Question:
Wellburtrin & Lexapro..2 1/2 years post-op RNY gained 40lbs..same as Meridia

I'm 2 1/2 years post-op RNY. I've gained back around 40 lbs in the past year or so. I'm absolutely devestated about this! I've had some depression issues that I'm am seeing a psychologist about. They have in turn put me on Wellbutrin 300mg XL, Lexapro & Trazadone to help me sleep. I was told that Wellburtin is similar to Meridia. Is this true? I don't attribute my weight gain to the psyc. meds I am currently on but I certaintly haven't lost anything either!!! I am an emotional & stress eater I know & I make some bad choices sometimes for meals. I'm not really a snacker but for some reason the therapy hasn't really helped me deal with some of my eating problems? I took Meridia about 6 years ago & was very sucessful on it. If Meridia is suposedly like Wellburtin why haven't I had similar weight loss results? Please help I am so frustrated & disgusted with myself for gaining weight back after everything I've been through! It's almost like I've lost my motivation all together!! Like I said the therapy doesn't seem to be helping me deal with my stress & emotional eating! What kind of therapy should I be looking for that has helped others with this type of eating problem? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!    — Allison T. (posted on August 30, 2004)

August 30, 2004
My quesstion is why does your Dr have you on two different kinds of anti-depresant meds. Wellbutrin and Lexepro do the same thing. Maybe you are taking too many meds. I think I would check this out. Get a second oppinion. I'm currently on Wellbutrin XL and I love it. It stabilizes my mood. I have been on many other anti-depressants such as:Lexapro,Celexa,and Effexor and the side effects really just got to me. Wellbutrin seems really mild to me. Although every med works different for the next person. I still would question why you are taking 2 anti-depressants at a time. The Trazadone is to help you sleep. I have heard that insomnia is a side effect to Lexapro. Well good luck and check it out. Jen:)Oh by the way Effexor turned me off of food big time I didnt want to eat at all when I was on it but I also didn't want to get out of bed.
   — imgabbie

August 30, 2004
I am also on lexapro 10 mg and wellbrutin. I was told the lexapro assisted with seratonin uptake and the wellbrutin assisted with uping the dopamine in your prain which creates pleasure. I did gain weight on them. But i am thinking of going off the lexapro it feels like a stimulent to me makes stay up and feel like i want to smoke cigarettes. But you really need to ask ur doc why he decided to give u both.
   — BB B.

August 31, 2004
I don't know how religous you are, but I am a very spiritual person and if you have any beleif that there is a higher power PRAYER WORKS WONDERS. Listen to motivational music place your self around positive people try going to a WLS group session. I can be a witness in April 04 I was diagnosed with pnemonia and plurisy. Plurisy is a tear in your lungs and very very painful and no matter what I still wanted to smoke and did not want to quite I needed a smoke for my nerves. Well now that I am on a mission to live healthier life and my Doctor told me to quite moking 3 weeks before surgery, I am not going for surgery until december or January but through prayer I have been able to quite smoking. !!!!!
   — JerseyGirl

August 31, 2004
I have tried both Lexapro and Wellbutrin. I did not like the Lexapro, but I loved the Wellbutrin. I don't understand why you are on both at the same time. They do the same thing. Wellbutrin is supposed to be the best anti-depressant for weight loss, especially if you get the maximum dosage (2 in the morning and 2 at night). I was told not to take the XL. You might want to try quitting the Lexapro. The combination might be causing the weight gain. However, I don't know anything about the 3rd med you mentioned. Hope this helps :-)
   — Curious Mickey D.

August 31, 2004
DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE WELLBUTRIN BUT THE LEXAPRO WILL CAUSE WEIGHT GAIN IN SOME PEOPLE. IT DOES ON ME AND I HAVE BEEN ON IT FOR JUST OVER A YR. TALK TO YOUR PRIMARY DR. ABOUT A POSSIBLE CHANGE.
   — PSAPER

August 31, 2004
I was taking Wellbutrin for Weight loss and Depression. My doctor said it is used for weight loss as well. Nicky
   — Monique B.