how fast does sertraline and/or Mirtazapine work?

[lindyloo2018]

Hi

I am trying to find out how fast does sertraline and/or Mirtazapine work?

I have a choice of the 2 drugs and wondered how fast they could make me feel better ?

any experience would be appreciated

thanks

[AgedCrone]

As with all RA medication it’s a case of suck it & see.

What works for one person in 3 months…can take 6 months for another..

Your rheumy obviously thinks both will suit you……so make your choice. & good luck whichever you choose.

[J1707- in reply to AgedCrone]

Sertraline is anti depressant

[AgedCrone in reply to J1707-]

They are both anti depressants..so as lindyloo posted on the NRAS site..it is presumably prescribed on connection with RA?

[J1707- in reply to AgedCrone]

My Gp prescribed it to me not RA related thankful I was only on a short time but definitely helped

[lindyloo2018 in reply to J1707-]

Hi thanks, which antidepressant ? did you see any change after the 1st week ?

[J1707- in reply to J1707-]

I was on sertaline it wasn’t instant slight improvement over 2 weeks then had an adjustment on dose and by 6 weeks I was great . Most meds take time and your body needs to adapt to them . I think 6 weeks is what my Gp said to feel the benefits in full

[lindyloo2018 in reply to J1707-]

ok thanks, what dose did you start on ? and what dose did you have that finally worked?

[J1707- in reply to lindyloo2018]

Started on 50 then went up to a hundred which is still a low ish dose

[J1707-]

I know sertraline can take a while and needs adjustments until things settle. Hang on in there

[Brian1977]

Mirtazipine helped me last year when I was suffering from depression due to all my conditions

[lindyloo2018 in reply to Brian1977]

many thanks, how fast did it seem to work? was there any improvement after 1 week ?

[lindyloo2018 in reply to Brian1977]

Hello, please could you tell me what dose mirtazipine you were on? my gp has suggested starting at a low dose 15mg? many thanks

[Brian1977 in reply to lindyloo2018]

I'm sure I started on 15mg then moved to 30mg it was a few months before it started helping I also had a 1 to 1 cbt therapy

[lindyloo2018 in reply to Brian1977]

Hi, I am still looking at mirtazapine, mainly because I don't want the side effects that come with sertraline. did mirtzapine help with anxiety ? I can't get too sleepy with the tablets because I have to fix my diabetes overnight when needed..many thanks

[lindyloo2018 in reply to Brian1977]

brian did you choose mirtazapine instead of sertraline or did your gp recommend mirtazapine according to your symptoms ? please could you let me know ? thanks

[ruth_p]

I’ve been on both antidepressants, mirtazapine you take in the evening to help you sleep. This helped me sleep better for about 3 months before I started waking up again. Sertraline you take in the morning as it boosts you up. Both drugs usually take 2 weeks to start working and 4 weeks to be fully effective. X

[lindyloo2018 in reply to ruth_p]

Hi, based on your experience please could you tell me which drug do you think helps better with anxiety?

[ruth_p in reply to lindyloo2018]

Sertraline was better for anxiety for me x

[lindyloo2018 in reply to ruth_p]

ok thanks, do you take hydroxychloroquine? many thanks

[ruth_p in reply to lindyloo2018]

No mtx and tocilizumab

[lindyloo2018 in reply to ruth_p]

ok thanks

[Arlene99]

Did u take both those drugs together?

[ruth_p in reply to Arlene99]

No not at the same time.

[CazFlute]

Sertraline will only help if you are clinically depressed. In my experience it starts to make a difference in the first week, which is consolidated in the second week and thereafter.

My only comment would be that it’s not easy to stop taking it. It must be tapered slowly and there can be unpleasant side effects.

[Catlady75]

I was on Sertraline which didn’t really work and then switched to Mirtazapine..game changer for me. I have severe and chronic insomnia when I get a depressive episode and within 3 days I was sleeping and feeling much better.

I have tried multiple anti depressants but Mirtazapine has been the best by far.

I have had Psoriatic Arthritis with chronic Enthesitis since i was 38 and am now 47 and no longer able to work.

I find the anti depressant has greatly helped my pain and eased my sleep problems too. Chronic inflammation inhibits the brains ability to produce seratonin so taking a small dose of 7.5mg a day is enough to help me cope much better with my mental and physical health.

[lindyloo2018 in reply to Catlady75]

plse could you tell me if you are allowed to have a glass of wine with Mirtz ?

[Catlady75 in reply to lindyloo2018]

I don’t drink alcohol because of the methotrexate and mirtazapine, you may find you get a headache

[lindyloo2018]

Hi, thanks, but gp has only offered sertraline or mirtazapine, I would have to see someone privately to get different drugs.

have you used venlafaxine and pregabalin ?

many thanks

[lindyloo2018]

many thanks

[lindyloo2018]

are you in london? if so please could you tell me what hospital you are under for your RA ? thanks