph indicates that your biochemistry's currently doing double-flips while it notices something's missing, tries to figure out how to replace it, and remembers the recipe for serotonin. I'm not sure this is the ideal time to start restricting your diet, therefore. How about satisfying whatever food cravings it generates, for a few weeks at least, and doing a heck of a lot more vigorous exercise? That should help your mood while you stabilise.

Oh, and maybe ask for a thyroid check? Common symptoms include depression, lethargy, weight gain and hot/cold sweats. Your doc will probably tell you wait until your neuros have settled - but with things the way they are, your blood test might not happen for a month or so anyway.

I'm 34 so not perimenopausal, no. I've definitely been eating more and probably comfort eating a bit, but I've still gained more weight than when I ate more in the recent past. You're probably right that I should wait til I properly get it out of my system before I start trying to shift the weight in any real way.

Vigorous exercise is a bit tricky for me due to other health issues, but I can certainly walk, swim, use weights and other low impact things. I'll see how things go over the next few weeks and hope my energy picks up and I stabilise more.

I've had a blood panel recently, thyroid all fine btw. I have anaemia but it's controlled with iron supplements and my levels are decent right now.

Yes, the weight gain will reverse once meds clear out your system. You will feel less hungry and go back to eating patterns before taking drugs.

Personally I found the weight gain stopped- but you need to work to get the weight you've already gained off.

Once you are back to your usual weight you should be able to maintain it as you did before.

Appreciate the responses! I'm currently feeling ok ish so looking to a better diet and exercise to get this weight off.