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Mirtazapine - weight gain!!!!

Posted , 67 users are following.

bekstar
bekstar

Hi,

I've never posted on a forum before but wondered if anyone could give me any advise.

I was diagnosed with depression just before christmas, I had quite a traumatic year with a series of bad events occurring, I was also getting married which I think was the only thing keeping me going, looking back now I realise I was slipping into a depressive state for about 2 months before I finally broke. I fell into quite a catatonic state being unable to function at even a basic level, it was as if my brain had just shut down.

The doc started me on sertraline but this made my anxiety so bad that I couldn't even go into my back garden, unable to leave the house or speak to anyone for a month, he then gave me citralopram, this reduced my anxiety but gave me insomnia, so I spent another month sleeping (or rather not sleeping) on my sofa and only getting a few hours of sleep here and there.

So my doc decided to try mirtazapine, my depression has reduced dramatically but I've have gained a lot of weight, which at first I thought was a welcome side effect compared to anxiety and insomnia but now this is really starting to lower my mood again,

When I was at the beginning of my illness and was unable to function, eating didn't even enter my head and I lost around a stone and a half (my usual weight sticks around 10 - 10 1/2 stone) to 9 stone, I looked really unwell at this weight, but since being on mirtazapine I have gained 2 1/2 stone in the first month (I'm into my second month now) and it's just staying there. I have tried changing my diet and exercising but I'm stuck at nearly 12 stone.

I look overweight, none of my clothes fit me and the worse part is that I look 6 months pregnant and because I am only just venturing out again after months of solitude, a lot of people think that I am pregnant and that's why they haven't seen me, I'm struggling to keep my smile and tell people I'm not as I am infertile and this has been one of the issues that led to my depression in the first place.

I'm not sure if anyone can help, I guess I'm just looking for advise on losing the weight or whether I should change my meds (again!!!!)

5 likes, 147 replies

147 Replies

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  • jojo_
    jojo_ bekstar

    Posted

    I'm really struggling with this medication. I seem very emotional since I started to take. Im going back to my GP at lunch.

    Really struggling with the medical issues I have ongoing I just don't know what to do for the best anymore. I had results of MRI scan yesterday which showed my lower bowel as blocked (I have not had bowel movement for over 19 days) so told me not to worry and wait for a referral to a London hospital. I can't help but worry as doesn't seem normal to me. Sorry to go on 

  • richard28711
    richard28711 bekstar

    Posted

    Hi bekstar god thank you so much for your post. I've been on a miritazapine for about a yr and have now look 9 months pregnant. I ain't usually a big eater and try everything. It's a killer we people say when's the baby coming. It's all seems to land in my stomach. I'm stopping th

    As I've tryed everything else 

  • worrier
    worrier bekstar

    Posted

    I was put on mirtazapine 2 weeks ago, have already put on 5 pounds, I am more anxious now about my weight so going back to doc to see if he can change. I have been on zopiclone for the last 5 years, wish I had known about addiction these tablets have, will let you know how I get on
  • paul1010
    paul1010 bekstar

    Posted

    Hi bekstar,

    I have just started on mirtazapine too,about 3 weeks ago 15mg for 2 weeks and

    currently 30mg.

    I lost about 1and half stones previously because of a series of events including the loss of my partner of 21 years then went downhill for 7 months.

    Since starting mirtazapine the weight has gone back on thankfully but just want to sleep day and night.

    Can't get back to work as feeling so depressed,hope the chemicals kick in sometime.

    Actually tried sertraline first but they sent me crazy,sweating and hallucinating in bed at night.

    Just need to sleep,hope that tails off because life isn't currently worth living.

    Hope you are feeling better?

    Take care

    Paul

  • Corsoqueen1
    Corsoqueen1 bekstar

    Posted

    Initially you may put a little weight on. You will also crave sugary starchy foods. I was craving Ben & Jerrys all the time! It does level out though. You need to give it time. I found after 6 weeks or so. My appetite returned to normal.
  • Figraham
    Figraham bekstar

    Posted

    Hi bekstar

    I'm also new to forums. Can totally relate to your post.  I was prescribed Sertraline for a month and my anxiety became very high. Dr changed my meds to Mirtazapine 30mg and I've put 21lbs on in four weeks, I also look bloated and pregnant and none of my clothes fit (usually a size 12/14). Other side effect is achey/stiff joints. The plus side is I'm sleeping. 

    When you came off the Mirt and lost the weight, did you change to another medication or just stop altogether? Dr has suggested I alternate 15mg and 30mg each day as this may reduce the weight gain? Not feeling very confident about this and am considering stopping them, but being able to sleep is heaven. Hate the weight gain though and worried this will just continue.

  • david80928
    david80928 bekstar

    Posted

    Hi Ya. I've just read your post about weight gain. How are things now? Are you still taking the meds and what's the dosage also are you feeling any better and is there still the weight gain probs?

    Thanks

    David

    • worrier
      worrier david80928

      Posted

      I have changed to setraline now 50mg in my second week no weight gain just a bit panicky but it says that in the common side effects...feeling much  better thanks
  • pat39741
    pat39741 bekstar

    Posted

    I know its been 8 months since this post. I have to tell you I have gained 35 pounds in one month. I needed to gain weight but never in a million years did I think this would do it. I can't say i'm always looking to snack but it has changed my habits. I eat alot of fruit but I still gain weight. To much weight to fast .. 

    Thank you 

  • Maxrh
    Maxrh bekstar

    Posted

    Ive been on a few different meds over the years and I've been lucky that Ive had no side effects before. However since taking Mirtazapine 2 weeks ago Ive gained about 11lbs. I'm not sure if this is my body adjusting going from one med to another buts its got me concerned. I'm eating less calories and doing more exercise than I've ever done before as well. The irony is Mitrazapine makes me feel well enough to leave the house and exercise more yet its made me gain weight.
  • johnnyboy65
    johnnyboy65 bekstar

    Posted

    I too gained weight, Havent eaten more food per day but Am now at 14 stone and just cannot seem to shift it.
  • tara6744
    tara6744 bekstar

    Posted

    Thankyou so much for this as I recently changed to mirt and have gained a stone and a half in 3 weeks - I have never been one to blame medication for something but having read this thread I can see that the weight gain is definately a side effect. Along with that my stomach hurts after dinner as I feel my skin is being stretched! I'm really struggling as to what to do now. I consider myself to having been a healthy weight at 10 and half stone at 5ft 4 but never looked fat but now I think I do. I have been on AD's for 6 years having been on citalopram and more recently fluoxotine. I do feel better in mentally though, although a little spaced out. Glad things have worked out for you
  • Nessie91
    Nessie91 bekstar

    Posted

    Hi

    i have exactly the same symptoms.  I have 3 wardrobes of clothes and literally no trousers or skirts fit as I put on 2 stones in 4 months without any change to my appetite 

  • evergreen
    evergreen bekstar

    Posted

    I am on my thrid year on this medication. I put on weight rapidly at the start. After 6 months, I had put on a stone and a half and panicked. I tried to come off them but had crippling nausea and insomnia. I dropped half a stone in a week, and so went back on them. This time I was really careful what I ate and did not gain the half a stone back. However I am still a stone heavier than my natural weight and I hate it. So for the first time in my life I have gone on a proper diet. I am sticking to 1500 calories a day and have lost 2 pounds in my first week. My aim is to lose the whole stone. So I have 12 Ibs to go. I am determined. I think most of my weight gain was due to increased appetite. I craved sweets in particular. I have cut sweets, biscuits and chocolates out of my diet completely. It is sooo hard. But I will find out once and for all if it is possible to lose weight and keep it off on mirtazapine. No other AD suits me. This is my last hope. It has been an amazing drug for me, curing my itchy skin, migraines and insomnia as well as helping my depression. I just want to get back to my proper weight.
    • tara6744
      tara6744 evergreen

      Posted

      Well done. I've stuck to the pills and my weight gain has plateaued at the moment. I think it was the combination of not work as I have quite an active job and Christmas!! I have taken up exercise daily but I do crave sweets so glad to hear you did too as I never used too - I'm def a crisps girl. Anyway, I find things very hard to cut out completely so have bought dark chocolate and go for mixed nuts and fruit for snacks and 10cal hartley jellys! All the best for the continued weight loss
    • evergreen
      evergreen tara6744

      Posted

      Yes, my doctor told me that dark chocolate is actually quite difficult to convert to fat, so you are definitely going for the right kind of treat. My weakness is jellybeans - the jelly factory ones. Yum! Good luck with your diet!
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