Anti-depressants

When my prescription ran out about a month ago (Lexapro), I decided not to refill it.  I gained 40 pounds between the time I started taking it in February of last year and my surgery in July. 

I'm thinking I really REALLY need to go back on them.  Has anyone else had problems with weight re-gain or stalls taking anti-depressants?  I'm already behind on my loss apparently and I don't want to slow myself down even more.

Pros? Cons?

Any assistance is greatly appreciated!

When I was in the hospital they changed my anti-depressant to one I could take through a feeding tube. Now I am taking it by pill form with no problems. It is called Abilify. Previous to surgery I was on Celexa. I would say the anti-depressants are important and you should take them if you need them. I don't think weight gain or stalls should stop you. Also now that you have the DS it is much more unlikely that you will lose weight. And if you feel good mentally staying compliant and exercising might be easier too.

Best of luck... Terri

I use Cymbalta for fibromyalgia, but it is also used as an anti-depressant.  It didn't affect my weight one way or the other.

My thoughts are that if you have depression then all of the weight loss in the world isn't going to make you happy and sane.  Mental health is even more important than getting to goal weight.  Whatever choices you make you don't have to stick to them forever.  It's an "adjust as you go" lifestyle.  See how you are doing, if you aren't happy on your current script then look into other alternatives.  Good luck in your decision.

Cheers,

Cathy

I totally agree with what the others are saying. It is really important that you stay on your antidepressant if you need it. Unfortunately, a lot of psychiatric meds cause weight gain (I gained 100 pounds in a year after starting a new med), which leads to poor compliance. However, being depressed (and emotional eating) also causes weight gain, and being skinny and depressed also sucks. I would go back on your meds and see how you do. There are lots of alternatives if you find Lexapro to be hard to tolerate. Sometimes you need to try a few to find the right one that will treat the depression with minimal side effects.

Thanks everyone.  I found out yesterday afternoon, not long after I posted this, that my counselor (who is AWESOME) is in the hospital.  He's a cancer survivor multiple times over and they found a lump in his lung this time.

So I'm going to have to go back on the drugs since who knows how long he'll be out of practice.  *sigh*  Prayers for him!