30mg Mirt not working :(

[BubbleBonce]

I've been on 30mgs of Mirtazepine for almost 3 months now & I am still crippled with alot of physical anxiety symptoms, sleeping too much etc. I am definitely better with this med but it's not the whole answer for sure.

Citalopram never did much for me so where the heck do I turn now?

Desperate.

[Kerry B]

There are lots of different tablets out there its finding the right one to suit you as everyone is different but if I was you I would see my GP as ask to try another tablet. I know its a pain having to wait all over again to see if the new tablets works its just trial and error. Take Care

[Vixxy]

Hi bubble. I found that mirtazapine helped me to be more positive and motivated, but it didnt help with my anxiety. So my Gp put me on seroxat. Im now taking 45mg of mirtazapine and 10mg of seroxat and the combination works well.
Hope this helps.

[BubbleBonce]

Hmm, well really I have tried most SSRI's and found many made my anxiety worse. I doubt if my GP will prescribe Seroxat as I have asked before. That one did at least help me the most, although I had insomnia with it. Maybe at a fairly low dose it might be OK though.

You knlow this is why I don't bother going to the GP cuz they either laugh at me or any of their meds don't work. I just get worse and worse and there's nothing anyone can do. Not much to look forward to really.

[Vixxy]

See if there is another GP in your surgery or another practise. Its very important to get one that understands you. My normal GP was a bit dismissive of me as Ive had this problem for 10 years. I went to see one of the female GPs and she was the one that put me on the seroxat aswell as mirtazapine.
I had a lot of problems on citalopram. (no sex drive, sleeping all day, exhuasted, up late, night sweats, bad dreams etc) and ive found that im getting a few of these problems with seroxat. however the mirtazapine still makes me go to bed and sleep at a decent time, so its not affecting me too much.
The seroxat has helped me no end, so find out if you can take both. Stay on the 30mg mirtazapine and then maybe 5mg of seroxat to take the edge off your anxiety.

OR have you tried propranalol? It helps me a lot too.

[Deva]

Hello BB. I was on 45mgs of mirt which did help with depression but I still had lots of anxiety. In the end following a very stressful time at work I was signed off and the doc changed my med to Escitalopram (Cipralex). This has helped both my anxiety and also my depression - I go as far as to say that for me it's a wonder drug but I had to get through the side effects first. You could try this with the mirt - perhaps you could ask your GP to do that? Some GPs are reluctant to prescribe Cipralex as it's expensive but I think if you've tried a lot of other drugs it would be hard to refuse you.

Don't give up on your GP and try to access as much help as you can - the more fuss you make about how ill you are the more support you will get. I've got lots of support around me now but it only came after I admitted (following a nervous breakdown) just how ill I was. Be honest and keep telling the GP how you feel again and again and again.

Good luck and sending you good wishes.

[nomorepanic]

Why don't you try some self-help and therapy rather than drugs?

You should ask the GP to refer you for CBT and Claire Weekes writes some excellent books that may help.

[Kerry B]

Hi Bubblebonce I am on Seroxate funny enough. Why don't you see another doctor is ok for Doctors to say they don't want to prescribe medication, but they don't have to live with how we are feeling everyday. Do you not see a CPN?

[JT69]

Hi Bubblebounce,

I too have found that mirtazipine helped with depression and sleep but did very little for my anxiety. I have now reduced to 15mg but have been taking pregabalin for the anxiety and that is what is helping me the most. I too had tried citalopram and it was sucessful for a number of years but this past time didn't hence the change.

I guess it depends on what all your symptoms are...as I wouldn't expect pregabalin to help with depression. The thing is also alot of GP's wont prescribe it as it is off label and expensive...thankfully my GP did and it has hepled me so much.

I am going back to discuss coming off mirtazipine or staying on a lower dose for a while...see what happens.

I think you should try and see another Gp, I cannot believe that your GP laughed at you either...that is truely unacceptable and uncaring!! Sometimes I think they should have a dose of anxiety and see how it feels!!!

I also start CBT/conselling tommorow so am hoping that will help too.

Go back and see someone else you should not have to continue suffering.

Take care
Jo.xx

[ElizabethJane]

Dear Bubble I suggest that you see another doctor in the practice and ask for some CBT. It might be helpful to talk to someone about your difficulties and doctors surgeries have access to counsellors for short term therapy. This could be an option for you to pursue. If you are able doing some physical exercise this will improve your mood. Chart you moods with mindgym (can be found online) so that you have something to show the docs when you get to see them. Best wishes EJ.