Mirtazepine commencement.

I’m about to start taking Mirtazepine for anxiety and depression.

I have been using Lorazepam for 10-15 years at low dosage ( 1-2mg). .... it doesn’t seem to work as well anymore.

I’m concerned about the sedative effect as I need to be up in the morning and functioning for family reasons.

I have tried SSRI anti depressants in the past and they made things worse.

My doctor suggests. 15mg tablet at night to begin with. I was considering breaking one in half to start with ......any advice would be very welcome.

This is my first post.

[0laf]

Listen to Eckart Tolle

[Hidden in reply to 0laf]

Could you expand a little. Cheers.

[RIO-heart]

Hi Daytoday, welcome! I have been on Mirtazapine 15mg for 5 yrs. I take it about an hour before bed. The first few mornings of taking it I was a little tired in the morning, but after that no problems. It works well and I've had no side effects. Good luck!

[Hidden in reply to RIO-heart]

Excellent advice and it’s reassuring to hear from someone who knows. Thank you. 👍

[Dozzer06]

Hi there!

I've been on mirtazapine in the past I was on it for a number of years. If I was you id take it half an hour before you plan on going to sleep I wouldn't take it anything after 9 as it does have sedative effects that can last till morning but if you take it anytime before 9 the effects should of worn off when you wake up. Hope this helps x

[Hidden in reply to Dozzer06]

Cheers for that my friend. 👍

[Sprinkle1]

I was on Mirtazepine, and it did not sit well with me, I got very hungry and wanted to eat all the time, I cannot afford to gain any weight. Helped sleep but not a lot. I have been on Lorazepam 5 mg and it was excellent for anxiety. A year and a half ago my Dr. put me on Cymbalta 30 mg, it helped a lot, not quite enough, so she upped it to 50 mg. That did the trick, took care of depression/anxiety, was able to give up Lorazepam. I take Trazadone 100 mg at bed time and get excellent sleep. I am back to my old self functioning and happy. I have battled depression/anx, all my life, so been on a lot of med's!!! I also have a wonderful therapist who helps keep me sane in this crazy Covid world. I wish you well, I hope you get feeling as well as I do. Sending Love n Hugs......

[Hidden in reply to Sprinkle1]

Hey thank you for such a full response. It’s interesting to hear you talk of your Lorazepam dosage being 5 mg. I started off managing on a 1mg tablet broken into quarters and over the years that grew to taking halves at a time, then multiple halves so I’m now up to 2 mg. My doc seems to baulk at this level and I have regular monthly requests for a prescription turn into “discussions” shall we say where I get treated like the devil incarnate for suggesting the possibility of exceeding 2 mg.

He’s right I suppose...... I know they’re addictive.

Is Cymbalta an anti depressant?...... forgive my ignorance.

I think it’s the intention that I get off the Lorazepam by using the Mirtazepine.

I’ve never coped well with any a/depressant really.... usually making things worse. Still I must give it a go I guess.

I’m really pleased you’re on your feet again and I thank you for taking the time to reply and share your story. Take care.... keep safe. xx

[Sprinkle1 in reply to Hidden]

Hi, Thank you for your reply. Us who live in a Mental Illness World, Need good sound help, with caring and understanding. I have a wonderful therapist, she is caring, supportive, encourage's me, gives me love. Dr's have willingly given me 5 mg of Loraz. when I needed it. My therapist helped me ween myself off Mirtazepine, as my anxiety left I was able to ween myself of the Loraz. I have some if I need it, have not taken any in over a year now. The Cymbalta works for both my depression/anx. If I were you I would look for a Dr. who helps with depression/anxiety. I have even been to a Psychiatrist for 6 years, I moved 3000 miles so had to give him up. It is a much smaller area where I live now and psychiatrist's are hard to find. But with my Therapist and Dr. I am functioning very well, go to bed happy, get up happy, and worry about Nothing.....I meditate, practice Yoga, walk and ride my bike, all help clear my mind. I hope you get this mail, I will help you if I can. Sending love n Hugs....xxx

[Hidden in reply to Sprinkle1]

Hey thank you. You’re very sweet. And thank you for sharing details. I’ve just returned from having my first dose of Pfizer covid vaccination and, like the worrier I am, I’m waiting for side effects to occur. They won’t I’m sure so I’ll just go with it.

I deal with a group of horses and get a lot of fresh air and exercise each day. I do find the winter hard though and this year here in the UK it’s particularly severe. Snow and freezing temperatures.

Still it’s my life and I just get on with it. I love it really.... just whinging on. My apologies.

Please take care on that bike... lol.

And thank you again for keeping in touch. It helps. 😘