Mirtazapine - Weight Gain - Alternative meds *updated*
 

Currently I take Mirtazapine, I can't fault the med but it has caused me to gain a huge amount of weight which I am very unhappy with and although I have never really told anyone about the issues I have with my weight. I was happy with my weight before I started this med (healthy). Obviously, I will have to speak to my own Doctor regarding this but I think he said the next step would be a refferal to a psychiatrist again. Is there another drug without the side effect of weight gain that I could try. Previously been on Sertraline and Prozac. Last time I was on Sertraline, it wasn't working, also been on citalopram.

The weight gain is a side effect of an otherwise good med so I don't know if it's just a case of tough luck :sad:

Any advice?

Updated 1st Aug 12

Had appointment today this time with usual GP..took all of 5 mins and I'm swapped.

I changed from Mirtazapine to Trazodone. As far as I know Trazodone hasn't caused me to gain weight, in fact I lost the Mirtazapine weight on it.

I had exactly the same, I've been on it for a year or two. I was very unhappy also, think it made me feel worse! I felt like saying "I'm here because I'm depressed, you are making it worse!" I'm still a bit bummed out about it sometimes.

I think it kinda causes bloating a bit. So although I havent lost a lot of weight I don't look so big. It has worked ok for me, but I didn't ask for a variation. So I guess speak to your Dr abou whats best for you. Hope you are ok.

Same for me. In the end I did unfortunately have to come off Trazodone because the side effect from that drug for me was constantly fainting but it is a really good switch from Mirtazapine and I did lose the weight and still felt better.

I'm just wondering how it effects your appetite? Do you find that you are hungrier throughout the day or that it's after you take the medication? It would be a shame to stop what is otherwise a good medication for you.

I can relate, at the moment I'm on clozapine and after the night time dose (I've learnt to ignore the false hunger during the day) I get extremely hungry.

I've found a few techniques. Reading teen fiction in bed at night, something easy to follow and doesnt require as much attention can sometimes help if you can fall asleep whilst reading. I've also found leaving enough calories for night time to be 'spent' on fruit or cereal can be helpful. The last thing that is listening to the same CD every night as it kinda reinforces a routine and my body has come to learn that its sleep time.

I hope some of that is helpful, although all of that is probably useless though if you're struggling throughout the day too.

I hope you can find a solution.

My psych told me the hungry feeling you get is due to the histamine that's involved, If you find it hard to ignore try to snack on fruit and keep your fluid intake up too as that can help against the false hunger.

I'm currently switching from venlafaxine to mirtazipine, the weight gain is not an issue with me, As on other meds that can increase weight so already in the process of weight management.

Thanks for the replies :)

I just don't want the GP to be like 'Yeah well as long as you feel better'

hmm...

Can I have some encouragement to speak to him?

Not being on anything at all is not an option. I have fought hard to get him to understand (to be honest he's nice but others don't get it) that after 8 years of being on and off meds I don't want them taking away from me as I just feel worse again.

Also, should it be a fight to keep meds?

thanks :)

Technically, if you're having bad side-effects (like weight gain, insomnia) then the treatment isn't considered effective, so I'm sure your GP will understand.

I had massive weight gain on my 1st AD and ultimately, though it helped take the edge off, it wasn't worth it, and they switched me as soon as I asked. Tbh, I was silly for putting up with it so long.

There are so so many medications they can try, that if you want to keep taking meds, you can, and there are lots of other options too.

I would say though, in my case, I came off ADs in the end because my last one made me suicidal, my GP insisted that they couldn't make me worse, so I should keep taking them, and as soon as I stopped taking them my mood bounced back up. When I spoke to the psych a few weeks later he was like "Oh, have we not tried a break before?" because apparently after being on them a long time, some people find coming off everything helpful, as I did. So, that's an option too.

got a doctor calling me tomorrow so will update this then

I am absolutely fuming. Went to the doctor (not my usual one) who said 'Exercise then'

Righhhht!

Make another appointment.
No offence to your doctor, but that's simply not good enough.
It's well know that sometimes, some psych meds can cause significant weight gain.

When I finally saw the psychiatrist they were shocked at a) how little effect I'd had, b) no breaks, no other treatments, I'd just been dumped on this one medication with no effect for over a year and, c) just how much weight I'd put on.

The weird thing is they work but I just can't hack this weight gain. Usual GP (brilliant) is on holiday (again??) so seeing him in a month. Hurry up August. I can't hack this.

I felt like...so small.

I did try arguing but it failed

What about seeing another GP in the meantime?

Seeing usual GP on 1st August. Has anyone ever asked to come off this due to the weight gain and had difficulty? I feeling like I'm hitting a break wall. I feel like I'm being awkward wanting to be my usual weight as well as mentally feeling a bit better

I agree with the doctor. Exersise it works. You should feel grateful you found a medication that helps you. Weight gain is a small price to pay and like the doctor said go for a run you will lose it.

i put alot of weight on even with exsercise with mirtazipine just explain bout it and they should be ok i hope u manage to change

i think doctors are always loathe to take you of this medication if it does something- i have been on it nearly 6 months and have found that yes it helps me to sleep (the reason it was prescribed along with another med) and therefore the fact i have developed asthma and had continuous upset stomachs has been pushed to the back of there concerns
i suggest keeping on at them and as said go and see someone else
also i know this might not be easy but maybe try to exercise a little (hypocrite here i know) if you can not saying you will be able to but it gives your arguement more weight if you try what they say and it still doesnt work
thinking of you lovely and keep fighting
xx

When I asked to change from Mirtazapine to Trazodone (after hearing about other RYLers successfully doing so), my doctor was pretty hesetant- I believe his precise words were "You shouldn't come off an effective drug just because you're worried about your weight". But to me, this seemed completely hypocritical, as every other visit to every other doctor, they brought up my weight as a cause for concern- mirtazapine pushed me over to the "morbidly obese" category, yet I'm being told not to change med?

Point is, you're not the only one who has difficulty, and it is understandable. I've found Trazodone to be not as effective as an anti-depressant (still good though), but I'm slowly losing weight and I'm not knocked out for 12 hours a day anymore, which to me, outweights the benefits of being happier/more numb.

It can also get to a point where the weight gain can affect your mental health, which can undo the work of an AD. I really don't think it's wrong to want to find a compromise between being a healthy weight and being on a good antidepressant.

I also went from mirtazipine to trazodone because the weight gain was so significant. My GP didn't believe me until he weighed me. I was on them 9 months in total. Few year down the line and I'm struggling to shift the weight. Trazodone didn't do a lot for me unfortunately so they then put me on escitalopram which seemed to help for the short time I was on it.

What do I do if the GP says I can't change meds