Depression

[bedith6]

Hi everyone Because the Prozac my G.P. prescribed made my RLS go through the roof he has now prescribed Mirtazapine. I am reluctant to take it until I know if anyone else has and if it helped or made their RLS worse. Regards to you all.

[Hidden]

Yeah it sent my RLS haywire.

[RAYJAYC]

Hi bedith6

I take Mirtazapine as an adjunct to Duloxetine for depression and along with with Ropinirole, it has helped me greatly.

RAYJAYC

[Tease-ah]

Hi Bedith6, I went on Mirtazapine for my sleepdisorder (45mg oraldispersible at bedtime), as I take my Pramipexole 2 hours before bedtime, the Mirtazapine works really fast. I noticed no difference in my RLS. Tessa.

[1965]

I found this drug made me extremely hungry to the point of two stone in less than a month, it also made me think irrationally . I was happy to go back to mirapex afterwards. I realize each drug affects people individually. I wish you luck finding the one for you, best wishes

[RAYJAYC in reply to 1965]

Unfortunately, Mirtazapine is also used as an appetite stimulant for folk with eating issues so yes, me too, ravenous especially an hour or so after taking each dose and have put on, along with an ongoing weight problem, 3 stone since being at a therapeutic dose.

It's a minefield trying to get optimum results with the side effects of any therapy isn't it?!

I've got doctors in one ear saying I need to lose some weight with others more concerned with my mental health so prescribing medication that makes it near impossible to do it!!

As I've said however, the Mirtazapine has helped a lot with the RLS so..................

RAYJAYC

[nightdancer in reply to RAYJAYC]

Just so you guys know, I have lost 20 lbs since I started taking Mirtazapine and have no hunger cravings,. This is the first I have ever heard of that side effect in all these years.

[John_naylor]

From RLS book by Buchfuhrer/Hening/Kushida: Mirtazapine - people with RLS should use with caution, studies have demonstrated that it tends to worsen symptoms. It lists, as antidepressants that do not worsen RLS: bupropion, desipramine, trazodone, protriptyline?, nortriptyline?

Good luck

John

[Pippins2 in reply to John_naylor]

One of the best resource books ever for us Restless Leggers!..Pipps

[nightdancer in reply to John_naylor]

The study he quotes, he had to give the results, but it was only 28 people, and was done over a 6 week period, so even Dr. B says that does not really give good results from that one SMALL study, and he would rather go by word of mouth because he has found more people that it has helped and not worsened RLS, than when that study was done a million yrs ago. There are always exceptions, but he recommends using this over an SSRI or a tricyclic by a mile.

[John_naylor in reply to nightdancer]

Sorry, wasn't trying to diss Mirtazapine, I have never tried it but I encourage all RLS'ers to read up from books as above and be better informed as GP knowledge is low and occasionally cranky advice is given on some forums. I am on Tramadol and my doc gave me Amitriptelene and what a trip I went on! Never again.....

[bedith6]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I have such a phobia now about making my RLS worse that really I'm afraid to take anything for my depression and I only have depression because of RLS.! I think I'll go down the road to counselling and try to be more positive in myself. Regards to all on this site who are so so helpful.X

[Pippins2 in reply to bedith6]

Hi Bedith ,I changed from Paroxetine to Mirtazapine.My legs were worse on Paroxetine .Hope you are able to find one to suit.As you are feeling low i am sending you one of my hugs ..Pippins x

[bedith6 in reply to Pippins2]

Thanks Pippins hugs very welcomeX

[happyjackandjoan]

you have a job come off prozac

[nightdancer]

Mirtazapine is in a class by itself, It is nothing like an SSRI )Prozac or paxil) and nothing like a tricyclic (as in Amitriptyline) Mirtazapine is taken by several RLSer's I know, and it totally got rid of panic attacks and anxiety. There are no studies to show good or bad, and it is much better in general than an SSRI or a tricyclic. it is all trial and error, but I can almost promise you that it will not be anything like the Prozac. I have been on 90 mgs a day (fairly high dose) for the last 5 yrs and no issues with it, just have no more panic attacks. It got so bad I could not leave the house, but I have my "freedom" back now! That is MY experience.