please help
Posted , 3 users are following.
i was priscribed cipramil by my gp 6 wks ago for anxiety after my cousins death, well i lasted to weeks on them and was in an awfel state, insomina brning sentation on my skin no appatite vomiting, so went back to gp and he put my on mirap, i am now coming into my forth wk on them and the 1st wk seemed grand them over time i began to come very down and lost my appatite again not sleeing or if i do i continue to wake at least 5 times a night feel so depressed and on saturday had suicidal taughts, only i rang my mam and she talked me out of it, i can't stand being alone but only want to be with family, am ignoring my friends won't even answer the phone to them, suould i come off this tablet as i only had mild anxiety and not drepression
0 likes, 9 replies
oldboy april58107
Posted
April, you should be asking your GP about this. I am very surprised you are having sleeping problems - as mirtazapine is known to sedate at low doses (up to 15mg). Perhaps your dose is too high? If so that would account for the other side effects too. Also you have only been on mirt for 3 weeks. That is not long enough for it to be fully effective and for its side effects to abate.
For your information I had severe anxiety without depression last March. I too started on citalopram but swapped to sertraline (another SSRI). They both helped with the anxiety, but stopped me sleeping. I too felt suicidal. I now take sertraline plus mirtazapine. I take the latter (15mg) purely for its sedative effect. I now feel about 80% "well", but note that it has taken more than 4 months to get to this stage.
Getting the right medicine at the best dose is a question of trial and error because we all respond differently to these drugs. Unfortunately that takes a long time because each trial needs several weeks (ideally 8) and you may have to swap gradually from one drug to another.
You have endure the side effects every time; however it is worth it in the end.
I feel for you. Be strong.
april58107 oldboy
Posted
Calmer april58107
Posted
Sorry to hear of your loss & subsequent anxiety. Knowing what causes our anxiety is half the battle, yours is very clear cut and I wonder if you could try to find yourself some "grief councilling".
What dose of Mirtazapine are you taking? It may seem hard to understand, but the lower dose i.e. 15mg is often used for Insomnia, the higher doses of 30 and 45 mg for actual depression. I have read many times of people not being able to sleep on the higher doses, doctors usually start at a lower dose and work upwards.
I agree with Oldboy above, Mirt' had a slow release sedative in it and it lasts me pretty much all day and is taken at bedtime to aid a good nights sleep.
I hope yo can balance your meds sooner rather than later, but do talk to your doctor if they are having a more negative effect after the first 3 to 4 weeks.
Wishing you well.
april58107 Calmer
Posted
Calmer april58107
Posted
I hope you got on ok with your doctor's appointment. Are you planning to stay at 7.5 mg for the time being? If you have come down from 15 mg you may well feel the effects of withdrawal as its a big difference, just wanted you to bear that in mind and not associate any ill effects to thinking your old symptoms returning.
Best wishes
april58107 Calmer
Posted
oldboy april58107
Posted
It would help if you said what it is that you cannot stand much longer.
I am concerned that you feel that way even though you only had mild anxiety originally.
I would have thought either the citalopram or the mirt would have dealt with the anxiety. I think your problem is lack of sleep. The mirt should have helped with that. Perhaps it is a sleeping tablet you need - I used to take zopiclone for that.
I disagree that tablets do not make you better. They have worked wonders for me - and I had SEVERE anxiety (rushed to hospital etc). I think you will get much better after a few more days at 7.5mg of mirt.
You can do it!
april58107 oldboy
Posted
april58107
Posted