Just started taking Mirtazapine

[pacman]

Just started taking mirtazapine thought id post my experiances here so that it may help others ...

Day 1 - 30mg 10pm Slept VERY well (seemed to sedate me after 30mins), problems getting out of bed, nap at lunchtime. Spaced out completely until 7pm when i started to come round. Was unsure as to whether to take it again on day 2... Felt much worse (down) than before i started taking it.

Day 2 - 30mg 8.45pm Slept well, woke a few times in the night but Felt less groggy during the day, emotions and thoughts all over the place. Appetitite increased

Day 3 - 30mg 8.45pm (Ive decided to take it at this time every night) Still quite tired first thing and sleepy at lunchtime. Mood felt quite reflective but generally up and down.

Day 4 - 30mg 8.30pm - considering a glass of wine tonight, also considering altering the dose (the doc said to experiment!) ... probably not a great idea !

*Updated 13/01/10

Day 5 - 15mg 9.30pm - started to feel that 30mg was too much so decided to just take half tonight. Starting to feel more anxious during the day until about lunchtime when it subsides a little

Day 6 - 15mg 7.30pm - felt extremely anxious all day so decided to take them earlier in the evening - not sure they are having much of a sedative effect but am sleeping ok until the 5/6am ish.

Day 7 - 15mg 10.00pm - Really thought i didnt want to take them anymore as anxiety levels really high from 5am - 5pm which im was convinced was down to the medication. Seemed a little calmer in the evening but wondering whether these are really for me. Started feeling i shouldnt have gone down the medication route...

Day 8 - 15mg 8.30pm Slept better, anxiety levels felt more manageable although quite high in the morning


thats all for now... will update again soon

Pacman

[smudger]

Hi. Im on a 15mg dose (was on 40 mg citalopram). Been on it for a month n I have anger issues and its caused me anxiety. Be interested to hear if you do.Gook luck. Hope it helps.x

[ElizabethJane]

Dear Pacman I am also in the mirtazapine club. I'm on 30mg at night. I experienced all the side effects that you describe. Mirtazapine is excellent at alleviating depression. It can increase daytime sedation in the first few weeks. This should lessen after a few weeks. Appetite problems are more difficult as you will put on weight. Try to eat healthily ie low fat and sugar and plenty of fruit and veggies. Are you sure that your GP said you could experiment with the dose? I would think that this is a risky strategy as your body gets used to the levels of the drug in your blood. Let the GP decide how much you should take. Best wishes.

[sunshine-lady]

I also take Mirtazapine (along with other meds). I am currently taking 30mg at night, came down from 45mg last year. I have been quite lucky with Mirtazapine as I have not really had any severe adverse side effects. My appetite went sky high when I first started taking them, but this passed after a short time (thank god).

I am suprised that your Dr has given you 30mg as a starting dose, they usually start people on 15mg and increase gradually from there. I am even more suprised that your Dr suggested that you experiment with them!! I agree with ElizabethJane that it is a risky strategy. Mirtazapine, like any antidepressent, takes time to work and get the correct amount in your body. The same dose should be taken to maintain the best effect.

Good luck and keep us informed on how things go xx

[pacman]

Have felt quite zonked out for the first few days - need some encouragement from those who it has worked for to keep me going

[ElizabethJane]

Dear Pacman all I can say is to keep persevering. The drowsiness will lessen as the mirtazapine begins to kick in and your depression will start to lift. Do not interfere with the dosage I would stick with the 30mg that you have been given. This time I was started with 30mg but I had taken it previously. I am having a blip at the moment so considering going up to 45mg but the psychiatrist has suggested it. If you are not beginning to feel better after a month then that is the time to go back to your GP.

[pacman]

Day 9 - 15mg Moods up and down,

Day 10 - 15mg Had a beer today and felt very sleepy, asleep by 9 slept for 12hrs

Day 11 - 15mg Starting to understand why people put on weight with this, just feel the need to always be picking at food. Mood improved slightly

Day 12 -15mg, picking at food all day, need to try and keep eating just fruit/veg and not toast+butter. Axiety is reduced, sleeping well and have a general level of calm which is nice. Doesnt feel as false as i thought it might...

Updates again in a few days...

Just out of interest do people taper these when they feel better ? How is it done, im assuming no one just stops taking them ?

[ElizabethJane]

I don't think you should just stop taking mirtazapine. You could end up feeling seriously ill. I had horrendous withdrawals when I stopped taking mirtazapine. In my honest opnion you should continue taking mirtazapine for at least six months until some stability is shown. Only then will your doctor allow you to taper them off. 15mg is still considered by some to be a maintenace dose and your doctor may well put you up to 30mg. Two weeks is not a long enough period to say whether you are benefiting from the drug or not. In all cases it is something you should be discussing with your GP or psychiatrist. Never just stop taking a drug without risking serious side effects. Best wishes.

[robbie1971]

My doctor put me on mirtazapine for my panic attacks and depression and to be honest I wish i never had started them. I have been off them now for 2 weeks and i'm in absolute hell with withdrawel from them i feel as if i am completely back to square one. Does anyone have any idea how long these naty withdrawel symptoms will last as i feel terrible. Mirtazapine did work for the two years i was on them but i put on 2 stone in weight which is rapidly coming off again now i've stopped taking them they made me have mood swings i would shout at my partner for no reason i was irrational and i belive although they relieved my panic attacks they have toatally messed my head up. My advice to anyone taking these is to be careful with them because when you try and stop them you will go through absolute hell and i even used a taper regime with them.

[smudger]

robbie1971 that really scares me coz I intend at the very 1st opportunity to get off these bloody tablets but Ill do it slowly. I hate them and sometimes wish I'd never started them because Im definately not the same sociable patient person I used to be . My good days are getting more, my bad days less (started week before xmas) and my anxiety n shakey hands are lessening so thats the positives. My gripe is my temper. Im STILL mega irritable and really intolerant and angry all the time. Anger is my worst issue coz its ruining my relationship with my 9 yr old daughter coz naturally kids always test Mums limits!Thats their job!I don't want to be a SHOUTY Mother like I am at the moment!The weight thing, well I'm dealing with that now as Ive gone from doing no exercise to exercising 4 sometimes 5 days a week for an hour and I'm eating more healthy. Its SO beneficial I cant promote it enough!It was hard to do something about it though but the sweet cravings are lessening too so I'm feeling less sluggish!So good to follow pacman's diary. Makes me feel human coz I understand what hes going through.We will get through this!