Mirtazapine - again

dunant173 · 2025-01-29T18:46:02+00:00

Sorry for posting about this but I am at my wits' end. I had a bad episode yesterday where I scratched myself because I felt so anxious and desperate. Put a call into the GP for an urgent appointment and spoke to the GP in the evening who said we should double the dose of mirtazapine (15mg to 30mg). I was worried about it last night but did as instructed. I know it is too early today to notice any difference yet except that my sleep wasn't as good which I had been warned about and it's not a problem. BUT my anxiety is still horrific - I feel I want to reach into my chest and pull my heart out (obvs won't but this is how much of a physical reaction I am getting). The only other time I have felt this dreadful was on fluoxetine (Prozac?) years ago and when they put me on Paroxetine the relief was instant and I could see that my thinking was disordered. I don't think I can cope with this drug. If it is this that is causing this anguish but I wasn't like it before so it must be? I feel I am going to go mad and I am really worried. I stayed out of the house earlier today as I was so scared of being on my own.

JillOfTheBeanstalk · 29/01/2025 19:27

Hi op, I commented on your last thread to explain my own topsy turvey ride on mirtazapine. Reading your latest post - i really don't think you s should be experiencing such an extreme reaction. It reminds me very much of how I felt on sertrakine - wanting to tear my own skin off, an inner restlessness, thoughts bouncing around all over the place, anxiety ramped up to 1000. In that case my gp took me straight off them as I just Can't tolerate ssris. I wonder if this is what's happening with you? I know you're having a struggle with your gp but could you try explaining this to them, the way you have here? Show them the post if you can't verbally communicate. Your extreme reaction just seems more than usual start up symptoms and reminds me very much of how I felt on sertrsline. Good luck and hang on in there. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will come along on here and offer some advice.

Original poster

dunant173 · 29/01/2025 21:06

JillOfTheBeanstalk · 29/01/2025 19:27

Hi op, I commented on your last thread to explain my own topsy turvey ride on mirtazapine. Reading your latest post - i really don't think you s should be experiencing such an extreme reaction. It reminds me very much of how I felt on sertrakine - wanting to tear my own skin off, an inner restlessness, thoughts bouncing around all over the place, anxiety ramped up to 1000. In that case my gp took me straight off them as I just Can't tolerate ssris. I wonder if this is what's happening with you? I know you're having a struggle with your gp but could you try explaining this to them, the way you have here? Show them the post if you can't verbally communicate. Your extreme reaction just seems more than usual start up symptoms and reminds me very much of how I felt on sertrsline. Good luck and hang on in there. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will come along on here and offer some advice.

Thank you so much for replying on here. I must admit that I have been feeling this way this evening, that this isn't normal and is beyond what I should feel while settling down on the meds. I have had side effects before but not to this dreadful extent. I had a glass of wine tonight, which temporarily dulled the terror, but as soon as it wore off, it was back again. I hate having to go back to the GP, worried that they will think I am just being a nuisance and not trying hard enough, but as you said, this feels extreme. I felt yesterday that I was going to write a note to my family just in case I did something stupid - not planning on it but in case I suddenly lost the plot and did something. I've not felt like that on anything else except Prozac once.

OP posts:

JillOfTheBeanstalk · 30/01/2025 12:22

dunant173 · 29/01/2025 21:06

Thank you so much for replying on here. I must admit that I have been feeling this way this evening, that this isn't normal and is beyond what I should feel while settling down on the meds. I have had side effects before but not to this dreadful extent. I had a glass of wine tonight, which temporarily dulled the terror, but as soon as it wore off, it was back again. I hate having to go back to the GP, worried that they will think I am just being a nuisance and not trying hard enough, but as you said, this feels extreme. I felt yesterday that I was going to write a note to my family just in case I did something stupid - not planning on it but in case I suddenly lost the plot and did something. I've not felt like that on anything else except Prozac once.

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I'm sorry to hear how poorly you feel. Did you manage to contact your gp again? Maybe mirtazapine just isn't for you and as you previously did well in ssri s, then one in this category would be better for you? I also don't understand your gps reluctance in prescribing 2 antidepressants - lots of people do well on a combination. I think in your other thread you were on escitalopram and it worked well but wasn't helping with intrusive thoughts? It would make sense they'd continue you on that but add in another ssri to boost the effects or up the dosage? It sounds like you've got one of " those " gps who doesn't really get metal health and the impacts it has on you. Perhaps a change of surgery/ gp might yield better results?

Original poster

dunant173 · 30/01/2025 14:25

JillOfTheBeanstalk · 30/01/2025 12:22

I'm sorry to hear how poorly you feel. Did you manage to contact your gp again? Maybe mirtazapine just isn't for you and as you previously did well in ssri s, then one in this category would be better for you? I also don't understand your gps reluctance in prescribing 2 antidepressants - lots of people do well on a combination. I think in your other thread you were on escitalopram and it worked well but wasn't helping with intrusive thoughts? It would make sense they'd continue you on that but add in another ssri to boost the effects or up the dosage? It sounds like you've got one of " those " gps who doesn't really get metal health and the impacts it has on you. Perhaps a change of surgery/ gp might yield better results?

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Thanks for the reply. The decision was to increase the dose of the mirtazapine to 30mg and I have been on it two days now. Hard to tell if it's any better or not. Definitely not yesterday. I am going to see how I go for the next day or so and if I feel as bad as I have, I will try to try to get back to an SSRI. Just so tired of all of this.

OP posts:

medievalfreak · 01/02/2025 15:16

it can take up to 12 weeks to work, you need to give it time

Original poster

dunant173 · 01/02/2025 21:14

medievalfreak · 01/02/2025 15:16

it can take up to 12 weeks to work, you need to give it time

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, I am going to have to give up on it as I cannot tolerate it. Am cross-tapering with Citalopram and cannot wait to get this drug out of my system.

OP posts: