View Full Version : Mirtazapine side effects?
Hannahlou84
18-10-05, 23:13
Hiya,
I have been on 4 different types of SSRIs, and after coming off seroxat at the end of August because of 'health' difficulties, my doctor and the psychiatrist thought I should try something different.
The thing is, I took my first dose of Mirtzapine Thursday night, and it knocked me out, which was great as have barely been sleeping, but after doing the same thing the following night (I spent most of Friday in bed), I then ended up spending the whole weekend in bed feeling sick and dizzy, and actually was quite ill with it on the Friday.. I haven't taken any since as they made me feel so ill...
I was just wondering if anyone thinks it's worth trying to get through these effects (I felt really drunk on them, and the room was spinning), or if it's a problem and I should go back to the doctor. I am a little confused at the moment as I didn't really want to take them in the first place, and this has made me even more wary!
Thanks,
Hannah
"Suddenly I see, this is what I want to be, Suddenly I see, why the hell it means so much to me"
Clare England
19-10-05, 12:54
HIya Hannah
Like you I have tried a few different meds, the last one of which was Mirtazapine. I have not settled on it unfortunately - I have been on it a month and have felt pretty yuk all that time and eating masses too which is not good as am already overweight. I slept well on it but felt very spacey all day long and then by the evening was having head shocks - a bit like the ones you get when soming off ssri's. I was on the lowest dose of 15 mg. Having persevered for a (very difficult) month, I saw the GP today and am now coming off it. I have heard some good things about it though, it just didn't work for me. I wish you good luck with whatever you decide to do Hannah,
best wishes,
Clare:)
Hi Hannah
Due to the change of chemicals brought by the SSRI, you're bound to get side effects , and all SSRIs are individually different, you may respond better to some than others.
I have tried mirtazapine once myself, and had the same experience as yours. Not nice.
Usually, the side effects lessen and pass after a couple of weeks, but for some people it's far too much to handle ( which is my case ) .
If you think you "can" manage with it for the first weeks, then stick to it... you may feel much better after.
The side effects are very common, I dont think it's abnormal.
If you need more advices, maybe you should see your doc again.
Good luck.
Florence.
*He who loses money, loses much; He who loses a friend, loses much more, He who loses faith, loses all.*
Just taken first pill of Mirtazipine last night, feel sleepy/spacey which is increasing anxiety but because I am so sleepy it s not getting out of control. I hope that the side effects dont worsen im also very clumsy today but I am going to persever after starting and withdrawing from medications over last few weeks. Here's hoping.
I've been on it for 8 years and it's been a godsend. At the start I did feel a bit spaced out and slept a lot (not a bad thing). I went off it for a period and when I re-started it had the same side effects but it does settle down. I'd try to stick it out for a couple of weeks and if it's still causing problems go back to the gp. Our bodies take a while to adjust to different medications. I now find that it still helps get me off to sleep but I don't have the hangover effect the next day.
Been on this stuff a week now. will let you know what happens. i am getting a good sleep but strange nitemares.
Guess Hubber you gave up on Anafranil! So did I after it made my mouth and tongue so sore I couldnt bear it now on loferamide and ssshhhh it seems to be working
Joy
I had no choice as i was so ill and eventually sectioned and ijn hospital for over a month.
sorry i cant help you as i wasnt able to tolerate mirtazapine
Hi Hannah
Like you I just started 15mg of Mirtz on Friday night for two weeks then I have to up dosage to 30mg for a further 2 weeks. My GP is going to monitor how I am doing on them. Have to go back & see her Tues morning.
Like you I slept brilliantly Fri & Sat night, was almost 11am before I could drag myself out of bed in the morning.
However, tomorrow morning I have a family funeral at 9.30am to attend and on Tues morning I have my GP's appointment at 8.45am so therefore I am not going to take my Mirtz because if they continue to make me feel so sleepy & struggle to get out of bed I will make neither of these two important dates.
I think I can cope with the sleeping & lying in of a morning, the sleepiness during the day but what really concerns me is the side effect of weight gain as I cannot afford to put on more weight!!
Over the years I have gained weight, I put this down to being on various different types of anti depressants, also I am a comfort eater & for me the two are a killer. I put my weight gain down to part of my depression & panic attacks as I do not want to be out in public.
I did loss a job I was in for 22 years due to my absences from work caused by my depression, then I was made redundant there in June from the new job I got after getting back on the employment ladder. So here I am again. Out of work, in the depths of despair & prescribed another new medication!
I hope you keep me posted about how you are or are not progressing with Mirtz as I will keep you informed of my progression. Please also let me know of your side effects.
Best of luck
Jackie
Hi, Been on them for over a month now 45 mgs and seem ok. still get weird dreams but nothing else. not sure if they are helping or not.
im also on i gram of depakote and again not sure if its helping or not.
Still its early days and we shall give it a good chance and see what happens.
I feel not as bad as i did prior to going into hospital although i have had some dark moments. the worse being the flashbacks which then stop me breathing, very scary indeed.
Hope you find something that works for you.
voiceofcrube
08-10-09, 16:42
Hi everyone.
I suffer frome anxiety and depression and recently I was refered to a mental health specialist who told me that 15mg of mertazapine is NOT a theraputic (dont know if i have spelt that correctly!) dose. My doctor then upped my dosage to 30mg, and as a result, I feel much better, although i still do get the weird spaced out feeling, but my doctor assured me this is quite normal and goes away after a while, although he didnt say how long.
Other side effects i have noticed while i was on 15mg were, dry mouth, arms feeling heavier than usual, "wonky" vision and tiredness.
I was on 15mg for around 14 months and they didnt make me feel any better. If ure the same then I suggest you "UP" ure medication to 2x15mg tablets a night, but get ure doctors consent first if u feel 15mg isnt working.
30mg made me feel so much better!!!
I started on Mirtazipine 4 years ago. Am now on 45mg daily. It made me very sleepy at the start however my mood increased a lot after a few weeks. Its gradually losing its effect now and I am waiting to see a phychiatrist next Month to review my medication as I'm also taking Pregablin Lyrica. I have been suffering of late alot of depersonalization symptoms and fuzzy head etc.
Its difficult sometimes starting new medication but I believe if you can get through the first few weeks you may notice improvement.
I have been takin mirtazapine for 5 weeks now and felt extremley drunk and dizzy for about two weeks but im glad to say that all that has stopped now but still feel really tierd/sadated on them more so on a morning find it very difficult to get out of bed.
I discussed this with my doctor and also researched the side affects and found out that at a lower dose 15mg can make u feel sadated but at higher doses this isnt the case.
I start on 30mg 2night so i will let u know how i get on.
hope u try and stick it out because the drunk feeling does stop!
hope this helps :flowers:
hi new here and looking for some advice
started on mirtazipine on monday at 45mg per night 1st night i took it it gave me a fab sleep
but past 2 nights i have not slept but i realise the higher the dose the less likely you are to sleep
but last night the headache i had was unbearable,it was full head that ached and also my sinuses ached too,does any one else experienced this,
my main issues is a tight feeling all over my head that my doc says is stress but its caused me to have anixety attacks constantly and i can relate to the fuzzy head feeling,im praying these tabs work
does anyone ever get the feeling theres a weight on top of their head sounds crazy i know
Just a quick response.
I am on 15mg, and I'm digging the crazy dreams (they're actually quite fun!)
However, on side effects I've had two:
1. The "spacey" feeling. Lasted for the first four days. That's gone now to be replaced by..........
2. The headaches mentioned in the above post. They are described perfectly there. I get them first thing in the morning, and I'm getting them every morning (I've only been on the drug for two weeks).
I take painkillers, and the pain eventually goes away (over a couple hours).
By the way, that "woozy" feeling can return if I combine a sleeping pill with this drug.
Anyway - to answer the person above, yes - I' get those headaches. Not discussed it with my doctor yet.
I'm on 60 mg of Mirt along with Xanax and lexapro and Xanax at night and 30mg of Mirt at lunchtime.
I sleep great, but do dream every night (happy dreams)
I was also on depakote but that was a disaster for me and came off it after 2-3 bad bad days.
Really don't want to start the Mirtazepine after reading your posts, was considering starting on them tonight (and last night and the night before that!!) as GP prescribed to me back in september for HA and depression. I think I could manage the weight gain, GP said about dreaming, but it's the fear of being 'doped up', if of course, I react to them like this. Diazepam seems to 'blow my head off' even on a reduced dose of 0.5mg.
Been having bereavement counselling, for losing my mum from cancer this year, maybe I'll just put all my Health anxieties down to the grieving process and skip the medication for now.
Really don't want to start the Mirtazepine after reading your posts, was considering starting on them tonight (and last night and the night before that!!) as GP prescribed to me back in september for HA and depression. I think I could manage the weight gain, GP said about dreaming, but it's the fear of being 'doped up', if of course, I react to them like this. Diazepam seems to 'blow my head off' even on a reduced dose of 0.5mg.
Been having bereavement counselling, for losing my mum from cancer this year, maybe I'll just put all my Health anxieties down to the grieving process and skip the medication for now.
Sorry to hear of your loss :weep:
Mirtazapine is a strange antidepressant, but a very effective one nevertheless. Your GP most likely prescribed it for specific reasons, suited to your present circumstances. Trying to help you sleep could be any one of these.
I’m not going to pretend the possible short-term side effects aren’t going to affect you, as it seems to affect most. Many of the people who take this medication are spaced-out for a while, but persevering with it is definitely worthwhile. I gave it up the 1st time round (flushed the tabs down the toilet after 2 days) but was persuaded by the Doc to try it again… and have never looked back.
I’ve been prescribed many antidepressants over the last 15 years and this is the only one that I’ve ever felt has truly worked. Ok, the first couple of weeks aren’t pleasant but after only another week or two you may suddenly be waking up in the morning with a new lease of life you thought not possible only a few days before.
Thanks for your reply Mister, very encouraging:)
I think I've got so many other things buzzing around my head, that I didn't want to add to it, by being 'more down' on the 'initial' etc etc.
Seeing my GP on monday morning so will chat again and see, I guess if I am 'unresponsive' on them, he can always write me a sick form again, to get out of work!!!
I have been on Mirt for 7 weeks now.
15mg for 4 weeks and up to 30mg for the rest. They seem to be good for sleep and appetite.
Steve
Finally started on them monday night, more to use as a relaxant following 37 hours without sleep sunday night.... the diazepam don't seem to hit me untill the next day.
Prior to sunday night, haven't really had sleeping probs, as my body is relieved to shut out anxiety symptoms day after day when I lie down.
No dreaming, just drowsy, woosey and a heavy feeling that comes and goes. I think my anxiety is trying to attack 'the calming' the tablets are producing?
Hello Jackie
Ive just finished reading your text as well as the others. I am due to go on this medication for migraine of which I suffer badly with. I am feeling very weary about this medication after reading some comments.I have been taking Amitripyline which is an antidepressant which helps people who suffer with migraine, and even though a slight antidepressant it was only used for my migraines, and therefore was only on a low dose. I have been taken this medication for over three years and recently when in hospital due to other health issues the doctor informed me it can cause weight gain. During the last 3 years I have put on a lot of weight which has concerned me. I am a person who like many look at the side effects of taken certain medication. I unfortunately, didnt notice that side effect. The doctor has prescribed me Mirtazepine to replace Amitripyline. I am due to start taking this medication when I return in January. According to some of the threads from this forum, weight gain has been associated with this medication. I am hoping when others like yourself read this thread someone can shed light. Thank you . Rjgoody
started taking mirtazapine about 10 days ago.not having the strange dreams, but do sleep alot.very hard to get up in morning even opening my eyes is difficult.took my first one in the morning dont ask why.i had slept 7 or 8 hours the night b4 and went straight back to sleep.also im eating more food than normal.just drowsy if i take them to late.i try to have them around ten o`clock seem to help me get up in the morning.Hope i get a nice dream tonite
I found Mirtazipin a god send, the only side effects i had was a bit of a dicky tummy for a few weeks and after that things really brightened up for me, that is my experience. I would advise you to give it a month and if things really dont improve then speak to your doctor , Good luck, Paige x
Hi All
I have been on Mirtazapine for over a year now, started on 30mg but was dropped to 15mg about six/seven months ago.
I feel my depression has subsided so much that i feel i have gone as far as i can go on mirtazapine. I have spent the last year sorting out all my worries which led to the depression in the first place and finally feel ready to come off the meds.
Ive had a look around the forum and wanted some advice on coming off mirtazapine
I would go to my doctor but i honestly dont feel supported by him. I was just put on these a year ago and told to come back every three months. When i do go, he barely pays any attention to me and just hands me another prescription.
Can anyone help with how i should come off my meds in a safe way?
Thank you
Pink
Hi .Im on day 26 ()I think on mirtazapine (15mg) after coming off 40mg citalopram instantly. Im still very irritable n very quick tempered. Busy loud places give me the shakes and Im eating like a horse. I was already nearly 2 stone overweight before I started and I suffer from low self esteem as it is!Have joined a gym to comprensate.Sleeps improved (except I find it hard to get up) n dreams lessening in occurence n length so thats good. Should all the negative side effects have worn off yet? Im seeing the doc tomorrow. I have had a REALLY difficult time changing to this drug.Thanks.
I have been on medication since last July and now on daily 30mg Mirtazapine. It is the medication that has led me to this website as I'm interested in understanding the side effects. I have gained a little weight and my sleeping has improved no end which is one of the reasons why I was perscribed these tablets. I had 'funny' dreams to start with but they have settled down now.
I currently suffer from painful joints and my muscles tend to ache without any real physical activity...generally begining to feel like a 70 year-old, although I'm only 43 and use to be quite active playing sport. Please let me know if you have had similar experiences.
ElizabethJane
10-01-10, 23:25
I'm taking 30mg mirtazapine daily. Weight gain can be a problem so healthy eating is important. I have found that I can stabilise my weight although it is hard work. Exercise will also speed up your metabolism and help in weight loss. Although mirtazapine is an anti depressant it is commonly used for sleep problems. Sleep usually improves in the lower doses but not in the higher ones. I had some spectacular nightmares at the beginning of my treatment. These have all but gone and I've been on mirtazapine this time since September. I have no experience of joint pain althought I know others have experienced this. I would urge you to go back to your doctor and discuss this with him. It could be the symptom of something else and needs addressing. Best wishes.
Ive been on mirtazapine for a while now, was on citalipram (i think thats how you spell it) but wasn't doing anything, stayed on it for 8 weeks before GP took me off it. Don't know if mirtazapine are doing anything. Feel constantly tired have put on about 2 stone and its making me feel more down and out. GP said might as well stay on them while waiting to talk to counselor. I'm on 30mg a day and GP wont up the dose any more.
anxietycontrol
23-01-10, 02:07
i had been on Mirts for a few months, the doctor said it was never to be a long term medication so when i ran out i stopped.
the first tablet i took almost knocked me out, i started taking them before i went to bed because it made me drowsy.
before i was prescribed them i had at least 3-4 panic attacks a week. been off them for a month and havent had a panic attack since but anxiety still very high.
I've been taking Mirtazapine for a few months now for severe depression and OCD. Before this I took Citalopram but stopped after one tablet due to some horrendous side effects.
I've definitely benefited a lot from this drug if I think about where I was before I started it. I was struggling to make it through the days due to really awful feelings of hopelessness, loneliness, guilt and being constantly reduced to tears, not to mention being plagued with obsessive thoughts. I actually thought I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Initially Mirtazapine acted as a shield so these negative feelings didn't encroach as much, then after about a month I would say my mood improved. This was then bolstered by a switch from 15mg to 30mg.
I had all the same drowsiness when I started at 15mg - in fact it was so bad I was slurring my speech on the day after the first pill as well as feeling I would nod off if I sat down and rested even briefly - but it will go away after a few weeks. Really people should always start anti-depressants at the lowest dose, so I've no idea why doctors would dish out drugs like this as high as 30mg or 45mg straight away. By starting on 15mg and taking it before bed, it will help you sleep and ease you into the drug. Then when your body is used to it you can up the dose to whatever is required.
The main side effects for me when I started the drug, other than drowsiness, were occasional bad headaches and nausea. I didn't get many, but as a migraine sufferer I wasn't exactly overwhelmed with the drug at that point. However, it's now all but eliminated my migraine, which is a bonus.
If I don't get enough sleep I get very irritable, stupidly so, and occasionally feel overwhelmingly angry or frustrated. Having taken 15mg for two months and now upped to 30mg, I feel a more stimulant effect from the drug. I still sleep well on it but rarely feel tired at all in the evenings and often feel a little hyperactive. Compared to what I was going through before I took the drug though, these are all minor issues.
I would suggest with any anti-depressant that unless you have really bad side-effects you give it at least eight weeks before judging it. Doses often need fine tuning and I noticed a marked improvement when I upped to 30mg, so this whole process of evaluating your mood and seeing your doctor takes time. Don't worry about the drowsy side effects though, these are only temporary.
I've been on this (15mg) for just over a week, i have Trichotillomania, Dermatillomania and depression (lovely :wacko:), i also suffer regular migraines, and i am glad to see a few posts saying this drug has helped get rid of them.
From the first tablet i got a very dry mouth,which hasn't gone away.It also practically knocked me out and i slept for a full 12 hours and then some more, which was very welcome after almost no sleep the previous week. Very weird dreams though, and very violent for me, but at least i slept, thats the important thing.I feel very "heavy" a lot of the time, woozey and dizzy, and today i have had a massive headache plus shakey legs when walking, not nice but determined to persevere with these tablets for a further 3 weeks until i see my doctor again.
The only thing that worries me is the weight gain, my appetite has really increased and i am already over weight, and i can't do much exercise due to a persistant ankle injury and i am really worried about how much more i will put on, it's like i can feel the weight creeping up on me already.
I've noticed at times my heart can just start pounding away, or i get very close to losing my temper and feel very agitated, i'm not sure if that is the drug or my reaction to it from stopping my Trich, any ideas?
ElizabethJane
08-02-10, 19:44
Dear Julie I'm sorry that you are suffering so much when first starting mirtazapine. the lower doses ie 15mg will be more sedating than the higher doses but this side effect does improve after about two weeks. I'm not sure how mirtazapine will help your specific problems as it is an anti depressant but it will lower your anxiety levels. I understand that your problems are specific to your skin and and hair/scalp? I don't think that you can expect any real improvement for about four to six weeks. I have recently gone up to 45mg and I still have real difficulty in sleeping. Weight gain is unfortunately a big problem for most people taking mirtazapine but not all. It increases your appetite and craving for carbs and sweet things. I'm wierd in the sense that the first time I was on mirtazapine I put on a stone and a half. This time I was determined not to pile on the weight and initially this was the case. Now my weight is stable but I am able to exercise and eat healthily. If you find that your weight is escalating then ask your GP to change your anti depressant to something else. I swim which is not weight bearing so maybe you could try something like that? I hope that the mirtazapine suits you well.
Sadly guys, I can't stand this weight gain any longer. When I see the doc at the CBT clinic next I am going to tell her I am not prepared to take it anymore. I have serious hatred of my body and this drug has made it worse. I have been exercising and eating more healthy with little difference. Soul destroying. That is just my experience.
Melancholia77
08-02-10, 22:04
Sadly guys, I can't stand this weight gain any longer. When I see the doc at the CBT clinic next I am going to tell her I am not prepared to take it anymore. I have serious hatred of my body and this drug has made it worse. I have been exercising and eating more healthy with little difference. Soul destroying. That is just my experience.
There are plenty more antidepressants Smudger. Don't give up - I'm sure you'll find an alternative that will suit you better.
Hope you feel better soon.
Thank you Melancholia77 but my husband and I both agree I have nutritional issues that need sorting. Pills are not the only answer in my case. They rob me of who I really am and who I want to be! 12 years ago I was a confident female quantity surveyor with dreams and drive. I just want my family to have the real ambitious, confident, optimistic and positive me back. I am a shell.A stranger has snook into my home, stepped into my shoes without warning and tossed the real me aside. I want that control back and part of that is putting my foot down and saying pills are not working for me, I dont WANT to do it this way,I want to do things MY WAY. It has to work, I have to make it work or I will go under lose everything.
the_eldergeek
08-02-10, 22:30
Dear Julie I'm sorry that you are suffering so much when first starting mirtazapine. the lower doses ie 15mg will be more sedating than the higher doses but this side effect does improve after about two weeks. I'm not sure how mirtazapine will help your specific problems as it is an anti depressant but it will lower your anxiety levels. I understand that your problems are specific to your skin and and hair/scalp? I don't think that you can expect any real improvement for about four to six weeks. I have recently gone up to 45mg and I still have real difficulty in sleeping. Weight gain is unfortunately a big problem for most people taking mirtazapine but not all. It increases your appetite and craving for carbs and sweet things. I'm wierd in the sense that the first time I was on mirtazapine I put on a stone and a half. This time I was determined not to pile on the weight and initially this was the case. Now my weight is stable but I am able to exercise and eat healthily. If you find that your weight is escalating then ask your GP to change your anti depressant to something else. I swim which is not weight bearing so maybe you could try something like that? I hope that the mirtazapine suits you well.
Gosh, this thread is actually almost 5 years old! That has to be a record for a forum doesn't it?
Anyway ... I've been taking my "Mitzy" for a couple of years now, and was interested to learn about the weight gain. I have put on quite a bit of weight, and when I suggested to my GP it was my M&M's that were causing it (I give my tablets all sorts of silly names!) he told me it couldn't possibly be a tablet that small that was causing it. Seemed to simply dismiss it rather than explore the possibility. Grrrrr....
But I'm not a 'large' person, never was, so something caused this weight gain, and I don't eat junk food or drink much.
Going to re-visit this with the Doc at my next appointment. Mitzy's are a bit of a crutch for me, I have to admit, but I'd like to stop taking them, or at least go back to 15mg a day instead of the 30mg I'm no now.
Can I just say, I am drawing so much strength from these forums I'm actually quite overwhelmed! :yesyes:
Can't explain why, but getting goosebumps on my arms and almost excited that I am really not alone in all this!
Maybe I am just a crackpot after all !! :whistles:
ElizabethJane
08-02-10, 22:43
Hi eldergeek sorry to hear that the mirtazapine has been causing weight gain for you too. I must be unique on this forum because yes initially I did put on a lot of weight like one and a half stones. I felt better had a devil of a job coming off mirtazapine then decided that I wanted to lose weight which I did. Unfortunately I had a relapse and initially I started to pile on the pounds again. At first I couldn't diet and then it seemed that I could and the weight has stayed off more or less. I am feeling very depressed at the moment so I'm not interested in the diet so eating all sorts of strange food but in my head I will get back on track again. So I have proved to myself that I can diet and lose weight whilst taking mirtazapine although my psychiatrist said that he would still like me if I put on a few pounds (I am usually very slender) If you are feeling better and with your doctor/psychiatrists support then you could probably reduce your mirtazapine but very very slowly. It is likely that you will experience some withdrawals and there are threads on here by people including myself who have done this successfully. I hope it goes well for you.
the_eldergeek
08-02-10, 22:52
Hi eldergeek sorry to hear that the mirtazapine has been causing weight gain for you too. I must be unique on this forum because yes initially I did put on a lot of weight like one and a half stones. I felt better had a devil of a job coming off mirtazapine then decided that I wanted to lose weight which I did. Unfortunately I had a relapse and initially I started to pile on the pounds again. At first I couldn't diet and then it seemed that I could and the weight has stayed off more or less. I am feeling very depressed at the moment so I'm not interested in the diet so eating all sorts of strange food but in my head I will get back on track again. So I have proved to myself that I can diet and lose weight whilst taking mirtazapine although my psychiatrist said that he would still like me if I put on a few pounds (I am usually very slender) If you are feeling better and with your doctor/psychiatrists support then you could probably reduce your mirtazapine but very very slowly. It is likely that you will experience some withdrawals and there are threads on here by people including myself who have done this successfully. I hope it goes well for you.
Thanks.
I'm not entirely sure why I am on Mitzy to be honest. Are they primarily for depression, or anxiety? :unsure:
I have suffered with the former, but the latter is my main issue; I am a lot better than I used to be though, considerably so.
I'll let you know how I get on. :)
Melancholia77
09-02-10, 01:41
Thank you Melancholia77 but my husband and I both agree I have nutritional issues that need sorting. Pills are not the only answer in my case. They rob me of who I really am and who I want to be! 12 years ago I was a confident female quantity surveyor with dreams and drive. I just want my family to have the real ambitious, confident, optimistic and positive me back. I am a shell.A stranger has snook into my home, stepped into my shoes without warning and tossed the real me aside. I want that control back and part of that is putting my foot down and saying pills are not working for me, I dont WANT to do it this way,I want to do things MY WAY. It has to work, I have to make it work or I will go under lose everything.
I don't think pills are ever the answer on their own, Smudger. You have to do what you feel is right for you. I personally think that they can help you on your way to sorting out your issues, but those issues MUST be sorted out nevertheless.
It doesn't look like meds have helped you very much and perhaps you do need some time off them to see how you get on. Wish you luck anyway...
Thank you. I am so scared it will all go wrong but my husband is going to be more involved now which will help.
Hi Smudger
I am a new member to the forum and wondered how long you have been taking mirtazipine for??? I started on 15ml last Friday after being on citalopram. Is it just the weight gain that is your concern or have you had other side effects. Presently i am suffering from side effects feeling drunkish until around mid afternoon and hungryer in the eves my arms feel rather heavy too. I am also suffering withdrawal from citalopram which is awful brain like zaps but through the whole of my body so not in a good place at the moment. Good job I am signed off work as I would not be able to cope like this. Any advice would help??? Jo.
HI Just wondered if anyone taking mirtazipine has experienced the zaps as a side effect...I was just reading way back on this thread that someone had and its scared the hell out of me...I thought I was experiencing them due to the withdrawal of an srri (citalopram), hate the thought that they will stay with me. Am just over 2 weeks into this medication and keep having so many doubts about it. The weight gain I can just about get my head around by excercising and eating healthier, the heavy/drowsy feeling most people say will disappear (wish it would hurry up) but if I thought these zaps were down to this medication I think I would totally despair!!! Any encouragement would be greatly appreciated...due back to work next month and am starting to panic I wont be able to cope!!! JO.
[QUOTE=JusJackie;547275]Hi Hannah
Like you I just started 15mg of Mirtz on Friday night for two weeks then I have to up dosage to 30mg for a further 2 weeks. My GP is going to monitor how I am doing on them. Have to go back & see her Tues morning.
Like you I slept brilliantly Fri & Sat night, was almost 11am before I could drag myself out of bed in the morning.
However, tomorrow morning I have a family funeral at 9.30am to attend and on Tues morning I have my GP's appointment at 8.45am so therefore I am not going to take my Mirtz because if they continue to make me feel so sleepy & struggle to get out of bed I will make neither of these two important dates.
I think I can cope with the sleeping & lying in of a morning, the sleepiness during the day but what really concerns me is the side effect of weight gain as I cannot afford to put on more weight!!
Over the years I have gained weight, I put this down to being on various different types of anti depressants, also I am a comfort eater & for me the two are a killer. I put my weight gain down to part of my depression & panic attacks as I do not want to be out in public.
I did loss a job I was in for 22 years due to my absences from work caused by my depression, then I was made redundant there in June from the new job I got after getting back on the employment ladder. So here I am again. Out of work, in the depths of despair & prescribed another new medication!
I hope you keep me posted about how you are or are not progressing with Mirtz as I will keep you informed of my progression. Please also let me know of your side effects.
Best of luck
............................................
Jackie
You're in the same position as me, I lost my job after 20 odd years because of excesive sick absence caused by stress and depression so to be unemployed isn't exactly gonna help my ming-set. I've been on the pills for about a month and to be honest I'm glad of the sleep, was a bit of an insomniac before. I do feel a bit better with the pills and I do intend to stick with them. If you or anyone else cares to stay in touch my e mail is batman65@hotmail.co.uk. Thanks. Mark
LucidDreamer
02-03-10, 16:53
Tonight I take my 9th dose of Mirtazapine. Starting on the 15mg. Ive had prozac which induced a manic episode and sertraline did the same.:scared15:
First night of Mirtazapine I was out my little head. :wacko: To be fair I don't actually remember if I had a 50mg amitriptyline that night or not. But I did have my usual 60mg of codeine...which now after (well i was given them was i was 16 and im now 20) 4 years do pretty much nothing for me but dull my migraines ever so slightly...
Anyways back the the point... that first night was a one off, I have now been awake for 36 hours. I'm starting to get insanely thirsty pretty much allll of the time and I feel very unsure on my feet (probably lack of sleep). Family and friends have all picked up the mania coming back a little; talking rapidly, extensive vocabulary etc. This is how my mania begins, I trail away and get fixated on the slightest thing and almost lose all rationality at times.
I feel very unstable and basically - this does not seem to agree with me.
I personally think it's due to the fact that I need a mood stabilizer rather than an antidepressant - but no no, the gp says its the anxiety.
we'll see what the psychiatrist thinks next wednesday... :shrug:takes over a year to see one on the NHS - its an utter joke!
Bit of a ramble there sorry - but if anyone else is having the same effects from this drug, it would be good to know that I'm not the only one being sent from one extreme to the other.
ElizabethJane
02-03-10, 17:04
I'm not sure whether mirtazapine can induce mania but if you are already bi-polar I do know that some anti depressants can make the problem worse. If you have to wait until next Wednesday to see a psychiatrist it seems too long especially as your problems seem to becoming acute. Go back to your GP and say that your problems have worsened or phone NHS direct or present at A and E to try to get an urgent psychiatric appointment. Best wishes and let us know how you get on.
LucidDreamer
02-03-10, 17:38
I'm not sure whether mirtazapine can induce mania but if you are already bi-polar I do know that some anti depressants can make the problem worse. If you have to wait until next Wednesday to see a psychiatrist it seems too long especially as your problems seem to becoming acute. Go back to your GP and say that your problems have worsened or phone NHS direct or present at A and E to try to get an urgent psychiatric appointment. Best wishes and let us know how you get on.
Thanks for the quick reply.
I've been back and forward to the GP for months but thankfully - ive been slotted in next week as an urgent referal. So fingers crossed.
I'm going to see if I can make it to Friday at least - I'm a student and I have exams very very soon... I just need to persevere through it at the moment I supose... frustrating though.
My brother has cyclothymia, and my mum works in mental health so it certainly seems that way - but it's the same for everyone in the UK i supose, It's getting the actual diagnosis which can take a long long time before they can start honing in on the right treatment.
I must admit I was losing all hope but stumbled across this website today and I'm feeling ever so slightly more optimistic. Thanks again
ElizabethJane
02-03-10, 18:42
Dear LD I'm sorry that is has taken so long for you to get a diagnosis. There are others on here who are bi-polar who will be able to offer support. I have severe recurrent depressive disorder (my diagnosis) after many years of treatment. My illness is controlled with lithium and mirtazapine. I hope you manage to get some relief soon.
hope and prey
05-03-10, 00:09
Hiya,
I have been on 4 different types of SSRIs, and after coming off seroxat at the end of August because of 'health' difficulties, my doctor and the psychiatrist thought I should try something different.
The thing is, I took my first dose of Mirtzapine Thursday night, and it knocked me out, which was great as have barely been sleeping, but after doing the same thing the following night (I spent most of Friday in bed), I then ended up spending the whole weekend in bed feeling sick and dizzy, and actually was quite ill with it on the Friday.. I haven't taken any since as they made me feel so ill...
I was just wondering if anyone thinks it's worth trying to get through these effects (I felt really drunk on them, and the room was spinning), or if it's a problem and I should go back to the doctor. I am a little confused at the moment as I didn't really want to take them in the first place, and this has made me even more wary!
Thanks,
Hannah
"Suddenly I see, this is what I want to be, Suddenly I see, why the hell it means so much to me"
I have been on Mirtazapine for 4 weeks now. I am on 30mg. They dont help me sleep at all and i always have a dry mouth. They can take up to 6 weeks to get in to your system. Every one is different so give it a little time and see how you get on. If you are un happy with them speak to your doctor who may decide that you should try another type. I still have bad days but i just go and walk for hours which does help and combats the extra eating that the tablets cause. All we can all do is take 1 day at a time. Good luck and keep fighting.
Hi Hannah, I have also tried different types of SRRI's in the past citalopram being the most sucessfull for me but then this last bout of depression/anx was not helping as much as it had previous. My GP changed me to mirtazipine. I started on 15mg 4 weeks ago and like you at first I felt totally spaced out and tired most of the day, I also had the unfortunate problem of withdrawal of citalopram at the same time (so that made everything worse), with the help and encouragement from people on this site I continued with the meds and it does pass. I am not working at the moment, have been off for quite some time, so I could manage my days. The first 2 weeks were the hardest. Honestly, it does pass. I cannot comment too much on the effectiveness of the drug itself as it is early days for me. I have just had my dose increased to 30mg (15mg apparantly is a very low dose), so am going to see how that goes but even on 15mg I was feeling better than I had without them. I hope you do try again as I am sure you will be fine. Good luck and let me know how you get on. Would be nice to share experiences. Take care. Jo.
vBulletin® v3.8.4, Copyright ©2000-2010, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.