Switching from sertraline to Mirtazap... - Mental Health Sup...

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Switching from sertraline to Mirtazapine

April44 profile image
17 Replies

Hi

I'm Switching to Mirtazapine today 1st one tonight, while coming off sertraline 50mg over the next 7 days.

Worried I'm going back to square one again. My anxiety is still ruining my daily life.

Anyone had this experience with crossing over medication, who can give me advice please.

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April44 profile image
April44
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17 Replies

Hello April, follow your GP instructions and all should work out well. You may need a little bit more time to change over, give yourself time. It is more important you feel at peace with the change over, if you need to you can always ask your doctor to extend that time

BOB

April44 profile image
April44 in reply to

Thank you BOB

I think I will hold off tonight and ring my doctor in the morning.

serotonin syndrome worries me and also people's bad experience with mirtazapine and there side effects.

in reply toApril44

Most of these medications increase this chemical in the brain, Mental Health concerns can be caused by low levels of Serotonin in the brain.

After talking to your Doctor you can PM me or get me on here if you need to talk. There is plenty of support here if you need too talk

BOB

_Alex_ profile image
_Alex_ in reply toApril44

Mirtazapine is considered safe to combine with SSRIs long term, so there is no problem in crossing them over for a week. My previous GP told me to do this also. The tiredness when you start, however, is quite bad in my experience.

April44 profile image
April44 in reply to_Alex_

Thank you this does help having insight into getting the right meds. If fluoxetine doent work this time I will definitely try Mirtazapine. sometimes the unknown can be worrying and cloud judgement especially when you read side effects on all these different medications, as humans we sometimes think we will be the unlucky ones who will get the severe reaction.

LAAG profile image
LAAG

My husband switched about 6mths ago. He was a mess on Sertaline. He is by no means better but he is at work and functioning on most days.

He hasn’t put on weight as lots of people say they do.

April44 profile image
April44 in reply toLAAG

Thank you,

did he take them both at the same time for a week or two as my doctor suggested.

LAAG profile image
LAAG in reply toApril44

No, he didn’t as he was such a mess I don’t think there was any point really.

Ester_1 profile image
Ester_1

Mirtazapine really helped my partner, he found that was the only one that worked for him. At the time the side effects were bearable knowing he was desperate to feel human again if you get me. But after a year he just needs to be reviewed and slowly come down from them to 15mg, if 15mg works okay we have spoken about him staying on them for a while. It’s important you take something, I myself take fluoxetine which works amazing for myself. My partner can’t take them because he takes blood thinners My advice is work with them and see how you go they work for loads of ppl. The doctor should be checking on how your doing anyway. Anxiety and depression can feel disabling so pls take them if your struggling. They really help with sleep, try not to take them late on the evening specially if you need to get up early the next day.

April44 profile image
April44

I too took fluoxetine for menopause and low mood they did help me loads so was abit sad when doctors recommended I take sertraline and now Mirtazapine... I drive for a living so being groggy in the morning worried me. Thank you for positive advice.

Ester_1 profile image
Ester_1 in reply toApril44

Hello April, if Fluroxetine worked For you before why not ask to go back on them? My partner struggles at times to get up on Mirtazpine so if you drive for a living that would be scary. Doctors say well maybe you need to consider changing your job! There’s not enough jobs out there and employers are not so understanding when it comes to mental health. I’d go back to your GP.

Medications work differently for everyone. I hope you find the right medication that suits you and able to feel good again.

April44 profile image
April44 in reply toEster_1

Thank you yes I've found a g.p who has prescribed fluoxetine will this tues once sertraline has reduced in my bloodstream I hope it does stop my anxiety to allow me to get back to work...definitely is the worse time to find work. Hope your husband is doing well now x

Ester_1 profile image
Ester_1 in reply toApril44

Fluroxetine works for me I also had this for my hormones PMS /PMDD but once I turned Peri-menopausal my anxiety got worse, i now take hormone replacements and fluoxetine time and feel fabulous so fingers crossed this will work wonders for you. Stay strong, pls look after yourself. Xx

lin62-65ze profile image
lin62-65ze

Dear April, I personally do not take Sertraline my son does. My husband takes Mirtazapine 15mg. Iam sure you will be fine, the only thing I can say is that my husband eats more with Mirtazapine. Be patient and you will see an improvement.

April44 profile image
April44

Thank you

I have decided not to take them as my weight has already fluctuated and I have acid reflux as well as ibs plus I ate a lot of junk food already and need to stop... I asked g.p for fluoxetine I have had it before and is similar to sertraline so I hope it helps. I have the Mirtazapine just I case fluoxetine doesnt help . Thank you for you kind advice x

formidible profile image
formidible

Mirtazapine has been the only antidepressant that worked for me (to a certain level). On the low 15mg dose it starts to work straight away for helping with sleep, which should also reduce your anxiety a little, but the antidepressant effect takes 2-4 weeks by which time you will probably be on 30mg tabs and the sleep effect reduces. The main side effect is an increase in appetite and weight gain. That's not so bad if you're not overweight, but an issue if you are.

April44 profile image
April44

Thank you

There as been a lot of positives in your message that gives peace of mind. Glad they work for you.

I know getting the right ones can be such a great thing being over anxious can be so draining physically as well as mentally.

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