Citalopram wasn't working for me and my BP depression has been getting worse so I've just been given a prescription for mirtazapine but after reading the bad reviews on here I'm scared to death of taking it! I'll be tapering off the citalopram in the next few days and then starting the Mirt at the weekend, is there anybody who has had some positive effects from taking this medication? My Dr said it was a very good AD drug which will lift my mood in a few weeks so I was really hopeful but now I'm not so sure if I want to take it and feel upset.
After many years of fighting depression, and trying everything from the ancient Tricyclics (didn`t work at all) to the more modern SSRI`s (Seroxat (Paroxatine) made me dangerously suicidal [I`m talking 70 stitches repair by a plastic surgeon under general Anathaetic suicidal], and Prozac did nothing at all), I finally was put on the Maximum dose of Mitrazapine ; 45mg, I found it to greatly help my depression, and I was quite quickly getting my life back to some sort of normality.
It does very often cause weight gain, but I`d rather be a bit overweight than dead!
I don`t have BP which I assume is Bipolar, so I`m guessing you may need more than one medication to sort that out.
But for Depression, it`s quick, maybe 2 weeks to work, and has kept me stable for around ~15 years now.
In my case it truly was/is a life saver. I can honestly recommend it
I hope you find the peace of mind you are looking for.
Hi Liam the same thing happened to me, I was put on venaflaxine first but it didn't work at all. Then went on to mirt which has really helped in my head, I am no longer depressed and loads less panicky. The problem for me is my body won't function and I really don't understand nor do my GP or Pdoc. I would give it a go as I have not felt so good about the future in years and you may not get any side affects, people on this site have got side effects and would not be on it otherwise so that means loads of people must be fine, if that makes sence. Give it a go and let us know how you get on. Take care judith
I was changed from citalopram to mirtazapine back in january, because citalopram was doing nothing for me. Four months on mirtazapine and I am feeling so much better. I was giving up hope when citalopram wasn't changing anything, and was disappointed about having to go through waiting for another antidepressant to start having an effect. It did take a few weeks for me to start feeling better though, so you will have to try and be patient. I have found it very good for helping my sleep aswell, one of the best things about it, because I was suffering bad insomnia and you do feel so much better when you get a full nights sleep.
Thanks for the replies, this has made me feel a bit more positive about starting my new meds. Yes I do suffer from bi polar and I am on Olanzapine as well as an AD drug, Citalopram and then going onto Mirtazapine. Maybe it would help if more people came online to tell people about positive reviews instead of the nightmare stories!
I understand what you mean about the negative reviews, but it seems that people who are angry or dissappointed with a medication, are the ones more motivated to get on the `net just to vent or look for an alternative.
Mirtazapine is an effective anti-deppressant, the best I `ve ever taken, and it has helped me tremedously.
hi i was also on citalopram , felt great but could nt sleep so was put on mirtazpine
roughly 3wks ago the only positive was i slept but im seriously coming off them and maybe trying something else , Because if i don t stop eating im going to be the size of a small country and as yet don t feel any diffarent mood still same apparently everyones different so hopefully you will get the best out of them ! so herers hoping for you . Me im going to have to try something else as for me the negatives outway any positives (16)days in and half a stone heavier . No good .
Hi Liam, yes I take Mirtazapine 30mg at night. It works well for me. It doesn't suit everyone. It won't kill you . For me it gave me relief from overpowering anxiety attacks. The first few days was when I felt the side effects worst. Mr Psych. suggested I take half doses for the first 4 days (he must have known ....) . I was so agitated on day 2 that I didn't dare take the next half dose that night. After a rest day I restarted and second time lucky - I didn't get that again. And I did start to feel better anxiety-wise in about a week, and a lot better in about a month. It can make you hard to get moving in the morning and you will feel extra hungry in the evening. So I have started on gym at local Leisure Centre and so far so good. Let us know how you go with it. All the Best, David.
I have been on mirtazapine for 4 years and it has been a godsend, gave me back my life again after awful anxiety and social anxiety. I started on 15mg and then to 30 mg. I did put on 2 stone in weight but I was very underweight so this was really good for me. I've had a few blips along the way and had to go up to 45mg just to get me over this but I'm now back at 30mg. It is also good for getting a good sleep. Don't be scared about it give it a try I'm sure you will be fine.
Hi Elaine, that is great to know, how long did it take you to feel better on 30ml, I have been on it for nearly two weeks, has really helped with panics and depression but side affects stopping me doing things. Eating everything but like you need to put on some weight as GAD made me not eat. Thanks for your feedback judith
If I remember correctly I think it was only about 2-3 weeks on mirtazapine when I started to feel much better. I've not had any side effects part from the eating but that was only for about the first few months. I didn't have a good appetite before but the mirtazapine certainly helps with that. That's good though that you are finding this drug helpful. Hang in there you WILL get better. Elaine.
Do the tablets alone just cause you to gain weight or is the increased appitite a side effect that makes you eat loads more than normal? I'll have to watch what I'm eating! Thanks for all the input guys, much apprieciated.
hi liam the tablets increase your appetite so you eat more , iv never experianced anything like it i could just eat constantly , it a constant craving , iv been on the tablets for almost 3 wks and i don t think they re working positively for me , i keep saying stick with it but im really concerned that im pileing on the pound and im tired all the time im struggling , ill be going to the docs next wk me thinks . all the best !
Slightly concerning reading about the weight gain! I'll really have to watch what I'm putting in my mouth, I'll buy a bag of lettuce and pig out on that lol... I'm starting my dose tonight on a 7.5mg then I'll take less of my citalopram tomorrow and another 7.5 of mirt Friday night then a full 15mg Saturday night.
What dose are you on? I'm starting on 15mg, my Dr didn't mention any increases yet. He said 2-4 weeks to start feeling the benefit, hang on in there!