Weight gain

Hi! I just had an appointment with my neuro tonight and he explained to me that the weight that I am putting on is because I am on Cymbalta and Klonopin to control my dystonia. He couldn't recommend anything that would help other than regular exercise which I try to do as much as possible.

Does anyone have any problems like this and could recommend something that they do to control the weight gain? I am really uncomfortable with this weight, although the meds control my dystonia very well.

I feel that I am winning in one area and losing terribly in another.

Any suggestions would be great!

Thanks
Donna

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tony on September 16, 2008 at 1:09am: This weight gain is typical for some of the unlucky ones on these types of medications. The weight that you are experiencing is one of water weight or bloat and can be very uncomfortable. Most will experience a 15 to 20 pound weight gain and have swollen hands, ankles and a bloated feeling in their belly area.
There is help!! Here is the solutions, I hope you decide to use it.
Eating a heart-healthy diet. This diet should include:
Lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts
Lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fat-free milk and milk products.

Limited saturated fats and cholesterol.
Eliminate trans fats.
Reduce your sodium (salt) intake to under 2000mg/day
Limit or better yet eliminate all added sugars.
Limiting your intake of alcohol.

This along with some type of physical activity (preferably 30 minutes 3 to 4 days a week)
should keep that water weight at bay.

For more info go to Getyourleanon.com.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Donna on September 16, 2008 at 8:43am: Hi Tony,

Thanks for the info. Will this help eliminate the water?

Thanks
Donna; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tony on September 16, 2008 at 5:02pm: Yes, this will alleviate the water and take the pressure off your lower back, hands and ankles.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Northrncitylady on September 18, 2008 at 1:46am: Hi Donna,
I've been on clonazapam (generec for Klonopin) for three years and have lost over 70 pounds because I also had weightloss surgery. I'm still losing weight, slowly now. I'm wondering if it is the Cymbalta that is causing you to retain weight? Can you tell me how Cymbalta works? My neuro still kind of things my early onset generalized paraxesmal disconesia (sp) is in my head, though I've lived with it since I was 8 years old not knowing what it was until about 4 years ago. I do know there is one med for dystonia that actually helps you lose weight. I was on it, but the side effects made me sick. I can't remember the name, it was in the beginning. Can you tell me how the Cymbalta and klonopin work together? I'm on medicare, so have to use the generec clonozapam. Thanks!,
Northerncitylady; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sheridragonfly on September 10, 2009 at 11:31pm: I took cymbalta only 20 mg once a day for 2 years
I had to take the klonopin 1/2 of l mg at night to calm me down to go to sleep
the cymbalta made me grind my teeth, have insomnia...and just pure hyper..

I came off the cymbalta because of those reasons and also weight gain.
I had such a horrible withdrawal that I tried two more antideppresants to try
to get rid of the side effects of withdrawal ..those two caused suicidal reactions..
I was at home the entire time, unable to afford to check in to a clinic for a few weeks
I can tell you it is scary when those drugs coming off them make you feel that odd....
with panic attacks, sweating, dizzy, stop eating, depression that is heavy, paranoia,
and anger ....all of that happened to me coming off paxil and then years later cymbalta....

The klonopin can cause depression or worsen it in some people like me..
but it is a good drug...I make sure I take it once or twice a week only.
I think topamax is the one that you can lose weight ..; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Hazel on September 18, 2008 at 2:45pm: Hi!

It has been suggested to me to go on Cymbalta for panic attacks and depression. I know these SSRI drugs do add on weight. My clonazepam is not taken regularly so that is not a problem but I do not want any added weight. I wonder if there is some way I can beat the attacks without resorting to any medicines.

Hazel; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sheridragonfly on September 10, 2009 at 11:38pm: I have heard from a psychiatrist wife who has dystonia that a low dose per day of Lexapro has been
best of panic attacks..keep the dose at 5 mg..if you can...lower the better on any of those drugs..
you can always go higher if needed..

Cymbalta made me had more panic and more agitation to deal with...even at the lowest dose per day of 20 mg..

I think behavorial counseling can help you ...for the panic and fear..

Panic stems from fear hidden and out in the open fear... and also
from a body reaction with the adrenaline..my thoughts

I saw a christian licensed psychologist for a few months..of sessions
and told him of the panic...

and with my faith in Jesus christ
I have improved greatly with the panic attacks , that I have had for 30 some years..
Sheri; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dianne Rees on September 18, 2008 at 6:17pm: Cymbalta is an interesting drug in that short-term use in clinical trials was actually associated with weight loss. As an SNRI, the drug binds to both serotonin and norepinephrine receptors. Serotonin receptor blockade's actually thought to inhibit appetite/weight gain and norepinephrine's not really thought to have an effect. But longer-term use of Cymbalta and higher doses (eg, 60 mg) have been associated with weight gain in some studies. The biology behind it is unclear-brain chemistry tends to adjust after long-term exposure to neurotransmitter inhibitors and everyone is different in how they adjust.

Klonopin is a benzodiazepine and acts by increasing a chemical signaling molecule in the brain called GABA that acts as an OFF signal for many neural pathways involved in anxiety (in other words, the drug increases the level of this OFF signal and decreases anxiety). Theoretically, short-term Klonapin use is not associated with weight gain, but quite a few report weight gain upon longer-term use.

So it's a bit of a biological mystery (not comforting, I know), but as Tony's pointed out there are ways to fight it. Also stress contributes to weight gain and exercise and/or meditation can help that, so be good to yourself--that makes a difference.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by monty007 on September 21, 2008 at 8:48am: I have also gained weight and i am taking cymbalta, remeron and elavil, glad you told me that the cymbalta puts on weight, my dr didn't tell me that; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Northrncitylady on September 22, 2008 at 11:22pm: When I was first diagnosed, I was on baclafin (sp) but the side effects were so bad I had to stop taking it after a few days. Then, my doctor said that was too bad because baclafin actually helps people lose weight. Does anyone know about this or experienced it?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Hazel on September 27, 2008 at 9:35am: Hi!

I was told that cymbalta would put weight on me by the doctor. She told me that the drug is used for another use and that I don't have voices talking in my head to do things but that I would be put on the lowest doseage to slow my brain down from thinking 24/7. The idea of not having control over my memory or thoughts does not turn me on. The only side effect my friends had on baclafen were memory loss and mood changes. Some lost good relationships and went off it. They never told me about losing weight on it.

Hazel; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Donna on September 27, 2008 at 2:42pm: Hi Hazel,

My doctor didn't tell me about all the weight gain, either. I think these people should be more responsible when starting me on new meds. I want to know ALL the side effects. not just how well it will help me. I admit that I have not felt better since he started me on Klonopin and Cymblata, but gaining 20 pounds in three months is a little ridiculous!
Next week, I am starting to see a nutrionist at a hospital near me who works with disease selective weight loss.
I'll let you know how I make out.

Donna; ▶ Reply to This