stopped taking Prozac due to weight gain - having major anxiety issues

Rivka · 09-30-2009, 02:46 PM

Hi everyone,

I was on Prozac for anxiety and was also gaining weight. I stopped the Prozac and lost 12 pounds - all seemed fine at first but then the OCD symptoms came on full force.

I live in Greensboro, NC but have been thinking of moving cities and am in a total panic about it (can't sleep, etc.) I keep blaming myself about everything andn telling myself that I have wasted time not doing one thing or another. I feel especially bad about not having reached my weight loss goal yet.

I made a list of pros and cons of moving and not moving but I really don't know what to do. I thought of living abroad (in Europe) but am scared to death about that too. I am about to be 29 and feel like I have wasted a lot of my life ... I haven't even had sex yet and that makes me feel like I have a big Loser sign stamped on my forehead.

Anyway, here are my pros and cons of staying and leaving:

Pros -

Nice people overall

Nice seasons usually (although this Winter has been earlier and harsher so far than some have been it obviously has nothing on the Northeast)

Not too much traffic/road rage, etc (although this doesn’t affect me as much as a pedestrian as it would driving)

Good ethnic restaurants (some within walking distance) and downtown within walking distance, ethnic diversity in town

Can get to state capital, Charlotte, Boone, and Washington DC via express bus or train (although limited sightseeing timewise depending on bus/train schedule)

Good roommateNice apartment in good location

About 5 friends overall (2 from college) about 1 or 2 of whom I see regularly

Great primary care and gyno

Downside
Transportation overall – lack of good (and stops running on Sundays at 6 pm) HEAT bus among colleges and to and from Friendly Shopping Center/downtown improvement but it doesn’t run from mid May to mid August (muggiest time of year)

Smoking still permitted in all dance clubs and 98 percent of bars (certain restaurants too smokey since smoking section morphs into non-smoking)
Still somewhat bible belt-ish (although maybe that will change somewhat now that I joined the temple to offset it)

On the times when friends aren’t free to hang out or days a week (usually 3 or 4) when there are no meetup events there isn’t as much going on as I would like, especially during Summer and Winter months

Feel in some ways that I am "in between" age ranges (mostly college students or married couples with children)

radio stations not that good

haven’t found opportunities as of yet working for newspaper, etc. (and maybe fewer opportunities for work than elsewhere)

Still the land of Biscuitville (good restaurants but not many featuring a healthier menu or lower cal options)

Anyway, sorry for the long post. Any help would be appreciated! I had surgery for an unexpected brain hemmorhage when I was 12 and I think part of this anxiety goes back to everything surrounding that.

Anyway,thanks in advance!

thincyster85 · 10-03-2009, 04:51 PM

A situation like that can cause normal anxiety as it is. But if you are having extreme problems there might be other medications that you could try that wouldn't cause the huge weight gain. Talk to your Dr., sounds like you need to. Good luck!

katie_girl · 10-05-2009, 04:50 PM

I agree. I know that prozac can cause weight gain. In fact I dont understand why doctors even prescribe that medication, because why would you put an already depressed women on a medication that will make her gain weight. I think you need to talk to your doctor!!!!! Ask him/her about a different anxiety medication - there are so many out there. I take generic zoloft and it works great for me!!!

There is definatley something else you can be taking that will not make you gain weight.
Good Luck!!
As far as the moving situation. Moving somewhere else would be a great opportunity - a fresh start, new place, new people, new attitude. But also very difficult if you are leaving behind friends & family. Pray about it.

Everything happens for a reason!!
Keep us posted!

Illustrious · 10-06-2009, 01:31 AM

Prozac was horrible for me also. If Wellbutrin would help with your condition, you should look into it. It made me lose a few pounds... Not much but it was something! :]

I think you should stay where you are for a while... At least until you stabilize. You have friends there and a familiar doctor.

Twilight2008 · 10-09-2009, 08:01 PM

I never found much success with Prozac for anxiety but Effexor and Paxil have worked well in that area.

I think it is great you've written down all the pros and cons so you can look at it objectively and weight your choices! If the very thought of moving is causing that much anxiety for you it may not be what you need. Perhaps staying put for awhile until you get your anxiety better under control would be best.

Just some thoughts, I wish you the very best!

Mel