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15 MG MIRTAZAPINE PLUS 150 VENLAFAXINE

Posted , 25 users are following.

patricia85842
patricia85842

I went to see a Psychatrist yesterday and she has prescribed 15 mg mirtazapine and 150 mg Venlafaxine.  I have been on both these drugs before - Venlafaxine for 10 years but it stopped working and 15 mg Mirtazapine which only worked for 2 months.

I was disappointed with this and said but both of these didn't work.   She said that that was singly but they are good in combination with each other.

Has anyone else had this combination and if so did it work?

Many thanks.

Pat

0 likes, 47 replies

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  • pixie22
    pixie22 patricia85842

    Posted

    I hope I can reassure you. I was taking venlafaxine but it wasn't working well enough so the psychiatrist added mirtazapine and I very soon felt the benefit. Now I've been on 225mg venlafaxine and 30mg mirtazapine for some time, and it's still working well and allowing me to keep my life on track. I was very worried when I saw him that he would say I had to come off the venlafaxine before i could start something new, so i was hugely relieved when he simply added on the mirtazapine. I gather that it's a combination not universally known ( my GP hadn't heard of it, and several pharmacists have queried why I'm taking two anti-depressants) but I can recommend it. You've taken both drugs before, so you know they suit you. I hope it works for you too.
    • patricia85842
      patricia85842 pixie22

      Posted

      M any thanks Pixie you have certainly made me feel better.  I did hear that it was not allowed to combine these drugs but then I heard that GPs are not allowed to prescribe both only Psychatrists.  Did it take long before you felt better?

      Pat

    • shiraz46473
      shiraz46473 pixie22

      Posted

      How long did it take for you to feel well on this combination? thanks.
    • shiraz46473
      shiraz46473 pixie22

      Posted

      Hi Pixie, I am on the same combo for the last 6 days. Today I am feeling very down and sleepy. Is that normal. How long did it take for you to realise the benefits.

      Thanks. Keep in touch.

    • andrew66147
      andrew66147 pixie22

      Posted

      I know this is some years old, but I am pleased to hear this. I have been on Vensir (brand name) for 7 years at 225mg. The last few months it hasn’t been working and I’ve been on Diazepam daily for 9 months. My GP took the decision while I await a referral to the Mental Health Team to take me off Vensir and onto Duloxetine (SP), but on day 3 of the reduction (had to be weaned off it) the withdrawal symptoms were immense and overpowering. My dosage was increased and withdrawal period extended from 12 days to 5 weeks. This however had little or no effect. It nearly put me off these drugs entirely, but they are a necessity. I’m now up to my usual dosage of 225mg daily because of the effects of withdrawal, which were worse than the symptoms of depression and anxiety (indeed it severely heightened the latter).

      My GP said that a combination of Vensir and Mirtazapine may work, or an increase in dosage of Vensir (currently 225mg), but this needs to be done under specialist supervision. I was on Mirtazapine for two weeks prior to Vensir, but it made me VERY sleepy during the day, while I was wide awake at night (wrong way round). It badly affected my day to day life. 

      I hope I get sorted out, but the waiting times to see a Mental Health Team where I live is ridiculous. Mental Health is badly underfunded. 

  • aby12276
    aby12276 patricia85842

    Posted

    Hello Pat,

    I was on Mirtazapine alone but like you found that this stopped working as well so was prescribed Venlafaxine as well - eventually on Ven 225mg and Mirt 45mg.  These did work well for me and I've been on them now for 5 years but due to the side effects and wanting to start a family I am now coming off them (which is seriously hard) I wish I had looked at this forum when starting to take this combination of drugs as contrary to what I've been told by health care professionals there are side effects and withdrawal symptoms if you need to come off them so I would recommend reading up on these and thinking about it when deciding where to go next,

    Sorry if this is off track a bit but from all I have been reading recently about this combination of drugs I think it is something doctors don't point out enough,

    I wish you all the best,

     

    • patricia85842
      patricia85842 aby12276

      Posted

      Hi Aby

      Thanks for replying.  You were on a high dose of both drugs.  I was pleased to hear you were on them for 5 years it certainly gives me hope.  Did you put up with the side effects of  the high dose.  What were the side effects?

      I guess I was lucky as I never had side effects or withdrawal with either of the drugs.  Good luck with starting a family.

      Pat

    • kat50
      kat50 patricia85842

      Posted

      Hi pat. How are you feeling on your new meds? I hope they're working for you. I'm back from my hols and feeling like my oldself. Long may it last!
    • patricia85842
      patricia85842 kat50

      Posted

      Hi Kat.  I don't believe this.  I am completely back to my old self too.  I really didn't think the combination of Mirt and Vet would work as singly they hadn't.  The psych had said that they were excellent together.  On the fifth day I wasn't good on waking but once I was up I felt fantastic.  The sixth day no bad feeling on waking and back to normal ever since.  Like you I am saying long may it last.  I guess that's my pessimist side coming out.  But I guess when they have been trying different drugs for 2 years it can't be helped.

      I'm so glad you are your old self as I didn't know whether to tell you about my luckk.

      Love Pat

    • kat50
      kat50 patricia85842

      Posted

      I'm so happy for you. You can now book your cruise. I don't know what really worked for me. Whether it was the tablets, the folic acid  or the holiday! I thank god whatever it was worked as it was such a horrid 3 months. 
    • patricia85842
      patricia85842 kat50

      Posted

      Hi Kat.  I'm delighted for you too.  I took my son and his wife and the grandchildren  for lunch yesterday as a thankyou to Kate for supporting me throughout the past 2 years.  I still can't believe I am not tired all the time.  I'm now doing all the chores, enjoying the garden and just generally enjoying life.

      It must have been the combination of Mirt and Ven that did it for me and in only 5 days!  Long may it last for both of us!!  It's been lovely having you as support especially as we were both at the stage even to recovery.

      Pat

    • pixie22
      pixie22 patricia85842

      Posted

      I'm glad to hear that the combination is working for you as it is for me. Perhaps you need to ask the doc next time if there are any other therapies like counselling or CBT that you could have to reinforce your recovery in the long term? Good luck!
    • patricia85842
      patricia85842 pixie22

      Posted

      Hi Pixie.  I am completely back to my oldself and feel so happy.  I never thought I would feel like this again.  Full of energy and  tacking all the jobs and garden I haven't done for th3e last 5 months.  I hope you are feeling well too.
  • juliette90007
    juliette90007 patricia85842

    Posted

    Can I ask if you are still on this combination ?? Is it still working ??
    • patrick71939
      patrick71939 juliette90007

      Posted

      Hi there

      I have been on Venlafaxine and Mirtazapine for a little over 6 months and it has literally been a life saver. I take a high dosage 450mg Venlafaxine and 30mg of the Mirt. So far so good- I wake in the morning and get up and go to work. A new job with a nice normal human boss has helped massively too. Hope you're doing ok

      Best wishes

      Patrick

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