Mirtrazapine, Venlafaxine, Quitiapine ;-0

[NovemberStar]

I've been on venlafaxine 375mg for several weeks - the increase from 300mg this time did not help the depression shift at all. So my psych added mirtrazapine 15mg last thursday.

Its been 8 days and my mood is noticeably better!!!!! But bloody hell - the side effects of the combo of what I'm on is really awful! I feel like I've had 50 cups of coffee - and not in a good way. My heart pounds, and feels like its going too fast (but it's not). I've had to increase the amount of quitiapine I'm on (usually one tablet at night), to taking half in the morning to help counter the zappy, jittery feelings. If my dogs bark or a sudden noise happens, I feel like a massive electric shock surges through my body and makes me almost jump out of my skin!

And the VIVID dreams / nightmares - last night I was half awake, half drugged asleep and I'm not sure if it was hallucinations or a nightmare but I 'heard' voices and 'saw' people in my bedroom ;-0. It was so damn scary.

I've left a message for my Dr. In the meantime I took just 300mg of venlafaxine this morning, because the symptoms are similar to when I was on too high a dose earlier in the year (reducing back to 300mg helped and my mood was still really good).

I'm also going to probably get an ECG done for my heart - I read on the mirtrazapine safety sheets I should have one when I started this med because I have had long Q T on a ECG before - and the meds I'm on ALL have the potential to aggravate that - which 'could' cause series or even fatal heart arrhythmia's.

The jitteriness is WORSE in the mornings. Im just not sure if its withdrawal from the mirtrazapine or its due to adding in the venlafaxine in the mornings.

Just positing for some sup[port. I'm sure many others have had similar experiences with different medications. Im REALLY hoping its not going to have to come down to my choosing the severe depression (ie stopping the mirtrazapine) or putting up with the awful side effects.

I'm hoping my Dr will be able to reassure me that these side effects will ease off - and soon.

 

[DMerish]

You're supposed to take all three of these? :eek: How do you know which one is working and which one gives the most problems?

 

[digger]

I stopped taking mirtazapine about six weeks ago, after having been on it for a couple of years, because I really couldn't handle the dreams/nightmares from it any more - it is notorious for them I'm afraid but does wear off after a while for a lot of people. Unfortunately didn't for me and got worse when I needed to add another drug in for pain. I've found it pretty hard going coming off and my insomnia is terrible again now - I think unfortunately a lot of time with meds their is a pay off between putting up with symptoms and putting up with side effects :/ hope your doc can come back to you with some sound advice. It may be worth persevering for a little while to see if it wears off as your body adjusts to it.

 

[NovemberStar]

Thanks. Yes I'm on all 3 - my Dr knows about all the meds. I spoke to the psych nurse, explained my symptoms and side effects and concerns about the heart palpitations.

Plan: she will speak to the Dr this afternoon. I'm going to have an ECG this afternoon at my GP practice. That will relieve much of the anxiety as well.

Ironic huh - severe depression and feeling suicidal = new med helps the suicidality and then- and my mood is better enough to actually be a little concerned I might drop dead as a result of being on the new med!

 

[cdg]

Mirtazapine has pooped out on me. I take 15 mg a night. I guess it helps with sleep. Who knows anymore.

 

[NovemberStar]

My Dr didn't get back to me - go figure. I think i'll try cutting down the venlafaxine further tomorrow.

Has anyone taken mirtrazapine in the MORNINGS??? I know it might make me a bit sleepy (I'm not sure at the moment if I get sleepy due to the mirtrazapine OR the combination of it and quitiapine.)

Thought if I can take it in the mornings, I won't get the nightmares!!! and taking the venlafaxine in the mornings sure wakes me up - like 50 cups of coffee...

Dreading going to sleep tonight ;( Hoping like hell last night was the worst it can be and it won't happen again!!!

 

[NovemberStar]

Mirtazapine has pooped out on me. I take 15 mg a night. I guess it helps with sleep. Who knows anymore.

Speak to your Dr - it might be you need to increase the dose again. 15mg is usually the starting dose. Did you have the side effects? nightmares?

 

[digger]

Personally I wouldn't recommend taking the mirtazapine in the morning unless you want to be zombied all day

 

[digger]

Mirtazapine has pooped out on me. I take 15 mg a night.

15mg isn't generally considered a therapeutic dose for mirtazapine - for depression/anxiety it would usually be 30mg or 45mg. 15mg will help with sleep (in a sedative way at least - if you get the nightmares with it, it's not always such a helpful thing!) in fact a lot of people report that 15mg actually has a more sedative effect than the higher doses, possibly because at higher doses other effects come into play more which counteract the sedative effect a bit. I certainly found this to be the case for me.

 

[cdg]

I never had nightmares. I'm on other meds also. Coming off trileptal while going on neurontin. I also take Ativan everyday and propranolol as needed. My psych doctor wants me to go off the mirtaz but, neurologist said I would have increased anxiety that I just can't take. So many meds.

 

[digger]

I never had nightmares.

That's good :) I found it quite helpful apart from that, but a difficult on to come off. I think that varies from person to person to though. Hope you and your docs manage to find a good balance of meds that works for you.

 

[goingonhope]

Personally I wouldn't recommend taking the mirtazapine in the morning unless you want to be zombied all day

This had been my previous experience as well. It was short-lived due to the results.