Help for a friend

[Vegadenoir]

My friend has just been put on Mirtazapine, she’s been on it for 6 days, she is constantly sleepy and dizzy, and she is not coping well at all. In the last month she has been on citalopram and ectocitalopram, her anxiety attacks were horrendous, she was also very ill with flu/ cold. I am very worried about her. She is in constant contact with her GP, and has been signed up for the mental health service. Is there any advice i can give her, she is so scared and worried, I am reassuring her everyday but nothing I say seems to help. Please advise.

[Cb1963]

Hi, I'm sorry to hear that your friend is struggling with this medication,what sort of dose is she on? Is it 15mg? I take 45mg and I'm a long term user of this medication , and at the beginning yes, it makes you feel like your drunk, light headed, and extremely tired, I normally take my medication about an hour before bedtime, and this medication is not just used in depression, but for other reasons, I have it to help with neuropathy, it covers different symptoms, and I wouldn't get any sleep without this medication, it may take several days for her to to adjust to this medication, but these are the side effects that I felt at the beginning, so you can tell her from me these are common side effects , but as long as she's in contact with the doctors etc, that's also reassuring , like with all new medication it takes time to adjust, I hope this helps a little, any further questions, don't hesitate to ask, best of luck 👍😇

[Vegadenoir in reply to Cb1963]

Yes 15mg

[Cb1963 in reply to Vegadenoir]

Yep, its a low dose, and that's probably how I started off in the beginning, but as I'm nearly 10 years onto this medication I requested an increase over time 15 mg , then 30 mg, because my symptoms will never get better, that's the reason why I'm on a high dose, its always difficult especially if your friend has been on a different type of medication, and the effects are possibly something that she's not used to, and of course sometimes we get used to certain medication, and that's why my dose was increased, I didn't have ANY side effects now, but they do help me sleep, and that's the reason why I take it just before I go to bed,and of course avoid alcohol, and it does make you feel very woozy, so all the symptoms she feels are probably listed in the side effects in the packaging, and if she's a worrier type person, sometimes we'll end up being frightened to take any medication, its so difficult trying to feel some else's emotions or feelings, but try to reassure her I'm still alive and kicking, and I'm on 45mg per day, best wishes 😇

[Stealthbomber in reply to Cb1963]

That's excellent advice, similar to what I would have written. The difference is, I only take Citalopram, but, it's 40 mg. It has helped me a lot, because I came off it, but I went downhill very quickly, and now, I take it regularly, so I feel good, again.

[Mrspjsmom]

I take mirtazipine at bedtime which helps with the sleepiness. For dizziness my doctor told me to get some meclizine. It's available without a prescription. Look for non drowsy dramamine 25mg. It helps tremendously. You are a good friend and it must be frustrating feeling like you can't help. Please tell you friend to hang in there until she gets to see the mental health service. Perhaps you could encourage her to join this forum. There is no logic to anxiety but there are supportive people here to help. We have been where she is and understand.

[AdamFCastillo31]

Hey, in my opinion, medicines are not the permanent and only solution to anxiety. Well, it may vary from individual to individual and the severity of the cause. To get rid of anxiety therapy/ psychotherapy is the best method of treatment. Sometimes it may be combined with medicine depending on the stage level. As I took help from here ezcareclinic.com/services/a... my second stage and they choose a combination method for me ( therapy+Psychotherapy). And it worked really well for me. This wall I know about anxiety as I have experienced this. I think you should need to change your medicine along with therapy, consult your doctor as it causes dizziness. Best of luck.

[autumnmarie5 in reply to AdamFCastillo31]

I whole heartily agree with this!! I was diagnosed last January with GAD and been put on so many medications to try to solve it but truth is that isn't what will help. lt wasn't until recently when I had a breakdown that I realized I needed therapy or something other than medicine. I highly recommend doing something else other than just medication.