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Stopping Mirtazepine... Safe? Unsure what to do :(

Posted , 9 users are following.

samlr123
samlr123

I've been on Mirtazepine 10 days now and while at first, even just after a few days I started feeling the positive effects on my anxiety and depression, i'm now feeling even worse than I did before I started it due to the weight gain!

I can't stand it! I usually comfort eat when i'm feeling at my worst but this is insane! the cravings for sugary food becomes too much, snacking all the time and when im at work going out and getting food! I've even started making packed lunch and healthy dinners but its not enough and im just feeling worse! 

I've always been body conscious and hate gaining weight, I do a lot of exercise to keep me in shape as well as the fact it eases my depression, however since i've gained weight on top of my usual exercise routine i've not been bothering as much and my depression has worsened... 

I really do want to give this drug a try but I don't feel I can go on gaining this much weight. 

I'm not seeing my doctor for another 2 weeks as that's the earliest he can see me. Is it safe to just stop now seeing as I havent been on it too long? I've had 15mg before bed once a day.. 

can anyone recommend me other medication that doesn't cause such hunger and weight gain? i've had citalopram but i noticed no difference on that at all... 

Mirtazepine has helped for anxiety certainly and I believe in the long term probably ease a bit of depression but I don't want to be obese at that stage!

thanks in advance. 

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • evergreen
    evergreen samlr123

    Posted

    Mirtazapine is a very good antidepressant and works much more quickly than others. But for many people the weight gain is intolerable. However, before coming off it, I would read other threads including my thread 'Mirtazapine diet club'. I have always been very slim but when I started on mirtazapine, I gained 21lbs. I decided to come off it but suffered terrible withdrawal symptoms. I lost 7 pounds in 10 days but was forced to restart on mirtazapine. This time I didn't put on any more weight so stayed at 14lbs more than I was before the mirt. After my weight stabilized I decided to diet and have ost 7 lbs so far. Another user on here lost 4 stone (56lbs) since being on mirtazapine. The cravings do wear off once your body aclimatises to mirtazapine.
    • samlr123
      samlr123 evergreen

      Posted

      Hi Evergreen, 

      thanks for your response, how long did it take for your weight to "stabilize"? What dosage were you on? And how long did it take for the anxiety and anti-depressent effects take to work? thanks! 

    • evergreen
      evergreen samlr123

      Posted

      I started on 15mg and my depression got a lot better within two weeks. But then it came back agn so the doctor put me on 30mg and I was almost immediately better.

      I think it took around 6 months for my weight to stabilize. Mirzapine gives you terrible cravings but also I think short term it makes your body store more fat. Both of these effects disappear after around 6 months. But once you stabilize you are able to lose weight just as well as anyone who isn't on it. Yes, it's hard, but dieting always is. I am taking it really slowly and have only cut my calories by around 250 a day under what my body needs to stay the same weight, so it isn't that tough. But some days I do fall off the wagon!

    • Mermaid3011
      Mermaid3011 samlr123

      Posted

      Hi Samir! I just posted in Evergreens diet club. I also just started Mirt, but at the same time I have put myself on a rigorous diet, to make sure I dont gain weight. 

      At the same time I feel A LOT better than just 6 days ago. My suicidal thoughts are GONE and my mood is definitely up from before. So my decision will be staying on a low dose of Mirt and dieting as long as necessary.

  • keni
    keni samlr123

    Posted

    According to my doctor as I remember it, coming off Mirtazapine after a short time would be no problem but perhaps check with a pharmacist, they are very helful when you call them, ask to speak to the pharmacist, not just an assistant. Why not try lowering the dose and see if it works for you instead of coming off completely?
  • charles98819
    charles98819 samlr123

    Posted

    Mirt is a good antidepressant drug and i think you should try to control what you eat.

    when you have this crave eat lots of fruits instead, P nuts, Almond etc

  • plainden
    plainden samlr123

    Posted

    I have put on about 1.5 stone,I don't like it but I wld rather have extra weight than have the AWFUL anxiety I had last year.I have been on mirt since start dec so I do not think my body has fully adjusted to the meds so i am not particularly bothered about losing weight at the moment.My doc is really hard to see as he's really popular as he is so good -so instaed of a face to face meeting I will sometimes ask that he phones me ,why not do that with yr doc?
  • steve1951
    steve1951 samlr123

    Posted

    Sometimes I wish I hadn’t found this web site. I take 45mg of mirtazapine and didn’t have a craving for sweets until I read some of these posts. Psychosomatic? I use to go for a 3 to 4 mile (5 to 6.5 kilometers) a day and lost 10 lbs. I stopped going for walks and my cravings for sweets have put me 20 lbs heavier. Another side effect I don’t like about mirtazapine is it seems to have lowered my motivation to do anything, like going for walks again. Has anyone else experienced a lack of motivation since taking mirtazapine? I’m single and have always been somewhat of a slob, but I have an attitude of I don’t care how messy my place looks. Anyone else having these problems with mirtazapine? I think that mirtazapine might also lower your metabolism. Another weight factor.
    • cathy123
      cathy123 steve1951

      Posted

      Hi Steve and also Samir . I have been on mirt 15 mg for a week and so far haven't put weight on yet..Samir I also am thinking do I stick with this med..I have such drowsy eyes all the time. See doc on Friday if she puts it up to 30 mg...will I keep awake??!
  • Guest
    Guest samlr123

    Posted

    DEAR SAMLR123, before you try to come off mirtazapine do a LOT of research about this. It is very difficult to come off this medicine the side effects can be distressing to say the least. It takes a very long time of gradually lowering the dosage believe me I know.doctors and pharmacists have no idea about actual usage they only know what the pharmaceutical industry wants them to know. After being on this medication for two years it has taken me 8 months just to get down to 7.5Mg every other day.Every dosage reduction still has side effects. Be very careful.Good luck
    • Guest
      Guest cathy123

      Posted

      Hi Cath, Sadly, I was prescribed this as Doctors could not find the cause of my very heavy heartbeat, so, when in doubt prescribe antidipressants. I wish I had never come across this medication.Doctor told me to take half a 15Mg for one week then stop.This was the worst advice I have received. After reading other peoples story I realised it would take many months to wean off this drug. Still not long to go I hope.
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