Mirtazapine

[Barne24]

I have had a battle with Mirtazapine for the last 6 months, started low does 15mg to help with my anxiety/panic attacks which developed when I got Covid back in August last year.

I initially took the 15mg in two halves, 7.5mg at. bedtime which made me sleepy, then the second half when I woke at 1/2am. This wasn't recommended to do by the Doc, but when I took the tablet whole it aggravated my restless legs.

I tried coming off it as it made me feel so tired and brain fogged (or is that the anxiety?), Docs put me on Citalapram but had a horrible reaction to that, so went back on the Mirt. Now taking 22.5mg at bedtime (Doc wants me to go up to 30mg..so am working towards that), it is helping me sleep better but I feel so spaced out with it, like I am stoned...it's a horrible feeling and leaves me wondering if it's worth pursuing the Mirt.

My anxiety has been worse since upping the dose, but sleep has been better - I really want to come off the tablets altogether as feel like I am very sensitive, but am too nervous incase things go from bad to worse...it's so hard to. know what to do as everyone reacts so differently to these drugs.

Has anyone else felt this detachment, spaced out feeling on Mirt? did it go eventually ? I've also noticed that I have developed Tinnitus, could be connected or not...has anyone else noticed that?

Thank you.

[Oreopepper]

HI, I was on Mirtazapine for around 4 months ,like you I started on 15mg which made no difference at all then it was 30mg at night, all it did was make me angry, ive never been an angry person but it seemed to change my personality, it didn't help with depression,anxiety or insomnia which is why I was prescribed it , I gave up as i didnt like being in angry mode constantly so I stopped taking it altogether.

[Barne24 in reply to Oreopepper]

Sorry to hear that, it just doesn't suit everyone I guess. I got on better with it on the 15mg but am really struggling now with upping the dosage. Did you go on to anything else or just going without meds? I'd really like to stop taken them but am nervous...heard horrible withdrawal stories as well. But I do feel like they just don't suit me, so maybe will try and come off them. thanks for sharing your experience.

[Oreopepper in reply to Barne24]

No , I haven't been prescribed anything else, I just didn't reorder them when the prescription was due. I'm trying to do without anything as I am taking a few other meds for physical ailments so if ican manage without I will. I don't ever want to feel that anger again, it was for no reason whatsoever so I won't be taking those tablets again. I have read quite a few people feel better on the 15mg than 30mg but 15 didn't help me at all. I hope you get a benefit from them ,keep trying ,im sure you will know if you are better off without them .Good luck.

[Oreopepper in reply to Oreopepper]

I just stopped taking them. I think if you have been on them a long time withdrawal symptoms can be quite bad for some people but I didnt have any withdrawals but I didnttake the 30 mg for very long .Maybe have a word with your doctor and they might suggest some more suitable for you. Good luck.

[Barne24 in reply to Oreopepper]

thanks again for your advice, I will keep trying at 15mg and if nothing changes I will come off them I think. so hard to make these decisions by yourself.

[Kinlay]

The one thing I will ask is how long you have been at the current dose? Generally, if you can hang in there for 2-4 weeks, a lot of side effects from mirtazapine will resolve and you will start to see the full impact. I would either go up to the 30 or stay on your current dose for at least 2-4 weeks to see the full effect and if the side effects resolve.

I will say, however, that I take mirtazapine for depression (I've been on it for 10 years, and am now at 45 mg), which it's great for, but it has never helped much with my anxiety (which has gone through the roof since Covid). If anxiety is your main complaint, then another med might be a better choice. You may want to check in with your doctor on this.

Hang in there. Sometimes it takes a while to find the right med and dosage. I know that trying two and having problems is frustrating, but others still might be a better fit. You may want to do some research on your own regarding side effect profiles and what works best for certain conditions. healthline.com/health/anxie... This is a good overview, and then you can look up individual drugs to learn more.

Good luck, and remember that you are not alone!

[Barne24]

thank you for your advice, I have been on the current dose for about 2 weeks but the last few nights have woken after only a few hours sleep and then having multiple panic attacks. I feel like the drug is not right for me but that could just be my anxiety controlling my thoughts, I've tried other anti depressants but couldn't tolerate them after only 1 pill had major side affects. so my doctor thinks I should stick to the mirt.

My main issue is anxiety, mine started when having Covid last year and has been on and off for 6 months, but for some reason seems to have escalated again to the point where I feel I can't control it even with all the things I know I can do.

I will go back to the doctor and ask for a review, but meanwhile just go back to 15mg I think.

[Tigglypoo]

Hello I've been on 30mg for 2 months was on 15 mg but wasn't helping with anxiety so trying 30 .I too don't find it helps with depression but I sleep well .not sure what I want to do next id like to get off this but bit afraid as no support.Good luck with mitazpine hopefully it helps you x

[faucet]

I have been on 30 mg for 6 years. No real side effects for me. It did help for a while but doesnt seem to help much anymore. Although I did try going off it and after 4-5 days is was not good, so they still must be helping but I am at the highest dosage. Hope things get better for you.