Klonapin / Cymbalta Weight Gain
I'm a 52 year old female who switched from Paxil to Cymbalta last winter -- for depression and anxiety. My gyn also has me on Activella (HRT), since February, as I am menopausal. In June of this year, I was diagnosed with 2 herniated discs in my neck. The neurologist I saw, did not recommend surgery, but immediately put me on Klonapin to relax the skeletal muscles when I sleep. I have to admit that the reduction in neck pain/stiffness was immediate. The bad part is... I have gained weight (7 lbs since June and 14 lbs within a year). With my regular doctor's assistance, I weaned off of the Cymbalta and Klonapin -- replacing them with Paxil and Ambien. Overall, I felt that the Cymbalta was causing me to gain weight, and possibly the Klonapin. Since I've been off the Klonapin (couple of weeks), my neck pain is starting to come back, and I've lost about 4-5 lbs. I'm at wits end. I can't tolerate gaining weight, as I work out/exercise... watch my diet, and am worried that going back on the Klonapin will cause me to put the weight back on. Any comments / feedback would be apprecicated. Thanks. Donna
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Lene on -
I am on Klonopin myself and recently put on Cymbalta. I gained alot of weight myself but now I am thinking it was because of the inactivity. Recently while still on Klonopin 1 whole for nitetime and 1/2 during the day if needed, I was also prescribed Cymbalta. I have lost weight since last December 70 lbs total. I notice now though I am at a stand still.
So you can lose the weight on these meds. It just has to be your priority I guess as It was for me. I was getting bigger and bigger. None of my clothes fit. I can say this with the up-most esperience....Klonopin & or Cymbalta can make you feel hungry in the evening. I know because I have experience it. I take my Cymbalta at night so I can move around during the day better.............. You must try to over ride that hunger and go to bed or drink a diet drink or something to take that edge off. Lene
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Permalink Reply by Amy K on -
Hi Dena,
I take this combination of medication, Klonapin and Cymbalta and I have been taking it for quite some time. I do think that the Klonapin in particular can make it more difficult to feel like being "active" and I have gained weight over time, but with concerted effort I have also lost weight when I was very focused.
I believe that there might be better pain relief options for your neck pain (that may not make you feel as lethargic or slow you down as much), something that is more of a muscle relaxer by design, as Klonapin is a benzodiazepine and is not designed particularly for muscle relaxation (it does work pretty good for it, though!). You might look into something like Flexeril, that is a muscle relaxant.
I am not a physician or anything, so this is just a thought!
Best wishes,
Amy
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Permalink Reply by dena on -
Amy,
Thanks so much for responding. I am going to be more aware of my inactivity, as I don't have the pep I did before. I'm sure that that Klonapin has impacted my energy level. I still work out twice a week with a trainer -- have for 8 1/2 years, but I've noticed that I get tired much easier than I did. I told him this evening that I'm going to work out (trendmill or something), in between our sessions. I hate to admit it, but the nights I don't work out... I sit around and watch t.v. That is not like me. I've always been an active person. I'm not crazy about the Klonapin, but when I don't take it before bedtime, my neck is very sore the next day. It's such a hard thing... I agree that I might be able to take something else besides that medication. It's worth discussing with my doctor. Thanks again. Dena
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Permalink Reply by Deanna on -
I also have been on Cymbalta and gained alot of weight, about 20 lbs. I am disgusted with myself and feel powerless. My doctor does not want me working out which makes it worse...Dystonia.
I remember another doctor telling me that alot of women get off it because they gain alot of weight. I had to go back to my fat clothes after I had lost 50 lbs a few years back.I finally had got rid of them and now, frustrated.I am back to being the fat sister of 3 again.If you can work out...do it.
Deanna
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Permalink Reply by Mindjet on -
Hi Dena -
Been on both meds as well and didn't gain any weight, probably because my job demands a lot of physical activity. I'm concerned that you're doctor put you on such an addictive drug like Klonapin that produces severe withdrawal effects when you stop taking it. There are other drugs on the market that are primarily indicated to relax the skeletal muscles when you sleep, like Xanaflex. It's highly effective and has zero withdrawal effects when you stop taking it. I recommend reading some of the posts on this site that address the nightmare stories from people who are trying to stop taking Klonapin and the horrifying symptoms they're suffering as a result. Depending on how long you're on the drug and the dose you're on, your withdrawal may be more or less bearable and last anywhere from two months to one year. Your doc may have chosen Klonapin because it's a longer acting drug than the traditional skeletal muscle relaxants, but not by much. Klonapin takes about 90 minutes to reach full efficacy and is active in the body for about 8 hours. Some people say twelve hours, the manufacturer says it depends on the individual (which means they don't want to commit either way). A drug like Xanaflex reaches full efficacy in 30 minutes and is active in the body for 4-6 hours. It's also much more effective at relaxing the skeletal muscle than Klonapin, which is primarily an anti-seizure med, also prescribed off label for anxiety like a sedative. Both drugs have unintended side effects that you may or may not experience that you should look into as well.
Stay well and get on that treadmill! :)
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