New to mirtazapine, not feeling good at all....

[Heaven_Scent]

Morning. GP has finally prescribed an AD and put me on mirtazapine but I feel awful during the day. The dark thoughts have come back and I find myself feeling drained and lethargic all day and have no motivation to do anything. I'm so worried about putting on more weight as due to being off work I've gained half a stone already. I've only been on it a few days but feel awful. GP previously prescribed citalopram but I couldn't tolerate it after a week of taking it. I wanted to be put on venlafaxine for the energy side of it but they seem very reluctant to prescribe it. I've got an appointment with a consultant psych in a couple of weeks and thinking they may change my meds again which I'm worried will result in yet more time off work. I've been taking flupentixol for about 4 weeks now which initially helped with my anxiety but not my mood. I don't know how much longer I can hack feeling like this....

[Heaven_Scent]

Anyone else had a similar experience with mirtazapine?

[Angie]

I used to have Mirtazepine and was taking it at night as it can help aiding sleep, any side effects should wear off after 3 weeks or so, but can come back again for a couple of weeks on any increase in dosage, my gp was reluctant to prescribe Venlefaxine but my psychiatrist did, but it didnt really give me energy at first it did make me lethargic for the first few weeks of taking it and again for a couple of weeks when it was increased. It could be worth talking to your psych about your options when you see them.

[Paula]

Sorry, hunni, but most ADs have side effects to begin with. Each person reacts differently but you really do need to let the ADs get settled in your system. If you keep chopping and changing between meds, you're just going to feel a lot worse. It will also take 4-6 weeks for the mirtazapine to really start doing their job. The reason you feel drained at the moment is that mirtazapine is a sedative. Hopefully you've been told to take them at night? For most people, the drained feeling does lessen as your body gets used to the drug.

I know it's rough now but mirtazapine is a good drug. It's just that there's no quick fix for depression

[Heaven_Scent]

Thanks Angie. I'm still waiting for my psych appointment (been waiting nearly 3 months) which is in a couple of weeks. The mirtazapine is getting me to sleep but I'm still waking in the early hours as I was before. I've made the informed decision to not take it tonight, I took my last 2mg Diazepam instead which I was reluctant to as they won't prescribe anymore (I only ever use it if i have to and today has been a particularly bad day)

[Heaven_Scent]

I did tell my GP that I didn't want to be put on it due to the weight gain/increased appetite, I know it sounds shallow but I have an issue with it.

[Paula]

I would strongly recommend you take the mirtazapine. Every time you stop and start your body is going to struggle even more

[Heaven_Scent]

I'll see how I get on at the Drs tomorrow. Thanks for replying

[OldMike]

I would strongly recommend you take the mirtazapine. Every time you stop and start your body is going to struggle even more

I agree with Paula you need to take the mirtazapine until you've seen a doctor.

[Suzi]

Hey hunni, can I ask why you've chosen not to take it today?