Has Any Mom's Been on Zoloft?

Updated on March 02, 2008
J.K. asks from Houston, TX
38 answers

Hello Mom's,
I am curious to find out if any of you have ever used Zoloft for depression? If so, have any of you experienced weight gain?

Thank You,
J.

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N.B.

answers from Beaumont on

J., Hi, My name is N.. I have not ever been on Zoloft, but I have considered it. I'm 46 & have 3 children, ages 25,23,& 20. Looking back over the years I now realize that I suffered from feelings of helplessness, etc. I have found that their are healthier things you can do, like exercise, etc. I also take certain food suppliments, these have helped me feel better. I hope this helps a little. If you would like any more info just email me. Best Wishes, N.
____@____.com

1 mom found this helpful
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L.R.

answers from Austin on

Yes, i'm on Zoloft and have been for 9 years (50mg/day except when I was pregnant, 25mg/day). I did not experience weight gain, I did have dry mouth and low libido but that subsided after about 3 mths. Would be happy to answer any add'l questions you have, ____@____.com. Overall Zoloft (Vit Z) has made me a better, more confident and less anxious person. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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K.W.

answers from Corpus Christi on

I took Zoloft a year ago and lost weight for the first 6 months, then started gaining. From everything I've read that is pretty much a common patter for that medication.

1 mom found this helpful

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R.C.

answers from Houston on

It really saddens my heart to hear of so many people suffering from things like this. I would not want to advise someone to stop taking medicine but I would advise you to take your situation to The Lord. Psalm 55:22, Matthew 11:28-30, I Peter 5:7 are just a few examples of what scripture tells us about giving our burdens over to Him and trusting Him. I don't know where you stand with The Lord but I would encourage you to spend some time alone in prayer and reading your Bible if you have one. (If you don't I would be happy to send you one!)You will be amazed at how quickly He will act on your behalf. He is the only one that can give you true peace, John 16:33, Philippians 4:6-7. He has never let me down and He will not let you down either. I guarantee it!

2 moms found this helpful
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J.W.

answers from Houston on

Yes, I take Zoloft - and have been for some time. In fact, I take a double dose of Zoloft now after many years. I have not experienced weight gain which I can put down to Zoloft as it seems to actually suppress my appetite. You can take it without worry, however remember that when you first start taking it that first week - it "throws" you a bit, so take anti-anxiety meds as well that first week or two and perhaps a sleeping pill until the Zoloft kicks in. Kind regards to you J., from Jewel

1 mom found this helpful
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R.C.

answers from San Antonio on

I have been on Zoloft, Cymbalta, and Wellbutrin, all at different times of course. I did not experience weight gain on Zoloft. I would not recommend Cymbalta at all, and the Wellbutrin only seemed to help about 50% of the time.

My doctor said that there can be a strong family link as far as what type of anti-depressant will work best for a person. So if anyone else in your family has been on an anti-depressant, you should talk to that person about what worked and did not work for him/her. Then consider trying the same med.

1 mom found this helpful
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E.W.

answers from Odessa on

Hi. yes I was on zoloft when I was 21. I did not gain any weight. I actually lost weight because the better and happier I started to feel the more active I became. I started walking and exercising more at the gym. I was also on Lexapro about a year ago for 6 months. I lost weight on that because it curbs your appetite a little bit. But that's me, I have heard you can gain weight on them, but I think it might be mental too.
Hope this helps.

1 mom found this helpful
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P.B.

answers from Houston on

Hi,
I was diagnosed with a chemical unbalance two years ago. I took Paxil for the first 6 months and gained 10 pounds so, I switched to Wellbutrin and started loosing the weight but I didn't do very well on it so, I had to switch again; this time I switched to Lexapro and has been great. No side effects but, even if I watch what I eat and exercise enough to see some lost weight I haven't been able to loose any.
Every person is different and what may work for one may not work for another one. Anyway, I'll suggest you try Lexapro - I know a few friends and family members who take it and they do very well on it. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.F.

answers from Austin on

If you need it, please get on it! I was so overwhelmed and was getting daily headaches... Zoloft stopped that. I didn't gain weight, in fact, it made me want to exercise more which helped me loose weight.

1 mom found this helpful
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E.C.

answers from Houston on

I was on Zoloft for a year +. I found it really helped with my anxiety and depression-related anger. I also found that I actually lost weight. I think is was, in part, because the Zoloft did disrupt my digestive system a bit.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.M.

answers from Longview on

Hi J.,
I was on Zoloft not too long after my son was born. I was actually losing weight then, so no I did not have weight gain, but when I took it about 5 years ago I think I gained about 5 pounds. It really helped me. I was on it for about 3 months and then my doctor slowly took me off it (you don't want to come off any medication to fast). I had no side effects and felt so much better after taking it and a big plus is that when I was done taking it I did not find it hard to get off at all. Just talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have
Good Luck,
Lace

1 mom found this helpful
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S.C.

answers from Beaumont on

My daughter was on it, and she did gain about 5 lbs. within the first month.

Your system is it's own, so although listening to everyones expeience. You will never know until you try it.

I started taking Trazadone for depression, and lost weight, sleep and felt great. The happiest I have been in yrs., but at about the 6 month mark I was having palputations at night. So I started taking Wellbutrin, now XR. It's pretty effective, but I'm considering changing to something else, because I've watch my diet and excercise, but I'm bouncing 10 pounds(lost and gained back in 6 months>). And I am noticing some memory problems, that is a reaction from Wellbutrin I'm being told by sister in law an RN.
Good Luck.
Whatever uyou and your doctor choose, watch yourself closely. I didn't ever realize memory loss was a sideeffect of Wellbutrin, until my sil told me.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Killeen on

When I took Zoloft I wasn't a mom yet. I was about 16 and I hated the way it made me feel. I could never eat as much as I wanted to while I was on it. I would crave food but could only eat like 1/8 of a serving. I never experienced any weight gain, because of that. I wouldn't recommend Zoloft to any friend of mine.

Are you happy with the results other than weight gain? If so, I'd still request a different drug to help with depression because if you gain weight it could make your self esteem go back down. Ask your doctor about Effexor or Wellbutrin. They really helped me.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.T.

answers from Houston on

yes been on it for along time. I have five kids, down to my last two right now. I never had PMS or anything until after my second child and the more I had the worse it got. My mood swings are pretty extreme and about ten days before my period and a day or two as I am stopping. A small dose of this but constant prayer and support from ladies at my church help me to manage it. Oldest 23 daughter California married Navy guy two grandkids, son Army boot camp 22 another son just turned 21, in pprayer for him and his life, daughter 16 at home with son 13. Bot homeschool/ private parttime. I have been heavy since last kid, not sure if it is age (42) babies or zoloft! Lol!

1 mom found this helpful
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P.K.

answers from Houston on

i have been on many different anti-depressants, trying to get over post partum dpression... zoloft did not make me gain, weight... there is another one, wellbutrin, that a lot of people actually lose weight with... i don't know if you are seeing your ob with this, or gp, but you might consider a psychiatrist, a really good one (if you are looking, email me and i will give you my guy's name, he is so kind and knows how to not over medicate). if you choose to use medicine to treat depression, you need to know very clearly what you are dealing with, so i would go to the best doctor you can. take care-

1 mom found this helpful
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S.P.

answers from Waco on

My sister just changed from Zoloft to another.
She did experience some weight gain. That might have been related to the fact that she could actually EAT food and not feel too bad about it. I don't know if it was just the meds.
Do try it though. It really helped her. She has been on it for 7 years now. she has a 7 year old boy.
Try it, really.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.M.

answers from Austin on

Not only weight gain so much as the huge sex drive killer it had on me.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.O.

answers from Austin on

WEight gain is a listed side effect of zoloft - although a quite uncommon side effect. So look at your consumption and see if the weight gain can be explained by your eating habits or exercise habits - if not, it is possible to be zoloft

1 mom found this helpful
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D.D.

answers from San Antonio on

I have been on Zoloft for several years and I actually lost weight. My problem was that it made me very thirsty. But all in all I liked it.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.H.

answers from Houston on

J.
Please see the link below. I have been treated with flouxetine, it is similar to Zoloft, and did not gain any extra weight. In this link you will see that they clear indicate that it does not cause weight gain. However you should discuss the effects with your doctor. It may vary from person to person. I hope that helps.

Have a great day!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sertraline

A.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.V.

answers from Houston on

I have been on Zoloft since 1995 and would highly recommend it! I did not experience the weight gain but some of the other side effects. They only lasted about three weeks but was worth it.
S.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.A.

answers from Houston on

I have been on it for about 3 years now... I started gaining a little weight but you have to get out and excerise and get alot of sunlight. A beautifull day will make you feel better and don't watch the life time channel (smile).. but the sun will do very good. P.S. keep busy

1 mom found this helpful
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A.P.

answers from Austin on

Yes, I was on Zoloft(50mg) for about a year and did not gain weight. I actually became motivated to lose weight. My daughter also takes it(150mg) but has actually gained quite a bit of weight. Our psychiatrist says that Zoloft does not cause weight gain, so I don't know--how long have you been on it?

1 mom found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Houston on

J.,
I know of some people that have been on Zoloft. It seems to work for a while but not long term. I have suffered with depression off and on. The thing that works for me is fish oil. I get it at the health food store. I use DHA by Nordic Naturals. Fish oil has the omega 3's and is very good for your health. It's great for your mood, memory and neurological function. I have also used 5HTP (from the health food store) which raises the serotonin levels. Try the natural remedies first and see if that works for you.
S.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.Q.

answers from San Angelo on

I took Zoloft a few years ago for depression. I did gain weight which did not help my depression any. I eventually moved on to Paxel CR and it worked great! Regular Paxil made me sick though. Now I am taking Wellbutron XR (I think thst is how you spell it.)

I am a stay at home mom with a 9 year old don with ADHD, 4 year old drama queen and a six month baby girl. I also watch a eight month old boy part-time.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.K.

answers from Houston on

I have not been on Zoloft, but am a drug rep and sold it for 3 years. ALL of the Zoloft studies have proven it to be "weight neutral" which means it does not cause weight gain - Paxil causes the most weight gain. Zoloft truly is the BEST anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medication. All of my friends that were/are on it prefer it over any other SSRI that they have taken. I would highly recommend you consider taking it. it has changed many people's lives for the better. i had a friend once tell me that had she started zoloft years before she did, then she probably would not have never gotten a divorce! Good luck!

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R.M.

answers from Austin on

I urge you to be getting counseling as well, if you are taking any antidepressants at all. Exercising will combat depression and weight gain, so you may try that as well.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Longview on

I took Zoloft and Wellbutrin after I had my daughter who is now 10. Yes it made me gain weight and that made me even more depressed. I called my doctor about it and he took me off of the medication period. We decided to use therapy to handle the stresses in my life at that time. I don't know the circumstances to which you are taking this medication, but I highly recommend talking with your doctor about this. With all the new medications that are out, he should be able to find something that will not cause you to gain weight.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.B.

answers from Seattle on

Yep, I gained wieght 30lbs on it and had to change to Prozac. Also in response to a pp do not take 5HTP if you are nursing it is not compatible to nursing.
HUGS
T.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.M.

answers from Corpus Christi on

I have had 2 children and after the birth of my first, I have had to go on anti-depressants due to changes in hormones, unfortunately (something I've had to learn to deal with). I will say that every person's body reacts differently to meds, both with respect to weight gain/loss and to effectiveness of their mental disorder. Therefore, what works for one person and how it affects one person is NOT how it will necessarily be the same for another - you must understand that, from the get go. Some people respond well to natural remedies, like St. John's Wort, but it didn't work for me. Paxil worked well after my first-born but wasn't effective after my secondborn. I tried Wellbutrin because it didn't cause wgt gain, but it wasn't effective enough for my depression after my second-born. I used both Zoloft and Effexor XR after my second-born, which were effective for my depression; unfortunately, both packed on the pounds, in my case, and I asked my physician to take me off those meds after two years due to the wgt gain. This year I started taking Cymbalta, and I have found the the anti-depressant that is effective for my depression and for some people has the side-effect of wgt loss. :~) Works for me!!! It really is a trial and error J., as everyone's hormones, metabolism, mental state, etc. is different. Hope this helps. Best wishes to you and a brighter day is coming.

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S.S.

answers from Houston on

I did long time a ago and I didn't like it.I didn't feel any change. Have you try work from home? When I was on those pills I responded to work from home opportunity and I started to get busy and much better.

S.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.B.

answers from Houston on

I was on Zoloft for about 6-7 months, about 4 years ago, and yes I did gain weight on it and it's very addictive. I would suggest looking into others. I did well with Lexapro and Effexor-XR. On any medication there's a risk of gaining weight, but with these I didn't, and I didn't feel as crazy or as "wired" as I did with Zoloft. Stay away from Cymbalata, unless you like la-la land. I had a lot of memory problems, and sleep problems with that one and I only took it for 2 weeks, which I still don't remember to much of.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.C.

answers from Houston on

My daughter was on Zoloft and gained 20 + pounds. We didn't realize it was the medication until I read the side effect in "You on a diet" by Dr. Oz. She has since got off of it and feels fine. Good Luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.S.

answers from Houston on

I was on Zoloft after my first pregancy and I had no weight gain. But if you are interested in maybe an alternative that is natural, my labor nurse with my second baby told me that FISH OIL is another way to control depression!! I used that instead of any other antidepressant and it seemed to work really well!!

L. S.
www.MyFamilyB4Work.com

1 mom found this helpful
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K.B.

answers from San Antonio on

Not Zoloft but Lexapro which is also basically a mood stabilizer. I did have some weight gain and some issues with not feeling intimate. Exercise was the key for me. It helped keep my weight in check, gave me some time for myself, and helps to release the endorphines that make you feel dare I say "horney"

1 mom found this helpful
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E.B.

answers from Austin on

I took it for postpartum depression and it worked very well for me. I did not gain any weight, but my doctor said that some people do. I did have some other side effects, but they went away after a few weeks.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.N.

answers from Odessa on

i was put on zoloft after my son was born. it seemed to help with the postpardom, and it didn't cause any weight gain. if your looking for something that'll really help with deppresion, take lexapro. that really helped me after my daughter was born (she has always been a 'high maintenance child'). that did not cause any weight gain either.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.M.

answers from Houston on

Yes! Plus I take thyroid meds. I have put on about 35 lbs and am having a hard time getting it off. Any advise out there?

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