starting mirtazapine

[HelloMist]

Is anyone else about to start mirtazapine?

I've taken it before, so have an idea what to expect, but it was a long time ago. Expecting weight gain again and hoping I can try not to snack as much this time. Don't remember feeling too tired or zombie like. But perhaps it could affect me slightly differently this time, or I've forgotten!

I've just tried venlafaxine for anxiety but didn't get on with it so have been tapering it down in the last couple of weeks. Will probably start mirtazapine Friday night (so that I have the weekend to adjust a bit or rest, DC starts back at school this week.)

I started it 12 days ago. So far so good. Has increased appetite but prior to starting it I was suffering with severe panic and depression so was barely eating anything. I felt very sleepy straight after taking it for the first few days but that has now started to wear off

When I was on it, I slept for 18 hours the first day, and ate butter from the tub just to satiate my hunger. Slept so much, and gained so much weight.
The sleepiness did wear off but the hunger never did. My therapist even told me I ended up "huge" on it.
With all meds, it is a case of weighing up the side effects with how it helps your mental health. That is something only you can answer.

Zeno - what dose were you on? Did the side effects change at all if you changed dose?

Sorry meant xeno!

hi @katiebrighton and @XenoBitch, thanks for the replies. That's scary Xeno! But true about weighing up the benefits and costs. I previously tried it for moderate depression, this time it's more anxiety.

Good question about dose, are you on 15mg, Katie? Glad not too bad so far, and sounds like appetite is a good thing in your case.

Yep. Only on 15 at the mo. I was fat to start off with though so but worried

@katiebrighton hope it'll help you in the short term, do you feel like it is already? Then later on, as Xeno said, you can balance out benefit Vs negatives and see if you want to continue with this drug or try something else. Have you tried others previously?

My first 3 days have been ok but I'm glad I started over a weekend. Been taking it about an hour before I aimed to be in bed (tip I read on another thread) and that is working quite well, definitely out like a light and slept well. Bit hard to wake up but first school morning not too bad. (Only as much of a scramble as usual ).

I get a bad taste in my mouth (DH kindly pointed out awful morning breath!), harder to stop once already snacking but so far wouldn't say more appetite.

Sunday: had nice, unplanned day out with DD, more motivation to go somewhere than expected! Slightly overdid it maybe but this week might the last of the good weather.

Hope anyone reading is doing OK.

@HelloMist it's definitely helping already with the panic and anxiety and has lifted some of the depression. I'm getting a few tension/pressure type headaches which is apparently common. Glad you are feeling ok on it xx

That's good to hear. Thank you x

I'm a week in. I seem to be more motivated to get up and do stuff! But almost to the level of feeling "activated" or hyperactive, planning something or doing too much in a day. I can't see many others saying this happened on Mirtazapine.
I want to remember to take it earlier tonight. I've started staying up too late.

Hi @HelloMist how are you doing on the mirtazipine now? I’m 4 weeks in and doing well I think! Def greedier tho...

@katiebrighton how are you finding it now?

I've come off it. I put on 30lb since I started! Switched to escitalopram and so far so good.

Mirt got me out of a massive black hole but not good for me long term.

How are you doing?

I've been on it for a few years, but when I started on it (15mg), I craved carbohydrates like mad (subsequently gained weight), and after a while, the GP increased the dosage to 30mg. That made me feel quite spaced - out. I eventually ended up on 45mg and have been on that strength for about 3 years, been fine on it.