Mirtazapine?

[Oldiemumsy]

Just started on this because psychiatrist thinks it might help me sleep. Was on venlafaxine for years but as it has no known sedative effect, psych put me on Mirtazapine. I don’t feel sleepy in the slightest, have developed back pain - it feels like my kidneys hurt. Psych says this is not a known side effect. Also feel slightly “drunk “ especially when walking and my arms twitch involuntarily.
I’ve only been on this for about a week and half, so early days. Are the side effects likely to wear off over time or should I ask for something else? I don’t really like to feel drunk or twitchy but my psych is not the most cooperative and I don’t want to get in to her bad books by complaining too much.
Should I wait and see whether the sedative effect will kick in after awhile?
Any words of wisdom gratefully received.

I'm on mitarzapine and the first time I took it, it totally knocked me out, but the sedative effect has worn off over time (I started last November).

As for the twitchy thing, I got restless legs about an hour after taking it but that also wore off but it took about two or three weeks.

If it's really not agreeing with you, I would say something though. You aren't getting the required result it was prescribed for (the sedative effect). The first time I took it, I literally couldn't keep my eyes open. I'm assuming you're taking it just before bed?

Yes, I’m taking it just before going to bed. I think it helped the first night but that seems to have been it. Last night I slept for maybe three hours which isn’t really enough. I just worry that if I complain I will be left without any medication. I have complex mental health issues and don’t think I would cope at all without meds. There is very little other treatment available anyway.

I was prescribed it for depression, as one of my symptoms was little to no sleep. It knocked me out about half an hour after I took it, had 6 or 7 hours most nights. I believe the sedative effect is stronger on lower doses. It did also make me feel spaced out and cotton headed particularly in the first few weeks, and when I came off it.

I take a low dose. I think it's the least doses that help with sleep so 7.5 or15 mg.

Ok, that’s interesting. I was on 15mg for four nights and then told to increase to 30mg. It seems to work in the opposite way to most other psych medications then. The higher the dose the more sedative they are.
I think, I will have a word with my doctor then.

I am on 30mg and I was given the higher dosage for the very reason that the higher it is, the less the sedative effect.

I will definitely need to speak to my doctor about this. She hasn’t really informed me about the specifics relating to these meds at all. At least I now know to ask about the most suitable dose. I’m glad I posted the question.