I am wondering if the Atkins WOL affects depression? and also if taking paxil ?

has anyone had any affects? becoming more depressed? or the opposite?

216?/202/170?
started 1/1/04
mini goal: under 200 lbs

merdiva,

I've had the opposite effect definitely. Before my LC WOE, I had suffered depression and boughts of extreme highs and lows in my energy level. I took Effexor for 9months, so can't speak about Paxil. I've read that some types of antidepressants may result in some weight gain.

Since starting Atkins, my energy levels are very steady all day long, and I haven't had even a smidge of depression. And that dreaded side effect from the medication (next to no libido) is gone on this WOE, too. Keeping your blood sugar steady by avoiding high carb junk really can help with depression. I've also added walking 5 days a week, which is another great tool for warding off the depression monster. Good luck-be sure to talk to your doctor if you decide to stop the meds.

Rachel in Texas

5'4"
Valentine's: 220/215/210
Overall: 225/215/140

thanks I've been okay so far, this might be a really bad bout of PMS, I'll see if it passes.

This is my first experience feeling like this on Atkins.

I love all the energy and i do walk a mile a day (inside walking tape), and i can't wait to see the sun outside so I can get out and excercise.

Thanks for your reply

216?/202/170?
started 1/1/04
mini goal: under 200 lbs

If you are concerned you should check with your doctor. You never can be to safe.

Good luck all!!
Seesko


starting date 1/5/04

242/234/135

"What my mind can envision; my body can master!"

merdiva

for me depression is a thing of the past,

BigLez Soon to be Littlelez

If you have never made a mistake then you've done nothing

This was me before Atkins,
This is me in my low carb wol I have been dealing with depression and mood swings for most of my life. I find that low carb eating keeps me at a happy medium. I feel great. Keep smiling

thanks for all the replys

I usually dont get like this very often, there is nothing a Dr will do except for "up your meds" blah on that !

I'll wait this out, I'm suspecting its just "that time of the month" when the blahs are even more blah. This is my first cycle on Atkins .. I worked out today too as well. Perhaps a bubble bath with my new mat and bath pillow will suffice.

216?/202/170?
started 1/1/04
mini goal: under 200 lbs

Low-carbing does affect your neurotransmitters. It lowers levels of serotonin and increases levels of dopamine. That's one reason for the burst of energy and insomnia that many people experience.

I noticed the burst of energy effect more during the early couple of months of the diet. After that, it seemed to tail off, perhaps from becoming accustomed to it.

I've suffered recurring depression for many years and have to take medication for it. I can't say that low-carbing has done much to improve my MOODS, although it did create some improvement in energy level. And, since I don't cheat, it has tended to stabilize my moods so I don't have the same kind of swings.

November and December, things got worse for me, and I had to get the doc to play with my meds. I'm on another medication now, an old one, Anafranil, that can really mess with your appetite, but I seem to be doing much better. I'll be able to get another 3-month weigh-in next week, so we'll see how things have gone.

A lot of people say that low-carbing is good for depression. There are enough people saying it to make me think that there must be some truth to it. I just don't see it as a cure-all for anything.

**************
"Sometimes I think you have to march right in and demand your rights, even if you don't know what your rights are, or who the person is you're talking to. Then on the way out, slam the door."

Hi, My name is Lanee. I suffer from depression also. I take Paxil too. I know I don't crave sweets/carbs like I used to. And I beleive my moods are a little better. I have been trying to eat low-carbs and very little sugar for about 2 months now.. I have lost 27 lbs.. I still get depressed, but that is not to do with eating LowCarbs or dieting... Kindly, Lanee....

Lanee

I too suffer from dep/anxiety/moods/irritability, etc. and take Paxil. I unfortunately found when I started Atkins my moods were HORRIBLE for the first 2 to 3 weeks? I don't know if it was just a change in the body chemistry and my brain chemicals but now I've tapered off and am finding it easier to deal w/ my stress and my depression.... ALSO, I haven't had any anxiety so far.. So, it was rough at first, but now MUCH BETTER
Good luck

I am feeling the same, very emotional (more crying) which is very not in my norm, depression and increased mood swings, I"ve been taking my paxil everyday, before it was a few times a week, every other day or so, Im feeling better today but for the past few days, I literally felt disoriented and out of it. I'm still waiting to see if it will pass, I even upped my carbs a little bit to see if it will level out.

Tough choice, lowcarbing or mental health, but sometimes the weight is a factor in the depression, so which comes first, the chicken or the egg? which do you treat first ?

216?/201/170?
started 1/1/04
mini goal: under 200 lbs

Merdiva:
Your message above gives me a clue that you may be self medicating. By that I mean that you may have been taking Paxil differently than it was prescribed. If so, you need to know that with the SSRI's (or any anti-depressant) you must take it regularly as it is prescribed. Normally they are prescribed once daily. The reason for this is to get the serotonin levels up in your blood and keep them up. If you skip a dose, you are not getting the full benefit from the medication. You may even be doing more harm than good to your mood. Don't be afraid to ask your Doctor to increase it. Sometimes that is just what is needed. It is a medicine, not a punishment. For some of us it is a life saver. I am a psychotherapist, but not a Dr. I do not prescribe medications. You need to see your Dr. as soon as you can.

Peace, Peg
1/1/03
205/174/165
5'8"

Yeah, Pegster is right. You shouldn't take Paxil whenever you feel like it, like it was an aspirin. You're supposed to take it every day. It builds up in your blood. Until the blood levels reach a certain level, it doesn't really kick in and do an optimal job.

Taking it off and on is probably worse than not taking it at all.

**************
"Sometimes I think you have to march right in and demand your rights, even if you don't know what your rights are, or who the person is you're talking to. Then on the way out, slam the door."

I know very well the paxil side effects and how to take it correctly, as I have been taking it since 1999, I thank you for your input tho. I know myself well enough to know how to medicate myself. Everyone is different, and I am have spent much time educating myself on mental health issues and medications (I have a bipolar son). I know for a fact that the atkins diet does have some affect on me mentally, and thats ok, I just will have to learn how to balance all of this.

216?/201/170?
started 1/1/04
mini goal: under 200 lbs

I was diagnosed with depression in 1994 after suffering with it my whole life. I never knew why I had terrible mood swings and could not concentrate. It was truly a blessing to discover that it wasn't me but an illness that could be corrected with medication. I have been on Prozac ever since. Have tried other types but have had no luck with them and have gone back to Prozac. It works for me but I am sure it accounts for my very, very, very, very slow weight loss.
I tried again several months ago to go off the meds but knew after 1 month that I could not do that. So I am resigned to losing slowly but it means I have a life because of the medication.
I don't see any change in moods with the WOE but I know that physically I am better.

Shortie19
240+/193.5/130
Since 1/1/03