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Original poster

Mirtazipine weight gain woe

24 replies

pastypirate · 20/01/2022 19:18

Posting here for traffic. Asked my gp to reduce the dose down to 30mg because I've gain about 1.5 stone since September when I started taking it. I look like I've been inflated!
The only time I've been this obsessed with food was in pregnancy.

Any advice? Alternative? Gp thought most anti depressants will be the same if you are prone to that side effect.

It's diet and exercise for me to tackle the weight but worried it will be a battle against the craving long term.

OP posts:
Tabletable · 20/01/2022 19:25

I put on loads and it never slowed down. I came off it in the end as it was just ridiculous. I researched it and apparently they give it to anorexics!

Huckleberries73 · 20/01/2022 19:26

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Original poster
pastypirate · 20/01/2022 19:32

@Huckleberries73

I have had exaclty the same issue Tbh I have come off them, the weight gain was worsening the depression I am managing my depression with meditation yoga and exercise, and have lost 4lbs of the 10 lbs gain, but feel more in control. I was also unable to deal with how zoned out they made me feel.

So - I understand the pain, but have no real solutions
My depression is situational - my brother died in an accident, so I am also having grief therapy.

I am so very sorry about your brother that must be very difficult.

I was prescribed ads because I had a mental breakdown due to work stress. I really needed them but I'm much better now and back at work. I'm prescribed beta blockers too and I think they are the game changers.

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SparklingLime · 20/01/2022 19:36

Mirtazipine Is well known for stimulating appetite. Not all ADs have this effect.

Frederik33 · 20/01/2022 21:03

I disagree with your GP as others have said it's well known for causing weight gain, something many men and women taking it have struggled with. I think it could be true that a lot of ads do cause some weight gain but nothing like to the same extent.

Sparklespangle · 20/01/2022 21:14

My mother and sister both found this on Mirtazapine. It was designed as an appetite stimulant so it is not surprising.

They both switched to Sertraline, the weight fell off and they were both much happier.

If you choose to switch there is a difficult few weeks where one med stops working and the new one is yet to kick in. So if your depression gets really bad when unmedicated you may need to take this into consideration.

AnxiousHeffalump · 20/01/2022 21:23

Four stone weight gain on it here. I’ve tried to come off it but I can’t.

tophonetheGP · 20/01/2022 21:27

Same issue, my BMI was already 39, it’s now 45 . It works for sleep so I’m scared to come off it but I’m also concerned about my weight and long term health . Dunno whether it’s better to be sleepless and very anxious or overweight and relaxed-ish .

SparklingLime · 21/01/2022 09:07

Your GP’s comment about all ADs being the same if you are “prone” to that side effect is wrong. “Increased appetite and weight gain” is listed as a common side effects for mirtazapine on the NHS website. It is not listed for citalopram, for example.

SparklingLime · 21/01/2022 09:09

www.nhs.uk/medicines/mirtazapine/

Mirtazipine weight gain woe
Original poster
pastypirate · 21/01/2022 11:03

I'm coming off it then. Ffs I never knew that about the eating disorders - I suffered from anorexia in my teens and 20's I wouldn't have touched it if I'd known that. Im quite annoyed now

OP posts:
unacceptabletolerances · 21/01/2022 11:58

This also happened to me recently. I'm on week one of Sertraline and have already lost 3 pounds! Mainly because it makes you feel sick to start with. My sleep isn't brilliant but I'm actually coping really well with the tiredness and I think I'm already calmer. I had to make the same decision as you and I'm not glad I did. Good luck OP xx

unacceptabletolerances · 21/01/2022 11:59

I mean I'm glad I switched!!!

Original poster
pastypirate · 21/01/2022 15:51

@unacceptabletolerances

This also happened to me recently. I'm on week one of Sertraline and have already lost 3 pounds! Mainly because it makes you feel sick to start with. My sleep isn't brilliant but I'm actually coping really well with the tiredness and I think I'm already calmer. I had to make the same decision as you and I'm not glad I did. Good luck OP xx
That's an incredibly helpful post I really appreciate it xx
OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 21/01/2022 16:23

Dh was put on 45mg and went very cold with me overnight, went from being very affectionate to not wanting to be touched Sad.

He went down to 30mg by chopping a bit off, then to 15mg and I'm hoping when he's had his heart op he'll wean off them because he's still not himself on them. The weight did come off though and I dont think he's hungry on 15mg at all.

You dont feel great when your weaning off though.

Phyllis321 · 21/01/2022 16:25

I take Fluoextine and have had no weight gain. I don't think all ADs stimulate appetite. I sleep OK now as I am far less anxious.

Original poster
pastypirate · 21/01/2022 16:41

@Fluffycloudland77

Dh was put on 45mg and went very cold with me overnight, went from being very affectionate to not wanting to be touched Sad.

He went down to 30mg by chopping a bit off, then to 15mg and I'm hoping when he's had his heart op he'll wean off them because he's still not himself on them. The weight did come off though and I dont think he's hungry on 15mg at all.

You dont feel great when your weaning off though.

Thanks that's useful to know. The Weight gain is miserable too I can't even out my hair up I have no neck!
OP posts:
BurntOrange · 21/01/2022 16:47

My husband has been on 30mg for a decade and is about 1.5 stone overweight. He tried to halve it a few years back and lost 10 pounds in a week! Sadly mirtazapine is the only thing that works and he had to go back on them and so he's resigned to the weight. If you can find something else that works then go for it

flashpaper · 21/01/2022 17:00

I was on mirtazapine for 5 years and put loads of weight on. I came off it for 18 months and lost it all and then my mental health declined and I had to go back on it. It's the only thing that works for my depression and anxiety but I'm now having to really focus on losing weight and keeping it off. I can also relate to the PP who said her husband has gone from being affectionate to cold. I feel like DP and I haven't had sex in ages because I'm just not up for it.

Original poster
pastypirate · 21/01/2022 17:16

@flashpaper

I was on mirtazapine for 5 years and put loads of weight on. I came off it for 18 months and lost it all and then my mental health declined and I had to go back on it. It's the only thing that works for my depression and anxiety but I'm now having to really focus on losing weight and keeping it off. I can also relate to the PP who said her husband has gone from being affectionate to cold. I feel like DP and I haven't had sex in ages because I'm just not up for it.
I've left my partner. I relate to the not being able to tolerate touch but he was doing my head in. I've actually thought about sex again for the 1st time in months recently I don't think it's affecting that. Amitriptyline affected sex quite a bit though
OP posts:
Cloudsarebright · 21/01/2022 17:18

I lost weight on mirtazapine without really trying. Different for everyone.

powershowerforanhour · 21/01/2022 17:22

In veterinary medicine we use it primarily as an appetite stimulant. It works very well.

Original poster
pastypirate · 21/01/2022 17:57

Strangly now I've been talking about it this is the first day the raging appetite has settled right down.

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 21/01/2022 18:29

At least I'm not just completely unattractive then by the sounds of it Grin

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