Stress Center Peer Support

hi everyone.

anyone had any success or pointers in relation to dealing with the awful side effects from SSRI's - especially weight gain.

I've tried low doses of a couple over the last several years, and am having trouble with ear ringing, sinus, and of course weight increase.

i feel so down about gaining weight. my self esteem is really low as a result. I worry so much about what i eat ....

it seems ironic that these drugs are supposed to help with depression, but the side effects can actually make you more depressed ....


thanks for your comments.

Lije,
You are correct that weight gain and ringing ears are side effects of SSRIs. I have the same thing.
I don't know that there is any easy answer to this but here's what I did that is helping:

Increasing my exercise time to 2 hours per day and gradually decreasing my SSRI dose.

Continuing to work hard on completing the course and putting into place what I've learned.

Keep in mind that exercise accomplishes exactly the same thing as swallowing an SSRI pill. And exercise has the added benefit of helping you to loose weight. A lot to think about there.

I realize it's not easy to get that much exercise but it is do-able. We just have to set priorities in life and live by them.
For me, getting over GAD is a major priority in my life. I don't want to ever go through anything like that again!

God Bless you and peace be with you.

It's funny how weight gain is one of the main side affects of SSRI's - which are used for depression! Hello! Don't they think people are going to be even more depressed when they gain weight!?...Just a thought, and also one of the main reasons I don't want to be put on one. Also, the sexual side affects are HORRIBLE!

Does anyone know of any sites on the computer to help one taper off of the SSRI'S? My daughter wants to get off zoloft. But boy is it hard!! She has gained so much weight. It seems to have done more harm than good. she has been on it for a good while. she is ready to try to get off it.
Mary Jane

Cornflower, ask her doctor for the safest way.

Usually, it's the same as the increase, just the opposite, but all the same discuss it with her doctor.

Thanks Jenii!
That is good advice. However, many doctors do not recognize the difficulty of getting off them.
There are schedules of reduction on the internet. One site is THE ROAD BACK. But there are others I have seen. However I don't remember how to get there.
But yes, is good to consult the doctor. Though I never found the doctors very helpful when I wanted to get off them.
I am off mine now. Thank goodness. And my doctor at present does approve very much.
Thank God for this program.
Again, I thank you very much for your advice and input.
Mary Jane

Hi Mary Jane.

For sure work with your dr on the tapering process for your daughter. That's a given.

However, there is a good book out there that talks about antidepressants, withdrawal, etc. - The Antidepressant Solution:

<A HREF="http://www.prozacbacklash.com/antidepre ... ution.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.prozacbacklash.com/antidepre ... on.html</A>

Some of the infor. might scare you a bit, but just focus on the tapering part.

Good luck

Hi Don.

Thanks for the really good advice.

Good for you to put in 2 hours per day! Have you been able to lose weight?

Exercising moderately and watching my food intake is not enabling me to control my weight. So frustrating!

Thanks Lije:
That will be very helpful. I appreciate it.

My daughter is 59.

Take care.
Mary jane

Hi All:

Don 56 is right about exercising instead of SSRI's. I weaned off Zoloft after taking it for 3 years and have been off it for about 2 months now and feel so much better without it. I know it is the increased exercise that is making me feel so much better. I had the opposite effect on zoloft, I lost 40 pounds, but I have heard of others gaining weight. Exercise is a magical thing. It not only makes you feel good and less anxious, but it helps you shed lots of weight. I only exercise around 45 minutes a day, but if I miss a day I can feel the difference. So, everyone, exercise, cause it is awesome!