Discouraged... Atkins WOE and Depression Medication Question

[Lammie22]

I am extremely discouraged.

I am currently on 150 mg of Effexor XR and 25 mg of Trazadone.

Following Atkins, I do not gain weight, but I wasn't losing.

Then I gave up ALL artificial sugar and caffeine. So I have lost 8 pounds in 24 days. Which feels INCREDIBLY SLOW.

I exercise 5 times a week.

Do you think it is the meds that slows this weight loss to a practically nonexistent status?????

I would appreciate any tips, advice, encouragement, you can offer.

[Lammie22]

Hellooooooooo.........................

anyone??????

[Lammie22]

Still, no further weight loss -- no inch loss either.....

doesn't anyone have some insight into this?


am I a turtle????

[pd Rydia]

Effexor is an SSNRI, which is related to SSRIs, which do indeed inhibit weight loss on Atkins. The Atkin's site has the following to say about the problem:

"6. Review Your Medication
Weight-loss plateaus are often caused not by what you eat but by prescription drugs. Drugs for high blood pressure, especially diuretics and the drugs known as beta-blockers, can make your body extremely resistant to weight loss. A lot of cardiology patients who went to Dr. Atkins' medical practice were taking these drugs. They can't lose weight while they're on them, but being overweight is a big reason for their high blood pressure.

"The solution to this circular problem, he explains, is to gradually taper patients off blood-pressure medications and replace them with herbs and dietary supplements. As patients lose weight and improve other aspects of their health, their blood pressure often returns to normal, eliminating the need for any treatment. Always discuss any change in medications with your health-care practitioner.

"The same chicken-and-egg situation applies to patients who are taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants. Common side effects of SSRIs, such as anxiety, sleeplessness, nervousness and headaches, actually create carbohydrate cravings. For example, about 10 percent of people on Prozac® have appetite loss, but about a third experience increased appetite. Patients quickly start to lose weight when they stop these drugs.

"Natural substitutes for SSRI drugs include the herbs St. John's wort and kava kava or inositol hexanicotinate, a B vitamin. Warning: Never stop antidepressants on your own—you need to taper off these drugs slowly—and that there can be interactions with alternative remedies. Don't forget to consult your doctor. Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs also keep you from losing weight and they're potentially dangerous as well. At Dr. Atkins' medical practice, we stopped statin drugs immediately. Our low-carbohydrate eating plan alone will improve blood lipids."

(from http://atkins.com/Archive/2001/12/26-51503.html ; this page has other possible causes and solutions for weight loss slowing and stopping, as well).

Work closely with your doctor if you plan to taper off your medication/s. Oh, and if you aren't taking vitamin supplements, be sure to start them! And be sure to eat well. The supplements and the meat you eat are full of amino acids and other fun stuff that are natural antidepressants (tryptophan, N-acetyl tyrosine, S-adenosyl methionine [SAMe], acetyl L-carnitine, and most of the B-complex vitamins).

Hang in there. And remember, 8 pounds in less than a month isn't bad when you look at conventional diets (such as low fat diets, etc.).

[Zuleikaa]

Many people on Effexor actually lose weight as it raises serotonin levels. More likely this (http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=159962) is your problem.

[Lammie22]

Many people on Effexor actually lose weight as it raises serotonin levels. More likely this (http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=159962) is your problem.

Unfortunately, my problem is year-round -- not just the winter, so it doesn't relate to me. But I thank you for the response. :yay: I was feeling quite ignored.

[Lammie22]

Effexor is an SSNRI, which is related to SSRIs, which do indeed inhibit weight loss on Atkins.... Hang in there. And remember, 8 pounds in less than a month isn't bad when you look at conventional diets (such as low fat diets, etc.).

Thank you very much. I had tried to find out what Effexor was (SSRI, MAOI, etc.) with no luck. I'll have to look up what an SSNRI is. I can't go off it, I know from 10 years experience with different meds, herbal remedies, that the herbals didn't work for me -- and I can't be without meds, so I need to find a way to get my body to work properly in spite of the medication. It's so frustrating.

I appreciate your response and help!!!

[cs_carver]

Is fully sustainable and will get you to your goal in 5 months. Not sure I see a problem here. It's not, admittedly, the spectacular loss that some people (mostly men) report when they first start on this WOE. But it's nothing to snort at, and in another month or so it will be clearly visible.

Patience. I didn't get to my top weight overnight and I've never maintained a low weight when I crash-dieted into it. I just went through a bloat this weekend and was rather surprised at how much I hated my face just five pounds bigger. Which I was thrilled with when I passed on the way down a few weeks back. Going slowly is giving me time to process this new way of being.

And I'm going to be eating like this for the rest of my life. No rush.

[Engine9]

I hope your finding the info you need. Effexor was not for me, the side effects were awful but Lexapro has been great. From what i understand from these types of meds the change in your brain by increasing seretonin makes food TASTE better, they don't do anything chemically to prevent weight loss. Pleases do some research on Lexapro I think this med is wonderful.

[NachoFoot]

I remember reading on a highly respectable medical website that healthy and normal weightloss was approximately 5-10 pounds a month which is about what Im experiencing as well.

I have heard that 5-HTP or 5-Hydroxy Tryptophan was the herbal supplement of choice for low-carbing and depression.

I think I read on the Atkins site that if you want to switch, casually lower your dose of SSRI medication to zero and then add the supplement 5-HTP. Ive heard there are drug interactions between the two and I think that's why they suggest casually lowering the SSRI medication.

[armywife3]

I am on prozac and found it works best for me and doesn't inhibit weight loss at all. I was on effexor as well and it did make me gain weight and it did not help me one bit depression wise. I hated effexor and getting off of it was the pits b/c of the side effects but best thing I ever did. I think effexor stinks at least for me. Prozac was my answer. They can say what they want about prozac but I will never give it up.