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I didn't realize until a couple of years after I had been on Abilify that it was notorious for weight gain. I just thought it was me and my depression symptoms. I was on Mirtazapine for anxiety for a while as well until just recently. I found out that it, too, can cause weight gain. I just don't understand why these doctors would put me on a medication like that when I'm already severely obese. My current psychiatrist just prescribed me Vrylar and I discovered that it can cause weight gain, too. I haven't been taking it and I have been unable to reach him to follow up about it. I'm starting the process of getting vagus nerve stimulation. So far, medication hasn't worked for me. I've also tried ECT, TMS, Spravato and ketamine. Ketamine was a true game changer for me, however the clinic started doing it by injection and not infusion. Unfortunately it didn't have the same results. I'm going to give the vagus nerve stimulation a try. There's really nothing else for me to try at this point. I know getting the weight off will help, but I don't think it's the cure. I can imagine how difficult it is for you with the added weight. I have battled my weight all of my life. I know how I feel when I'm at a healthy weight verses a few pounds and it was challenging. Currently my situation is definitely unmanageable. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement.
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@netter9064
Hi again, netter9064! Well, do you know why some doctors and some psychiatrists do not mention that these medicines can cause a big weight gain? Sad to say, I believe it is because 1) they (or their dear ones) are NOT the ones taking these medicines. 2) Often, because of pure negligence or ignorance, they are not even aware of the side effects. 3) They (I know this is hard to take, but still) simply DO NOT care. - The reason for me saying this, is that I have noticed (on more occasions) that they give up on us patients, even before listening carefully to what we are about to say. I have experienced saying to more than one doctor that I am so sick many months in a row in the course of any given year since I, unfortunately, suffer tremendously because of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (to the extent that sometimes even making a simple phone call is a cause of huge stress and feels like having to climb Mount Everest). They listen somewhat, but after I have explained how my days are (miserable), they either say nothing or tell me that I am depressed (I bet I am! How would they be if they were so weak every single day for 6-7-8 months and they were not living but only merely surviving?) A few of these doctors have had the guts to tell me that they have never heard of these symptoms before (which is really bad :<( since I have just told them.) If they only had been a little more interested in learning something new, that they don't know or at least had owned a little curiosity (if not empathy!), they surely should have made the effort of trying listening more carefully (and afterward perhaps do some research (?) - which, of course, also would require some extra time - and time is money, so why bother?). I have even met a couple of doctors who (instead of just admitting that they know nothing about CFS) say "You know, there are many doctors who do not believe in CFS" (and obviously they themselves belong to the incompetent & arrogant category). This respectless behavior on their part makes me feel as if I was some sort of a charlatan who is inventing things just for the heck of it.
Sorry, netter9064, this is longer than I intended. I hope I haven't taken up too much of your time.