going to start Mirtazapine

The drug works. Weight can be maintained. I've been on it for 4 months now. I put 2 kgs on in the first 2 weeks. I started at 86 and went to 88kgs. Through diet and exercise I am now down to 82kgs. You need to regulate your diet and exercise in order to avoid weight gain. It can be done. I feel very fit and healthy. gige yourself fitness goals and only eat when your hungry. The drug slows your metabolism and increases your appetite. Go for a walk first thing in the morning to kick start your metabolism. Take the drug last thing at night to avoid the appetite increase.

I repeat the drug is great for your mood.

I hope you get well soon.

Nick

Firstly, you are likely to gain some comfort from being on here. Why? Often even family, close friends, well meaning friends ..even doctors CANNOT truly understand what having poor mental health is like. How debilitating and life destroying it can be and how challenging it can be to have even one happy thought/feeling amidst a landscape of despair. BUT on here you should/will sense you are not alone; there are others that can relate to your struggle and pain.

(((YOU CAN AND WILL GET BETTER!!!)))

Secondly, reading through your post I feel for you and can well relate to the issue of Mirtazapine and likely weight increase. Thing is you've done well already to have pre-empted things ..and knowledge being power so to speak you are in s good position to put into place a diet/healthy eating plan (e.g. have fruit lying around the house instead of sweet items to satisfy any increased cravings etc). Point is most people who put weight on with Mirtazapine tend only to notice they have after the have if you get my meaning. So just accept you may have say cravings and/or become less active as the sedative effect of Mitazapine kicks in, and then put into place counter measures.

(((YOU ARE NOT ALONE ON HERE)))

Thirdly, I've had periods when dark thoughts take a grip on my life and I've been left feeling life wasn't worth it. BUT REMEMBER these are passing thoughts and they will subside. Just accept this and allow them to pass ..stay focussed come what may on the fact when these thoughts attack or consume you ...its because you are unwell and your mind is vulnerable. After like me and many others you'll look back and think ..wow its hard to believe I felt that low.

(((LIFE CAN AND WILL GET BETTER ..SO HANG ON IN THERE ..KEEP FIGHTING TINA!)))

Fourthly, even though some weight gan MAY be a real possibility, as lethargy/tiredness for example MIGHT be too ..its hard to say with certainty what effect Mirtazapine will or will not have on YOU as an individual (some report good experiences whilst others like me report not so good experiences) ..but READ and RESEARCH as much as you can on here. There are many people who have shared their experiences. Two things you SHOULD do is liaise closely with your clinical practitioner AND keep a daily diary in which you can record exactly how your feeling morning/afternoon/evening. This log will help monitor and evaluate any and all negative and/or positive effects the drug is having on you. It will also be a great historical account of your personal experiences whilst on Mirtazspine to share with other members here as well as for you to look back upon when you are feeling well again.

((((KEEP FIGHTING TINA!!!)))

Finally Tina ...try ( I mean REALLY TRY) to stay as positive as you can. Its not easy I and others on here know that, but dig deep ...remember any dark thoughts that may come upon you are JUST THOUGHTS ...they come and go like the tide. Keep focussed on the day you'll feel well again. Use this site to offload, distract you for a while during the day/night, and to ask questions and to help others who might draw strength from you!

Wishing you all the best ..and more and more peace each day and the strength to ride the difficult periods!

Regards

Karl