MIRTAZAPINE

[laglag]

Has anyone tried this antidepressant? My neurologist suggested I take it at night to help me sleep better and to also help with some stress I've been going through recently. I looked up the side effects and they seem a little scary, but so does side effects with most drugs. Thanks.

[jeffreyn]

I take 15mg mirtazapine every evening. In regards to getting a good night's sleep, a psychiatrist told me that 15mg is better than 30mg.

It also seems to help with my tremor. I tried stopping it for 2 weeks and my tremor was worse during those 2 weeks. However, this might also be an indirect effect, as my sleep was worse during those 2 weeks.

In regards to negative side effects, I have not encountered any, but I have read that it is fairly common to put on weight.

[Juliegrace]

My 89 year old mother-in-law who does not have PD takes it. It has definitely helped her with depression and sleep.

[jeeves19]

Works great for me

[sleezy]

I couldn't take it and had serious side effects. However, I have chronic kidney disease and that may have helped cause my intolerance to this medicine.

[Tapehead_81]

Hi

I too was given these a while back and they are still on the shelf - 36 (dx at 29) and stubborn.

Has anyone tried these or similar?

[Dap1948]

I take half a tablet every night -7.5mg. It helps with anxiety, depression and tremor. I'd rather take Mirtazapine than extra ldopa meds!

[laglag in reply to Dap1948]

My doctor did recommend just trying a 1/2 dose.

Thanks for everyone's replies!

[jombi in reply to Dap1948]

OK with Azilect?

[Dap1948 in reply to jombi]

Yes I take both.

[jeffreyn in reply to jombi]

Me too.

[Trixiedee]

I take a quarter or a third every night. If I take a whole one I feel really groggy in the morning.

[Gaz1403]

I've been taking 15 mg (one at night) for a two or three years - I did increase to an extra one in the morning when I was going through a particularly bad patch (splitting up with my wife) but now I'm over that I'm fine on one.

I am sure it must include a small amount of sleeping tablet as it certainly helps me get to sleep fairly quickly.

[Dingler]

Had my meds increased a few months back which led to insomnia,anxiety and depression overnight (believe that the meds led to insomnia then the rest followed)

After a couple of months of a downward spiral I went to my GP who prescribed Mirtazapine 30mg .............slept like a baby from first night and all the other issues gradually disappeared. No side effects but you do eat a bit more (no bad thing for me as I had lost weight). I take it approx an hour before bedtime. My only concern is relying on it long-term and withdrawal symptoms If/when I come off it ............ but that worry is for another day

Good Luck !

[laglag]

Thanks for all your comments. I haven't researched this a lot yet, but I did read something about withdrawal symptoms when coming off the med, but it didn't say what those symptoms were & how long they would last. That's what I fear. In addition to PD for 15 years, I'm taking care of my Dad and it's almost too much for me to handle at times. I take Xanex occasionally, just when I feel extremely stressed or I can't sleep well & it helps, but doesn't last. I take it maybe 2 or 3 times a week. Seems like most that have responded on the Mirtazapine have been successful with results. I'll have to think about this......

[Dingler]

I can quite understand you taking your time about this ........ but just for info, one of my main concerns in taking Mirtazapine was possible interaction with PD meds ......... I really researched this and found that it was seen as having little or no complications.

As I said before my other main concern was to do with dependency and withdrawal and I chose to try and get back into some normality and worry about that at a later date

As always DYOR (Do Your Own Research)

PS My tremor has lessened substantially since I started taking it but that could be due to the lack of insomnia rather than the drug itself

[laglag]

My neurologist said that some pharmacists will say that it interferes with Azilect, but she said it was ok. She's a movement disorder specialist & I trust her opinion.

I understand what you are saying about insomnia causing a lot of our problems.

I appreciate your input.

[Annie11]

I am on it since April... I have had a 15 lb wt gain but usually sleep thru the night.

[rebtar]

It’s helped me with sleep and depression. No side effects except some grogginess in the morning. It’s possible to discontinue this type of drug if you titrate very slowly. Stopping abruptly never a good idea.

[marion11005]

I was put on it by a movement disorder Dr years ago, who said it was the best one for PWP. I only need to take 1/2 of a 30 mg tablet at bedside. It definitely helps you sleep.

[Blackfeather]

I'm considering trying mirtazapine but There is a problem I have with frequent nighttime urination (polyuria). Wondering if I would wake to pee or wet the bed. Thoughts ?

[laglag in reply to Blackfeather]

Good question. I once took Ambien & talked to a friend on the phone that night & didn't remember it the next day. The was the one & only time I took it.

[jeffreyn in reply to Blackfeather]

If it was me, I would just wear an "adult Pampers" for the first few nights.

[Juliegrace in reply to Blackfeather]

My 89 year old mother-in-law (does not have PD) takes it and she has bladder control issues. She typically gets up once during the night to pee and goes right back to sleep. It doesn't knock her out, just helps her to sleep.

[LAJ12345]

My husband has been on it for a few years and he is trying to wean himself off as he doesn’t like the side effects which are feeling out of it in the morning. It also can cause apathy and fatigue which are his two worse PD symptoms so we really want to see his symptoms without the mirtazapine to see whether it is the PD or mirtazapine causing this. The apathy especially is an awful thing as he can’t make himself do almost anything and he just wants to sit and do nothing or sleep all day. He won’t go or do anything new. He has gone from 30mg to about 9 mg now over about 2 months. It is sure hard getting off it again but it was a Godsend at the start as he had been on fluoxetine and it made him suicidal and the mirtazapine calmed him right down. He isn’t taking any other PD drugs yet. I have managed to get him exercising regularly and onto a lot of vitamins and a sugar and gluten free diet and his anxiety is no worse than when he was on the full 30 mg of mirtazapine.