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Mental health

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Flip

Original poster

Mirtazapine - any experience of this AD?

22 replies

TigerFeet · 09/04/2008 19:15

Just been prescribed this as my new GP thinks that citalopram has stopped working... I've googled it (yes, I know...) and it seems as though side effects are more common than for other types of AD's

Anyone any experience?

TIA

OP posts:

Original poster

TigerFeet · 09/04/2008 20:21

bumpety bump

OP posts:

Original poster

TigerFeet · 09/04/2008 20:48

anyone?

OP posts:

fleximum · 09/04/2008 20:50

I've only used it in the elderly. From what I remember it is fairly strong stuff and can make people pretty drowsy so we usually gave it in the evenings. It is pretty good, especially if there is a psychotic element to depression (ie you are seeing/hearing things). I've seen it work very well.

Original poster

TigerFeet · 09/04/2008 20:55

Blimey - I am neither elderley nor psychotic!

Not looking forward to this at all

OP posts:

fleximum · 09/04/2008 20:57

I'm not saying it is only to be used in the elderly. We tend to use it as it seems to have fewer side effects in the elderly.

Original poster

TigerFeet · 09/04/2008 20:59

Thanks

Fewer side effects is good... age notwithstanding!

OP posts:

cherrylips · 09/04/2008 21:18

Hello!! I've also seen Mirtazapine work very well. It makes people feel more relaxed, and is good if you suffer from insomnia as part of your depressive illness. As fleximum says it seems to have fewer side effects in the elderly but is used in adults too. Citalopram is the weakest anti - depressant on the market, Im sure. Good luck with the Mirtazipine, try and stick with it for a few weeks, as desired effects may take a while to happen and side effects if any, usually dissipate and then stop with time. As your body gets used to this medication.

3kidsisquiteenuff · 10/04/2008 19:37

hi tigerfeet im on mirtazapine 15mg and have been since my son was born 20 months ago it has been a god send to me i was initally on fluoxetine but after 7 months of utter misery suffering badly with pnd my mental health team switched me to this and its made a huge difference to mine and my familys life coz it wasnt just me to suffer pnd effects everyone around you.my side affects were dry mouth easily overcome by upping the amount you drink .i took it just b4 i lay down to sleep and within minutes i was away with the faries lovely when you have been finding it hard to sleep.

3kidsisquiteenuff · 10/04/2008 19:41

hi tigerfeet i 4got to say another side affect was increased appetite i have put on 2 stone but i was fat anyway so it didnt bother me too much coz i have to put my mental health first

UnderRated · 10/04/2008 19:57

I'm on it and it has worked far better than other ADs I've tried. It hasn't helped my insomnia though.

3kidsisquiteenuff · 11/04/2008 13:49

are you ok tigerfeet been thinking about you and am worried

UnderRated · 11/04/2008 19:15

Hoping you are ok, Tigerfeet.

Original poster

TigerFeet · 14/04/2008 11:14

Hello all

You are all lovely for being worried but I am OK

I started taking the mirtazipine last Thursday and it has made me feel quite iffy but I am better now than I have been... I was very cross and weepy for the first couple of days but that seems to have worn off. I'm just incredibly sleepy now.

UR would you like to borrow some of my zzzzz's?

I know where I went wrong - I ignored the very specific advice on the data sheet not to drink alcohol - I had a couple of glasses on Fri night and a couple more on Sat. I didn't have any last night and guess what - I feel much better today

I rather suspect that if I am not drinking then maybe the extra calories I consume through increased appetite may well be cancelled out by lack of wine. But like you, 3kids, I am already fat but another 2 stone would make me morbidly obese so I really need to avoid that if I possibly can.

OP posts:

3kidsisquiteenuff · 14/04/2008 13:13

just remember your mental health is more important when your feeling better then its time to do something about it .i hope that what i said didnt put you off to much wasnt my intention. im morbidly obese now but id rather be like that than a misserable sod.
best not to drink with ad's tho

blushingm · 14/04/2008 16:07

i'm no this with 40mg fluoxwetine.....it's ok but it's made me really hungry and really tired i find it so hard to wake up now. Not sure if they are working - i have been on them since the begining of march so it's early days yet.....good luck xx

fiodyl · 16/04/2008 09:22

i used to take mirtazapine 45mg in two doses (morning and evening).It did help me feel a bit calmer just after taking it but had no effect on my sleeping. I was taken off it after a few months though as I was doing alot more 'crazy' things while on it and they thought it was a possible side effect.

Have u got the ones that melt in your mouth and taste like orange fanta?

mellowma · 16/04/2008 09:32

Message withdrawn

mellowma · 16/04/2008 09:32

Message withdrawn

3kidsisquiteenuff · 16/04/2008 12:45

yeah i had the orange ones too but now on tablet form 15mg i want to come off them and have tried but got the old panic attacks back so went back on them ,i want to lose the weight and im starting a diet on friday .wish me luck

blushingm · 16/04/2008 13:32

i have the orange ones at the mo - my last prescription were the tablets. I burp fanta all night

bunjies · 20/04/2008 20:33

Snap!

I have also just changed onto Mirtazapine (last Monday) after being on citalopram for about 2 years. I am amazed at how "drugged up" I feel but having read this thread I can see it's a common side effect. For the last couple of days I've been taking it at about 8.30pm after having got the children ready for bed as when I took it earlier it completely incapacitated me and I had to lie down for a couple of hours. This way I know the kids are sorted and I can get nice and drowsy for bedtime I have also noticed an increase in my appetite but unfortunately only for unhealthy things . I'm seriously overweight (about 4 stone) so this is not going to do me any favours at all.

Have had a dreadful week as a result of the changeover and as the kids have been on school hols it has been even more difficult. Have been feeling very tearful and been horrible to dc and dh. I hope these tabs start working soon as I hate being like this .

cherrylips · 22/04/2008 19:39

You could start taking it at 10pm bunjies. Then its relaxing effect would happen when you are asleep!!

Your body will get used to the side effects of Mirtazipine in a couple of weeks, so hang in there, you will probably start to feel better soon. The good effects of Mirtazipine will start in a couple of weeks too, and your mood will lift.

Also, you could make an appt. with the Practice Nurse at your GP's. He/she should be able to do weight management treatment with you. This comprises of a physical health screen, ie weight, measurements and full blood screen test. The nurse will get you to start a food diary for a week or so. Then he/she will work out healthy eating and excercise programme with you. He/she will see you regularly to monitor progress and to keep you motivated. Healthy eating, sunlight, fresh air and excercise are brilliant for the mood too!!

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