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Mental health

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Original poster

Mirtazapine 30mg to 45mg

58 replies

Joanissy · 12/02/2020 16:20

Hi everyone,

Long story short I was diagnosed with PND/Anxiety in November, my son is 9 months old now.
I was originally prescribed Sertraline but I couldnt tolerate it at all. The GP then gave me 15mg of Mirtazapine and within two weeks I felt totally normal. Unfortunately that only lasted for another two weeks. He then increased it to 30mg and I am am nearly finished week 7 of the increased dose. In the meantime I have been referred to a Psychiatrist, who told me to keep going until week 8, that it takes 6-8 weeks for the anxiety to go. I have seen incremental improvements in the last few weeks particularly, I even had a quite good week last week, anxiety was still there but much lower level, but the last two days the anxiety has increased again.
Overall I would say it is v v slowly improving, with the good days getting stronger and the bad days getting weaker. The anxiety is worse that the low mood.
I just am losing hope that I will be normal by the 8 week mark, as today is really not a good day. Should I go back to the Psych and request an increase to 45mg? Has anyone had a similiar experience to mine where the 30mg finally worked after so long? Or where they increased to 45mg and it did the trick?? Ive had very few side effects so far, really none to mention.

I am being as patient as I possibly can but my life has been on hold and Im really losing hope.

Any advice or reassurance would be so great!

OP posts:

Original poster

Joanissy · 13/02/2020 08:36

Anyone got any advice?? Feeling really low this morning :(

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Original poster

Joanissy · 15/02/2020 10:19

Bump

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winningwhilstlosing · 15/02/2020 17:46

Hi @Joanissy I have recently increased from 30 to 45 and it does seem to have made a difference - less anxiety and feeling more stable. Still quite early days but hoping it continues.

MaMisled · 15/02/2020 17:55

Sorry you are struggling.

I know 2 people, who, coincidentally, had mirtazapine increased from 30mg to 45mg, within the last 6 weeks. Both report a noticeable reduction in anxiety and one found herself singing along to the radio this week for the first time in over a year!

PorpentinaScamander · 15/02/2020 18:00

I increased up to 45mg of Mirtazipine quite quickly. It doesnt help my anxiety at all sadly so I also take Propranolol.

You can always ask for an increase and if it doesn't make any difference then drop back down to 30mg. That's what my dr told me to do.

Original poster

Joanissy · 15/02/2020 18:06

Thank you for your reply @winningwhilstlosing if you don’t mind me asking when did you increase? I spoke to my psych on Friday and he told me to go up to 45mg, so I’m on day 2 now. Apart from feeling v agitated on the first morning I haven’t noticed anything too major in terms of side effects.

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Original poster

Joanissy · 15/02/2020 18:10

Thank @MaMisled it’s been really difficult as I’ve never had any mental health issues before. I’m hoping to see an improvement in the next few weeks or will ask to change to something else.

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Original poster

Joanissy · 15/02/2020 18:13

@PorpentinaScamander sorry to hear you are in the same boat with regards anxiety. Did the Mirtazapine help at all? I find it has helped me as I was really a basket case before I took it, couldn’t sit still, mind racing etc. How do you find the propranodol?

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PorpentinaScamander · 15/02/2020 18:16

The mirtazipine helps me sleep and therefore makes my depression "less". Its been so long since I felt "normal" I actually couldn't tell you if it 'works' completely or not. I was previously on sertraline and even at maximum dose I was a basket case. I guess the mirtazapine must do something.

The propranolol (which I was originally prescribed for migraines) helps with the panic attacks. I can actually leave the house if I take them.

Graphista · 15/02/2020 18:30

I'm on mirtazipine. It's not doing very much for me at all.

I'm on 45 it's helped the depression. Very very slightly but the anxiety is horrendous still.

I was pretty much abandoned by mh team but have an appointment coming up soon.

Meds are the first thing I want sorted, I know I won't get better without the right meds.

But...everyone is different.

I've been on lots of different antidepressants. Some had no effect, some made me more ill and some worked very well at first but I either became resistant (they stopped working) or started suffering allergy/side effects issues and had to stop taking.

Some of the antidepressants I've been on I know others on them and ones that didn't work for me worked well for them or vice versa.

So hard to find the right meds.

Give them a chance to work but if they don't. Don't be fobbed off and ask to be changed to something else.

Good luck to you it's shit having poor mh

Original poster

Joanissy · 15/02/2020 18:40

@PorpentinaScamander sounds like it’s been a rough road for you, so sorry to hear it. I find my anxiety is gradually getting better, but so gradual that sometimes I wonder if I’m imagining it. I will give the 45 a few weeks longer and review.
Good luck!

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winningwhilstlosing · 15/02/2020 18:41

@Joanissy I increased about 3 weeks ago now. I was very sceptical that it would make any difference - but I do seem to be coping with life more. I’m not going to pretend that it’s perfect but I have gone from constantly wondering if I can get through another day to getting to the end of without those thoughts. I don’t know if I’m explaining myself very well but life just seems more liveable!

winningwhilstlosing · 15/02/2020 18:41

getting to the end of the day

Original poster

Joanissy · 15/02/2020 18:42

@Graphista sorry to hear you’re having a hard time and the Mirt isn’t helping, it’s so tricky and everything takes so long. Hope you find the right fit soon x

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Original poster

Joanissy · 15/02/2020 18:44

@winningwhilstlosing sounds like it is going in the right direction... did the 30 do anything for you? May I ask when you noticed the change with the 45? I’m hoping to see some improvement within the next couple of weeks, when the 15 worked it kicked in on day 10 and I had a great couple of weeks but then it stopped working.

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PorpentinaScamander · 15/02/2020 18:55

Sorry so many others are struggling. I hope we all come through this soon

winningwhilstlosing · 15/02/2020 19:40

Hi @Joanissy I would say probably in the last week or so I’ve just noticed that life just seems a bit more bearable. I’ve no idea if the improvements will continue - I hope so. Last year I made an attempt to end my life and I really don’t want to ever feel that bad again. There are other antidepressants to try if you don’t feel the increase is working. It can be tough having a young child - please be kind to yourself. Xx

RositaEspinosa · 15/02/2020 19:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Babyg1995 · 15/02/2020 19:49

I had pnd and the doc increased it to 45mg as I was getting worse I really believe mirtazapine got me through that horrible time they made a huge difference to my life I hope things improve for you too op pnd is a horrible thing like you I had never had any mh issue at all untill I had my youngest .

Original poster

Joanissy · 15/02/2020 20:46

@winningwhilstlosing I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve had such a horrible time, really hope things improve. I’ve never had depression or anxiety before but I have so much empathy for people who do now that I know what it’s really like. Take care x

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Original poster

Joanissy · 15/02/2020 20:49

@RositaEspinosa thank you, that has given me hope as I also feel the 30 was definitely helping somewhat, I’ve had some good days and mostly feel fine in the evening so I do think it is working. I hope I will be the same as you and will return to normal soon, I had a real meltdown this morning as I just felt so desperate after months of this and scared I will never get my life back. Anyway thanks for your post and hope you continue to feel well x

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Original poster

Joanissy · 15/02/2020 20:53

@Babyg1995 thanks for your reply it’s also really reassuring. My anxiety keeps telling me I’m not going to get better and makes me feel like the Mirtazapine isn’t working so it’s v encouraging to hear similiar stories that are successful. PND is just so shocking, I let mine go on for too long and really only addressed it when my baby was 6 months, the first few months were fine and it was only when he was around 4 months that I thought something was a little off. Anyway glad you are through the other side, I hope I will follow suit x

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Babyg1995 · 15/02/2020 21:01

You will op trust me I felt the exact same I really thought I would never get better mines was so severe I couldn't see me ever being me again but I did get to being me again I'm now pregnant with dc3 and have been fine so far my depression has actually started in pregnancy .
But if it was to happen again I have everything in place to make a complete recovery you will get better op.

Original poster

Joanissy · 15/02/2020 21:07

Thanks @Babyg1995 I truly hope so! Congratulations on your pregnancy, it’s also encouraging to hear of people with PND having another baby, it must mean a full recovery is possible. I hope it goes smoothly for you without any problems, thanks again x

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Babyg1995 · 15/02/2020 21:12

Thank you definitely it was hard a full recovery does happen my sister also had it twice and a few of my friends too it's really common and we have all fully recovered and you will too

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