Mirtazapine experience?

[ImSad]

Just got prescribed mirtazapine mainly for sleep, but also for depression and anxiety. I’m waiting to take it until it’s my “weekend” later on in the week so I’m not too groggy for work, so I’m just wondering if anyone’s had experience with this med before and if they’re good or bad.

 

[Chris-duck]

I was recently started on mirtazapine (nearly two months ago). I dunno how it's affected me really, I've been switching between day and Nightshift so I've missed a few doses. And I'm sleeping better without the holy-death-sleep that quetiapine gave me. Im still not sure if it's helping or not, cos I feel *different*, unsure if it's a good or bad different yet. But yeah. It's given me a normal sleep pattern so that's been good :)

 

[flowerapple]

I don't take it anymore but I used to. I took it for about 4 months. I found it really did help with my sleep and my depression, especially the sleep. But had to stop taking it because it was making me gain too much weight for that short period of time. I wish I didn't have to though because I haven't been able to find another medication that helps like that.

 

[Ronin]

Yeah, I was on it for ages, some of its side effects were unstomachable to me. (But that is not that meds fault, as much. I just absolutely don't need anything that makes nightmares more vivid / there's only this high treshold before I start acting things out and thanks, would rather save fighting for when I'm awake & situation actually warrants it.)

Far as I know, it's one of the meds that's meant to act in combos, so depending not just mirtazapine, but what is the second med you take it in combination with?

 

[Keming]

Mirtazipine works well for me. Been on mirtazipine for a few years and had a dosage increase a few months ago.

Effect on sleep: about 15 minutes after taking it, I get ultra groggy and sleep comes easily. Sleep varies between tolerable (5 hours) to good (9 hours). The groggy period only lasts about 20 minutes - if I miss it (just one more youtube video!), sleep might not be great.

Effect on mood: greatly improved. Depression isn't debilitating. Still have full range of mood, just not DOWN DOWN DOWN.

Effect on anxiety: improved at the higher dose. Note: slight increase in agitation - anger comes a little easier. I learned to handle it and internally de-escalate.

Effect on waistline: not great. Mirtazipine can do funky things to blood sugar, so lean hard towards proteins and vegetation to mitigate that.

 

[ImSad]

Thanks for all the replies!

I’m on lamictal, so now adding this to the mix. I’m anxious to start it. I’m hoping it’ll really work, but am absolutely terrified of the possibility of weight gain (stupid eating disorder brain!)

I’m glad to hear mostly good things about it. At the minimum I hope a regular sleep schedule will help with some of my other symptoms.

 

[Ajtalex011235]

I don't take it anymore but I used to. I took it for about 4 months. I found it really did help with my sleep and my depression, especially the sleep. But had to stop taking it because it was making me gain too much weight for that short period of time. I wish I didn't have to though because I haven't been able to find another medication that helps like that.

Maybe the doctor should combine it with a stimulant type med like bupropion or Ritalin to eliminate the weight gain aspect.

 

[flowerapple]

Maybe the doctor should combine it with a stimulant type med like bupropion or Ritalin to eliminate the weight gain aspect.

She did, but it didn't do much together; however, the bupropion and Ritalin together without the mirtazapine had been working to some extent. She eventually paired it with venlafaxine and Vyvanse, and it seems that it might be working.

 

[Ajtalex011235]

She did, but it didn't do much together; however, the bupropion and Ritalin together without the mirtazapine had been working to some extent. She eventually paired it with venlafaxine and Vyvanse, and it seems that it might be working.

Oh, interesting. Do you have any residual symptoms that have not gone away?

 

[flowerapple]

Do you have any residual symptoms that have not gone away?

No I haven't. Plus I was able to lose all the weight I had gained from the mirtazapine.

 

[Ptsdmiracle]

Did you have insomnia again after stopping remeron?