Effexor being used to help with an eating disorder?

Question

I just started taking Effexor last night to help with depression and anxiety and feeling of guilt, etc....caused by, related to and made worse because of Bulemia. I have just begun getting help for my eating disorder, though I know i have years of recovery ahead of me. I read the petition online over Effexors devastating side affects, and am now totally freaked out. One of the main things mentioned was massive weight gain. Of course this scares me so badly, I know if I gaina single pound, I will go back to what I know, and the reason for my hell in the first place. I just want to know if anyone else out there has been prescribed Effexor b/c of an eating disorder, and how you experience was, good or awful. I just started taking it last night, and I am taking the extended release, so i am starting on 37.5 and working my way up. If anyone can give me any advice or ANYTHING, please, please do! Thank you

Answer 1

Oh dear...you see, I was trying to remember the name of this med last night. I just took a couple of the pills for fun b/c they made me really nervous and I didn't want to eat.

In the long run, it could cause the opposite effect of making you eat, yes. In my personal opinion, it isn't the best med for eating problems b/c of the weight gain potential.

My doc suggested Cymbalta. Have you asked ur doc abt that one? I would say Topamax b/c it is meant to stop people from bingeing, but that one made me stop wanting to eat, period, which messed me up more in a way.

I would say maybe you should talk to him about Cymbalta instead, and if you end up taking the one you're taking anyway, just know that not everybody gets those side effects. If you do, then you can always wean off of it as soon as you notice the weight gain and you will lose it back.

But the important thing is to take something to break you of the habit of doing what you're doing. The rest you can deal with later. More than likely, you won't care if you gain a little bit of weight b/c the drug will make you not care (I had this experience w/Prozac. It was kinda cool b/c I would like eat lunch with people and stuff...such normal things that seem amazingly difficult now).

Hang in there...you are doing the right thing by getting help! I wish I had your strength.

Answer 2

You have begun the road to recovery you cant believe everything you read medications work differently on different people, I have been on Effexor for over 12 months and have had no weight gain what so ever, in fact as i started exercising more because I was feeling better I have even managed to lose some so relax and let it do its job and good luck!

Answer 3

Yes I have heard of this drug being used on people with eating disorders. Drugs also list 'death' as a side effect but I never really see people freak out over that one... gaining/loosing weight is a side effect that is probably on dang near every single drug out there. Just because someone's weight changed while they were on a drug does not mean that it was nessarly the drug that caused it- but the drug company wants to cover their butt so it's a side effect.
even if it is a real honest side effect only so many people have it, not everyone. The people with the side effect complain so you hear them more then the people with no problems.
Give the drug a try, if you don't like it you can always change to something else

Answer 4

Besides taking respectable steering, one has to nurture well behavior. Build prime normal of ethical habits, as a consequence making flooring for a robust man or woman groundwork. This system will also clear up such issues.

Answer 5

drugs effect people in different ways, it might not do that to you, i think it causes your appetite to increase so if you just watch what you eat which I'm sure you already do then you will be fine, just by taking the drug itself wont magically add pounds onto you.
good luck I hope every thing works out for you x