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Avanza and drowsiness

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Guest
Guest

I started on Avanza at 30mg 5 nights ago, having been on Cipramil for 4 years. Weaned off Cipramil over a four day period prior to this. Monday (day 1) I could not get out of bed until 7.000pm that night. Since then, I have been able to get to a position of being able to function by early afternoon.

I saw my GP today (specialist is away for a few weeks) and he has reduced he dose to 15mg and I see him in a weeks time. He told me that it is highly unusual to start on such a high dose. He has also suggested that I take Berocca when I get up each morning.

I am starting to sleep better at night and the vivid dreams are now less threatening although still bizzare. Previously my dreams were about my work (work stress was the precipitating factor for the worsening of my depression) and were of nightmarish dimensions.

Once the drowsiness disappears each day, I am able to function at a better level then previously, so if I can persevere with this medication through the side effects, I am confident that the medication will work for me.

So far, my appetite has not increased at all, if anything I have felt less like eating than previously.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Well two days into reduced dose and the daytime has been a bit easier with me being more alert. But I am becoming increasingly irritable with everyone around me and an overwhelming need to be left alone and to not speak to anyone. I am agitated and taking all of this out on family who are pretty much bewildered at the sudden change in me.

    I will see me GP tomorrow and I will be telling him that I need to go back to cipramil and supplement that with Stillnox to help me sleep.

    The one really good thing about the Avanza is that my appetite has increased and I actually feel like eating, but that is not enough to keep me on them.

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    well day three and unable to get an appointment with GP until tomorrow. Meanwhile, forced myself out of bed at 8.00am and went to the gym for aqua aerobics and then spent the day with a friend. Overall feeling much better today. Appetite has increased and this is helping me to eat regularly instead of going for an entire day without eating. MMMM maybe hope for me on this drug after all.
  • Pooh_bear
    Pooh_bear

    Posted

    Hi Jenna. I am assuming that Avanza is the same name for mirtazapine. Drowsiness is extremely common when you are first put on the drug. My psychiatrist says that the sedative effect is less if you are on higher dose like 30mg. I have been on mirtazapine since the end of September. At the beginning the sedative effects were terrible. I felt hardly able to function. However as my depression has lifted a little the drowsiness is less. Your GP should allow at least three weeks to see if you are benefitting from it. You might apppreciate having more of an appetite but mirtazapine is notorious for weight gain. I am struggling with it. If you are drowsy you should not be driving or drinking alcohol. I have waited until I knew how the drug affects my responses. Let us know how you get on. I'll be posting elsewhere too.[/code]
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Yes, Pooh Bear, Avanza is the brand name here for Mirtazpine. I saw my GP on Tuesday and he suggested taking meds at 6.00pm. Tried this with 15mg that night, had trouble going to sleep and still dozy next day. Wed night I took the full 30mg dose at 6.00pm. Fell asleep easily around 11.00pm and felt great the next day. Thursday the same routine with slightly less successful results with sleep (mainly due to heat, stayed above 30c/68f until 5.00am sad , but still felt good on Friday, same results last night. Apart from feeling alert through the day now, am also feeling much more functional. Better appetite means that I am now eating regularly and eating better. So far (two weeks into medication) am not gaining weight, in fact have lost 1.5 kg's.

    Starting to be pleased that I did not give up when it seemed nightmarish to continue to take this medication.

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