Mirtazapine and weight gain

[SailAwayWithMeHoney]

I've been on mirtazapine since October. I used to be a size 8... im now a size 10-12. My memory is pretty shocking so I can't remember how my diet has been but I know it's probably not great and since starting the meds I went through a stage of eating more than normal.

I do have an eating disorder which means I'm unable to eat anything sometimes, and I'm mentally really struggling with the weight gain.

Nothing's helping me lose weight, I've tried my usual diet and exercise and it doesn't help at all. I lost some weight because there was a time two months ago where I was unable to eat anything at all but I've put it all back on. I'm desperate for suggestions that are going to steer me away from crash diets and weight loss pills, thank you x

I've put on 3 stone and gone from a size 14 to 18 since starting Mirtazapine despite being quite active. To be honest I've not been in the right headspace to try and lose anything, but am just starting to be more concious about my diet again now.

I put on a couple of stone on mertazipine. But it worked, so I felt it was worth it. Once I came off, I just ate really healthily, nurtured my body, made good choices (lots of nuts and yoghurts, less sugar, nothing banned, although very rarely drank alcohol) - reduced my portion sizes though. Weight stayed off til pregnancy, lost it again ok, after 2nd preg I piled it on but I also ate too much sugar to compensate for lack of sleep.
I don't recommend doing recovery and weight loss at the same time. Maybe just damage limitation!

Thank you both, I've done a little trawling online and a lot of people say it's hard to lose weight whilst still taking it.

I think I'm going to have to just embrace my new body, and buy some new clothes that actually fit. It makes me feel so much worse opening the cupboard and knowing nothing in it fits me. One day when I no longer need the meds for my mental health then I can look at losing weight again x

I've been on mirtazapine for 18 months and I put on some weight- like you went from 8 to 10. I do lots of exercise and I haven't lost weight but have got a lot stronger. Friends say I look like I've lost weight though apparently. I now can't exercise cos I'm injured and I'm just not hungry. When I first went on mirtazapine I was hungry all the time. I'm assuming that as now I'm not hungry the mirtazapine 'hunger' side effect goes after a while- my recent 'hunger' must have been exercise induced rather than med induced! I guess it's up to you personally but I'd say bigger and happier is better than thin and miserable for me (I'm an ex anorexic). Don't worry about diets- just eat a normal healthy diet and keep exercising- the weight gain will stabilise.

Thank you dangermouse - I seem to have the sedated - fatigue side effects aswell so exercise is not as often as it should be because I'm just so tired all the time. Which probably leads to me drinking more coffee and eating quick-burst energy things sugar

It's weird you say that actually because I always really struggle with my, well body image as opposed to weight. Because of my eating disorder I find weight gain incredibly hard so followed a friends advice today and took out all the clothes I can't fit into, she says that opening the cupboard and knowing everything in it fits helps. And she's going to take me shopping and help me find things to flatter my new shape. I'm suddenly very pear-y. Like you say, it's better bigger and happier than thinner and miserable. And I do think I'd make myself more miserable trying to lose weight on these meds?

I think your friend has the right idea sailaway. My size 8's have all gone to the charity shop . I agree trying to lose might make you miserable- I ate very little for about 4 last year when going through a bad patch and lost very little, if anything (I avoid scales and tend to go by clothes fitting) but that said I didn't put on weight when I started eating and moving about again! Good luck with your clothes shopping trip and I hope you find lots of nice stuff!

4 weeks

Definately get some clothes that fit. I've definately felt better since doing that. I found shopping for new ones hard though as Im not used to what suits my new body shape (always been a pear but never had a belly before) having a friend to help with this sounds like a good idea.

Do you have anyone to help you shop?

That's the trouble I'm having, I used to be very toned, tiny waist, flat stomach, big bum. Now I'm a bit pear with a belly, no defined bum and big thighs. So it's strange trying to find clothes to flatter that.

Another weight gainer here! I've been on Mirtazipine for just over a year now and I've gone from a 10 to a 14. Yes, yes, yes to you buying new looser fitting clothes, you will instantly feel more comfortable. I also find it help me to cope with the weight gain if I remember how bad my mind was before the meds. Btw, I've been having some recent success with controlling my mirtazipine overeating by following a low GI diet... fingers crossed!!

Not really DH hates shopping lol. I just go for anything that doesn't make me look pregnant or fat! Aiming for comfort over style tbh at the moment.

I'm so glad to know I'm not alone! That in itself makes me feel a bit better

I've thrown away 5 pairs of jeans, a pair of shorts, and a whole bunch of skirts and dresses! I'll go through my tops when I've got a couple of pairs of jeans that fit me properly.

I'm sorry your DH won't shop with you Anxious but sounds like you've found a system that works.

cattastic what's a low GI diet?