Mirtazapine

[nailit]

for those of you who know something of my life that ive shared on here, you will know that ive suffered from depresion on and off for some time. Ive recently been in a psychiatric hospital (again) for nearly 2 weeks. The psychiatrist I saw there took me off my regular anti depresents as they obviously werent doing much good and has replaced them with Mirtazapine. Since then my mood has improved massivly, Im sleeping like a log and functioning better than before. However I read that one of the side effects is increased apppetite and Im eating for England at the moment. Is there anything I can do (or take) to counteract this side affect. I am not currently experiencing any other possible side affects but I really dont want to constantly feel hungry every hour or two.
Thank yo for any replies.

[Eve]

Hi Nailit, just watch what you eat really, read food labels and try to bulk up meals with healthier foods which are lot in fat, sugar and calories so it feels like you are eating more but without stuff which may help weight gain.

I know the feeling, I was put on mirtazapine and it's great, especially for sleep (the main reason my GP changed it). I have a bit of a triple whammy going on with that, pregabalin and steroids on and off which all can cause weight gain - I guess by making you hungrier and craze bad stuff.

I really need to get weight off my joints (got rheumatoid arthritis) rather than put more on so I'm eating lots of salad (nice in wraps with lean ham) and fruit and veg and avoid high fat and sugar foods - it's actually quite scary when you start reading labels! - and make better choices.

I find fruit ice lollies are quite good fillers when you just want something to munch on.

Exercise is good too - am hoping to try and get "swimming" if they can get more movement in my shoulders and hips (more steroid injections in a few weeks) as not being too mobile doesn't help with the weight gain.

If you can though, getting some good healthy exercise may help both that and even boost your mood more.

[Eve]

...oooh, keeping busy too! I've had a recent change at work and on a much busier team and work in a lot more mind consuming - lots going on so I don't have so much time to think about food.

If you aren't working, could you do some voluntary work?

I find coffee quite a good substitute too, get a big coffee (no sugar, skimmed milk if poss) and sip it really slowly (I don't mind it cold though).

[craft1948]

I've been on Mirtazapine for a few years now and must admit I've put on quite a lot of weight (luckily I was skinny before) but I don't know what the answer is...................

[Eve]

I guess it's a balance, feeling better outweighing putting on weight.

I find mine hard to shift too - I couldn't keep anything in my system for a week and was really quite ill - didn't lose anything.

[boxtops]

Nailit, I am just so pleased that you are feeling better on the new medication. You may have to pretend you are on a diet - eat lots of fruit and veg and drink fluids

[nailit]

Many thanks for replies. Guess more salads and less chips it is then...(and a bit of exercise). When I was in the hospital I was eating like a pig but didnt understand why until I came out and read up on mirtazapine, now I know why.
Thanks again guys.

[lcg]

Stop putting food in your mouth......there is no way to avoid this side effect. As most pills in psychiatry affect dopamine, this also stimulates appetite. As a psych nurse, I know when my patients are getting better.....they are all getting a bit podgier......x