Weight Gain On Pristiq? (Page 20)

I have been on Pristiq now since November of 2008...not quite 5 months...and I have put on 15 lbs since starting it. DESPITE working out with a trainer at the gym twice a week weight training, 3 days a week of cardio AND counting calories. My doc assured me that I would also have a decreased appetite on Pristiq, which I have yet to find true...so he has now increased my dosage to 400 mg. Does anyone have anything to add to this?? I'm just frustrated!

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I am also relieved to I'm not only one gaining weight.30lbs.as my doc insisted wasn't pristiq..I had thyroid and hormones checked...normal..even after diet n exercise..Kickers was..after was on a liquid cleansing diet tor 6 days n lost NOTHING! I snapped n weaned off n after week...I was angry, picking fights, sleepless n now a fatty...so went back on the lowest dose could afterward....n I LOVE people now but still fluffy....still in process of what next step is...oo n yeah sex drive is ok but if have option id pick sleep...lo!!

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My doctor put me on Pristiq 50mg about 8 months ago, then my brother passed away so he up the does to 100mg. Along with 40 extra pounds. My blood pressure was going crazy too, up to 174/120. Only then did my dr. say oh Pristiq can give you high blood pressure. He told me to cont. but keep checking my blood pressure. I was (normally) depressed, and instead of dropping the does he kept the same dose. My blood pressure cont. to stay elevated even on beta blockers, I've gain more weight than I did when I was pregnant very abnormal for me. I was told what most of you heard, it can't be the pristiq. So I broke the tablets in half (not wise) now my feet and ankle are swollen. Things are finally making sense: Pristiq not only makes you gain weight, makes your stomach and your ankle and feet swell and makes your blood pressure sky rocket. It seems to me you also have to be ypour own dr. He wants me to go back on 50 mg. and I plan on taking it ever other day for a couple weeks and then drop it down to 2 times a week and ect til I am off. I also notice Pristiq makes your ADD worse.

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Diane, It looks like it is working for you with the weening off pristiq. YAY! Can you tell me are you back to your normal weight now? Also did you get any swelling from it?

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Oh my goodness I am SO glad I am not the only one who has put on weight with this pill. I am going to start getting off of it since my depression was post partum and also from my husbands PTSD. My husband is on 100mg and has not had any weight gain. I went on the 90 day challenge and lost 10 pounds in 2 weeks but my stomach still looks "preggo" as people keep asking me if I am expecting again. *smh* I hope along with getting off the meds and the 90 day challenge I will get back to my small waist line in no time!! thanks for posting about it. I am sure with the nutrients in the 90 day challenge and regular walking (to keep my endorphines flowing) I should be able to stay off this med.!! good luck to everyone else trying to figure out what to do about the weight gain!

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I just got bloodwork back this past week and my B12 is superlow now, I've got to have injections for the next six weeks then re-test. I've been on pristiq for 2 years and have gained about 50lbs. I also am on cholestoral meds which in the last six months are not working the same and I have to up the dose and my bloodpressure which has always been normal is now skyhigh. I am interested if anyone has had B12 issues? I don't think they test for it often but my dr. did this past time because I said I was so tired and sick of gaining weight. Pristiq sucks but I'm afraid of the withdrawls. I wasn't depressed when I got put on it, I had a breakdown that came out of the blue after years of high stress so dr. put me on it. I'm so mad and fed up!!

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I have been on various anti-depressants for 6 years. I quit Pristiq by gradual withdrawal and was able to manage the mood dives, but I have gained 11 ponds in a month! I work out a lot and eat healthy and my belly is growing daily. I am hoping a big detox of liver will help. I was never expecting weight gain. If anyone knows what is causing e metabolic changes, please clue me in.

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Hi Laura, I wanted to see how the Lexapro and Wellbutrin are working out for you?

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ME TOOOOO!! I gained on it but stopped it and have gained 6 pounds in 10 days.....What the heck????

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I've gained lots of weight with Pristiq as well, though it seems to be a side affect from most anti-depressants, as I had the same issue with previous ones, though not nearly as bad as Pristiq.
It also gives me really bad chest pains, though it's getting better.
I don't know about the rest of you but if I accidentally miss a dose I get really bad nausea and feel like vomiting. It's really bad, worse than any stomach bug I have ever had. I'm on 100mg a day, so I wonder what would happen if I had to get off it, I'd hate to think! :/

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I had my Dr put me on 50 mg., I now take it every other days. I'll let y'all know in a couple weeks if it helps with weight lost. I hope so.

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I had the same problem with the nausea if I missed a dose. As far as coming off... I was on 2 doses of the 100 mg. I have weened myself down to 1 every other day. I am on day 3 of no pristiq and my ears vibrate, my eyes vibrate, I am nauseas, and I can't follow a conversation without losing my train of thought. My shoulders are tight and I also find myself grinding my teeth like a junkie waiting for his next fix. But I can't continue adding another dose or a new medicine. Hopefully I will see a little more norm as the days progress away from it. I really feel like pristiq was my miracle drug. While I took it as directed and at the same time ( at night for me). When my doctor suggested that I try to come off it I almost cried at the thought. But it wasn't a permanent idea in the beginning. So here goes.

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I did Effexor before pristiq. With effexor I lost weight in the beginning but I had no desire for sex or just didn't enjoy sex at all. With pristiq I didn't immediately gain weight but I would say overall pristiq was my miracle drug. Until of course the blood pressure and heart rate decided to increase.. So right now I am coming off it completely too. It all is truly a roulette wheel with each individual until you find the one that works for you. Don't give up. Eventually we all will get it right. I just wish a blood test woul say...... You need this to make it alright.

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Oo i so agree that it is soo incredibly frustrating...i also thought it was miracle, was able to rationalize my thoughts cleary, sleep better, just love people, n life was glorious in my lil world....lol!!! But then after 2 1/2 years on it at 50mg.. im 30lbs heavier, no real sex drive, stomach issues, high blood pressure and feel as if falling apart..i also am considering having another child...and want to get off it..ive cut pills in half and going from there...tried to wean off before but was a wild women..so now want to try to be tougher and ride my crazziness out until it evens out...lol!! Hope it works!!

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Day four of no pristiq.. All felt so much better... I thought I was over the worst of it. Made it home from work and spilled my drink on the floor- why the heck did it set off a broken dam of tears?!? Lots of deep breathing and trying to just let it all go.. If there were just a quick fix to let this all go, I guess I would have not needed the medicine to begin with. It has done its job and I really am thankful. Now I just need it's terrible grasp to let me go.

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Thank you so much for posting on your progress of getting off it. I'm going on a trip in two weeks and when I come back I'm getting off of it too. Please keep posting on how it's going, I'm so nervous of the withdrawl symptoms. Good luck and keep kicking it's A@@!!!

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I had been weening myself off of Pristiq for about 8 months and was up to one every 4 days. I noticed that when I would take one on the fourth day I would feel extremely nauseous. So I stopped and I feel great. I did it! By myself. I can't wait for my next dr. appointment. I am hoping my bp is down.

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Has anyone lost the weight after going off Pristiq?? I gained even more and can not drop a pound. If you did lose what worked??

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Hey diane...if u dont mind me asking...what was youre dosage...im in 50...n have been cutting in half and then started to cut it in half again, so really only 1/4 of the pill daily...which i know not supposed to do...so im wondering if youre way of is better...and healthier..thanks for youre thought!

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I was on 50MGS. I was told that cutting them isn't a good idea. They are time released and they have a coating so if you cut them the drug is released more rapidly. I did every other day, then every two, until I got to every four days. This was over an 8 month period.

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Thanks Diane, that was what I was wondering. Have you notice if your weight has gone down? I did cut a Pristiq in half and ended up making my blood pressure sky rocket and my feet swollen. Never again that way. I'm now on the every 2 days taking one pill.

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