Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Mental health

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Flip

Original poster

Mirtazipine and weight gain?

10 replies

LunaTrap · 18/05/2018 13:57

I've just been prescribed mirtazipine and the GP said it could cause weight gain but felt it worth a try for my specific issues. The worry I have is that I've lost 3 stone in the past year with at least another stone to get to a healthy BMI. I don't think I could cope with piling on weight again, my weight loss is one of the few things I've felt good about lately. And now I've just read the info and seen that it is sometimes even prescribed to assist weight gain!

Does anybody have experience of this medication and its side effects? I'm considering not taking it but not sure that is sensible as a really need something at the moment.

OP posts:

MrsE · 18/05/2018 14:00

I take Mirtazapine and i hate to say my weight did go up when i started taking it. It has stabilised now but no matter what i do i can't seem to lose any weight. Don't not take it just because you may gain weight. It was prescribed for a reason

Nutgirl · 18/05/2018 14:05

Hi I am also on Mirtazapine for anxiety and insomnia and have also gained around half a stone since I started taking it last December. Not sure why as I haven't changed my diet and am also exercising regularly now and I wasn't before hand.

Not ideal but imo the weight gain is worth it as I am now sleeping well and am a lot less stressed and anxious. But I could afford to put on half a stone - am still a healthy weight .I was only skinny because I was anxoius and stressed!

I honestly think it is worth if for your mental health. Just make sure you eat healthily and exercise and focus on your whole mental and physical wellbeing rather than what the scales say.

Original poster

LunaTrap · 18/05/2018 14:08

Thank you for your reply. I've been prescribed it for anxiety and also because the GP said it has a sedating effect that should help with sleep. He did say I could try something else if I don't get on with it. The problem I have is that gaining weight again will probably negatively impact my mental health so it seems a bit counter productive. I'm due to see him again in 3 weeks so I guess I could give it a try until then and if I'm not happy then come off it.

OP posts:

Original poster

LunaTrap · 18/05/2018 14:09

Thank you Nutgirl I've been prescribed it for the same reasons as you. It is good to hear that it is working well for you.

OP posts:

TuTru · 18/05/2018 14:12

I took for two years. Was brilliant for my needs but I put on 4 stone! I could not stop being hungry. I was running, trying to eat healthy, drinking water etc etc.
People kept asking me when my baby was due 😳
Dr took me off when I reached 12.5 stone
I have now returned to 9 stone and plateaud at that. I quite liked the boobs it gave me but I craved carbs, all the time!
Great drug tho, wish I could still have it.
I have pregabalin now instead which is ok.

TuTru · 18/05/2018 14:13

PS I didn’t mind being fat, didn’t bother me.

LittleMissCwtch · 18/05/2018 14:16

I’ll be honest it put on 2 stone for me and it was the sugary cravings that got me, though I did need to take it and it helped me through a separation from emotionally abusive ex. It also seemed to reset my sleep and I was on it just over a year, and after stopping I still sleep well, I was an awful sleeper before and it really helped.

I have lost the weight easily thankfully coming off, and I would take it again if I need too.

It had little side effects for me which was a bonus, apart from the weight gain but it was still worth it

Original poster

LunaTrap · 18/05/2018 14:23

It seems everyone so far has gained weight on it then! I know I sound shallow but I hate being overweight. I'm very short and it is really noticeable and makes me feel horrible and not like me as I was always naturally slim until I had kids. Now that I'm nearing 40 I find it really hard to lose weight as it is and have had to be really strict to get this far- I'm not a natural dieter and I love food! Maybe I need to ask for something else.

OP posts:

Jimjam68 · 19/05/2018 22:16

I put on just over a stone. The sleep benefits are wonderful but in all honesty if something else can help you without the weight gain I would try and explore that with your GP. I wasn’t told it was a well known side effect. It’s not the only solution for anxiety.

RitaSpanner · 21/05/2018 01:06

I've always weighed less than 7 stone with very fast metabolism and I gained more than a stone over the year I took them. Mainly due to sugar cravings (I don't normally have a sweet tooth).

Now I'm on Sertraline which has weight loss as a side effect so I'm worried about being sketetal at my wedding in a few months! I take it along with sleeping pills for my insomnia.

Flip