Posted , 2 users are following.
I have been taking mirtazipine (30mg) now for 3 months and am feeling much better but at the time of seeing a psych she recommended that i :?: go onto venlafaxine but i haven't read anything on this site that insires me to do so-infact what i've read fills me with horror!! Has anyone got anything good to say about it or should i remain with mirt?
0 likes, 4 replies
We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.
Stiltman
Posted
Did your psychiatrist say why he/she wanted you to come off Mirtazapine and go onto Venlafaxine?
The maximum dose the doctors will prescribe of Mirtazapine is 45MG. So if it's working for you at 30 MG and you have only been on it for three months then I'm a little surprised that they want you to change. Venlafaxine is no longer a \"front line\" antidepressant like Mirtazapine or Citalopram - I don't know, of course, what other AD's you may have previously tried.
Unless, of course, they have a medical reason for wanting to switch you?
In terms of the two, I put on a lot of weight whilst on Mirtazapine and had an enormous appetite, really craving carbs. This has stopped on Venlafaxine and I have lost the weight. Conversely, Mirtazapine helped me sleep without other drugs which Venlafaxine does not always do.
As I understand it, you can take both Mirtazapine & Venlafaxine simultaneously and if you have trouble sleeping, the sedatory effect of Mirtazapine is increased in lower doses.
My personal view would be to get your psychiatrist to explain why they want you to switch and what benefit they anticipate you obtaining. Venlafaxine can cause some interesting side effects and you need to have your blood pressure monitored on this drug so make sure you get the answers you need so you can make an informed choice before switching.
Best regards.
KENDAL
Posted
Stiltman
Posted
Initially I felt extremely nauseous, dizzy, some blurred vision and weary on Venlafaxine. Now on 150MG slow release and whilst these effects have reduced to tolerable levels, I didn't have these effects from Citalopram or Mirtazapine. Apart from weight gain, the worst thing about Mirtazapine (at 45MG) was the pain in my feet and ankles on waking which meant I could barely stand for the first half hour of the day.
To be frank, I have not found sexual dysfunction to be a problem for me with Venlafaxine. That said, neither did I experience this as a side effect of either Citalopram or Mirtazapine.
Good luck.
Guest
Posted
I'm a bit confused as to which order I tried them all in but Mirtazapine, Citalopram and Escitalopram were the worst A/Ds I've ever taken in my life. My brain went full of cotton wool, I couldn't think a single thought, I was starving hungry for sugary carbs all the time and gained 5 stone in 1 year. I had 'electric shock' withdrawal symptoms from them but apart from that felt better without.
I've been begging for venlafaxine for years and now I'm on it, it's exactly the same as what I was self-medicating with - amphetamines and stimulants - but at least its measured doses and its prescribed. I already feel better after only a few days. But it's nothing similar to the previous mentioned, there is no comparison, it's a dramatic shift and it needs to be carefully considered. Also, as an ex-drug user, the side effects and withdrawal don't scare me but for someone who hasn't been a heavy 'dabbler' in Class As, I can imagine the effects could be very scary.