Depression

[Britishbulldog]

Hi everyone day 20 on mirtazapine still feeling crap!taking 15mg anyone else on this ad!?

[KevinManchester]

The doctor told me it would take a few weeks to kick in, it is very gradual, not like if you have a headache, take a paracetamol and within 30mins the pain goes, these type of meds are difficult to tell if they are working or not. I used the meds along other forms of relief from anxiety such as distraction, CBT, exercise and reading about the problem. I came off the meds after about 3 years and feel much better now.

Kev

[Jjbhb]

Hi BBD, I've been on Mirtazipine for several years now, it's the only thing that seemed to make any difference to my anxiety. I started on a similar small dose, but didn't really notice much change until I had been taking 45mg for a couple of weeks. I was convinced that it was a waste of time as I'd tried a lot of similar medications, but one day I found myself looking back on a fortnight of no panic attacks. Gradually my sleeping patterns started to improve, which began helping my general mood. Finally I felt strong enough to embark on a course of CBT, which has been truly life changing.

My advice would be to persevere, keep talking to your GP about progress, or lack of it. It's a long road and a different journey for everyone, but you can get through it. I was close to the brink 10yrs ago, thinking I had lost the person I was forever, but have managed to claw my way back. I never thought something as basic-seeming as CBT would help either, it all sounds so happy-clappy and obvious. Oncce you reach rock bottom and open yourself up to trying anything, you realise how twisted the years of depression have made your thought processes. Retraining yourself feels like a much more positive solution than taking drugs to suppress moods for the rest of your life, so I would definitely recommend it if you can.

Sorry for rambling, I hope some of it helps. Best of luck to you.

[Britishbulldog in reply to Jjbhb]

Thank you jjbhb for the info!

[Hyperballadhannah]

Hi there, I was taking Mirtazapine a year or two back but thankfully switched to something else. I found it made my depression improve but anxiety was still bad and I put on 10kgs in a month with this because it works like an appetite suppressant also. It made me feel very zombie like. I tried a few others after but found Paroxetine worked best and eventually I was able to ween off and now I don't take any.

[Britishbulldog in reply to Hyperballadhannah]

Cheers hbh for info and yes mirtazapine does give you the munchies one of the side effects!

[Jiminez]

Hi Britishbulldog,

I've been taking mirtazapine for a number of years. When I first started I was given 15mg for 2 weeks and this was increased to 30mg. Might be worth mentioning to your doctor as 15mg is the starting dose. You could try 30mg and see if you fare any better. I know it can go up to 45mg. Give it a big of time as it worked for me but it wasn't like an immediate change. Just took a bit of time. I'm now on 15mg maintenance dose and walk for an hour a day.

I hope this helps but let me know if you need any further help. Don't give up.

[Britishbulldog in reply to Jiminez]

Cheers jiminez for the info!will keep trying!

[Rubyron]

Hi BBD -- I've been on 15mg mirtazapine for about 4 or 5 months -- but that's in addition to 150mg sertraline! The sertraline seemed to have stopped working, so my doctor added in the small amount of mirtazapine -- he said it works on different neurotransmitters from SSRIs, so it might help boost the antidepressant effect. It has worked very well for me -- but 15mg is a very low dose! I'm kind of surprised your doctor hasn't told you to increase gradually. Can you talk to him/her and ask about increasing. They do say to give an antidepressant 6-8 weeks, but I would think you should be starting to feel better by day 20. Good luck!

[Britishbulldog in reply to Rubyron]

Cheers rubyron for the information im seeing my doctor on monday so it gives me a chance to discuss it!

[Misseyj55]

Hi Britishbulldog. I don't take mertazapine any longer been off it for about 12 months now. It did help my depression but I got side effects particularly swelling in my legs one worse than the other to the point of not being able to walk well. My weight ballooned and I could not stand the dry mouth along with serious sleeping problems where I could not wake up and function properly. It does suite many people but I was not one of them. Best to talk to your GP or prescriber about how you feel and please seek help when you need too. I see a psychologist monthly and do take Valium on occasions of severe anxiety attacks which are not that often these days. Ive had depression for 34 years now with various medications non of which I stayed on for too long . Best of wishes to you and do care for yourself lots . Regards Misseyj55

[Hidden]

Hi BBD

mirtazapine did not help my anxiety but at a low dose it helped me sleep.

[Kessuio]

Hi everyone.

Mirtazapine is what triggered my RLS and its something that happens to a lot of people! I can ensure you its worse than hell and incurable!

If you are depressed and/or heaving anxiety And there is a chance Mirtazapine might help you, Don't take the gamble, stay away from Mirtazapine, it ruined mine and other peoples life even more.

Should be made illegal imo, no one can predict

You will or will not develop RLS from it!

[benmaise in reply to Kessuio]

What is RLS please ?

[Kessuio in reply to benmaise]

restless leg syndrome

A condition characterised by a nearly irresistible urge to move the legs and or arms typically in the evenings.

forget about a good night sleep without the use of morphine like or parkinson drugs.

[benmaise in reply to Kessuio]

Thank you. Sounds a very nasty condition to have.

[Britishbulldog in reply to Kessuio]

Hi kessuio had some bad reactions to mirtazapine after 3 weeks im feeling more agitated and angry so i just might give it up or bite on the bullet!

[Kessuio in reply to Britishbulldog]

Hallo Britishbuldog

you should go to your doktor, explain your situation and maybe ask for something else but dont quit mirtazapine all at once. thats quite dangerous.

regards

[Olderal]

Hello BB. I take 45 mgm of Mirtazapine among other Ads but of course everyone reacts differently to ADs. It certainly is doing little to relieve my current depression but I am almost certain that it does aid getting a good night's sleep which is a considerable help in itself.

Olderal

[benmaise in reply to Olderal]

Have you put weight on with the Mirtazapine ? I've heard it can increase your appetite.

[Britishbulldog in reply to benmaise]

Hi benmaise i have put on a couple of pounds but i do train so it keeps me down to 185 pounds!

[Britishbulldog in reply to Olderal]

Yes insomnia mainly on 15mg not quite sure about depression im a little reserved to make a comment!

[Bert-75]

I started on 15mg then moved up 30 after a few months , had to reduce it because it makes me dumb in the morning which is no good for work but it only really takes the edge off of symptoms and am to tired of it to try something else plus everything will be up in air if I am working

[BriarRose]

I was on mirtazapine for at least 8 weeks, and they didn't help me at all. Tbf, I don't do well on Ads, but gave up on them, it's a while ago now but I seem to remember actually feeling worse on them! I suggest seeing your GP, as others have said, all Ads take a while to work. Good luck!

[Britishbulldog in reply to BriarRose]

Hi brian after 3 weeks on them im really thinking of throwing the towel in!im so agitated and angry and a plus my anxiety which has not been to bad has been worse but i can hide that from people but not myself!

[don-rob]

Hi British bulldog

I had been on Mirtazipine for sometime and at first they did help but then I started having problems not sleeping and having bad thoughts so I went to see my Gp and he changed my meds and I'm now on Trazadone I've now been on these for 2 year so far I not had any problems

I would suggest speaking to your GP may be this will help