Sleeping way too much on new AD mirtazapine, do I tell work

[Talktalkchat]

I was given mirtazapine and it’s way too sedating. I was awake since 9am (was talking to myself saying I need to get X chore done( but couldn’t get myself out of bed.

I will speak to GP but you know what they are like - don’t deviate from what the psychiatrist dosage.

I would be happy with 1/4 dosage as can always taper up.

Work are aware of my MH issues, but not about me starting a new medication. There is a position become available for a supervisor so I don’t want to ruin my chance.

My colleagues will ask me about my sleepiness etc. Just don’t know what to do .

Are you taking it in the evening? I’ve been prescribed this because of it’s sedative effects and it’s given me full nights of sleep for the first time in years. However I am waking up fine and getting on with my day.

@NotAnotherPushyMum

Are you taking it in the evening? I’ve been prescribed this because of it’s sedative effects and it’s given me full nights of sleep for the first time in years. However I am waking up fine and getting on with my day.

Yep last night at 10pm.

How much are you taking?

Only 15mg, with the option for it then to be titrated upwards if necessary, I think they might do this at my next review. I take mine earlier, at about 8pm, maybe you need to play around with the timing a little bit?

Mirtazapine can be more sedating at lower doses for some people.

@NotAnotherPushyMum

Only 15mg, with the option for it then to be titrated upwards if necessary, I think they might do this at my next review. I take mine earlier, at about 8pm, maybe you need to play around with the timing a little bit?

What time do you sleep at? Because it knocks me out straight away…. So 8:30pm bed time is quite early….

@GiovanniBitMe

Mirtazapine can be more sedating at lower doses for some people.

Yes, I’ve read that somewhere too, so I’m slightly reluctant to let them up my dosage, just in case I stop sleeping again!

@GiovanniBitMe

Mirtazapine can be more sedating at lower doses for some people.

So I asked the pharmacist about that and she didn’t mention it. Also I think it’s a myth because there aren’t any back up studies (but this was again a quick Google search).

I feel rotten.

What time do you sleep at? Because it knocks me out straight away…. So 8:30pm bed time is quite early

I’ve been going to bed at about 9, I think in my over enthusiasm for finally being able to sleep well!

@NotAnotherPushyMum

What time do you sleep at? Because it knocks me out straight away…. So 8:30pm bed time is quite early

I’ve been going to bed at about 9, I think in my over enthusiasm for finally being able to sleep well!

What time do you wake up? Do you have a tested sleep? I’m feeling so edgy and can’t concentrate. What’s your dosage?

I wouldn’t care if I went to bed at 9pm and woke up at 7:30am without feeling drugged

I’m waking at about 7.30/8 and feeling ready to wake up, not the awful hangover type feeling of waking before I’ve slept enough. That’s on 15mg.

@NotAnotherPushyMum

I’m waking at about 7.30/8 and feeling ready to wake up, not the awful hangover type feeling of waking before I’ve slept enough. That’s on 15mg.

How long have you been on it?

Is it really sleeping though?

Different drugs work in different ways - I was way too restless and agitated on mirtazapine and came off it for that reason. If it doesn't suit you, there are other options.

My psychiatrist said it's definitely more sedating the lower the dose.

@paisley256

My psychiatrist said it's definitely more sedating the lower the dose.

What dosage are you on?

I really want to increase if that’s the case.

Do you think my GP could do that?

@mynameiscalypso

Different drugs work in different ways - I was way too restless and agitated on mirtazapine and came off it for that reason. If it doesn't suit you, there are other options.

I’m like a zombie after one night…. But I don’t know how much longer to take it for… plus it’s the work issue :(

I stopped taking mirtazapine as they sedating effect was causing me so much anxiety that I was unable to get up or work properly. I got switched onto Venlaflaxine which worked wonders for me.

@NotAnotherPushyMum

I’m waking at about 7.30/8 and feeling ready to wake up, not the awful hangover type feeling of waking before I’ve slept enough. That’s on 15mg.

It’s quite bad :/

@AliceAnnie

I stopped taking mirtazapine as they sedating effect was causing me so much anxiety that I was unable to get up or work properly. I got switched onto Venlaflaxine which worked wonders for me.

How long did you take the medication before coming of it?

@Talktalkchat

I was given mirtazapine and it’s way too sedating. I was awake since 9am (was talking to myself saying I need to get X chore done( but couldn’t get myself out of bed.

I will speak to GP but you know what they are like - don’t deviate from what the psychiatrist dosage.

I would be happy with 1/4 dosage as can always taper up.

Work are aware of my MH issues, but not about me starting a new medication. There is a position become available for a supervisor so I don’t want to ruin my chance.

My colleagues will ask me about my sleepiness etc. Just don’t know what to do .

Tell them you're on new medication, but you're not obliged to tell them what it is, or what it's for. Just warn them about the side effects.

They’ll know what it’s for because I’ve already told them about MH. It’s just bad timing with this new promotion in the horizon and me being of my face on prescription drugs.

@Talktalkchat I was on it for about a month.
I had also taken olanzapine for about 3 months which was horrendous as it knocked you out even more! Venlaflaxine gave me more energy, stopped me feeling as anxious and depressed and I felt more like 'me' on it. However now I'm coming off V, it's really hard as the withdrawal effects are quite intense and you have to reduce your dose so slowly...

[quote AliceAnnie]@Talktalkchat I was on it for about a month.
I had also taken olanzapine for about 3 months which was horrendous as it knocked you out even more! Venlaflaxine gave me more energy, stopped me feeling as anxious and depressed and I felt more like 'me' on it. However now I'm coming off V, it's really hard as the withdrawal effects are quite intense and you have to reduce your dose so slowly...[/quote]
Thank you, why are you coming of Venlaflaxine?

I was on this to increase my appetite (another possible unwanted side effect). Since coming off of it I’ve noticed the effects on my sleep. It’s so sedating and I found it really hard to stop once I was ready to.
Also was told the higher the dose the less sedating it it

@Talktalkchat I am in a better place now thankfully, and am able to use therapy and lifestyle changes to manage my mental health issues. But I needed medication and it may be that when I go through hard times or am struggling I will go back on a higher dose. I'm now on a low dose of Venlaflaxine which I am going to reduce to 0 over next few weeks!