mirtazapine 30mg giving me restless legs which drives me crazy

Posted , 8 users are following.

When i take my mirtazapine at night it makes my insomnia a lot worse, the feelings in my feet and legs drives me crazy, but when I drink alcohol, which is once a week I don't get the restless legs. I have explained this to my doctor and she said I shouldn't drink whilst on them, but if don't drink once a week I never get any sleep. My doctor says it's the alcohol giving me restless legs, but I know its the mirtazapine. The tablets do make me want to sleep, but the restless legs keeps me awake.

1 like, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Posted

    I suffer with restless legs and arms!

    Horrible!!! Have you potassium checked.

    I suffer all my life with restless legs and arm.

    Ask to go on baclofen it helps with the RLS.

    You need to tell your Dr to pull his fingers

    Out?

    • Posted

      Do you think this might help? I only get restless legs off my mirtazapine. And thanks for your help.
  • Posted

    Mirtazapine gave me restless legs for a year, until my doc added Pregabalin to my medication. Big improvement - no restless legs or similar feelings now.
    • Posted

      Ok, thanks. I don't know how you managed to go a year with these terrible feelings, it's horrible.
    • Posted

      I had a horrendous experience with pregabalin, my joints were agony and i mean agony after 2 weeks, I was walking about in a daze with no idea what was going on, they are nicknamed ship ahoy's on the street for that reason apparently, so I would go with katz31's advice before taking pregabalin

      take care my thoughts are with you all suffering from depression. x

  • Posted

    Hi Deano, I have just started  Mrt 15mg a week and a half ago to be douled to 30 on Monday and 2 days ago i got that tugging in my feet n calfs n ankles and I was  up all night, But initially I was happy not to be crying 24/7 and I am a bit more boyant at the prospect of not being so depressed and I am definitley better thoughts wise with Mrt, now I dont know what to think, I have had bouts of drinking in the past and have had those feelings in my legs anyway, I wish someone could explain what that is with the legs, as I have had it when having first few drinks and then it goes away after a few, but havnt drank since ive been on them as I know alcohol is a depressant, I am not sure any of the hugely different opinions here are helping its making me doubt I will ever get better reading how everyone wants off them, I can take Diazepam for 4 months and be off them in 2 weeks no problem, I dont know how the withdrawal from Mrt will compare to Diazepam, I was hopefull but all the negativity about it is making me worry, and might taper off them myself.  

    I just noticed katz31 reply, and i know i do have low potassium levels hmm.. so  I am going to take katz31 advice before i do anthing else.

    I wish you well Deano, I really do.

    Love n Light to anyone suffering from depression x

    • Posted

      Hope you get it sorted out, everyone I know that as tried mirts, as had restless legs off them. Thanks for your well wishes, all the best, Dean.
  • Posted

    Well.... while you are not supposed to drink alcohol (there your doc is right) you also shouldnt have restless leg syndrome as a side effect. 

    I would ask your doctor for a different medication than mirtazapine. There are a few options to try out, depending on why you are taking mirt in the first place. You can take an Antidepressant plus a sleep aid for example.... 

    I personally HATED the weight gain issue with Mirt and am now on 

    Wellbutrin (Antidepressant), Vortioxetine (Antidepressant like Mirt, but without the weight gain and sleepiness), Clonazepam for Anxiety and half a Zolpidem for sleep at night.

  • Posted

    You just cant drink alcohol. If for no other reason it apparently counteracts the chemicals so is basically wasting your time other than giving you restlessness. Not nice I know. Someone told me about wrapping a sheet around your legs. Not very comfortable but gets rid of the twitches after a couple of nights. Good luck x
  • Posted

    Hello Deano

    My doctors has started me on 15mg of mirtazapine I have been on cilapram for many years,I have only taken for 4days but the dry feleling in my mouth is terrible

    and headache did any one suffer that early? I am going to come off of them as soon as I can, my doctor told me it would help me sleep so I could face the next 

  • Posted

    No it is not the alcohol! I don't drink! I have o Lynn taken the pill three times ever in my life and last night had this feeling.

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