Weight Gain

I'm so glad to read all your posts. That sounds awful but im so glad to know its not just me!

I started pizotifen nearly 18 months ago, at first a few pounds creeped on so i wasnt too worried, ive always been a siz 10/12 and now im a size 14, 2 stone heavier and feeling awful! 

I suffer from migraines used to be almost daily, amitriptyline didnt work and piztofien was next to be tried.  And yep, its worked in controlling the migraine, but the weight gain and appetite is awful.  Im ALWAYS hungry and never been like that before.  I always used to get full and would never finish my dinner, now i could eat mine and someone else's!

I am a very active person ranging from running, swimming, spin, weights classes and 30+mie bike rides.  And yet despite all this nothing i can do will loose weight!

Went back to GP today and have been take straight off them with an appoitment for neurologist to follow.

Its not vanity (although im not denying that plays a part)  i dont deserve to be the size i am, its down to a little pill that i have to take (not anymore!!!)

Hopefully everyone else that is suffering from this side effect will find a suitable subsitute soon.

Thanks everyone for the posts, its so nice to know its not just me!

xxx

Does anyone know what the alternative to pizotifen is? My son has to take it each night and has definitely gained weight, and got increased apetite. I dont think its healthy and have been concerned for a while now, but they do help with his migraines

I have read alot of people saying they put weight on but I actually lost weight. The first time I went on pizotifen was 3 years ago and was on it for 1 year- cleared up my headaches completley (I had severe migraine and headaches all the time). I admit the pills did increase my appetite, but I just made sure I ate well and healthy and never put any weight on, in fact I lost a few kilos even though I was eating more! Everyone is different- the best thing is to try them and see if they work for you! I have been back on the pills for 4 months and again and have not had any increase in weight.

Hi I have been in this medu

ica for about 1.5 years and have gone up to 16stone from 13.5. I started getting more migrains and the Dr increased my dosage. It does not matter what I do a can't shift any waging  I did see my Dr about it and he just said come off it then! Not an option. I eat the same as the rest i

of my family and they maintained a healthy weight. Not sure what the answer is. Even running 25 miles a week last year I onl lost about half a stone. 

Ive been on these for a week and have almost gained a stone... Im already overweight and really need to lose a lot and this is making it incredibly difficult

I have been eating and exercising the same yet everyday when I step on the scales it's goes up 1-2 pounds.

They have hardly helped my migraines as well, I have chronic migraines and have them daily/every other day

Re Sanomigran / Pizotifen.

After rmany years of suffering with, and beiung treated for, migraine my GP eventually referred me to a neuro surgeon at Leeds General Infirmay who confirmed that my GP's diagnosis was correct. This followed my GP trying me on many different drugs in order to help with the migraines, and, as I was getting very little relief he became concerned that I was perhaps not suffering from migraine but had something more sinister. Happily the neuro surgeon was able to put my mind at rest. It was migraine. He prescribed Sanomigran/Pizotifen for me as a prophelactic treatment.. which I took daily.

Like so many other users of this drug I put on a lot of weight. I didn't connect this with the drug and tried to shed the unwanted pounds to no avail.

Eventually in desperation I contacted the neuro surgeon who prescribed the drug and he confirmed that this medication very often results in weight gain. I was advised to stop taking the Sanomigran if I was unhappy with the extra weight.

I did stop taking it and tried to manage with other treatments once again  ( including Feverfew, which does have good results for some migraine sufferers).

As my migraine regime returned to it's old ways I became desperate to find relief as the attacks were coming several times a month rendering me unable to function and having to spnd up to 3 days per attack in bed until the episode passed.

A relation sent me a newspaper article about a drug called Naratriptan/Naramig which had good results for treating migraine.

I had already taken one of the other Triptan drugs when my GP was trying to sort me out but eventually, following some unwanted research results whereby it had been found to contribute to the onset of strokes, I was taken off this drug.

I eventually asked my GP if I could try Naramig. That was in the mid to late 1990s. I am a great believer in this drug. It has proved to be the treatment for me. It has to be taken at the very first sign of migraine onset ( a true migraine sufferer, through experience,  learns to differentiate between a bad headache and a migraine).

So, for any of you out there struggling to find the correct medication for this debilitating condition I would recommend Narami. It has certainly changed my life and withing 2 hours of taking a tablet I am rid of my migraine with the minimum of disruption to my day  - assuming I take one early enough once the symptoms present themselves  - .

However, as my neuro surgeon pointed out to me, many people claim to have a migraine when in fact they actually have a very bad headache and  that migraines need correct and thorough diagnosis by a specialist. It is a very complex condition which presents itself in a variety of ways. Some people get the aura/ flashing jaggy light. Others don't.  Some get the pain, vomiting and unable to tolerate bright light.

I just get the head pain and feel very sick and sometimes do actually vomit. I am left feeling exhausted for a day or so once the symptoms have passed.

I hope that this information will be of help for those who suffer from Migraine.

Gillian Anderson

 

It's difficult isn't it? I have had migraine from a young age and in fact I had a severe attack this weekend. However this drug is not for me. Not only put on significant weight but it took me three years to come off as the withdrawal symptoms were so dreadful. I guess it depends what other drugs you have tried and their effectiveness. I opting to stick with my triptan drug.Making an appointment to see if the doctor will prescribe an anti sickness drug too.At the end of the day I guess it is what suits you best. If you go ahead with the drug and put on significant amounts of weight then try the blood sugar diet. It was how I managed to lose the weight in the end. Hope this helps.

Hello everyone ! 

I just came across this thread on pitzotifen and problematic weight gain and wondered how you were all doing. I too have gained 3 stone in Weight over three years and have tried 3 times to get off it but give in due to the awful rebound effect. For me the weight is causing me several physical difficulties and also harming my body image and so I have to get off it some how. I wondered how if any of you got off it how did you go about it ? And did the weight come off ? Thanks for your help Becky 

Ps I see this was about 5 years ago so hoping you’re still active here 🤞🏻