Takes time to adjust to Mitazapine

Hi there Leaf. I quite agree, there is no quick fix for depression. I have been on Mirtazapine (30mg at night) for just over 4 weeks, and yes, fighting the increased appetite is a problem but with each day my well being is much improved overall. \"Touch wood\" I have not had nightmares, just vivid dreams that do not make much sense but wake up refreshed. Saw my GP this morning who said that she could see the old me back again which is great after such a short time on Mirtazapine. As with all drugs, suitability of one may be fine with one person but disastrous with another. Good luck to everyone on it.

Hello Bushbaby. I'm really pleased that you're finding that Mirtazapine is helping to improve you general sense of wellbeing...with depresssion that's a big positive leap forward isn't it? I also have weird vivid dreams since taking Mirtazapine but like you I still wake up feeling well rested and ready to face the day. As I started to feel better in myself I was able to find the willpower to not eat for England! To be honest when I was feeling ill my appetite just vanished and so the side effect of increased appetite was actually a positive thing for me at the start because I needed to put on some weight. Since I've been feeling better I've started working out which I don't think I've ever wanted to do before...that batty thing is that it actually makes me feel better for doing it.

Hope you continue to feel more like your old self and thanks for sharing your experience.

Hello there! I'm from Poland. I'm writing here because on my language foras there's no sufficient data about mirtazapine. I've been on Mirtor (mirtazapine) for two weeks. I've tried paroxetine, fluoxetine and tianeptine so far, but the results were very bad or not good enough. Since I started to have problems with anxiety and insomnia, my doctor prescribed me mirtazapine. It's working to some extend, but I am still depressed and have panic attacks in the morning. I am also worried about the possible gain weight because I have a few kilograms too much. Can you tell me how long can I wait until it fully works? Anxiety is a part of the depression so I trust it will vanish together with the depression. Also, is the gain weight inevitable? I'd be grateful for any answer. Sorry for my English. It's a foreign language for me. Regards. Marta.

Hello Marta. I'll try to answer your questions as a lay person and someone else who has been prescribed mirtazapine. Two weeks isn't long enough to feel the benefits of mirtazapine. You should however begin to feel less anxious and be sleeping better at night. Your mood will also improve. Allow at least four to six weeks to fully assess whether mirtazapine is for you. Your doctor will also monitor yoiur progress. Keep a diary of any strange or unwanted side effects. I have suffered from vivd lucid dreams and tingling numb lips in the first instance. I'm afraid that unless you are stick thin and exercise every day you will put on weight. Others will disagree with me but as mirtazapine slows down your metabolism unless you are very careful you will notice your weight going up. I haven't yet found an answer to this as weight watchers has not worked for me recently. I'm not giving up though. Your mental health is extremely important and I wish you well. Pooh.

Thank you, Pooh Bear. It was nice of you to answer my question. I will wait impatiently until the med works. Indeed I sleep better and I'm less anxious, even my mood is a little bit better but not enough. Some resources say that less than 10% put on weight. It's not so bad. I care about my mental health but the appearance is also quite important... Best regards. Marta

However, I noticed something strange. During first several days on 15 mg I slept very well and wasn't anxious at all. Now on 30 mg I wake up earlier and I feel terrified while waking up. Later I'm much less anxious. Is it normal?

Hello Marta.From what I can gather from other people's experiences of Mirtazapine,the lower the dose the more sedative effect it has.When I was on Prozac last year my GP put me on Mirtazapine 15mg for a while as well.I was also on Lorazepam and Zopiclone as well so the concoction of drugs knocked me out and I later found out,after being admitted to hospital,that being on two different antidepressants can actually counteract with each other which is what happened with me.When I first started taking Mirtazapine 30mgs I used to have a feeling of dread when I first woke up but I think that was due to the fact that the medication wasn't yet in my system properly and so the feeling of dread was linked more to depression than the drug.If that makes sense?Let us know how you're getting on.

Hello, Leaf! Thank you for your answer. You're right, the sedative effect is smaller on 30mg than on 15 mg. But the anxiety after waking up almost disappeared. I am also more active during the day. I've been on Mirtazapine for over 3 weeks. However, there are still better and worse days. I have also some side effects: I've got problems with orthostatic pressure and I am a little bit dizzy. I hope it won't last during the whole therapy. Wish you well. Marta