Positive Mirtazapine stories please

[Bev62]

I got over an awful bout of depression/anxiety during lockdown & life went on with many happy events since.
However - for reasons unknown it’s creeping into my life again & back with a vengeance & I don’t know if I can deal with this s**t again.
saw Doc before Xmas who has suggested Mirtazapine as I’m not eating or sleeping. Did Venlafaxine before & the side effects were horrendous for a good few months so would rather not go down that route again.
just waiting on the mental health crisis team to contact me as I can’t go another night without sleep!
Felling desolate right now & some words of encouragement/advice would be much appreciated.

@Bev62 not been on mirtazipine myself but I have had 3 major depressive episodes in my life due to OCD which at one point I barely left bed. Just wanted to pop on, send you a hug and say I know what it's like to not feel like there is light at the end of the tunnel but it is there. Xx

thank you ilovedogs that means a lot.
can't see that light yet. May I ask what medication works for you?

@Bev62 I've been on different ones over the years. I was on Citalopram for ages then had a bad episode and got changed to Sertraline was ok on that for a while then had another bad episode and they changed me onto Fluoxetine and a low dose of Quetiapine.
Not sure if any have been a miracle drug for me but I have therapy also and find that helpful. X

Hi doganxiety yes I do have an underactive thyroid which I take meds for. Recent bloods were normal.
Been to see a lovely Doc today who was very calming. Still saying it’s early days to be chopping & changing meds so I will plug on & hope for the best. Also have a good therapist and trying to get out & about - easier said than at times.
This is one effing shitty illness.

Isn’t it just?

I don’t think anyone can really understand the strength and resilience it takes to get through 24 hours of it unless they have been there.

Unfortunately, we do have to give the medication a good chance to work. It sounds like the lovely Dr you saw was helpful.

I know it sounds trite but ‘this too shall pass’ and you have great things in place to support you as you start to feel better so be super gentle with yourself.

You are doing everything you can and that is quite remarkable given how you’ve been feeling xxx

Thank you so much for your kind words JoJo.
still waiting for a breakthrough x

I’ve been taking it for about six years - moved to 45mg after life became really stressful which it still is. I have awful anxiety at times due to stressful life, started Hrt lowest dose nearly a year ago and that hasn’t helped either. I didn’t know you could combine mirtazapine with other drugs. I tried citalopram first but it gave me worse insomnia and migraines daily.

@Bev62 how are you feeling today?

Crap tbh. Anxiety thru the roof. Just coming to end of week 4 and not sure these are working. Don't think my body can take much more of this.

@Bev62 sorry to hear things are still tough. Do you have any doctors appointments coming up?

Just waiting at Docs surgery now. Need to get to Priory I think for my own safety

Is someone with you @Bev62 ?

Good idea if you have private medical insurance to cover the cost.

Yes my lovely husband

That’s good. Hope they can sort out your meds and keep you safe until you feel better x

Thank you. Very scared

Have they found you a bed on a ward at The Priory? No need to be scared, they will keep you safe. I spent a month there and the staff were great, especially my psychiatrist and the therapy staff.

How are you today @Bev62?

an improvement on yesterday! Actually got myself off to hairdresser a bought myself a coffee & cake after. Feeling scared re assessment tomorrow & possible Priory admission. I think it's going to mean a med change & in a complete panic that they won't work either.
anyone reading this - no negative replies please!!
Thanks For checking in imsllonely x

That’s good news that you’ve had a better day. It might be because you have the prospect of getting some proper inpatient treatment now. Hope your assessment goes well tomorrow x

How did your assessment go?

That sounds such a good idea to have assessment with The Priory. Well done.

And they can support you while medications are explored to work out what will help you feel better.

Sending you lots of love and know that many of us have been there and know how terrifying it is xxx

Checking into the Priory tomorrow and changing to Escitalopram. Am terrified.
been given sleeping pills & Clonazepan,
no horror stories please- scared enough as it is. This is spiralling out of control. Don't see an end to this anytime soon. Doc thinks will be better in 3weeks. If I wasn't so fucking depressed I would laugh

That’s great to hear OP x
No horror stories from me about my Priory stay. It saved my life at the time.

Brilliant for sleep and mood but weight wise , it can increase appetite.

I am still on a very low dose at night which keeps me happy and sleeping well… I was very bad when I started, in the absolute depths so it was a life saver ❤️