angry/irritated/mirtazapine 15mg

17 days ago my doctor changed me from 40mg citalopram to 15mg mitazapine because I was having prolonged bouts of depression again (Ive suffered for 20ish years).I have turned from a really patient reasoned mum/wife into a psychotic crazy mum/wife. I am so irritable n angry (not as depressed though but I cry when angry). I just cant let anything lie. I argue over the slightest most futile thing. EG. I bent down to pick litter off the kitchen floor which I accidentally dropped n banged my back on the breakfast bar as I came up. My reaction? I punched the breakfast bar n shouted at it "you stupid thing" over n over again whilst crying. I really wanted to lay into it! If people get in my way I want to scream. If I drop something I scream, if my lovely daughter cheeks me or doesnt do as I ask immediately I scream in anger at her and I just go on n on at her n have to apologise once Ive calmed down, at the supermarket checkout I couldnt load my trolley as quick as the checkout lady was putting them through the till the other day, I was shaking with anger n was very tearful. I wanted to smack her!I hasten to add I didnt! My husband used my green chopping board to cut meat today and he knows thats for veg only so we dont get salmonella. My reaction? I flipped my lid calling him stupid and saying he didnt care about our health n then I threw a perfectly good chopping board in the bin! I cud have just put it in the dishwasher to kill any germs but I just flipped! I ranted on for ages about it!~ Im usually very patient n calm, this is so not me n I hate it. Its strange how I hit inanimate objects but I can stop myself when it comes to people thank goodness!~i feel like an imposter has taken over me!Will this go away and when please?Dont know how long my family n I can put up with this constant boiling kettle!

I don't know anything about that medication but I really feel for you. I can only assume it's side effects, but it seems so unreasonable that it makes you feel like that. I know they say meds can make you feel worse before you feel better but I'd only tolerate that feeling for so long. Maybe you need to reduce the dose. I'd ask your gp. Feeling angry all the time is rotten, especially if you are the entire opposite normally. I really hope you feel better soon. Sorry I can't be of more help.
Myra:hugs:

hi hon...
i really hope you start feeling better soon!!!! i would get in touch with your g.p. it maybe that these meds need some time to help you or maybe they just dont suit you... i am just recovering after a really bad period and whilst you are going through it, it can be really hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.... but you will get through this.. i am feeling a little better as the weeks go by... and you will too i am sure..
can i also mention that a few weeks ago i was really impatient and finding it hard to cope with every day tasks. after discussing this with my dr he reccomended a period of rest.. is there any way you could do the same. i know its hard with kids, ive got one. give yourself a break and only do the neccesary. its hard i know but try to relax. give yourself time to recover.

i hope this helps. take care.

andrea x x

smudger ..........im curious to know who prescribed those meds to you .........mertazapinethey should only be prescribed by a mental health consultant........not a GP .... my mental health clinic told me this.......take care

GPs are fully p[ermitted to prescribe any kind of medication they feel appropriate Pammy, its not always right it seems but thats jsut the way the health system works at the mo, I think its because it often takes so long to see a mental health specialist and they cant really allow patients to continue to suffer whilst on the waiting list. By the same token A GP can't tell how somone will react to a medicine and whilst I have heard of people reacting like this to mirtazipine before, not everyone does and many people find it very effective.

Smudger, you gotta take it back to your doctor hun, I think mirtazipine made me a bit like this whilst I was on it and have since changed to citalopram which has worked much better for me. It sounds like it making your situation worse than better, its not that its a bad medicine, jsut the wrong one for you perhaps. Talk to the doctor and make sure they listen to your concerns, as it is important if this is starting to affecdt your life in such a way.

Hope this helps,

Dan

Thanks everybody for your advice. Pammy, I am having cognitive therapy (which makes me feel worse) at the moment and it was the doctor at that clinic, not my GP who prescribed mertazapine. Dan, I am seeing the mental health (Gosh I hate the words mental health) doctor again after the new year so I will persevere til then. The thought of trying another different kind of drug fills me with dread but if I have to I will. I have an easier life than most Andrea as I am a housewife so any stress I have is created by me! Im good at creating stress! I do have the opportunity to take it easy as you recommended so I will take your advice on board!Sounds a really good idea.#again, thanks for your help.xx

hi again ........i understand what you mean by 'mental' health and its stigma , but i look on it as 'brain' health as against 'body' health ( if you know what i mean . I hope you find a med that suits you xx

Omg Smudger you sound just like me! I have a fearsome temper and swear like a trooper at the slightest little thing! At this rate I'm going to be husbandless It can be over the slightest little thing too. I threatened to jump out of the car if he took me anywhere near the sales. I'm quite sure at that moment I would do it. I never used to be like this. I'm on mirtazapine too but I dont think that it is that. Depression and anxiety can make us like this. If you have been repressing your emotions and are now having CBT then it is rather like a pressure cooker. That anger and pent up frustration has to go somewhere. My problems I think are menopausal and hormonal. I'm not going to suggest that you walk in the woods or listen to music. I do find that exercise helps me. At least it tires me out!!!

I still think that switching you from 40mg of citalopram to 15mg mirtazapine without tapering/cross-tapering was a bad idea, and that some of your problems are being caused by withdrawal effects from citalopram.

I've read many people complain of anger on mirtazapine - especially when switched from an SSRI.

I would go back to your GP if you continue to feel like this because maybe mirtazapine isn't right for you Smudger.

Pam. Im gonna call it brain health from now on.Clever idea!Sounds so much more positive. Elizabeth, I hope we never meet, we may kill each other!!!!!Thanks though, it helps to know somebody else is like me on this drug.Im not mad afterall, its the drug!I will speak to the doc about it though coz I honestly cant imagine always being like this.I couldnt bear it let alone my family!Mel its really useful to know this side effect is a common withdrawal from SSRI's.Doctors dont tell you that!In fact they dont tell you anything. Im so glad Ive joined this forum. Ive actually had my best day in 18 days 2day. I woke with NO bags under my eyes n I smiled at my daughter. Have I turned a corner? If there is a God out there then let this be the case...mind you if there is then we wouldnt be in this bloomin mess wud we? I wish you all better days n if not the best, in the very least, better than the day before!Thanks guys.xx

Ive been to docs today and he is adament my anger n irritation is NOT a side effect of mirtazapine. ~Ive never been like this in my life. ~Why is the doctor so sure that his little book of side effects is applicable to everybody? How can he say that and be so exact about it. I do not know the prescise sampling method for these drugs but Im not a clone for goodness sake. I am an individual.Im unique! Is there not the slightest possibility that it is causing my symptoms? Apparently not. Im very annoyed with this attitude as there is nothing different in my life other than this new drug. I am on my 15mg dose for another 6 weeks until my review. The doctor has advised me to take advice from the cognitive therapist on how to deal with my anger. I do not want to 'deal' with it, I don't want to have it in the first place, it isn't the normal me, it isn't part of my make up!Why should I have to accept this as the new me n 'deal' with it. This drug has caused it I am positive. ~The alternative ofcourse is to try another drug but I'm scared to. Ill persevere, Ill try to 'deal' the anger away....Im gonna have to stop now Im so angry!

I believe you Smudger. I've read loads of posts where people have complained about anger issues on mirtazapine - although, yes, we're all individuals and obviously react differently. Perhaps you should have asked your doctor whether he'd ever been on mirtazapine. Because it's not a first-line drug of choice I don't think many GPs have a lot of experience with it. Is your doctor a GP or psychiatrist, because I feel it may be time to think of seeing another doctor?

Hi Smudger. As you know I am currently taking 30mg of mirtazapine. I also have anger issues I think partly brought on by the drug and the rest is of my own making and part of my depressive illness. I am trying very hard not to fly off the handle but it is very hard. I don't want to get angry towards those I love or my work colleagues. My psychiatrist did suggest for me an increase to 45mg and I have discussed this with my GP today. The psychiatrist thought I still had some 'residual depression' and that an increase would clear that. What would it do for my temper though? I have had CBT in the past and if you can stay the course I'm sure you would find it very helpful. I am worried that an increase will mean that I go through all the wooziness and drowsiness again whilst my body adjusts to a higher dose. My guess is that your doctor will raise your mirtazapine if things do not improve for you as 15mg is a relatively low dose. I have been intolerant to many drugs and inspite of an earlier weight gain mirtazapine has suited me very well. It also combines well with the lithium I also take. If you can I would try to get some extra help with the housework and arrange for some time off for yourself. That way hopefully you will be a little less stressed. Something that has also helped me in the past is to practice a relaxation cd everyday. Try to get a referral to a psychiatrist who will be able to assess your medication properly. See another GP if necessary.

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Originally Posted by ElizabethJane

I have been intolerant to many drugs and inspite of an earlier weight gain mirtazapine has suited me very well.

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I'm interested to know how you've dealt with the weight gain EJ (I know you've mentioned WWs before). I was eating like a horse on it and just couldn't find a way to control it - has it just improved for you over time? If it wasn't for the WG I would have stayed on it as I've read papers that have found it to be one of the most effective ADs (along with sertraline, escit and venlafaxine I think).

Hi. Thanks for your help. Melancholia77. The Doctor I'm seeing is attached to the the mental health unit where Im having cognitive therapy. In fact she is a 'junior' Doctor whatever thats supposed to mean. Yesterday she asked her boss if I could half my mirtazapine dose (my suggestion) to help my anger but he is adamant that it wont help and wants me to stay on 15mg for another 6 weeks n have cognitive therapy for my anger n anxiety (cant believe Ive got this as I'VE NEVER HAD IT BEFORE THIS DRUG.Ive agreed this as I don't want to change drugs again so early. I dont feel bracve enough to ask for another doctor.My appetite is still ENOURMOUS and its all for the wrong things ElizabethJane. I dont have things that cause me alot of stress. Im a mum n housewife so I have time at my disposal, its just normal things in life that I cant cope with (I feel so ridiculous really), like having kids to play, cooking for a party, shopping, housework. Its pathetic really! I have increased my exercise but my appetite is so big I don't think I'll loose any weight which I desperately need for body and mind.Today I saw the cognitive counsellor so Im keeping a diary til next Thursday rating my anxiety level 3 times daily til I see here next. I'll see how that goes for now. If the anxiety n anger goes then gr8, if not then I need to try somehting else.ElizabethJane did you crave foods that were bad for you or did you want big portions but not neccessarily inhealthy f:huh:ood?

Smudger, irritability is a recognised side effect of mirtazapine. Some doctors need shot - mine included, but that's another story. As Melancholia said, it could also be a withdrawal thing.

It should go with time though. When I started taking Prozac (I know it's a different drug but thought it was worth posting anyway) I had a spell where I felt really ratty at the same time every day but it wore off after a couple of weeks. Glad you're feeling a bit better anyway :hugs:

Thanks Jane. The junior doc handed me the 'bible' of side effects as I was so diagreeable! It wasnt in there but that proves NOTHING!Im still angry n irritable n its not imroving. Day 29 now!

Melancholia: I manage my weight by attending wws meetings and trying to eat healthily. The previous time I was on mirtazapine I managed to put on a stone a half. I lost this by dieting (I was off the mirtazapine at this time) I relapsed and went back on it and immediately started to put on weight again. Somehow I have managed to reverse thed trend. I managed to come off dothiepin and I think a combination of diet, exercise and meetings has mean't that the weight has come off and stayed off. I'm not pretending that it is easy because it is not. I do obsess about food but I enjoy my food so I could never become anorexic. I also know when to stop. It is hard in the snow as I feel hungry all the time!

Hi all. It's a DAY 46 and I just wanted to let you know that the side effects of mirtazapine are WANING at long last.Hurray!Still a little sensitive to people comments n have the odd blow up if somethings annoying me n a little drowsy in the morning but I can see improvements as the days go by! I cant believe it! I was in despair over xmas and early January, I didn't recognise myself and I've made some positive plans that I wouldn't even have considered back then. I really was so close to going back to the doc and asking for another medication. I've had a few horrible life experiences that I'm afraid for me don't compare with the despair I have felt in the initial stages of this drug BUT I've come through it. I have to tell you not because I'm bragging but to say that if you are suffering like I did and you can persevere then it may all be worth it. I know this won't work for everybody but for those of you who are feeling in a dark bottomless pit at the moment, it is possible to get better and claw your way back to the top....I wish you all the best in your journey...:)

Well done Smudger - so glad to hear you are feeling a bit better x

Oh Smudge, sounds like your really going through it at the minute. Could the dr not just change your meds, did he have to lower them? I think we all know what your going through at the minute, mainly because we all are too, Tell you what here's a shed load of hugs to cheer you up, feel free to send some back,
Regards Your friend Wayne,:hugs::hugs::hugs::hugs::hugs::hugs:

Great news Smudger ! it gives us all hope when others post positive experiances :)

Im getting headaches from this (mirtazapine) now ... Hopefully they will subside soon :)

All the Best

Pacman

Thanks for your good wishes, I can really feel you mean it, it means alot.redrainbow thanks for your response but I think you may have read one of my despairing earlier posts, it really was that bad THEN! I'm much improved now!Hopeful it lasts.:)

pacman, forgot to say I didn't suffer headaches so I can't help you on that one! Sorry. Suppose I should be glad there is at least 1 side effect I didn't suffer!Hope it disappears for you soon though...:)

Hi Smudger,

So pleased to hear that you are feeling much better and Mirtazapine is now helping you to have a more positive outlook.

I also taking Mirtazapine (30mg reduced from 45mg) and can honestly say for me that it has been the best antidepressent I have ever taken.

I hope that you continue to do well.

Good luck xx

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Originally Posted by smudger

Hi all. It's a DAY 46 and I just wanted to let you know that the side effects of mirtazapine are WANING at long last.Hurray!Still a little sensitive to people comments n have the odd blow up if somethings annoying me n a little drowsy in the morning but I can see improvements as the days go by! I cant believe it! I was in despair over xmas and early January, I didn't recognise myself and I've made some positive plans that I wouldn't even have considered back then. I really was so close to going back to the doc and asking for another medication. I've had a few horrible life experiences that I'm afraid for me don't compare with the despair I have felt in the initial stages of this drug BUT I've come through it. I have to tell you not because I'm bragging but to say that if you are suffering like I did and you can persevere then it may all be worth it. I know this won't work for everybody but for those of you who are feeling in a dark bottomless pit at the moment, it is possible to get better and claw your way back to the top....I wish you all the best in your journey...:)

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I know what a rubbish time you were having Smudger and I'm so pleased that you're finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.

Hope you continue to feel well...

Thanks Melancholia77.Appreciate that.sunshine-lady I am so glad to hear somebody else who benefits on mirtazapine. I think it is important to say the positives on this forum as well as the negatives to help encourages others. You wouldn't believe how much I hated this drug at first!I can't believe I've done a u-turn!

i know this is old but does the anger go away? i like this medication because it's helping my anxiety and OCD but sometimess I get angry for no reason..