depressin meds that don't cause weight gain - Interstitial Cystitis Network Support Forum

gloriabono68 · 05-17-2004, 01:18 PM

Is there anything that i can take for my depression that doesn't cause weight gain or has sexual side effects???
so far i cannot find anything ...........and i need help.........they keep telling me paxil is best ........but it has mega sexual side effects and i gained a ton of weight i cannot get off now because of it.........
I need help..........

gloriabono

yorkyloverx3 · 05-17-2004, 03:13 PM

gloriabono

I started taking Wellbutrin in June of 1999 and lost 30 lbs the first year. My gasterinternolgist was concerned I was loosing to fast. But I felt good. I had no appeptite. My 'love' life with my husband that summer was fantastic. I was exercising, watching what I ate and stayed at the beach all summer. I felt good about myself. I finally felt like the 'fog' had lifted in my life. I lost a total of 50 lbs over the next year. Wellbutrin worked wonderful for me BEFORE I was diagnosed with IC.
Then I felt crappy all the time and was in so much pain' I did not feel like exercising or having sex. (all was to painful)

Needless to say I have gained all the weight back. I hate my body and have to wear FAT clothes now.
I am going to call the dr which put me on wellbutrin to see if it is the IC or if my body has just got immuned to that drug.
But I know what you mean about trying different drugs. I think I had tried at least 6 different ones with all the negative side effects. Hang in there.
Wellbutrin is not one of the ones usually prescribed for IC, I was put on it for bad PMS symptons and mood swings. It is a wonderful antidepressant for hormones!!!
Good luck... keep me informed.
Denise

Julie Smith · 05-17-2004, 06:17 PM

I too have had good luck w/ wellbutrin for depression and weight loss. However, if you're totally disabled like I am, weight will not fall off as quickly. So it will be interesting to see bc I've been off for about 6 mos. and gained a ton of weight. Please God, help me loose some of this weight.

I love to exercise but it's very painful so there's not any exercise I can do. Everytime I try, like swimming, ic just flares like crazy.

:toosh:

Julie

gloriabono68 · 05-18-2004, 01:15 AM

HMMMMMM i just don't know..............my doctor told me yesterday that pretty much anything i take might and will probably cause weight gain.........I am already miserable from taking paxil for four years straight........i haven't taken any in two years but i still am unable to get the weight off..........some of the others i have tried sent my bladder into a tailspin........others i just cried constantly or my stomach hurt so bad i just couldnt handle it.........i told the doctor i would rather stay depressed than to gain another pound. I too must wear fat lady clothes.....i weigh two hundred pounds and i have never ever been this big in my whole entire life........i am miserable..........and not just because of my IC.........so i don't know............i wish they would come up with something that doesnt have side effects and worked.
thanks again
gloriabono68

Julie Smith · 05-18-2004, 03:02 AM

I know just what you mean about the "fat lady clothes". Been diagnosed 14 mos., lost 20lbs to begin and was sz. 10-12. Now, siz 20-22. I'm in shock, when I look in the mirror that's not me I see.

But, like I said, been off wellbutrin about 4-5 mos or so and anxious to see if my appetite decreases and some weight comes off. I've always lost weight on it, but was always working, exercising, etc. My appitie is forocious, especially since the nerve blocks, which dr. told me could happen. I've been taking anti-depressants for long time and must stay on them.

Please let me know what you decide and how you're doing, even if you want to pm me. I've been thinking about going on Dr. Phil's diet plan, there's a 2 wk, jump start. Anything to get me going with weight loss. It's bad enough to have ic and be in pain, but the added weight adds so much more negativity. Perhaps we can help each other out.

:thumbsup:
Juie

skershner3 · 05-18-2004, 05:58 PM

I have been on several antidepressants and had side effects from them. I am presently taking Effexor XL and I gained at least 30 lbs. on it but I have tried so many others and the Effexor works best for me. If you check you might find that Imipramine/Tofanil might work for you. It is an older antidepressant, tricyclic, which is used alot for children with bed wetting problems. I take this along with my Effexor for my IC. It helps with my IC pain and I think that it is one of the most beneficial meds that I take for my maintenance meds. Check with your doctor and see what he thinks about it. Susan

gloriabono68 · 05-19-2004, 03:20 AM

thanks.,... but i cannot take effexor at all..........its a bladder irriatant.........I literally thought my bladder was gonna fall out and i only took it for four days.....its the worst i had ever had in flare terms.........I talked with two different doctors and three pharmisists about it bothering my bladder and they said that it defintely was probably it.......so i stopped taking it and two days later i was fine. I do not have a lot of pain with my IC its just the urgency / frequency side that i have........but they say i have IC and theres varying forms of it........BUt i appreciate the info.........and maybe eventually i will find some thing to help.
gloriabono

skershner3 · 05-19-2004, 04:45 AM

The Effexor caused me 30 + lbs. of weight gain but what you might check on is the Tofranil/Imipramine which actually in most causes causes weight loss. Not the Effexor - it definately laid on the pounds with me. Susan

gloriabono68 · 05-20-2004, 08:11 AM

Do you know if it has sexual side effects or anything bad like that ? I haven't even ever heard of that particular brand. anyways.......just curious...........
thanks
gloriabono

skershner3 · 05-20-2004, 05:36 PM

Imipramine/Tofranil is a tricyclic antidepressant, not in the seritoin uptake or MAO inhibitor classification of antidepressants. It has been around for a long time. When my son was small he had some bed wetting problems and it was given to him for this which worked like a charm. I was taking it around 1991 for awhile and quit and then I was started on the Effexor after trying several other antidepressants that didnt seem to work as well or had bad side effects from them. Imipramine/Tofranil is often given to patients with IC for chronic pain. I am not sure about sexual side effects of it. the one thing that I have noticed is excessive sweating. I take tons of meds so it could be a number of medicines. Anyway, you should talk to your doctor or urologist. My urologist now is giving it to me for my pain from IC and I have found that the Imipramine/Tofranil and Atarax are to me the two most beneficial meds for maintenance that I take. Of course medications work different for different people. Susan

gloriabono68 · 05-23-2004, 02:27 AM

Ok thank you.........i will see if i can do some research on it and see what kind of side effects i can expect.......i dont want anything thats going to make me gain anymore weight either.....so i will see what i can find out..........thanks again.
gloriabono

Christa · 06-02-2004, 12:58 AM

As an experienced drug user

I've found imipramine to be a really good med for nerve pain with fewer side effects than some other anti-depressants.

I've just stopped taking it after a few months of reducing the dose. Does anyone know if the weight will just come off (magically) or will I have to work at it just like anyone else who has put on a few?

Any advice?

Christa

gloriabono68 · 06-02-2004, 02:41 AM

I don't know........i took paxil for about four years and then stopped taking it almost three years ago........i have still been unable to lose any of the weight i gained from it.
Your case will probably be different............How much weight did u gain on it , if may ask? alot? or just a little??
thanks
gloriabono

Ruby* · 06-02-2004, 05:45 PM

Hi everyone!
Just read posts on this topic and it seems to me that weight gain
wasn't only my concern...my biggest problem with the drug that
I was prescribed was the grogginess in the morning. I wasn't
able to get out of bed until around 10am and when you have a
two year old that can be challenging. I was only taking about 30mg and then I decided (with my uro's ok) to ween myself off,
which I'm doing right know. In total I've gained about 25lbs or
so and I'm so upset because last year at this time I was wearing
a size 12 and know I'm in a size 16, and I hate it! Once I'm off the Amitriptyline, I'm going to try Imovane (a sleeping pill). I
hope that it will help me through the night with the frequency.
I did want to say the Amitriptyline did help take the "edge" off
during the night, getting up maybe 3-4x rather than the usual
8-10x a night. Maybe, there is a drug out there that has no
side effects and can help us get some sleep? I'll keep praying
and trying new meds until something works for me.

My daughter and husband keep me sane...my faith keeps me strong...

Ruby*

Julie Smith · 06-03-2004, 02:19 AM

ruby,

sending best wishes your way and hoping new meds. work. take good care of yourself and that 2 yr. old. I remember those days!

Good luck!

Julie