Right. The apparent cause of my weight problems appears to be the Lexapro. I was told that Lexapro was fairly side effect-neutral; however, after some further digging (it really does pay to be a medical writer at times), I've discovered it does cause carb cravings and weight gain, mainly because it can make the metabolism slow down to a snail's crawl. SSRIs as a drug class tend to have this side effect. And I'm a textbook case - the amount of weight I've gained in the time period I've been on Lexapro is spot on.
You're possibly thinking, "Now Cate, you are over 30. Are you sure it's not that causing the weight gain?" Yes, I am over 30. Yes, my metabolism has slowed down some. Yes, I did start gaining weight, which for me wasn't actually a bad thing as I was underweight most of my life. However, before Lexapro, the weight was coming on rather slowly, nothing like the amount I've gained since being on the Lexapro. And my even-more-stringent diet and exercise routine, which is disgustingly healthy, hasn't budged the bathroom scale one bit.
The dilemma of course is that if I go off the Lexapro, there is a chance of a recurrence of the panic attacks. If I stay on the Lexapro, there's a chance I'll get big as a house. I know there are current studies that show that antidepressants may be as about effective as placebos. Perhaps they're right. Perhaps it's just the act of taking a pill that makes you feel better. The placebo effect isn't necessarily a bad thing. Mind over matter and all that.
I'm leaning toward getting off the Lexapro. The nutritionist has a supplement I could take. Karen-the-acupuncturist also recommends fish oil supplements while weaning off SSRIs. She also put magnets on my left ear on Thursday (can't go walking around with needles in my ear, now can I?), told me to eat greens and protein 3 times a day with veggie snacks in between, and to call on Monday.
I suddenly had the urge and energy to clean out my closet last night. I donated 7 grocery bags and 2 black trash bags full of clothes. I suspect the magnets may have something to do with it. Karen did say they manifest amazing changes in people. They may not be getting rid of weight, but they get rid of baggage in short order.
On a completely unrelated note, I've discovered a lovely series called Kingdom, starring your favorite polymath and mine. Just the right mix of humor and drama, and Tony Slattery is hilarious as Mr Snell. I wish they'd release the DVDs in the US.
1 comment:
But if you ask your doctor to prescribe a placebo, won't you know you're on a placebo and thus negate the placebo effect, which hinges on you not knowing you're on the placebo?
(placebo count = 4)
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