A Medical Dilemma

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » 2005-07-07 05:54pm

Ok here's the situation. I recently started a new medication called Mirtazapine (45mg once a day) for my PTSD, which is all well and dandy. But my Doc told me that one of the side effects is weight gain, she said it's possible that I could balloon up another 30 lbs from it. And I'm already 210 on a 5'8 frame, partially from other meds that I take for the same condition. So my question to you folks is:

Given the same condition and circumstances, would you take the meds and risk the weight gain, and stress your system even more?

DrkHelmet · Post by **DrkHelmet** » 2005-07-07 06:03pm

I'm not telling you what to do, but I would do some research. Find out what other drugs there are for treating PTSD, and see if they have similar (or better/worse) side effects. Then approach your doctor about these other meds and ask why he chose this one over these others.

Information is your best friend. If you really need the meds, then you haven't another choice.

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » 2005-07-07 06:13pm

DrkHelmet wrote:I'm not telling you what to do, but I would do some research. Find out what other drugs there are for treating PTSD, and see if they have similar (or better/worse) side effects. Then approach your doctor about these other meds and ask why he chose this one over these others.

Information is your best friend. If you really need the meds, then you haven't another choice.

There's literally dozens of different meds for PTSD out there, this is just one kind, I take three different kinds together. She recommended this one because it helps with sleep (I have alot of nightmares and poor sleep), it just happens to have a nasty weight gain sideffect and I'm not sure if I should consider this acceptable, hence my putting it to the board.

But you are right, if I truely need the medication (and I do) then there really is no other choice. I was completely medication free just after x-mas and the result was criminal charges so the best thing for all concerned is that I continue to be medicated.

DrkHelmet · Post by **DrkHelmet** » 2005-07-07 06:19pm

The best thing you can do is share your concerns with the doctor, and see if he has an alternative medication that works under the same principle but causes weight loss (or no change).

However, it's entirely possible that the medication won't effect your weight at all. Since this is a neurological medication, the side effects you, personally, get, while not random, are unpredictable.

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » 2005-07-07 06:24pm

DrkHelmet wrote:The best thing you can do is share your concerns with the doctor, and see if he has an alternative medication that works under the same principle but causes weight loss (or no change).

Thats an alternative I had not thought of. But I will ask her the next time I see her.

However, it's entirely possible that the medication won't effect your weight at all. Since this is a neurological medication, the side effects you, personally, get, while not random, are unpredictable.

Thats possible as well. I have been taking it for 2 weeks and haven't noticed anything yet. But it's probably too soon to notice one way or another. I have noticed though that the side affects that I get with the medications that I take aren't always what was advertised.

DrkHelmet · Post by **DrkHelmet** » 2005-07-07 06:33pm

I know I once became very depressed, and had to be medicated. That's not PTSD, so I'm not saying I understand, far from it. I am now stable (relatively

).

I learned alot of things though. For one, each depression series or PTSD is unique in of itself. What worked for Joe will not always work for you. You will not always experience the same side effects as Joe. The best thing you can do is research the medicine that you are currently using. If you have a medical reference book, look up your particular medication and find out everything you can about it. Also look up other medications of similar type.

However, if the medication you are using is working and you are not suffering side effects, I would give serious thought to it before making any change.

Again, not telling you what to do, just suggesting

.

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » 2005-07-07 07:12pm

DrkHelmet wrote:I know I once became very depressed, and had to be medicated. That's not PTSD, so I'm not saying I understand, far from it. I am now stable (relatively ).

Glad to hear it. Depression is a fickle and harsh mistress.

I learned alot of things though. For one, each depression series or PTSD is unique in of itself. What worked for Joe will not always work for you. You will not always experience the same side effects as Joe. The best thing you can do is research the medicine that you are currently using. If you have a medical reference book, look up your particular medication and find out everything you can about it. Also look up other medications of similar type.

Well this page lists the amount of people with wieght gain side affects at 12%, I consider that to be acceptable. See doctors don't tell you numbers they just say "it could cause weight gain". I guess I should have asked the pharmacist if I was that curious.

However, if the medication you are using is working and you are not suffering side effects, I would give serious thought to it before making any change.

Again, not telling you what to do, just suggesting .

Well it's working so far and I hate to switch meds if they work because it's hard for me to find meds that work for me and whatnot. But given that the weight gain chances are 12% I think I can live with that, time will tell if I am part of that 12% or not.