Remeron and weight gain?

Hey everyone!

I just started taking Remeron almost 3 weeks ago and I'm a bit worried. The good things are that it's helping my insomnia and I am beginning to feel better emotionally.

The bad thing is the weight gain. I knew before taking Remeron that weight gain was a side effect but I didn't think I'd actually get that side effect because I've taken other antidepressants where that was a side effect and I actually lost my appetite. I've gained 8 pounds in the first two weeks and I seem to have steadied out.

The problem is I can't see where I've gained the weight. My mother saw me and she said I look the same but my face looks fuller. My clothes all fit me fine and that's with layering up since it's cold out. I thought my scale in the bathroom was broken but we have two scales and they both say the same thing.

Now, I'm actually a small person. I'm a size 4 (in American sizes). I'm pleased with how I look. I just don't want to gain anymore weight.

So my questions are: can the weight gain be water retention? I suffer from chronic constipation and I started taking probiotic vitamins so hopefully that works. I drink lots of water, too.

And will I start to lose the weight once the side effect wears off?

I hope it doesn't seem like I'm making a big deal out of this. I'm just worried since I don't gain weight so fast.

Oh, my, yes, Remeron is notorious for causing weight gain. I went up three dress sizes in as many months. I could feel my skin stretching. I honestly don't think I was eating more.

I suggest you talk to your doc about getting off of it.

Did the side effects ever wear off? And how many months did it take for you to go up 3 dress sizes? I've never had issues with weight before until now. I literally just started taking it 3 weeks ago, so I wanted to wait to see if the side effects wore off...I'm hesitant to go off of it so soon so I just want to know if the side effect of the weight gain will wear off. But if I'll keep having weight gain issues I may as well go off of it and try something else. Is there anything else similar to Remeron that you decided to take?

I'm like you; my stomach feels like it's stretching but as of recently my appetite is getting back to normal. I don't get it. It has me feeling down because I had high hopes for this drug. None of the others worked, except Wellbutrin (which I had to stop since it gave me seizures).

Remeron caused me to gain weight. But then, almost all psych meds cause me to gain weight - even if I don't eat any more than usual. I didn't notice the weight gain tapering off, either - but then, I didn't stay on Remeron for more than about 6 months.

I've never had an issue with weight before in my life so this is very taxing for me. Yea, I'm researching it and people are saying the same thing: that the weight gain didn't taper off even though they took it for months at a time, sometimes years. That's terrifying to me. I may actually have to go back to my psychiatrist and see if he has something else for me. I said if I saw my weight beginning to drop off I'd continue taking it but it's not dropping off so much. It fluctuated so much in the beginning. I think that it's water retention for me, because I've eaten just as much before not gained weight. So it's either water rentention or it's slowing down my metabolism. Or both. That's such a shame. I really had hope for this medication...

I was on Remeron for bad insomnia myself and yes, I gained weight ! I was eventually taken off of it because i gained 80lbs!!! But, I am on other psych meds too which cause weight gain too. I did have a water retention problem as well and went on??? whatever it was, began with an H, and I did loose weight. So, you may be getting some retention even though your drinking alot of water. Also keep in mind that if you are having constipation problems, feces are not light and while stored in the body do have weight to it.

UPDATE: So I'm currently 10lbs heavier than I was before. It's definitely causing water retention and that, combined with my chronic constipation, isn't helping.

I have also noticed that around my pointer finger, there is a red splotch of skin. That wasn't there earlier. So I'm gonna look up to see if Remeron causes skin discoloration too...-sighs- I guess that's a sign I should stop taking it.

Remeron caused me to gain weight, and gave me a voracious appetite. I didn't lose that until I stopped it. It helped my depression, though, and I slept better on it.

I figured that might be the case! Did you replace Remeron with another antidepressant and, if so, what was it? Atypical antidepressants work better for me so I may have to try another one.

And yea, I'm sleeping a lot better! =D

Hey guys, I have another question. I've only been taking Remeron for a little over 2 weeks and I'm sleeping well but I've already gained 10lbs and I feel like most of it is water retention. I've suffered from chronic constipation in the past but ever since I started taking this pill it's gotten worse. It's to the point where if I drink a glass of water, the water doesn't leave my body and my stomach feels too full.

Is it too early to stop taking the medication? I just started it but the weight gain and the water retention with the worsening chronic constipation is tellin me I should stop. I skipped tonight so I'll see how it goes but I just want others advice on whether I should stop so early or keep going.

Weight gain is typically dose-dependent.

I was on 30mg and gained about 20 in a month and lost it just as quickly at 45mg. My pdoc told me that 15 and 30 usually have more weight gain than 45 but I didn't gain anything at 15. As always, YMMV.

Be careful getting off it, the withdrawal effects are not fun.

Ah, thank you for this! It's interesting that you didn't gain any weight at 45mg and that you actually lost weight at that dosage. I guess it's all independent and depends on the person. I've never had weight issues in my life and never gained weight on any other medication, so this is a first. I think what I'll do is cut the dosage in half until I see my doctor. Thank you for commenting!