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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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  • Lacherlich
    Lacherlich bekstar

    Posted

    Hello!

    I have just been reading about the side effects of Mirt, as have actually been taking it on and off for nearly 3 years. I was prescribed it after suddenly starting to suffer from severe insomnia; it was devastating. I managed to persevere, holding down my job and tried to carry on as normal with my family and friends. I have tried various medicines and seen hypnotherapists and counsellors with no avail.   The main drug I have always gone back to is Mirtazapine, and although I still suffer from insomnia, it is nowhere near as bad as it was.

    I really don't know if it is the drug that is working, but over the past year in particular I have stuck to the medication. I have definitely been improving. I weighed myself the other day however; and was shocked that my BMI was now 27. So technically overweight. I have always been skinny and could never gain weight. I attributed this to just getting older, but after reading all of these comments I definitely believe mirt has played a role in this, particularly over the past few months since I've been consistently taking the medication. But I have seen a vast improvement in my sleep- which I am so thankful for. 

    My insomnia would get so bad I would be physically sick from exhaustion. Yet I still went to work every day. I went through a bad patch recently (I’d come back from holiday and didn’t take any medication and was sleeping fine – so I carried on like this when I returned), however the insomnia returned with a vengeance and I stopped exercising. I think this is when most of the weight gain occurred. Now I am feeling much better I have started running – easing myself in gently and have tried to watch what I am eating. I too get such strong craving for sweet food, it’s unbelievable. I thought it was just natural, or due to my sweet tooth, but can now see the connection with Mirtazapine.

     With this knowledge, I am now motivated to sort it out. I am going to continue with the medication as I know it must be having a positive effect. I must also realise that I was able to stick to an exercise regime before, whilst suffering from extreme insomnia. Now I am much better and know what is causing my weight gain I can do something about it. Hopefully I’ll be able to get back to my previous weight; continue being able to sleep and generally live a normal life! I’ll post an update to see if it works J.

  • kitty91
    kitty91 bekstar

    Posted

    I was put on sertraline, but was halucinating on it so was put on mirtazapine instead and I have gained 3 stone in two and a half months. I am eating better than ever, I am on a diet and I am still gaining weight! I don't know what to do considering this is the only antidepressant that has worked for me
    • carolyn79
      carolyn79 kitty91

      Posted

      Hi same thing happened to me. I had lost a stone on sertraline as wasn't working for my anxiety. Switched to mirtazapine and ate non stop. Gained two stone. Had enough after 8 months ad it was still heading up. Now back on 100 mg sertraline and lost stone quickly. Working fine for my anxiety and depression this time randomly and back to my normal healthy weight. Doesn't seem to matter what the dosage is either. I went from 30 to 15 for last three months but still gained weight.
  • lynne82155
    lynne82155 bekstar

    Posted

    Hi I know your posting is old but Im trying to find out about mitazapine been on for years my weight is now out of control, Ive now got anxiety and my weight is not helping  My gp has sudggested I move to sertraline
    • evergreen
      evergreen lynne82155

      Posted

      If you do come off mirtazapine and onto sertraline, check out the other threads on here regarding withdrawal. Mirtazapine must be tapered very slowly as the WD symptoms can be severe and extremely long lasting. Most doctors will ask you to come off it far too quickly.

      It is possible to lose weight on mirtazapine but it is very difficult. It is not just that it makes you hungrier and so you tend to eat more (particularly carbs), but it also changes your metabolism and fat storage so that you actually need around 300-500 calories less per day to stay the same weight. I lost over a stone whilst on mirtazapine 30mg but did it by counting calories and charting them every single day for a year. I also did loads of cardio exercise. It was extremely hard work but can be done. Good luck.

    • j30356
      j30356 evergreen

      Posted

      Hello evergreen I read another post of yours and you mentioned taking metformin to counter weight gain. Are you still taking that? I'm only on 3mg of Mirtz but have already put significant weight and don't want to keep increasing. I also read Metformin was used for anti aging so at 60 I could possibly benefit with this just don't know what side effects Metformin may bring. Any how trying to find personal use of Mirtz and Metformin. Thanks 
    • evergreen
      evergreen j30356

      Posted

      Hi, no that wasn't me, it was Mermaid. I did give metformin to my horse though and worked well.
    • cat196111
      cat196111 lynne82155

      Posted

      Hi Lynne in regards to mirt and weight gain I also gained weight from it and also have anxiety which I take atavan which helps to a point.anyway I decided to go off mirt so my Dr has me tapering down from 30mg to 15mg for 2 weeks then stop.I wish you good luck 😊.Cat196111
  • sharon12462
    sharon12462 bekstar

    Posted

    Hi

    My world your weight gain has come so fast.. I put on 11lb in 20 days & thought I was imagining it didn't think it was possible.. I have managed to lose it over 3 weeks which ment no carbs what soever ..I have noticed with these..they make you get the munchies once taken at night & it's carbs .so hard to fight it. The worst thing is its also made me mentally ill again because there's certain foods we need to keep us stable carbs being 1. The only thing I can advise you is.. try & have daily walks cut down or cut out when you can on carbs ..leaving the best till last drink 3litres of water a day ..this will flush the carbs out.. I hope iv given you some hope & your back to yourself ASAP .. hugs

  • heidi011286
    heidi011286 bekstar

    Posted

    First time on forum also I am so glad that I have read some of the comment and I relate with a lot of what your saying .

    I have depression and social anxiety and basically couldn't sleep so I was a little annoyed when I was told about night time antidepressants and the doc's hadn't told me about. I was told there would be a chance of weight gain. Tbh I wasn't listen was just thinking sleep lol

    I was in a rship at the time I hit rock bottom never got out of bed and I put unreal amounts of weight on I ended the rship as it wasn't helping I blamed the takeaways (well it was them aswell) I got hold of my life I hit the gym but my anxiety wouldn't let me as soon as someone would come in I left so got healthy food no takeaways lost a stone but was still very over weight (I have yoyod with weight my hole life never to this extreme) everything I did not a pound wouldn't shift then finally the penny dropped so am changing my tablets back I haven't yet but reading that people have went bk down in weight has me over the moon.

    I have never been one to be bothered about weight but when you don't fit into your baggy cloths and have stretch marks on your belly and no child to show for it gets you down my head is in a good place just really hope I can lose the weight when I come off these tablets. Good luck to everyone

    • evergreen
      evergreen heidi011286

      Posted

      Good luck, Heidi. Be careful to come off the tablets very gradually and stabilize at each dose before dropping another. The withdrawals can be terrible coming off mirtazapine, especially sleep, anxiety and nausea. But if you do it gradually, you shoulld be okay. You will lose all the weight you put on with mirt, but not until you are completely off it as even the smallest dose causes weight gain.
    • heidi011286
      heidi011286 evergreen

      Posted

      Thank you and I no how coming off them feel cause I don't like leaving messages so I won't reorder tablets so had a few weeks here and there missed wasn't nice. Think there all the same though as citlapram miss one day can guarantee few days later mega melt down 😊 Deffo going sort it this week as been saying it and putting it off but no more 😊 thank you
  • lorraine07493
    lorraine07493 bekstar

    Posted

    I'm glad im not the only one!!! I was on citalopram which clashed with my other medication so dr put me on mirtazapine

    At first i thought id put a slight amount of weight on then i found clothes id had for yrs didnt go near me!!!

    I cut out sugar changed to skimmed milk and cut out bread and yet im gaining more weight than ever!!!!Ive never been this heavy and its like when i wash stuff it disnt fit me after!!! The website rd thung is im the putting weight on in places i cant fathom calves under boobs top of thighs!!! Its making me more depressed than i was before going on medication

    Im going drs tomorrow and getting them to change tablets.to be honest i dont think they are working rite anyway

    • susan2609
      susan2609 lorraine07493

      Posted

      Im off it now Lorraine - I was getting more depressed increasing in size! Ridiculous medication. I still cannot shift the extra kgs several weeks down the line. Im on setraliline now. Id defo come off the mirtazapine - they are evil!!! Good luck.
    • lorraine07493
      lorraine07493 susan2609

      Posted

      Its awful isnt it?? Ive got appointment next week at drs im going to see if there is simethung else i can have?

      Ive never felt so angry upset and tearful wheni was in citalopram!!

      My hubby said ive gone downhill since ive been on it!! Plus all this wweight!! In places ive never put weight on!!!!!

    • sinead38006
      sinead38006 lorraine07493

      Posted

      Hi Lorraine

      I can emphasis ur feelings. I was always very slim and mirt blew me up unnaturally. Get off it. I take 300mg Effexor now and it's much better

      Xx

      Sinead

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