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Original poster

Mirtazapine- how long to work?

28 replies

SameKeyThough · 13/10/2022 18:20

Desperate to feel better. I'm so anxious and also depressed. Also taking citaopram (have been on for many years, at highest dose), and propanalol and lorazepam prn. I've been on the mirtazapine just over 3 weeks - 2 weeks at 15mg and 10 days at 30mg. I don't feel any better - some brighter days but some much worse ones too. I know everyone responds differently but I'm feeling beyond hopeless at the moment. Please any words of encouragement appreciated.

OP posts:
Bramblejoos · 13/10/2022 18:44

It’s early days but you seem to be taking several things, could they be interfering with each other.

Original poster
SameKeyThough · 13/10/2022 19:12

You're right, it is a lot. My psychiatrist has prescribed them all, I think they are OK to take together though. I hope so anyway.

OP posts:
username345 · 13/10/2022 19:22

I was on mirtazepine for three months and though it helped with sleep, it didn't work to alleviate depression. I came off it and am on something else now which does work.

Original poster
SameKeyThough · 13/10/2022 19:25

@username345 can I ask what you are taking now?

OP posts:
username345 · 13/10/2022 19:28

SameKeyThough · 13/10/2022 19:25

@username345 can I ask what you are taking now?

I'm on Venlafaxine. It started to work in the first week and helped to alleviate my depression.

AndSoFinally · 13/10/2022 19:39

Takes 4-6 weeks to work. It's more sedating at the lower doses so you might find you sleep less well as the dose increases, until it kicks in (if insomnia was one of your symptoms)

SallyWD · 13/10/2022 19:58

It works brilliantly for my husband but did take about 6 weeks to work. It helped his sleep, anxiety and depression.

Original poster
SameKeyThough · 13/10/2022 20:17

Thank you, I'm just hoping it works soon. I've been trying to get well for a year now - tried several different medications but they haven't quite got me back where I used to be. My psychiatrist wants to try switching my citalopram to sertraline next but I'm very scared by that idea. Increasing the citalopram up to 40mg last year was one of the most horrendous experiences of my life. So I want to give the mirtazapine a chance.

OP posts:
Original poster
SameKeyThough · 14/10/2022 09:40

Another awful morning. I really can't take much more of this. Desperate.

OP posts:
SallyWD · 14/10/2022 10:30

Please hang in there. It definitely takes 6 to 8 weeks to work for my husband. He feels no difference after 3 weeks. Usually after 6 to 7 weeks the darkness and anxiety starts to lift.

Original poster
SameKeyThough · 14/10/2022 10:46

@SallyWD thank you. I'm struggling to see the way through. Had some lorazepam this morning but still very anxious.

OP posts:
SallyWD · 14/10/2022 10:48

I'm so sorry. If you're really desperate do call your GP. In the meantime just try to take one hour, one minute at a time. I know what it's like, I've been there.

AndSoFinally · 14/10/2022 15:47

Ask your doctor to consider switching the citalopram to venlafaxine if he's considering a swap. Venlafaxine plus mirtazepine is a very good combination (all usual considerations applied)

Original poster
SameKeyThough · 14/10/2022 16:51

@AndSoFinally he has mentioned venlafaxine as a possible treatment, but I have tried that in the past (about 20 years ago mind you) and didn't get on well with it. I cant remember exactly why but we switched to citalopram or fluoxetine which worked better.

OP posts:
Original poster
SameKeyThough · 15/10/2022 11:38

Not sure how much more I can take of this. Think I may have to go back into hospital. If I can manage the weekend even.

OP posts:
SallyWD · 15/10/2022 14:36

I'm so sorry to hear this. Do you have any friends or family who can be with you?When I was having a nervous breakdown it really helped me to just have someone there. Can you put a funny film on or read a book? I know it sounds so trivial but I find pleasant distractions helped.

Original poster
SameKeyThough · 15/10/2022 15:07

Thank you, I have my husband here, he is a great support although struggling himself now as it all feels rather hopeless. I'm distracting myself with Tipping point and candy crush - can't concentrate on much more than that.

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Original poster
SameKeyThough · 21/10/2022 16:55

Hopeful bump for any other experiences?

OP posts:
SallyWD · 21/10/2022 18:09

How are you feeling now OP?

Original poster
SameKeyThough · 21/10/2022 18:19

Not too good. I'm really anxious and also very depressed. I'm relying on lorazepam to get me through each day but that isn't a long term solution. I'm seeing my psychiatrist on Tuesday and we may decide to make the switch to sertraline. I'm dreading that. But then something has to change. It's been 4.5 weeks on mirtazapine now, 2 weeks at 15mg and 2.5 weeks at 30mg. I don't know how much longer to give it.

OP posts:
Twistedbumcrack · 21/10/2022 21:13

I've been taking them three weeks today and if you asked me today if they were working, I would say not. Very bad day today. Im hoping they kick in soon for both of us.

Hope you feel better soon. I was on sertraline and it worked wonders, but due to other issues, I can no longer take it.

Original poster
SameKeyThough · 22/10/2022 10:53

@Twistedbumcrack same sort of time then as me. Have you seen any improvement? Maybe it's still too early. Hope you see an improvement soon - maybe you could update the thread if you do and I'll do the same?

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Twistedbumcrack · 22/10/2022 11:05

@SameKeyThough I get some days where I think 'yeah come on, these are working, maybe slightly but working' then there are days like yesterday. It's truly horrible and I really hope these help you.

I'll definitely update. I've been prescribed another month and see how it goes after that. That will be eight weeks and would hope enough time to say yes or no.

Be good to hear how you're doing too just for comparison. Smile fingers crossed for us both.

Original poster
SameKeyThough · 22/10/2022 11:10

Thank you. I really just want to wake up without the awful gnawing anxiety (which I take propanalol for but it seems to do bugger all). I'm really struggling. Thank god I have lorazepam or I really don't know what I would do.

OP posts:
Twistedbumcrack · 26/10/2022 12:41

@SameKeyThough how are you doing? Still no change for me. So much so I had to just go to bed early last night. Figured sleeping was better than putting up with the anxiety. Today marks four full weeks...

Was reading some stuff online that said six to eight weeks, but the fact side effects like hunger and tiredness were there was a good sign. Trying to be positive.