mirtazapine ?

[tharidler]

hi everyone

anyone who has read my recent posts know i was waiting on a med review and then i had to wait for the doctor to get the prescription this has now come and i have started mirtazapine whilst reducing venaflaxine and keeping up with dosulepin what i would like to know is has anyone else been prescribed this and what side effects if any did you experience i have read the list and its all the usual suspects but i feel like a narcaleptic (excuse spelling) could i also if there are any hear positives thanks in advance will keep you posted

[Beetzart]

Hi Tharidler

I take 45 mg of Mirtazapine.  I would highly recommend it if you can manage the heavy sedation and chocolate cravings.  I assume you have started on 15 mg?  This is meant to be the most sedating dose but I have found 45 mg to be moreso.   It is positive for me because it helps me sleep night after night without any tolerance although with some grogginess in the morning, but nothing a cup of coffee can't remedy.  It is meant to be the fastest acting AD on the market with people usually feeling a benefit in 2 weeks although at 15 mg it really acts as just an antihistamine.  Are you due to increase to 30 mg after a week?  Because I take four different meds I can't really say what it's specific antidepressant effect is on me, yet I won't be stopping to find out the reverse!  I just assume the sporadic bouts of depressive mood I experience now and then would be much worse without it.  I have found though that at 45 mg I have trouble swallowing food but only at that dose.  Not too much too worry about seeing as you won't be awake long enough to eat a great deal anyway!  Food cravings occurred for me mainly on the least sedating 30 mg dose.  Apart from that I have had no other side effects, it is meant to be no-toxic in overdose, and possibly easier to withdraw from then other ADs due to it's long half-life.  Although try to avoid other depressants like benzos.  I was given diazepam a while ago and combining the two makes you stupidly tired, and amnesic.  Drinking alcohol on it will just make you feel sleepy.  Erm, can't think of nothing else really.  Oh, GPs like it because it is cheap and acts as a good sleeping pill.

Hope that helps.

Beet

[Owl]

Hello Tharidler,

I have had very mixed experiences with Mirtazapine. The first time I was prescribed it, around 2 years ago, it brought me out of a very bad depression with severe anxiety. It is however exceptionally sedating which, though I hate to admit it, is something I needed at the time.

However, the second time I was given it, for this depressive episode, I had a completely different experience. It made me exceptionally agitated and made me do things that were most out of character. I did not sleep and things became very strange for a while. As a result I came off it and a few weeks later had a massive crash reasulting in the deepest depression I have had in my life - on which as yet has not responded to treatment.

Having said all this, the highs and lows may have happened organically irrespective of the Mirtazapine. As I said, the first time I was on it, it really helped and if you can put up with putting on a few pounds and walking round in a dream for the fiirst few weeks of treatment it might work well for you.

I really hope it helps make you feel better soon.

Fox
X

[KateG]

It knocks you out at night, makes you sleep like a log and makes you crave carbs. But it does work, especially if you've been suffering from insomnia, the amount of sleep you get  is a wonderful relief. It's not particularly addictive either, I came off it cold turkey without much trouble at all. hope it helps you

[tharidler]

thanks everyone for your replies. straight away i have noticed it knocks me out and today i have pretty much cat napped the day away i am happy to try anything new and a good nights sleep is always welcome and although i would rather not put on weight at least i can blame the meds i have started on 15 and will go to 30 next week and we will see whether it is a positive step will let you all know what happens next

[tharidler]

ok been on them nearly a week i must say i do sleep much better at night and my wife says i'm not so restless the downside is when i wake i have a headache like the hangover from hell  and i have spent most days falling asleep untill the afternoon i'm not sure about my mood but it seems that the edge is being taken off so we will see how the next week goes with a further reduction off the venaflaxine and the mirtazepine increased up to 30mg

[Sweetpea]

Hope things improve for you. Sounds like its helping. S x x x x