Mirtazapine, some advice please.

[Karmagoat]

I've just been prescribed mirtazapine this morning by the nurse at my local gp, bit of a back story I was prescribed venlafaxine for anxiety/depression in september which I took twice a day but they were making me feel 100 times worse so came off them for a bit but doc said I should try them again because I didn't give them long enough so have been on them the last 3 weeks and basically I ended up in a&e on Friday night (on recommendation after my husband phoned 111) because I was in such a state, having suicidal thoughts and couldn't calm down. Was told by the doc there to come off them and go back to my gp which I did this morning. I'm very wary of taking these new ones because of how I reacted to the venlafaxine and have also read that mirtazapine can cause weight gain which I really don't need as I'm already a size 16. Just would appreciate hearing if anyone has any experience or advice with this drug. Thanks

sorry if that was a bit of a ramble

I'm on mirtazapine, it's been the best for me so far, only major side effect is sleep and weird dreams.

No weight gain whatsoever and I have anorexia so that worried me hugely to begin with

The weight gain thing is real. I went from a 16 to 22. BUT I didn't know this until too late. Turned me into a carb monster !
As you are aware , perhaps you can keep an eye on your diet and be very vigilant about keeping it healthy and away from the stodge.
The up side , great for helping sleep without being addictive. (I was prescribed for insomnia)

As lack of sleep is very unhelpful for MH problems - this alone could be a good reason to take them.

Any reason why you ended up being prescribed this drug by a Nurse rather than a good chat about the way forward with a fully qualified GP ?

Mirtazapine is brilliant for sleep and lots of people get on well with it. Hope it works for you but I'd give it some time

It has really helped to stabilize my mood - I also have Sertraline in the morning. I was overweight to begin with; I don’t think I’ve gained any extra tbh. Weight was the least of my worries when at a real low.

I put on weight, a stone in a month so came off and tried something else. they are used as an appetite stimulant. good for heavy sleep though.

Im still in two minds as although i really need something for the anxiety i know that if i put more weight on it will make me feel even more shit about myself in the long run. parchworkpatty my local gp surgery is pretty shit, I have had numerous doctors appointments over the last couple of months and can never get an appointment with the same doctor. Can't make appointments in advance and can only phone for one from 8am on the day so it's pot luck who you get to see and none of them seem to be very clued up about mental health other than dishing out medication

I've been on this for a couple of weeks at a low dose (on top of sertraline). It helps a bit with sleep and no impact on appetite yet. I briefly tried venlafaxine but I hated it but not had any of the same side effects yet on this one.

I have this any yes it is good for sleep, also sadly does stimulate the appetite. A few years ago I was on a similar drug called dosulepin, which had the nice sedative thing without the weight gain. They don't seem to prescribe this now because it's very toxic apparently . I remember the Dr telling me not to overdose on it because it would deffo kill me, yeah great thing to say to a depressed person

Mrsjohnmurphy your doctor sounds as good as mine! that's so bad!