Anyone Got Any Experience With Mirtazapine For Ptsd?

[freakofnurture]

Mirtazapine was the first AD I ever took. I felt no effect at all, sleep, mood, appetite, nothing changed. My psychiatrist wanted to add something to it, a mood stabilizer, but since the mirtazapine didn't do anything to begin with I preferred to change meds.

 

[sleepy]

I will absolutely agree with Brat17.. Weight gain, constant eating (even things you don't like) and a big increase in libido. Some of those things good/some bad!

I was on Mirtazapine for about 9 months, I was 7st when I started (I'm 5"6') and 11st when I finished them. They stopped working for me in the end which was disapointing, as they had helped me sleep and calmed me down. They also gave me mood swings, which I have now discovered is my reaction to a lot of anti-depressants. I would go from dancing/twirling in circles and giggling (very strange for me) to sobbing and wanting to die.

I started on 30mg on a night, then added 15mg on a morning and the 30mg at night, then that got changed to 45mg every night. It stopped working after about 5 months and apparently 45mg is the max dose. I wish it had worked for longer for me, although I would be the size of a small house by now!

Hope this works for you

 

[Heather]

Weight gain.... Forgot about that side effect:mad:. I'm up 9 lbs. in a months sooooo NOT happy. Just stopped taking it.

Pulled out the weight watchers point book and increased the work outs at the gym. Grrrrrrrr.

Hate this medication for that reason.

 

[rainy_daze]

Well, I was wrong about the age thing. It's something about people under 25 or 26 - something to do with anti depressants and being a yound adult. However, mirtazapine is not prescribed/recommended for under 18. I know this now because I have been given 15mg Mirtazapine to try taking again (and I did a little research). :( I don't really want to take medication.

I forgot how much bigger I got on them too, Heather.

I like my tiny waist right now. *sigh* I sort of forgot about the mood swings (I remember the mania), and I am at a stage in my life I can't have the mood swings again (it was ok when i was on them before).

Still considering taking them. I feel awful right now, and maybe they would help. Side effects vs No motivation to do anything - what to do.

 

[zeb]

I have been on several SSRIS but am now on Mirtazapine 30mg it works better for me than the SSRIS which had too many side effects. Mirtazapine does make you drowsey at first but it seems to lesson the longer you are on it, its great for sleep but does make you very hungry, which was good for me as on SSRIS I had lost too much weight. I also had terrible restless leg syndrome on 15mg but on going up to 30mg this went.

 

[rainy_daze]

It does seem to be effective for a lot of people with PTSD (and depression?), with the worst side effects seeming to be the weight gain and, I think a few people also mentioned, the strange dreams.

Glad to hear it's working for you Zeb. I used to get the restless leg too!

 

[wife of]

Working great for hubby.
Less weight gain than with others and sleeping like a baby. Now two months in and this med has changed his life enormously for the better.

 

[rainy_daze]

@Zeb and wifeof: you are making a good argument for me to start taking it again. I've been considering it for so long, but I just haven't been able to get myself to do it. I'm not a fan of adjusting to medication, and after not taking any for so long, it doesn't seem like a decision I can take. Mirtazapine did really help at first though. I suppose every brain is different/every body reacts differently.

 

[wife of]

Maybe taking it second time around you will be ready for any pitfalls such as increased appetite and therefore able to prepare for them?

 

[zeb]

Mirtazapine is brilliant for anxiety it really does calm you down.

 

[squirtsmom]

Kittencake, I have been on both and the biggest thing for me was the weight gain. The medications seemed to help the depression some but the Remeron definitely helped with the sleep.

Hope this helps you and that you get on what ever works best for you.

 

[externalsmile]

Thought I would drop by with a little helping hint I have discovered. As with everyone Mirtazapine I've packed on a few lbs. I started on it a few weeks after reaching my target weight in weight watchers. *sobs* I've put on only 8lbs.... 4lbs of that is due to a week where I only had the use of one hand so couldn't cook and had to live on takeaways and couldn't walk.

So anyways, the past 2 weeks I have been majorily cutting back on sugar. I discovered on nasty processed sugar is (did you know it isn't vegetarian!!!) Oh God.... off track again.... anyways..... cutting back then since Friday I no longer have any refined sugar going into my system. Yeah it means I have to spend time baking and using a lot of vegan recipes but it is fun and I am enjoying it more. Since I went for a double whammy and cut out dairy and eggs to I am nearly a full vegan. But my goodness gracious...... the change in energy level has been fantastic. I don't get any more dips in energy and I get NO sugar cravings. 2 weeks ago I would have fought to the death for the last sweet in a jar.

Also note..... I do about 2 hours of hard walking every day with a German Shep pup.

Still though, can't wait to see the doctor next month and hopefully finish up on the tablet so I can get my lovely skinny spare tire free waist back.