SSRIs and weight gain

[2dogs6legs]

Morning everyone!

I switched to Lexapro this year and it has made me balloon up. Body image is one of my major anxiety triggers so I’m struggling right now. I have started cutting calories and hitting the gym hard, probably too hard. My therapist says it is borderline eating disorder behavior. But the weight keeps piling on...

Had anyone else fought through this? What are some tips?

[SeekingPeace1]

Yes I too put on a lot of weight when I started SSRI. It also made me feel very lethargic, tired and I had body pain so am not able to exercise a lot to get rid of the weight.

[2dogs6legs in reply to SeekingPeace1]

It sucks, I hear you. I didn't have weight gain on my last one, but was so fatigued it had to change. I guess we need to start looking into another change?

[Blueruth]

Switch meds. There are so many other options. Weight gain is just as valid a reason as headaches.

[Blueruth]

Add cutting too many calories and over doing the gum won’t help in the long run. You just rebound and gain more. Best to concentrate on healthy foods and exercise you enjoy. Lots of plants less animal and minimal processed. Those are lifetime changes.

I hate she is putting the blame on you when the weight clearly started with the med.

[2dogs6legs in reply to Blueruth]

First of all, I appreciate the response. This is my first time posting here, just joined yesterday, and it feels good to be heard. I understand cutting isn't the healthiest right now, but I am already vegetarian and love weightlifting and yoga. I feel like I am doing "what I am supposed to" with moving backwards. I will see if I can get into my psychiatrist to talk another med change, it's just such a pain in the ass to get an appointment.

Thank you for listening!

[Blueruth in reply to 2dogs6legs]

I got the wrong impression with your comment on hitting the gym hard, my bad.

I prefer evidence based ideas first. If you introduce something new that is known to have a particular side effect that is what I am gonna blame especially if you are doing the right things. Another diagnosis just really yanks my chain. And even if it is accurate that is even more reason to switch the meds.