Weight Gain On Remeron/mirtazapine

[cdg]

I know it's common but, I want some pointers on how to avoid gaining more weight and maybe taking off some of it. I tried going off of it but that is not going to happen. I am pretty immobile the 1st 3 hours of the day. After that I can do something. I am cutting all sweets out of my diet and walking 4 miles a day. Any thing else? Tricks people have learned etc..? Gained 70 lbs in a year.

 

[Maggiemay]

I have put on a lot of weight on it... Weaning off at the mo so it'll be interesting to see if I shift any weight... Sadly I haven't found any wonder cures - except stopping it! ;) But I look on it as a swings & roundabouts kind of thing - I'd rather be heavier & happier than skinny & unwell... X

 

[NovemberStar]

See a dietician perhaps? Might be portion sizes, or higher GI / carbs adding to the weight?

Are you noticeably hungrier, and eating more, or it is purely due to the changes in metabolism?

I've been on it since sept last year - was on 15mg, went up to 45 mg art one stage. I have an eating disorder though - and lost a lot of weight during my first few months on it (because of my anorexia). Now I am weight restored, and cos I fear gaining too much I am trying to cut back on the dose - was on 22.5mg but down to 15mg the past few days.

My mood has dropped a bit, from the next day of reducing it, but I am prepared to wait and see if I can get stabilize. Agree with @Maggiemay though - no point staying a healthy weight if it leaves me very suicidal and at risk of acting on it ;(

 

[Andie7]

I have put on a lot of weight on it... Weaning off at the mo so it'll be interesting to see if I shift...

HI I just want to add something on here to maybe help someone but not sure if I can actually get help for myself. I am 65 years old but feel 30 however since I was 11 I was on a diet. I weighed 140 pounds and have been dieting ever since. I have been on remeron since 2004. I have to admit I have not had a great weight gain since I am always always on a diet. But I did go on a trip and ended up gaining and was about 139 pounds. I went on the Dukan diet and after 4months I was down to 122..it is mostly protein and very strict. I was very happy but over three years I have gained again to my all time high of 140. I tried the high protein low carb again but I guess once you trick your body it does not allow you to trick it again.. So I am having a very hard time getting down.. I am only 5"3 and seem to be fat in places I never was. I want to lose about 10 pounds and I will be happy but not sure what to do.. the remeron has helped immensely at 15-30 mg and wonder if lowering the dosage would help me at all or if I need to risk going off.. I do think the protein diets seem to help people but it does not seem like a healthy way to live ongoing.. can anyone comment or help???I hope I gave some hope in the fact that I have a naturally slow metabolism and still lost 18 pounds.. walked about 30 minutes a day which is not alot..soooo??

 

[Flossy]

I have an aquaintace who is on it and her doctor put her on a no-carb diet, for life. She also has a fatty liver. She doesn't seem to want to go off the Remeron.

I don't know if it's any help to you @Andie7 but I lost 8kgs on the 5:2 intermittent fasting way of eating last year. I found it relatively easy. There are many FB pages dedicated to how to do it.

 

[cdg]

Any fresh prospectives on the subject? Still having trouble.

What's a good exercise routine that's helped?

 

[EveHarrington]

Can you share the approaches that you have tried for losing the extra weight that haven't worked for you? Oftentimes what works well for one person doesn't work at all for another.

 

[hodge]

When I was on Remeron, I gained a lot of weight and ended up weighing more than I ever did in my life. I was eating only 1,000 calories and day and doing vigorous exercise every morning for at least 30 minutes. Nothing took the weight off until I stopped Remeron. I hated to do it, because it did help, but I had to consider the diabetes in my family. Type 1. And was afraid of getting it. I just kept gaining weight, even with all I was doing.

For me, nothing worked to take off the weight except getting off it. I hope you find a way to stay on. It is a good med except for that.

 

[hodge]

Addendum: if you have diabetes in your family, I wouldn't recommend fasting. That can be dangerous if you have any blood sugar problems at all.

 

[Queen Boudica]

How about shifting to another antidepressant that is not associated with weight gain? I am on Wellbutrin and have lost some weight.

All these diets you just end up putting on weight after you stop and something like a protein only diet would be a high load on liver and kidneys, you need a balanced diet. All these fad diets are not good for body, especially if antidepressants are also taking a toll by being processed in liver.

 

[cdg]

I can't take ssri's. What are my options? Asking your opinions in addition to asking my doctor. So let me know what you think. This weight has to go. Is there an easy transition one? I hear mirt is hard to go off of.

Also.. I walk fast for 35 minutes and stationary bike for 30.

 

[Queen Boudica]

Wellbutrin isn't an SSRI @cdg it acts on the dopamine receptors. And as I said I have lost weight.