? Are there any benefits from Mirtazapine...everyone seems so negative?

Hi Katie,

If you have only taken one dose then maybe you should reconsider another alternative?

Without this drug I don't know where I would be as I was in a really bad way when I started with it. It took almost two months of taking it but I levelled out and could cope again without being overwhelmed with emotion.

I got to a point where I felt fine and just thought it was time to come off. That's when I realised how dreadful the withdrawal can be.

Gaining weight with this drug is widely accepted but in some instances this can exacerbate the initial reason for taking it. I was under weight so it wasn't a problem but more of a benefit for me. However, I can understand that it could be a serious issue and just add to low self esteem. 

Maybe it would be better to speak with your GP and see if there is anything else that would do the same thing? Half the problem seems to be that the medical profession are not too clear about the withdrawal effects, leading to individuals feeling they are not being believed or taken seriously by their doctors. 

Good luck and let us know how things go. 

 

Do yourself a favor: GET OFF MIRTA NOW. Within 7 days nothing happens. Do not ask questions. Just do it. 

I was on mirt for about 9 weeks 4 on 15mg then 30mg for over 5 weeks im coming of them because they made me feel tired and sick and I never felt any better ive cut down to 22mg for a week now and intend to go to 15mg.then keep going untill there out of my system. I cant get an appointment with my doctor yet but I want these tablets out of my life.they even spoilt my trip to london were I had to get an earlier train home (that cost me 50 quid) I started this discussion on mirtazapine and havnt herd anyone say a good thing about them.  good luck on whatever you decide 

Hi Katie

For me personally, I cannot rate Mirtazapine highly enough.  It hoofed me out of a really bad place earlier this year when I was put on Citalopram which didn't seem to work for me.  I take 30 mg of Mirtazapine and I have to say for me, it has been saving grace and the relief I felt was pretty much instant.  I was originally on a 15 mg dose and then went up to 30 mg which seems to suit me really well.  

As for weight gain, I completely understand where you're coming from as this was a major concern for me.  I am 42 and keep an eye on my weight as I started putting on a bit more from my late 30's but I have stayed at my usual weight of 9 stone (I'm about 5 foot 6), which was the same as when I started the Mirtazapine back in early May.  Although undoubtedly, I feel hungrier since taking the medication, I try only to eat at mealtimes, with fruit or healthy snacks in between and make sure I keep up with some exercise as well.  Some weeks I may have put on a pound or so (which can also vary for us ladies depending on our monthly cycle), I just rein back in and it drops off again.

Alongside the meds, I have also found yoga extremely beneficial along with daily meditation and mindfulness practice.  There is also a really good website called Headspace which has daily guided meditation practices which is great.    

I very much hope that you will find what works for you; I'm sure you will.  There is so much help and advice out there and medical technology moves apace.  My GP said he would get me functioning again, it was just a case of "hitting me with the right drugs" and he was absolutely right.  Please don't be disheartened.  I wish you the very best of luck in your recovery and I send lots of love and good karma your way.  x

Katie

I meant to say in my earlier post that for the first week of taking Mirtazapine, I felt like a complete zombie, almost as if I were drunk.  I even slipped over and hurt my shoulder but the "zombie-like" effects wore off after a week or so and I felt absolutely fine.  Perhaps just give it some time - a week to ten days at least I would say.  Best of luck!  x

For me, Mitrapine has been heaven sent. I have struggles with insomnia for years and it helps me sleep. When I was out on it I asked my GP for no drug that made me up. I already feel so awake as it is, I have been on Avanza ever since. If I miss a dose I do experience withdrawl. And it's almost impossible to sleep. Don't know if this will help or not.

Ive taken mirtazapine on and off for two years, best tablet I have used, and ive gone through 4-5 other ones and mirtazapine has always been a back up tablet untill recently that I dont get an effect, I gained weight and got an increase of appetite which I enjoyed because I use to have a bad case of gastritis which pops up now and again, and mirtazapine helped a lot, but whatever tablet you get put on next I hope it helps

Thank you everyone for yur advice and tips, it has all been very usefull

thanks for your support and hope you are all doing well

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Yes there are benefits. Give it time. You will feel groggy for a few weeks until you adjust. It does work quite fast compared to other antidepressant.  I found my mood lifted in 10 days. Though everyone is different. You do need to give any antidepressant time to work before you give up on it. If in 6 weeks you still feel the same, then look at other alternatives.