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Weight gain/water retention on venlafaxine. Help!!

Posted , 5 users are following.

victoria21207
victoria21207

Im 18 years old and have tried quite a few other medications and have only ever experienced weight gain on quetiapine which was due to increased appetite. I started venlaflaxine after christmas and originally I put it down to Christmas time and eating more, but over the last 3-4 weeks ive been eating perfectly healthy. I havent been eating more then my 3 meals which are just how they were before and ive started running more about 40 minutes a day 5 days a week. And ive only gained weight!! I dont feel fat but im definetly more swollen, today i put on my jeans which were to big for me before starting venlaflaxine and i couldnt even button them up and even worse i couldnt zip my boots up that were able to slide on/off before. Ive gained 6 kg since starting it and im only 5"1 and am usually around 49kg so its quite drastic for my figure. Im thinking i should come off it has anyone else had this issue?

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • donald14046
    donald14046 victoria21207

    Posted

    Victoria:

    I'm on venlafaxine 220 mg and I have gained weight. My psychiatrist just recommends that I exercise which I have not been doing. So, sharing that you are eating healthy and exercising and gaining weight is a concern. What kind of doctor is prescribing your medication?

  • hypercat
    hypercat victoria21207

    Posted

    Have a look at the link. This will show you are still well in the healthy weight range.

    https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/bmi-calculator/

    • victoria21207
      victoria21207 hypercat

      Posted

      Im aware of my bmi but 6kg in around 3 weeks is a bit excessive especially considering my lifestyle with eating healthy and running. Im not happy to stay this way let alone gain more weight it doesnt make me any happier having to have my dad help me squeeze into my clothes haha

  • diane98246
    diane98246 victoria21207

    Posted

    Hi Victoria . . . . . I understand your concerns about your weight, especially at your age when it means so much.

    But it's my experience that all of the psych drugs including antidepressants cause weight gain.

    I've been on Quetiapine for years and have a lot of extra weight but at my age (74) the benefits are worth more to me than the extra weight.

    • victoria21207
      victoria21207 diane98246

      Posted

      My psychiatrist agreed and im going to take a week or two off to see if theres any change and ive already dropped a kilo. If I thought that it would help my mental health id stay on it but any extra weight is another stress to my body when trying to recover from chronic illness

  • diane98246
    diane98246 victoria21207

    Posted

    I admire your ability to set your life straight and make the right decisions in order to take good care of yourself.

    Keep up the good work.

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