Anxiety causing extreme weight loss :(

Posted , 5 users are following.

Hi , I have been on Zoloft for 3 1/2 months . I started at 25mg and nice currently on 137.5 . Every increase gives me horrible anxiety that lasts for weeks, which is why I am taking it slow .. my anxiety is off the charts . I shake constantly. I hate this .. I have lost 20 pounds. I am 58 . 5’4 and now weight 106 pounds !   I just had labs to check my thyroid. Not back yet ..  does anyone have weight loss caused by anxiety?   I worry about things to worry about .  I eat well . But I believe the anxiety is draining all my energy and nutrition. I am going to increase to 150 mg and I am scared !   I cannot take much more of this . I was on effoxor for 22 years and have been off of it since June of last year . I have read effoxor is the worse to get off of . I believe I am still having withdrawals from it !   I just want to feel better !   

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8 Replies

  • Posted

    Hey. My weight has been slowly dropping too. I don't actually know what I weigh because my freight scale at work tells me 224 but the Dr. office has me at 215. Either way the sertraline has definitely affected my appetite as most days I don't have one nor do I eat that much most days. Doesn't help that I think I started it shortly after a bout with the lovely flu that hit everyone this year. Have you talked to your Dr. about the shaking and weight loss? Might just need to try a different ssri?

    • Posted

      Hi Frankie 

       Yes . Just had labs done . Waiting on results . I am starting on 150 mg tonight and going to give it a few weeks . If I do not feel better , I am going to have to figure out what to do . Changing meds is so hard . I am a full time caregiver for my son who was hit by a semi when he was a little boy . 20 years of no time off . No time to take care of myself . But that’s okay !!  We were sooo close to losing him . So I must fight !   

    • Posted

      Very sorry to hear about your son. That's scary =( I hope the increase helps. At least on the anxiety front, I felt much better upping from 50 to 100 so hopefully you have some luck with 150!

    • Posted

      Another thing with it and it doesn't seem to be true across the board but some people seem to have issues with Tyramine rich foods. It's in literally everything I love to eat but I've adjusted and only have a meal each day that has stuff on the bad list but not in excessive amounts like I have in the past. I know MAOI's are the main thing to avoid Tyramine with but I've had a pharmacist tell me Sertraline is kind of the same deal. Too much Tyramine can possibly cause your blood pressure to spike so that might be a thing but again it seems to vary by person as some people here haven't had issues and others definitely have. Also definitely drink lots of water and avoid grapefruit =)

  • Posted

    Yes. I’ve been on Zoloft for 3 months also and lost about a lot of weight. I can not eat when I’m anxious. It will get better when the anxiety goes away. Try to drink protein shakes. I find my appetite is the best in the evening so I’ll eat then!
  • Posted

    Hi. Yes, I've lost 28lbs since my anxiety returned. I'm eating normally but don't seem to be able to put weight on! I've had all the blood test done and everything is normal. I was 136lbs and now 108lbs. Nurse says not to worry. Once meds have settled I'll start putting weight on. 

  • Posted

    Hi Debbie,

    I’ve lost 25lbs since this all started in December and I am 19 weeks pregnant today. Scary stuff. But when you are anxious, plus starting the meds which decrease your appetite and make you nauseous, unfortunately it’s normal. Last time this happened to me I was not pregnant and lost 15lbs. It’s so scary being pregnant and watching the scale. You’ll get there! Once things start to level out, your appetite will slowly come back. I’ve been doing a lot of protein shakes as well. Good luck!

    • Posted

      Hi Abby .  Bless your heart . It is very scary. Good idea on the protein shakes !   I started on 150 mg last night and I woke up this morning so sick at my stomach and my anxiety was off the charts .  I have suffered from depression and anxiety for many years .. as I said I was on effoxor for 22 years and I felt it was not helping any more . I never experienced this on effoxor. But I was much younger then . I will say a prayer for you and your baby . We got this !!    😉

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