Back To The Darkness, weight, Paxil

[Starrlight]

I went on Paxil. I was 125 lbs. Now I weigh 193 lbs. I tried to get off Paxil a month or two ago and I had a breakdown. I work out but not the way I need to. I barely eat. But still I have this weight. I’m thinking of trying to get off it again. I feel so dark. I don’t feel bright and shiny Starr. But I may become worse if I go off Paxil. I’ll have to get motivation to work my ass off to loose the weight either way. What do you all think? I already called my doc to ask how to tapper but I’m scared.

[Florida1959]

Sweetheart, you sound in a nasty place, I am overweight too, and it sucks, take care my friend can I do anything? I haven’t heard of paxil? Xxxx

[Starrlight in reply to Florida1959]

Hey you! Yeah I’ve had it. More exercise needed. I have no energy though but I just did my workout and I’ll do another later tonight. Small stuff. Working up to it.

[thegreenwitch]

You are not alone ❤️ I have had my weight yo-yo due to meds (different meds than paxil). But I need the meds to function physically, so I've had to suck it up and adopt the good 'ol diet and exercise regimen.

I don't diet as in eat less; I just eat better, if that makes sense. Less fatty, sugary, carbs and more fresh fruits, veggies and lean meats.

The exercise has been the hardest part since I work 7 days a week, sometimes 12 hours a day. It's so hard to find the time or the energy to workout. But this past weekend, I was fed up enough with my lack of mobility/pain/joint stiffness that I forced myself to do some basic yoga. It was very easy poses for far less time than I used to do, but it was a start! It may not have helped me shed any serious poundage, but I felt a lot better throughout the day 😊 My employees are also forcing me to go on daily walks at work, which is great too!

I would never give you medication advice, but I just want you to know you are not alone. Chronic sufferers go through this. We just have to adapt. Anything we can do to incorporate a bit more health into our days (healthy food choices, a new activity routine, asking others to participate in activities with us so that we are more motivated to keep to our goals, etc) is a step in the right direction

You got this, Starr. Reaching out to your dr and posting that you're in need of some help is already a step in the right direction. It's a starting point. It's the first ray of sun on the horizon at dawn. I'm sure you'll get responses that will guide that sun higher in your sky, and you'll be able to again bask in its light 🌅

[Starrlight in reply to thegreenwitch]

I eat really healthy. I work out but not enough. Thank you for helping me not feel so alone in the struggle. You sound good. I hope you are well.

[thegreenwitch in reply to Starrlight]

I'm ok, just overworked 😅

But that's awesome that you already eat healthy! So proud of you 😊

And yes, you are absolutely NOT alone on this!

[Starrlight in reply to thegreenwitch]

You’re awe.some!!!! Thank you fir hearing me.

[thegreenwitch in reply to Starrlight]

You're awesome too! And thank you for sharing

[Starrlight in reply to thegreenwitch]

What do you do for work, Tgegreenwitch?

[thegreenwitch in reply to Starrlight]

Ok, this is going to sound morbid... I'm the manager of the pathology department at a veterinary hospital 🙀 Basically, I run the animal morgue. I oversee the necropsies, biopsies and pets who have passed away in the hospital. I absolutely love my job!! But it means that whenever there is an infectious exposure, a safety hazard, a particularly special animal coming to the facility, etc.... I'm working 🙃

[Starrlight in reply to thegreenwitch]

Wow! What a job! I respect that.

[StarSparkle1 in reply to thegreenwitch]

That’s a great job! When pets die, owners feel better knowing why and it’s comforting. Stressful, but provides needed answers.

[Existing in reply to thegreenwitch]

Thank you for what you shared about the difficulty of getting oneself to exercise.

[Daesin in reply to Existing]

There are a whole lot of us that are struggling with getting up to exercise. It's real. It's a dark cycle.

[thegreenwitch in reply to Daesin]

It's rough. I have severe fatigue as a result of a couple of conditions. When I'm not working, I'm asleep. My dr encouraged me to exercise more, but how does one exercise when they can't even stay conscious? This past weekend was the first exercise I did in nearly two years. The struggle to exercise is real, and there's no magic answer to getting started. But sometimes there's a trigger... Something that spurs us on... I just hope we can all find that spark someday 🤞

[Starrlight in reply to thegreenwitch]

Beautiful ... you and the struggle and you winning is beautiful

[Starrlight in reply to Starrlight]

Lol I’m 45 so high school is so gone but lately I think of it and wish I could do it again.

[Daesin in reply to Starrlight]

Algebra!

[Starrlight in reply to thegreenwitch]

It’s in my head the way I used to work out. I wish I was in high school again soccer track field hockey mountain biking ... but now I do stretches and yoga and in home cycling and walk in nature

Is there any in particular you like over other forms of exercise?

[thegreenwitch in reply to Starrlight]

Yoga is my jam 😊 I have multiple sclerosis so my mobility isn't great. Yoga has helped stretch out my muscles and joints so I'm not in as much pain when I move.

Something I also love to do is hiking, but I never have anyone to go with and I'm too paranoid to hike solo. Instead, I just do walks around my work buildings and it's good enough 🙂

[Starrlight in reply to thegreenwitch]

That’s really good.

[jackiesj in reply to thegreenwitch]

Hi greenwitch i too am MS and the lack of exercise genetics has heart issues galore. legs are my worst and wondering if cardio just on the top would help.TY for inspiring.

[thegreenwitch in reply to jackiesj]

My knees are shot to heck, my ankles are spastic and my gait disturbance has gradually gotten worse... so I feel ya 😅 When I need to let my legs rest, my Neuro suggested getting resistance bands to at least exercise my arms. She also made me aware of yoga videos on YouTube for people with MS (just search "yoga for multiple sclerosis" on YouTube and some videos come up for seated yoga, chair yoga... Different ways to stretch while still giving your bottom half a break). Hope that helps, and hang in there! 😊🧡

[Starrlight in reply to Existing]

Thank YOU

[Existing]

Well, you are on the one med that works for me, and it hasn't caused weight gain for me over many years. It just proves how different we all are, so yeah check with your doc about safely switching meds. But, I'm struggling with weight gain since I added Abilify almost a year ago. So I know what you mean, and I don't like it at all, but the Abilify does seem to be help with extreme emotions, so I'm not sure what to do, other than lower my dose.

[Starrlight]

Lower the dose and see sounds good. I think I’ll do the same.

[aequitas1983]

Paxil was the first medication I tried when I was diagnosed with anxiety and panic disorders....and this was 20 years ago when I was 17-18. I was medium framed guy....kinda skinnier.....and much like you describe....I put on an immense amount of weight for someone my age. Medications work for some....Paxil didn't work for me and I just discontinued. I know this was dumb. I just stopped it but I didn't notice anything different as far as withdrawals at all. I actually decided to just go up to a local park, with a gallon of water, and walked around for 30-60 minutes. I lost all of that weight in 30 days. No kidding. Obviously, the anxiety and panic issues hung around anyway, but I felt a lot better getting my metabolism back and some other issues that come with using SSRI medications disappearing.

There are some newer medications that are supposed to be a bit better because they know they know weight issues and other side effects likely dissuade people from using or continuing to use them. That might be worth exploring with your doctor. Effexor is one...and I'm not trying to promote a medication, I've just been down that road, too. There are a couple others that didn't work for me anxiety/panic wise (I haven't had much luck with most all of them to be honest) but also didn't cause weight gain. I would add that trying some mindfulness, meditation, and things like that have shown me benefits that I was very skeptical of. This also might be something to explore. With medications...it really is hard when the side effects are impacting the break throughs we make...where you question is this worth the balance of that.

I wish you the best. I know it's hard and difficult. The good news is exercise is awesome for anxiety and depression and you'll be surprised that weight might come off a lot quicker if some changes or adjustments are made with your meds. Even just calories out over calories in can make a huge difference. Regardless if you taper off or change medications...you can do this...just a bump in the road. You will regain your shine. Stay positive and be kind to yourself through it....best wishes to you!

[Hollick in reply to aequitas1983]

Aequitas, just wanted to say your reply was awsome, so well written, couldn't have said it better myself! It really resonated and I hope it helps us all, especially Starr...thx

[Starrlight in reply to aequitas1983]

How did I miss your awesome response? I apologize. Thank you I’m almost crying because you’ve given me much hope and you are such a caring person.

[StarSparkle1]

My understanding is Paxil causes one to gain 40 lbs- 20 yrs ago it was used to help anorexics gain weight. You’re doing the right thing seeking help. My suggestion is to get a psychiatrist/nurse practitioner to prescribe a GeneSight DNA test which is covered by most insurance. It predicts what medication will work or cause side effects based on liver metabolism. It took 4 practitioners and 7 meetings to get the test. My test copay is $40 and there’s a 2nd test for folic acid (measures ability to create dopamine & serotonin)— but some report immediate improvement by taking supplements. Quest Diagnostic has their test but it’s interpretation is not as user friendly. If your practitioner isn’t certified it takes two weeks for them to become so. Appointment schedulers were familiar with the mail order testing process, but not clear about who was certified to prescribe the test. That’s why it took so many visits. Getting test results to a provider takes under a week.

I have some pretty severe side effects which I assumed I had to live with but am hoping a medication change will help. Seeing a new psychiatrist also resulted in a new diagnosis. It’s an interesting process.

[Starrlight in reply to StarSparkle1]

Thank you for the info! You’re awesome

[StarSparkle1 in reply to Starrlight]

Welcome! It’s been a long process!

[Hollick]

Starr, never wanted to go on Paxil for that very reason, weight? Many of the psyche drugs unfortunately do that, making us even more depressed, anxious, whatever? Zoloft did that for me, but also took me out of a dark place, it was the lesser of two evils... Its kind of a paradox with these meds isn't it, weight gain = depression, and depression can lead to weight gain? There are ones that are supposedly weight neutral ie: prozac, effexor, wellbutrin etc...I recently started Effexor which years ago took me out of a real bad funk, me and the Dr hope it wil do that once again...I'm also on a diabetes management drug that has helped me to lose a good amount of weight 75lbs/34kilos, a lot! I try to eat right, but don't always succeed, now is the time to change that once again..when I can, weather permitting, I try to get alot of walking in with my little dog, my bestie..can you slowly titrate off the Paxil, and try a different AD, I hope you have a good physician, it helps, and there seems to be as shortage of those around 'these parts', anyways..good luck on your journey, wish you all the best in you future endeavors...take care, you got this! this is a good site, lots of nice folks, keep us posted of your progress!

[Starrlight in reply to Hollick]

Thanks for sharing some of what you’ve been going through; very helpful to know I’m not alone. I should at least take less of it I feel but even then I worry it will mess with my head too much. I’m just really scared.

[Hollick in reply to Starrlight]

Please titrate slowly and under the guidance of your physician...do not stop abruptly altogether! I made that mistake with prozac many years ago, I was very close to suicide..PLEASE don't attempt it alone, these meds treat neurotransmitters in the brain that affect the way we think, not to sacre you off, those are the facts, can't just quit them cold turkey, but you should come off of them with time, they are doing nothing for you by the sounds of it, time to give smonething else a try?

[Starrlight in reply to Hollick]

The plan is to take 1/2 or 3/4 of the pill. I haven’t decided yet but I will be careful. I tried going off it once before altogether and ended up in a violent mess. I don’t want anything bad to happen so I’ll taper off slowly. I talk to my doc again in a week. I’m sorry you went through such a terrible time. It actually was helping a lot but maybe not so much any longer. I was in a way worse state before I went on it. So we will see.

[Lve2dance]

I was always able to self regulate for years until the pandemic.. Things are opening up but it was 2,plus years... I have crohn's and I am concerned about my stomach being affected if I go on medication.. Plus I have low blood pressure naturally.

[Starrlight in reply to Lve2dance]

Best to you.

[Lve2dance in reply to Starrlight]

💋.. Even antibiotics kill my stomach. All I know is that I am trying to advocate for myself unfortunately the one person who has my back in everything else is giving me a hard time... This is my only safe place.. Well now my therapist also. She is awesome 😎. Sad I have to pay someone to verbally talk to when I am living with people.

[Starrlight in reply to Lve2dance]

I’m sorry to hear that. You can always find an ear here.

[Lve2dance in reply to Starrlight]

💋 You guys are the best

[jackiesj]

I had been on a liquid childrens paxil. it was one of my biggests fights.I had to try a few times but did it. doc supervision i best. do they have you going off one onto the other? sounds like you are right direction and exercise. Some weight can be water, some stress too.Healthy is the goal not just the number.We would all look silly at the same weight and height. let us know how you get along..we care..

[Starrlight in reply to jackiesj]

I’ll talk with my psychiatrist in a few moments. I think he will leave it up to me whether to go lower dose or stay where I am but that’s a hard choice. I don’t know. That’s true I am healthy except when I drink too much. I just feel like a mess right now. You made me smile when you wrote about us looking silly being the same weight and height. Ha!

[fanglorious]

Have you tried Wellbutrin? It works for a lot of people (unfortunately not ALL people) and has less of weight gain incidence than some of the other antidepressants.

[Starrlight]

I tried it many years ago and it was terrible for me. Thanks for the suggestion Effexor is one I’ve not tried.

[Mrspjsmom]

Trust your instincts. If you want to taper off do it with help from your doctor. Ask if there is another medication you might be able to take. I take effexor. Tried a few other medications before that. I have been lucky. My weight has stayed consistent and I have taken it for quite awhile. You are always bright.

[Starrlight]

So today is day 5 or 6 of withdrawal from 40 mg Paxil to 20 I’ve been sick so sick but I can handle it.

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Starrlight]

Ah Starr, I'm so sorry you're struggling with this. I wish there was more help out there. You're right, you are strong, you'll handle it.

[Starrlight in reply to Nothing_but_books]

Love you so! ❤️

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Starrlight]

Here tonight if you need me. 🦜