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Posted by: Trekgirl Jan 29 2008, 09:46 AM

Hi all! I'm new here and am on my 6th day of Lexapro. I have to say I'm on 10 mg and after some strange feelings in my head and a fast hear rate yesterday, I'm feeling SO much better. I'm just terrified of all I've read about the weight gain issue. I'm an avid cyclist and watch what I eat to stay fit. So, weight gain for me is a HUGE HUGE issue. I already battle a sluggish thyroid so it's already tough. Anyway, I'm trying to let that go for at least a little while and just focus on getting my head screwed on right and not worry so much about the weight gain, but it's killing me. Is there anyone out there that was on Lexapro and did not have this 20-40 lb weight gain I'm hearing about so much???? If it is so bad I'm wondering my my Psychiatrist put me on it as we talked about how I am about my body issues and weight.
Anyway, I'm just wondering if there are any good stories out there about Lexapro. I'm feeling SO much better right now but am now skeptical as to what is going to happen as far as weight and withdrawl when it's time to come off it.
Thanks for any input!

Posted by: crunch87 Jan 29 2008, 09:53 AM

I was on Lexapro for a little over a year, and I lost weight, I didn't gain. I really think it's how different people react. I had to force myself to eat, I didn't have much of an appetite, for about the first six months. After that, I was pretty normal.

Posted by: Trekgirl Jan 29 2008, 10:06 AM

Ahhh....thank you! I've noticed that my appetite has really dropped and I HAVE to eat or else my training suffers. Thank you for the response it's nice to know that not everyone gains weight on it!

Posted by: maintainin Jan 29 2008, 12:46 PM

My weight wasnt affected the four months I was on lex.

Posted by: Burgy Jan 29 2008, 01:00 PM

I found that Lex actually helped me to lose some weight because I wasn't stress-eating so much!

Posted by: Trekgirl Jan 29 2008, 05:26 PM

Good to hear! Hopefully I will be so lucky!
Thanks again!

Posted by: HopefulOne Jan 29 2008, 10:32 PM

Hi Trekgirl --

Glad to hear you're feeling better on Lex! Those glimpses of good feelings are encouraging, aren't they?!

I did A LOT of forum and general web searches on the subject of Lex and weight gain/loss when I started Lex in early November. I think you'll find that people's experiences vary greatly as with any other AD medication. Some will gain, some will maintain, some will lose. I completely lost my appetite for the first few weeks and was concerned b/c I don't have much I can afford to lose. When I get stressed, anxious and down, I tend to eat LESS. (Instead of being a depressed binge eater.) So I'm not surprised that I actually COMPLETELY lost my appetite initially when I was building up on 10 mg. But the appetite loss WAS transient -- and my appetite is back with a vengeance. A healthy sign to be sure! But I can tell already that I'm going to have to be careful. Carbs are my weakness and more than once I've found myself sucked down the Twinkie isle with a new awareness of various types of yummy "sugar bombs" I'd never seen or paid much attention to before! I'm watching my diet carefully now, but boy, is my appetite back! I'll have to monitor myself in the coming months. This is my first stretch on Lex too.

Everyone's different. Wishing you the best of success!

HopefulOne

Posted by: Mountain Air Jan 30 2008, 09:05 AM

I was on Lexapro for about a year and didn't notice any traumatic weight gain. One thing I did notice is that I got the munchies maybe an hour or so before it was time to take my next pill. I think I gained maybe five pounds and was able to take it back off without any problem.

Posted by: bunkee Jan 31 2008, 08:05 PM

Trekgirl - I've been on and off Lexapro for a number of years and no problems. No real side effects at all.

Posted by: tkdan Feb 1 2008, 08:22 AM

Hey trekgirl, I haven't really gained weight I'm sort of stuck and can not seem to lose any. With my activity level and diet I should be losing body fat but I seem to be holding on to it. Everyone reacts different. I've always had a good appetite and that did not change. I did start to crave sweets more which is how I out on a few extra. I've been on the power protien plan for about six weeks so excess carbs are not an issue. This has been my experience with it.

Posted by: jnnelyn Mar 12 2008, 02:25 PM

QUOTE (Trekgirl @ Jan 29 2008, 07:46 AM)

Posted by: imrj Mar 15 2008, 05:59 AM

have lost 10lbs on Lexapro.....depression use to make me eat whatever to feel better, not anymore