Dear Dr. Scally
I am a 47 year old white male. 5 years ago, I began taking Paxil, after suffering from on and off depression, anxiety, panic attacks and some ocd. After a difficult time in 2002 I told my story to a good psychiatrist for the first time (I had seen a psychologist for one year, but no meds). He recommended Paxil. It changed my life. Although I had never been unable to perform my job, get on a plane, etc., I had suffered greatly at times, and Paxil provided real relief. But, at a cost. When I began taking Paxil I weighed 195 pounds. I now weigh 250. This is in spite of diet and exercise. I have been fit my whole adult life, athletic. I work out every day: run, swim, lift, and have for 30 years. If I ever drifted over 200 pounds, I ran a bit more, ate a bit less, and the weight shifted downward. On Paxil however, the weight, after about 6 months, started JUMPING up! I got so frustrated I even had liposuction around my gut in 2003. But the weight gain continued. I've been prescribed supposedly countering meds by my psychiatrist: wellbutrin, topomax, you name it, he's prescribed it, and I've tried it. Nothing. On my own, I've taken phentermine, zenical, hoodia, ephedra, anything and everything. Atkins, South Beach, you name it. I'm now trying a cocktail of Omega 3, CLA, Vitamin E, Calcium and Magnesium. "After 5 weeks, the weight starts to come off." Uh, no, it doesn't. I simply feel, at this point, that if I don't fight fire with fire, I'll never see myself again. My cholesterol went from 195 to 250. I've gained 50 pounds. Nothing works. Is there ANYTHING you could recommend that I could try in the area of steroids that would be relatively safe? I've been going to gyms for 30 years. I know all about working out. HELP!?
Matt
fayette60@mac.com