Antidepressants and PCOS

Hi, I was looking for some advice re antidepressants... in June I “admitted defeat” and went to my GP regarding anxiety and depression that was affecting my every day life and he prescribed Citalopram 20mg. I took this for two months at varying doses (30mg and 10mg) and while it helped my anxiety, it left me feeling generally awful with unpleasant side effects so I asked to try something else. I was then put on Fluoxetine at varying doses, felt less awful than Citalopram but was very up and down still with horrendous carb craving which lead to overeating and weight gain, as well as loss of libido and excessive tiredness. I’m already obese and worked hard last year to lose 3 stone and was reluctant to put the weight back on again so asked my GP if I could try something else and have been put on Mirtazapine 30mg. I’ve been on this for a week and have gained half a stone already. Having PCOS I do find I put weight on easily but having put on a total of 2 stone in the last three months I’m at the stage where I want to give up on ADs altogether. I’ve tried CBD oil and St Johns Wort as alternative remedies before with little effect. Does anyone have any advice? Should I keep trying despite not feeling like they’re helping me or just accept that I am better than I was without them and that I will balloon in weight which will only end up affecting my mood for the worse? My GP suggested I try walking to keep my weight down but I’m already doing more regular exercise than I ever was before as I have a dog now and go for two half hour walks a day, so horrified to think where my weight would be if I wasn’t doing that. I work full time in a sedentary desk job so not a lot I can do there. Any advice would be appreciated as I am at the end of my tether and not getting much feedback from GP...

[MedStudentP]

Hi, hmmm it can be quite tricky with anxiety and depression meds! It’s a bit of a trial and error situation as it’s totally different for everyone but sadly the side effects can be weight gain (which I know is especially known for Mitrazapine) so I guess it’s up to what you want and how you feel!

It can take a while to find what suits but I’d say just go for whatever makes you feel best! I can tell you’ve thought a lot about it, so I think it’s up to you to weigh up the benefits or lack of benefits?

[Hidden in reply to MedStudentP]

Thank you for your reply, it’s a tough one as I know lots of people find they get on fine with ADs with little side effects! I just feel like I get a whole host of unpleasant side effects without the benefit of them helping my anxiety or depression.

[MedStudentP in reply to Hidden]

I think the benefits for mental health cannot be underestimated! Just choose whatever think will make you feel best and the rest you can figure out! I’m sure there will be support out there for you whatever you choose! Best of luck!

[Hols969]

CBD oil is supposed to help both anxiety and depression, what dose were you on as it may not have been high enough. Sadly both are a side effect of pcos, they do not know whether it is the hormone imbalance that causes it or the symptoms. If you are on Facebook then look at the PCOS Diet Support and 30 day Challenge (which is free) as so many ladies have lost weight on their. We are very efficient at storing fat so we do need to eat less than the norm just to maintain our weight. I have lost 10lb and 4 inches off my waist and 3 off my belly button since the September challenge. I have now added intermittent fasting as well (the Obesity Code by Dr Jason Fung is a great read and totally makes sense, another pcos lady recommended it to me as she has lots lots of weight and inches).

I think the weight doesnt help your state of mind as well so if you can start getting the weight down it may improve your mood. I would up the exercise too to try and boost the endorphins.

I am on citalopram and for me it has helped my anxiety hugely, it does take a few months to really make a difference. There are so many different sorts out their so I would persevere, they should not cause weight gain (didnt for me)

[Hidden in reply to Hols969]

Thanks but antidepressants are well known for increasing appetite and consequently to weight gain. I didn’t gain weight with Citalopram but only because they made me feel sick, both Fluoxetine and Mirtazapine have caused an increase in my appetite and have lead to subsequent weight gain. Glad your appetite and weight has not been affected and it’s working for you however.

Losing weight off antidepressants has not been an issue as I followed Slimming World and successfully lost 3 stone. I’m finding it impossible to stick to SW at the moment because of my cravings for bread and sugary foods caused by the ADs.

Having persevered with ADs for 6 months at varying doses with a whole host of unpleasant side effects and no real improvement to my symptoms of depression, my willingness to keep trying is at an all time low. How many ADs did you try before finding Citalopram worked for you?

[asbayford]

Hey I'm on mirtazapine and can confirm you will gain wait for the first couple months as it makes you crave carbs and sweets. BUT it disappears and I lost 3 st (am still on mirtazapine and also have PCOS). That med has been a life saver for me once the cravings vanish. I'd say try and stick with it, I was also obese when I gained weight, now at a normal bmi. It is mostly down to self control. I hope this helps x

[Hidden in reply to asbayford]

Oh thank you! This is what I needed to hear... I’ve been craving things like biscuits whereas I’ve never had much interest in them before. Now I’m shoving them in like there’s no tomorrow and keep looking at the scales with horror! It’s a comfort to know that this will die down and I’ll be in a position to lose weight down the line. Did you find you had a hard time waking up in the morning? I had five alarms set one morning and snoozed them all and ended up being late for work! X

[asbayford in reply to Hidden]

Yep I remember that too! Lol! You sleep so much deeper and have some very strange dreams! But again it should die down the longer you let your body adjust i take mine at 7 or 8pm, then I'm awake at 7am, you may have to tweak your dose time to wake up earlier x