I was diagnosed with depression in October (although I have had it a while and tried to push it away), and have been put on Effexor XL which are helping a bit. The problem is I am getting more depressed due to being home all day with the dizzies (luckily that will end when I start my new job in Jan) and the combination of depression and feeling exhausted from having the dizzies all day means that at least once a week me and H end up getting tke away (be it pizza or burgers etc) , and this is making me gain weight, which is in turn (you guessed it) making me feel even more depressed.

Is there anyway to get out of this vicious circle?

Hi Vicky

I'm lucky in that I've never had depression, but I can relate to the weight gain issue. Lack of exercise and easy access to food (being at home all the time) has made it hard for me to control my weight. I'm currently trying to cut out all the rubbish I eat (again) and I'm going to dust off the stepper thingy I bought and never used, lol.
Here's hoping............

xx

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We strongly advise anyone wishing to take up vrt or change/stop medication should consult their doctor first.

i also have depression, i went through a very bad episode, which i never thought i would get myself out of. i was put on the anti depressants, which made me feel worse so stopped and got alot if information on how to overcome it by myself. which with having the labs i find very difficult and tireing. i also find it exhausint trying to cook meals for myself and my kids and am phoning for take aways quite alot. i know i need to get out alot to try and overcome my depression and anxiety that the labs has brought with it, so you could try to do that help yourself in a few ways. excercise, fitness, clear head clear mind!!!!!

FROM CLARE xx

I know how you feel VickyM1984.
I went through a period for about or month or two with the dizzies where I just felt so low (I've never actually been diagnosed with depression) that I would eat and eat and eat. Then I would gain weight and feel worse!
Probably the best thing that I've done throughout this whole thing is getting back to eating healthy and exercise. I know somedays the LAST thing that we all want to do is get up and work out, but it does wonders for the mind and body. You'll feel great afterwards. Try some yoga as well. I know, when I'm feeling stressed and anxious I pop in my yoga dvd and it does wonders! (I've already lost a few pounds too )

I get really depressed too. Depression has the reverse effect on me though. I have been dizzy for two weeks straight and anxious a lot so I couldn't eat and lost 6 pounds already. I am not a big person either so it can be bad going the other way too.
Excersise has always been a big part of my life but for me working out makes my symptoms worse until I am more cleared up. That is really depressing for me because I am very athletic normally.

Also, yoga is great Marissa, I hear it is really relaxing. But watch out if you are a BPPV sufferer because it can bring on an episode because of the head positions. I read somewhere that yoga instructors get the dizzies a lot!

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<div align="center">We strongly advise anyone wishing to take up vrt or change/stop medication should consult their doctor first</div>

Hi Vicky

It all comes down to will power. But a tough one when one is at home with access
to food. You know that green tea-- there is decaf-- helps to take off weight.
It is healthy for you too. If you have to have take away then get a salad with your
burger. Have a plain burger with just a dallop of ketchup. Sometimes condiments
are not good. For pizza there are thin crust ones, go vegetarian, there are divine ones.
Hope this helps some.
I suffer from depression and I am the opposite I do not eat much and I lose weight.
Which if one is thin to begin with not good.

All the best on your new job.

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but we can adjust the sails"

We strongly advise anyone wishing to start/stop or change vrt or start/change/stop medication should consult their doctor first.

Thankyou everyone. I have decied to try and get some "nice" food in the freezer instead, as although it is still more unhealthy than a propper meal it is no where near a takeaway

Hi Vicky

Do you have a nice husband or friend who would do some cooking if you are not up to it? You could buy a whole load of healthy ingredients and get said nice person to make a huge batch of something freezable, like a nice stew, curry, or soup which you could then freeze in portion sizes, and defrost and heat up quickly if you can't face cooking.

Pam xx

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xx


We strongly advise anyone wishing to take up vrt or change/stop medication should consult their doctor first.

Hi Vicky

Im sorry you are putting on weight, I think depression effects us on in different ways with regard to weight. like nitty i lost weight, in fact I went down to 6 stone which at my height wasnt a pretty sight, I used to cry everyday, as when i looked in the mirror I looked terrible, nothing fitted me.

I also didnt go outside the house for 6 months, I couldnt face anybody, but having CBT helped me, just getting out and walking just a few yards at a time, one day at a time.

Try and eat plenty of fresh veggies and do a bit of walking or even pilates if you can face going to a class will help.

Im thinking of you take care

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When I was on Effexor a few years back I gained a lot of weight, it has taken me 2 years to finally have the power to tell my self to stop eating crap, Just make the conscious decision at the market not to buy crap and stick with the healthy stuff the weight does come off a lot easier when you do that.