I've been on antidepressants for 3 and half years, starting first on Prozac 20mg then to 40mg then to 60mg! It worked for 2 years then I was switched to mitrazipine which made me really drowsy and with 3 young children was not wise. I was then switched to citalopram 40mg. Since starting antidepressants I have gained a whopping 3 stone and I'm more miserable now than I was before.
I am now also taking pregablin for anxiety which is also an appetite stimulant. I literally cannot stop eating. I eat to the point of feeling sick. I wake up in the night and the first thing I think of is food.
Is anyone else experiencing the same thing?
Ive tried weight watchers, slimming world and herbalife but although I can shift around 4-5lbs I can't shift anymore weight so go back to over eating again each time.
I have heard of Wellbutrin as a good SSRI which can aid weight loss, is anyone here tried it or heard of it?
Feeling fed up. I can't see that I will ever be able to come off my medication and am worried that I will continue to balloon if I don't do something soon. Any help greatly appreciated x
Hi Louisa. So sorry you're going through such a rough time. I too suffered weight gain with cit. I didn't really eat a lot more but my metabolism just seemed to go into slow down and I could almost feel the pounds piling on. I felt lethargic and demotivated the whole time too. I then started to have my hair drop out, not just a few extra strands in the shower but whole clumps every time I touched it. At that point I just dumped the cit down the loo and got very determined to work on ways of feeling better without it. Such a hard way of living, we're doomed without it and suffer badly with it. So sorry hon. I've not heard of wellbutrin but there are definitely other SSRIs that may be more suitable for you than cit, like fluoxetine, etc. I really understand the feeling of being depressed even more by what antidepressants do to you. Real catch 22 situation, we take them for depression and anxiety and then the side effects are so awful it makes us even more depressed. My hair loss almost drove me to suicide - sounds extreme but to me it was as if was losing my femininity and I couldnt even face going out of the house. It grew back enough to be able to disguise how thin it is and it's never grown properly again, which doesn't help my self esteem as I'm sure you're finding with the weight gain. Don't be fobbed off by the doctor, INSIST they listen to your concerns and find you something that doesn't cause you to have an eating disorder. They should try to understand that hating our body for one reason or another isn't going to help us get to a better place with our mental health issues. My very best wishes that you find a way that helps you through this. xx
Must be a three stone thing with cit because I also gained that much when I was on it years ago. Doctors won't have it when you tell them though. I went from 8 to 11 stone. I didn't mind so much as it did make me well that time round and the weight dropped off when I was well enough too come off it.
On mirtazapine this time round and even though I don't have the munchies everybody says you get with them...I still have a feeling that this is going to put weight on me. I don't care tbh so long as it helps me get well.
I know it's not good for self esteem and I'm dreading it but for now I can afford to put a little on and I will cross the weight bridge when I come to it xx
Hi, just read your post and see that you have changed from mirtazapine to citalapram...I am struggling with weight gain, been on mirtazapine for 3 years and doc said I can swap to citalapram. I have gained 2 stone. Can I ask how you found the switch over?? I'm soo scared of feeling I'll again. Mirtazapine is the only med I have ever taken so can't comment on Wellbutrin but I think we are all different and need to just find something that suits.. I know a couple of friends on cit and have had no weight gain at all! I've tried everything to lose weight on mirt, slimming world, gym etc but nothing works and the doc has said to me just eat less! Easier said than done when that craving kicks in!! Hope your well and find something that suits eventually. Lisa x
Hi and thanks for your post
The Dr has told me this before as well.... And like you said it's easier said than done.
The change over was fine, I was dreading it too thinking that I would become really down and emotional again. I was weened off one whilst starting the other then eventually stopped one completely and increased my dose of citalopram.
If you follow your Dr instructions you will be just fine. Xx
Hiya, and thanks for your reply :-) they have advised me to cross taper so will follow there instructions for sure. At least I know it can be done, you have given me the confidence to go for it, thank you xx how long did you take mirt for if you don't mind me asking? And was sleep disrupted during the change over? Planning to do it at xmas with some time off work. The weight thing is horrible cos sometimes we can't live without these meds once in your system, I have tried to come off completely before with horrendous effects I guess which had scared me about changing over but guessing I just need to try, you will have to let me know how you get on if you change to Wellbutrin, be nice to stay in touch and hear about each other's journey, stay well xx🌹🌹xx
Hey good to hear you have taken the plunge, good on you. I was on mirt for about 4 months I think. It just made ne too drowsy.
Good idea to take time off work when you do change over. I hope it works for you, I'm sure you will be just fine.
And definitely stay in touch, I will let you know how I get on too xx
I've been on citalopram for a few years as well and have gain a lot of weight. Citalopram also makes me drowsy. I switched to welbutrin for a year and i lost 45 lbs without exercise however my depression wasn't really addressed. I began spiraling out of control and had to switch back to save my marriage. I'm now looking for an alternative because my weight has climbed since being back on citalopram for only a month. I cant seemed to get out the bed other than to work and maintain my house. Ive1 been looking to try St. John's wort since i heard it works well. I'll keep you posted.