Mirtazapine - weight gain!!!!
Posted , 67 users are following.
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
Nessie91 bekstar
Posted
i gained 2 stones in 4 months. The GP then prescribed Trasadone which is the same type of drug, but even on a low dose, I had tremors. I was put back on Mirtazapine along with a low dose of Sertraline. The only good thing about Mirtazapine is that you do get a good night's sleep. I have constant panic attacks and palpitations during the day, which are partly relieved by Propanol (betablcke). But until the evening, feel as if I'm in a black hole.
MXD-MEDS5150 bekstar
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evergreen bekstar
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tracy1026 bekstar
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Nessie91 bekstar
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i put on 2 stone in 4 months, not eating any more and no skirt or pair of trousers fitted me. Trasadone is also a sedative antidepressant and doesn't have the same weight problem. In my case, it didn't suit me when the low dose was increased as I got tremors and, unfortunately, am back on Mirtazapine again. I don't know if it's psychological but I hardly eat anything, I think because I don't want to put on any more weight. The problem is that there aren't cry many sedative antidepressants. The only advice I got was to exercise and walk, which in this weather really isn't an option.
evergreen bekstar
Posted
You may not think you are eating more than usual, but you probably are. I thought the same as I was gaining weight despite not eating any snacks and just having three healthy meals a day, and sometimes some wine. But when I added up a typical day's calories it was 2650. That is 550 more than my body needed each day. Add up every cup of tea, coffee, cold drink, biscuit etc, and alcoholic drinks, and you may see that you are actually eating too many calories each day. I was shocked at how little I actually needed to not gain weight.
vixxxen222 bekstar
Posted
Its strange but true in many ways that we are all gaining weight, mainly women tho,
I am starting my 3rd full week on 30mg , and when I started I was 110lbs! I am 5' 5 1/2" and that is way to skinny, I hated it, but I have been skinny all my life. I was a smoker for 24 years and just quit about 3 weeks ago, ( strickly vaping)
I have gained 10lbs in 3 weeks, but its good because like the lady said, its better to be chunky and healthy than skinny and miserable. tho for many women being chunky contributes to thier depression. I feel for them, its got to be so hard emotionally.
I am welcoming the weight gain however... and I dont get cravings for much during the day, I eat my regular meals, but oh boy, about an hour or 2 after taking my Mirt* at bed time and falling asleep, Im wide awake again and down in the kitchen for my chocolate fudge cookies. Every single night i do this.
I suffer from insomnia however and I am up every hour all night long and only eat the one time during the whole night.
Its got to be the Mirt*
On a better note, I am feeling much better , I havent had an anxiety episode or manic panic at all since i started taking Mirt*!!!!!
the miracle is happening. I just need to have something to help me sleep thru the night now, cuz eventually I will get real bitchy If I dont soon get a full nights sleep.
Dont sweat the weight gain dear.... there are ways to control it, even turning it into solid muscle by exercising, , whatever works for you. and remember you are beautiful....i hope you feel beautiful!!!
Nessie91 bekstar
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