Experience use of Mirtazapine (brand name Remeron)

[Jmsbradord]

Dear all,

Quick outreach to hear what anti-depressants PWP are taking (in this case my mother who is in advanced stages)? My mother was previously on Fluoxetin (brand name Prozac) but her neurologist took her off it (could be too many interactions with other medications). However, the staff in the nursing home are asking to replace it with something else. Another neurologist is now suggesting Mirtazapine (brand name Remeron). Does anybody have any experience of Mirtazapine? In particular if there are any side effects such as hallucinations, delusions etc. Wishing you all a wonderful day ahead!

[jeffreyn]

I take 15mg mirtazapine every evening. It helps me to get a good nights sleep. I think it also helps with my tremor, either directly or indirectly (i.e. many PwPs find that tremor is worse when you don't get a good nights sleep). I've not experienced any side effects.

[Jmsbradord in reply to jeffreyn]

Thank you for sharing that - it's the same dose and time as what has been suggested for my mother!

[jeffreyn in reply to Jmsbradord]

I think 15mg is probably the most-common starting dose. In my case it's a long-term dose.

[bcowart]

I took Remeron for several months close to 15 yrs ago. I will say this about it. I desperately needed sleep and I got that. Other than that, it was totally weird and a disaster. I had to quit it and did so slowly, for fear of rebound effects. For one thing, I could NOT stop eating. I was famished all the time. And I have been 135 lbs all my life. I put on 15 lbs in about 2 weeks. My startle response went through the roof. If the doorbell rang, I was a wreck. I've never had that experience before. I have been a chilled out meditation teacher for over 40 years. Very weird. Every body is different (and I mean body), so your mileage may vary, as they say. But you asked my opinion. I would not say that Remeron cured my depression. It just let me sleep for a while which was needed. I switched to Lunesta eventually, and that helped with sleep. What I really needed was psychotherapy, sleep apnea treatment, and Lyme disease treatment. But it took a long time to get those diagnoses. Then, PD diagnosis. Who knows what led to what, but that's the order of the diagnoses, at least. Best of luck in sorting out your mom's issues!

[rebtar]

Ive taken remeron at several different dosds for a few years with good results and no side effects.

[quiz0019]

My father, who does not have Parkinson's, was put on Mirtazepine for the appetite stimulant properties. That med is used for both depression and as an appetite stimulant. He has not had any negative effects.

I'm curious though about antidepressants for myself and wonder what others have found effective. At this point, for me, I want to avoid standard PD meds as long as possible. I know there are good debates for both taking and not taking the standard meds, but I firmly believe I'm doing what's best for me. My most troubling symptom is depression and apathy, so I'm very interested in what others have found to be effective.

[Gaz1403]

I have been taking 15mg Mirtazapine for at least 5 years last thing at night. Never had a problem with it and always get a good night’s sleep.

[LAJ12345]

My husband was on fluoxetine which made him suicidal then mirtazapine. I think mirtazapine created a lot of his problems. He was 58 but became like a 90 year old dementia patient staring into space, wouldn’t get out of bed, or want to do anything. He would not stop eating, gambled with our money secretly, started speeding in the car, and playing bridge on the PC addictively. I weaned him off over months and he lost many symptoms but then several months later he had a relapse of severe anxiety and had to go back on plus had sertraline added too. Then I found hardys daily essential nutrients which really helped and he has nearly weaned off the antidepressant again. We have found 1/100 of his original mirtazapine dose was enough to help him sleep and keep him level! But it seems impossible to get right off it so I would avoid it if possible if you are fairly young.

However if you are a sedentary elderly rest home patient that just wants to sit and be calm and not do anything except watch TV it is probably suitable.

[Jmsbradord]

Thanks to you all for the comments and sharing your experiences. Mother is 82 is indeed in a nursing home and her latest down turn means she doesn't have an appetite anymore (I could add for life especially due to the lock down which has been really tough for her). I will speak with the nurses and also ask if they know this medication! Wishing you all the best and a healthy life ☀️🙏🏼

[katherinecompton22]

I respond well to Celexa and have been on it for years. My MDS was fine with it - remarked that the dose might have to be raised over time. About a year after my PD diagnosis, the dose was raised from 20mg to 30mg daily. However, I have found that supplementing with Lithium Orotate (now 20mg/day, discussed on this forum) and psychotherapy for situational support has been very helpful - so no increases in Celexa for the last 4 years.