In defence of mirtazapine

Treatment and medication
21

I am also going to say that I think Mirtazapine has helped me along with Venlafaxine I am on 45 Of Mirtazapine and 150 Venlafaxine. I am slightly amazed that I needed so much medication to make feel normal. I am in my mid 70s and did have a breakdown in my 20s. I led from there on quite a challenging life without medication but my problems started after having my gallbladder removed end of January this year. I have decided that I was unable to deal with the relative slowness of my recovery. I am now sleeping well and am much more relaxed. Weight wise I am no heavier than before I started the medication. I am pretty careful about the amount I eat but I don't find this a problem as I have a hiatus hernia and was told to graze was the best way to eat. ie. Little and often.

The only dislike have is that Venlafaxine does tend to leave a metalic taste in my mouth between meals. We are all different and what suits one doesn't suit another. Maggie

22

lol .... I was in hospital when I hit rocket bottom and the consultant psychiatrist tweaked my meds and I ended up on that combination!

23

lol

24

Thanks Maggie, another vote for California Rocket Fuel!

I noticed a metallic taste at one time, maybe when I started mirt. I do not notice it now; perhaps I am used to it.      

 

25

Seems similiar to me mvwaugh... I was on 150 Venlafaxine 2 years ago but reduced the Venlafaxine to 75mg 6 months ago. I am so glad that you are doing well and hope you continue to get better in your physical conditions

26

I'm with you on this. All I ever read is how bad mirt is. How people cant wait get of it. How much weight people have gained. And mirt the evil drug ruined my life

I'm on 45 mg and I sleep better. I do eat more, but i have a quiet active job so haven't put on any weight .

It saved me from suicidal thoughts which I had when on sertraline. Saved my 3 hrs a night sleep with horrendous night mares.

So all in all its a plus from me. Had a few bad days but that's when my situation changed.

I think a people that respond well drift of back to their normal lives and thus leave this site . So it just leaves the bad stories.

I'll carry on with the mirt for as long as it takes.

😊Rich

27

Hi I have just been prescribed duloxetine what was your experience on it if you don't mind me asking ? 💐

28

Hi Louise,

For me personally, it didn't help me at all ... I just went downhill ... But let me emphasise that everyone is different ☺ I had to go cold turkey when I came off it because my doc didn't want me to take both (mirtazapine and duloxetine) at the same time, so I couldn't taper down ... It was horrible but my circumstance was unique to me ☺ I wish you all the best on them ☺ (I was on the highest possible does they could give me when I went cold turkey and had been on them around 3-4 months).

29

I should also add that I didn't have much in the way of side effects when I first started taking them ☺

30

Glad it's working for you Rich ☺All the best

31

Thanks for your good wishes. Maggie

32

I am very glad it is working for you too Rich.

Best wishes,

Sunbird

33

Hi Magview & Oldboy,

Mirt' saved me too from a desperate black hole of insomnia after trying another AD and sleeping tablets, so cheers to Mirt (!)

Only thing I'd like to throw in the pot Magview, if you plan a slow taper it will probably take 20 weeks or more depending on the dosage you are on, so starting in Spring may take you into the dark nights towards the end, just a thought.

Wishing you both well

34

Thank you for your reply hopefully this will work I'm coming off mirtazipine for me it's not worked at all I'm running out of antidepressants to try lol well I have to try thanks again 😁

35

I would just like to add here,for people who are on Mirtazapine for life,it probably works great.  The problem starts if you have to withdraw from Mirt.

Nobody here seems to have tried withdrawing from Mirt,that's the real problem with it.

I also don't know if any of you have read David's story,he's been WD for 7mths and been reduced from a very strong man Fire chief, down to he can't even move from his home he's in so much pain. And that goes for me as well.  On it fine if you have to WD hell.

36

Hi Norma I am withdrawing from mirtazipine and tried the top dose 45mg I went down to 30mg now on 22 and half over a month I get terrible aches and pains lethargic but at this stage it is just about bearable oh and I can barely sleep anymore 💐

37

Hi calmer,I hope you don't take offence at this,but how can you be cheering Mirt, here, and be on a WD forum where people are suffering with WD?

38

Hi Louise , I sincerely feel for your distress.  I also started at 45mg I've now got to 15mg but not without severe WD symptoms. ie severe Stomack pain,lethargic,and I go in and out of sleep. I've tried reducing a bit lower but the WD symptoms just get worse.

See how you go and if you go on struggling,I'll introduce you to someone with a lot more experience than me who has finally WD.

Good luck and you take real care of yourself,oh and just a thought vit D is a bit of help.

39

Well said Norma.

Sunbird x

40

Thank you.🍀