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Mirtazapine - How Long Does It Work For.

Posted , 4 users are following.

Staz
Staz

How long is mirt effective for? I've read some posts saying it doens't work at to others saying they've been on it for some considerable number of years.

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • lynne82155
    lynne82155 Staz

    Posted

    I have been on mirtazapine 45mg for 6 years, it has kept my depression manageable, helped me sleep only problem was weight gain, that was until December 2015 when I started having anxiety attacks, never had them throughout my 16 years of depression.

    One doctor at a and e thinks it may be that the mirta has stopped working and what I am experiencing is tolerance withdrawal my gp does not think this is the case but she does want to change my meds to sertraline, slowly weaning me off the mirt.

    When I was first diagnosed with depression I was admitted to a psychiatric hospital  a psychatrist treated we now I have to put up with a gp who does not really have the knowledge.

    I am really scared about this because I went through a whole load of different meds to get the one that was right for me but I also really have to get this anxiety in order because it is taking over my life, I had to resign from work(well it was a case of jump or be pushed) I cannot function with it.

    • Calmer
      Calmer lynne82155

      Posted

      Hi Sta z & Lynne

      I have read many times that Mirt' can poop out after a certain length of time, different times.  I think after 12 months I felt a difference, every now and then my sleeping slipped back for a day or two.  Now after 16 months I am in the middle of weaning off, very very slowly.  

      I would definately say that you are right Lynne, Mirt has started having its wicked way of tolerance withdrawal, I have read of this too, Evergreen had this and therefore came off, I am sure she is good for you to chat to, hopefully she will pick up this thread.

      As for withdrawing it can't be any worse than you are feeling already, just go slow, some say 10% every 2-3 weeks, some say 5%, but as you are already in wd you may want to fo 10%, with tablet crusher/liquid dilution method, or if in UK (?) liquid Mirt' is available if you are lucky enough for your doc' to give it youu as it is expensive.  I got it but have to beg literally, don't be intimidated by this though, but I would print off some info and present your 'case' to your doc' for ammo' !!

      You may need to try another AD that you can take at the same time as Mirt' (you can't take all with Mirt) and see how you go, I understand your worry though.  Maybe put your name down also for CBT?  Or maybe you have done this?  I have, it is very effective at teaching how not to spiral down, gaining a stronger mind, batting off the negative/damaging thoughts that haunt us.

      I hope this helps a little; wishing you well.

    • Staz
      Staz lynne82155

      Posted

      Hi Lynne,

      Sertraline works well for a lot of people although it takes time to build up in your system to before it works. I hope it works out ok for you and feel the same myself about GP's.

  • evergreen
    evergreen Staz

    Posted

    It worked for me for over three years, then I got intermittent periods of it stopping working but then working again. Finally, it pooped out altogether for me. But I have heard of others being on it longer and it still working, and others where it pooped out after only a couple of months. It's a very strange drug.
    • Staz
      Staz evergreen

      Posted

      Prozac gave up on me after 3 years Evergreen. I didn't notice a think until I was hit by a stressful event and fell back into depression despite still being on it. I wonder now after 12 months gap would prozac work again for me as my system would be clear of any trace of the drug.

      Mirt does seem to be more hit or miss. It's working for me now but I do want to get my self off of it before it gives up on me although realistically I'm looking 6 months or so before I can attempt this.

  • emma67832
    emma67832 Staz

    Posted

    For me it was effective for 18 months then I found as I had a new bout if reactive depression it wasn't effective.

    I had weight gain too.

    I'm currently on lowest dose again as I want to stop it but withdrawal was horrendous so I've dropped from 45mg to 15mg and staying on this dose for a few weeks.

    It's helping my sleep and my depression doesn't feel too bad. I'm keeping busy and trying not to dwell on things. Exercise is helping but finding motivation hard.

    For me apart from weight gain I didn't experience any bad effects until I tried to stop...

    • Calmer
      Calmer emma67832

      Posted

      Hi  Emma

      Did you drop from 45 mg to 15 mg?  If so when was that?  It just sounds a massive drop, but maybe I've got it wrong ? 

    • Staz
      Staz emma67832

      Posted

      Hi Emma. Are you replacing the Mirt with another AD?
  • emma67832
    emma67832 Staz

    Posted

    Hi Staz I was replacing it with duloxetine but had awful reaction so no plans to replace currently.

    At the moment I'm toughing it out on lowest possible dose of 15mg. Due to see Dr on 22nd March.

    How are you doing?

    • Staz
      Staz emma67832

      Posted

      Hi Emma,

      My depression is slowly lifting on 30mg but the last few days I've been having problems sleeping. I hope this passes as I'm due to return to work on Monday.

      I've no experience with duloxetine but some swear by it and other less so. Good luck and take care.

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