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Mirtazapine - how long for it to work?

Posted , 2 users are following.

hayley11296
hayley11296

Hello.

My brother started getting depression and anxiety very badly in August and has been on array of meds with no effect. He's so bad he has suicidal thoughts. Unfortunately we're not getting the best support from out mental health team, but as a family we are supporting him the best we can.

He's has just started mirtazepine, 15mg at night. He is very anxious about taking drug (he's always eaten healthy and taken vitamins and avoids drugs at all costs so as you can imagine, taking mirtazapine is very scary for him).

Anyway he's been on the mirtazepine for a week and so far we're not really seeing much effect. He is convinced that he is suffering side effects and wants to stop taking them, but I think its just his anxiety. I am sure if he keeps taking them he will start to feel better.

Anyone who has experience with taking mirtazepine, how long did it take to work and what side effects did you have?

Many thanks

Hayley

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Emis_Moderator
    Emis_Moderator hayley11296

    Posted

    Hello Hayley,

    I am sorry that you and your loved one are going through such a difficult time.

    If they are having these suicidal thoughts then we strongly recommend they speak to someone who may be able to help. The Samaritans offer a safe space where they can talk openly about what they are going through. They can help them explore their options, understand their problems better, or just be there to listen.

    Their contact details are on our patient information leaflet here: https://patient.info/health/dealing-with-suicidal-thoughts, which also offers lots of other advice on how they can access the help they may need.

    If they are having such thoughts then please do try to persuade them to reach out to the team at the Samaritans (or the other people detailed in our leaflet) who will understand what they're going through and will be able to help.

    They can, of course, also speak to their GP. Alternatively, if your GP can help you with support for yourself and advice on how to help them get the help they need.

    Yours sincerely,

    Patient

    • hayley11296
      hayley11296 Emis_Moderator

      Posted

      thanks for your reply. he's currently under the mental health team and having CBT.

      we're now just waiting to find a drug which will work for him. he's been on lots of different ones and nothing has worked.

  • kev1982
    kev1982 hayley11296

    Edited

    hi hayley,

    sorry too hear your brother is feeling this way and it is nice to know your family is supporting him, i know from personal experience it is very difficult to get the correct support during this pandemic.

    with what you have said i found that the medication took about a month for the effects to start working and side effect of the medication unfortunately can make you feel worse for a while i was worse for the first two weeks but they did help after a month hope he feels better soon good luck to him and your family 😃

    • hayley11296
      hayley11296 kev1982

      Posted

      thank you for your reply.

      i have been reading a lot about mirtazapine online and so has my brother and all we hear are horror stories which doesn't fill us with much hope and increases his anxiety.

      its good to read that it has helped someone and may work for him.

    • kev1982
      kev1982 hayley11296

      Edited

      aww im wishing you and your family all the best post if you have any other queries i have used this alot for help dont always get responses but some respinses have been helpful

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