Hey Everyone,
I started taking remeron at a 15 mg dose probably 6 months ago and honestly it has helped me so much. Before I started I'd basically shut myself off to the world. I was scared of everything, I cried all the time, I wasn't able to sleep, I couldn't be in a crowd, overall my anxiety just put me in a really bad place. I was functioning at about 80% for the first couple of months I was on it, but now (6 months late) I'm pretty much back to my old self. I still get nervous sometimes, but I can go to class and the movies and to me thats an entire world of difference. Overall my anxiety is at a much more tolerable level. I used to get so frustrated with relapsing in the first 3 months of taking it, but now I feel so much better. I am a little drowsy during the day... "foggy" I guess it would be more aptly named, but I don't really mind being a little drowsy... keeps my nerves in check at least. However... the weight gain has been horrible. I'm really tall and fairly broadly built so I carry the weight well, but when I went into my doctors office initially I was a very fit 150... a couple of months later I could barely fit into my maid of honour dress and now I'm 185-190 pounds... I guess its pretty average to gain 30 ish pounds, but my appetite hadn't changed and I was still working out (even with joint pain... anyone else experience this??) but nothing seemed to help. I was hardly going to starve myself to get skinny, lol, so I talked to my doctor and I got prescribed cymbalta along with the remeron... I don't know how it's going to work... but I'm hoping it works great. If remeron works with your bio-chemistry its great, but the extra pounds are definitely not a good time. Good luck with it everyone!

LOL, I totally know what you mean! My first 24 hours on Remeron my Dad woke me up to go to work and I smoked my head off a wall! It did go away, I still feel foggy during the day, but I'm not falling over anymore.

I quit taking remeron a year ago and I want to start back up since I have been feeling very uneasy and having death thoughts and poor sleep. I also feel numerous symptoms that are uncomfortable.How long were you on it and what dose did you start with?

Hello every fellow struggler in this jungle of depression and medications!

I started on Remeron Nov 5:th, and quit a week ago. The first weeks sleep was very good (never really awoke), anxiety gone, got some spirit back, was constantly hungry, but felt positive about this med after 12 yrs on different SSRI's that had pooped out. Then after about 6 weeks I got insomnia and early wakeups, restless legs, nausea, and bad panic attacks every afternoon. Also my sight was getting poor. (Reading is one of my greatest reliefs)
I had then gained almost 30 lbs and got joint aches and my knee arthrosis gotten much worse. Never had such a swag belly in my life! In the afternoons I looked like a 9 months pregnant. Also feet and legs swollen up.
SO I called the psych nurse and told her I go off this now, I did cut down for some days and then went back on my old Prozac, and Rivotril.
Will tell doctor never to put me on something like this again. (Doctor is gone until Jan 13:th.)
I am naturally a slim and active person who usually can eat lots without gaining weight. So that is really no life carrying around a huge belly and having constant joint aches, AND anxiety! I then did find in an information for prescribers that Remeron might cause as well muscular aches as joint aches. Why do they never tell us patients.....? Just blaming everything on the depression and treating us like guineapigs.

Take care, and if someone replies me I will be very happy!

This post has been edited by BlueMoonLady: Jan 5 2009, 06:04 PM

Hi I'm new here. plus im new on mirtazapine.(2 wks). I took my first one in the early hours of the day after boxing day as i had bad panic attacks all day boxing day and had to call the out of hours doc. same thing happened xmas eve but i rode them out. Anyway doc had prescribed mirt for insommnia, but didnt take it left in cupboard. So on the telephone doc told me to take mirt and within an hour it should calm me down, well it took the edge of but didnt get rid of it. nor did it make me sleep. Eventually when did sleep i stayed that way til about 2 the nxt afternoon, not good wen i have 3 kids. i took it at 10 the nxt night still didnt sleep. i find im very tired in daytime and wide awake at night. bought it down to 8 in evening still awake at night. so am going to take it at 8 in mornin see what that does. plus i also still get anxiety and panic attacks. any advice?

Hello Lavender,

apparently mirtazapine does not work good for you either.
Talk to your doctor and tell you can not go on with this med.
As a Mom i know the effects of sleepiness in daytime is disastrous.
And you have still anxiety and insomnia so you definetely need something else to feel better.

Wishing you good luck and don't give up!

Hugs,
Blue moon lady

Hey Guys,

Since starting on Avanza I've experienced the following and wondering if anyone else has experienced the same:

Burts of rage and barely controllable violent urges
Feeling a sense of detachment toward the world around me
Shaking hands
Emotional volatility and out of proportion reactions
Insatiable desire for food

I changed from Lovan(Prozac) 30mg to Avanza(Remeron) 15mg on the direction of a local GP, who said that hardly anyone ever feels the need to eat whilst on Avanza. I have only just lost 10 kilos and it was a massive struggle for me, let alone a new fight against putting them back on with Avanza's effects!

I've been on Avanza for only 3 weeks, one of which was a phasing in period during which I also took decreasing amounts of Lovan. I'm looking at some of the horror stories on here and feeling that I really need to take my mental health into my own hands and wean myself off this drug immeadiatly. The one night I tried to just not take my 15mg dose, I found it impossible to get to sleep and had loads of muscle spasms and crazy thoughts.

So, your thoughts? Drop to 7.5 mg for like, 5 days and then stop? My GP is obviously not planning on stopping me taking it, as I told him I was having these reactions after the first week and he said to just keep taking it!

Any info on how anyone has stopped taking Avanza would be a massive help.

Cheers,
Kat

This post has been edited by Isabeau: May 2 2009, 12:49 AM

to DF

I have had those side effects from this medication, but it does get better...............well it did for me but I needed a medications for all of my depression not just part of it so I had to change to a few other meds.

Not all people put on weight with medication.............................as I didnt and havent with many others as well. I know that is very common for people to put on weight and a a friend on mine that I know acutally in the beginning did put on weight but once the medication was working properly actually lost it right back off and a bit more.

None of us here are professionals and cant provide you with information on how to wean off a medication....................................you must seek the help of your GP who is there to help and provide the help you need if you wish to come off this medication.

HUGS
Isabeau

hey inky mao,

when i first started on remeron i noticed a huge increase in appetite and also really vivid and sometimes terrifying dreams. I was also pretty sleepy during the day. It wasn't helping with my mood so my doctor switched me to zoloft.
like isabeau mentioned in her post i think you should talk to your doc about any dosage adjustment. he may have been hoping the side effects would pass when he told you to keep taking it after the first week. you should definitely follow up with him and let him know what's going on.

i was put on it about 6 weeks ago put up to 45mg then back down to 30mg and im still feeling very down suicidal and all that, i thought it was working but it is clearly not, i dont know what to do, ECT ive mentioned to my doc but he said he wouldnt like to because of my age and memory. i dont know what to do, everything ive tried had failed,

i'm sorry you're feeling so bad hon. i know it's so frustating to keep trying different drugs with no results. but don't give up hope. you will find something that works.

Hi, im new here, and have no clue what im doing...so im not sure if this is where im supposed to post or if it will even show up!!
I have been put on mirtazapine for the the second time (was on it for a brief period about 4-5 yrs ago, and did not have a good time on it....then found out i was pregnant...so in the end i ditched the mirtazapine and the pregnancy, as both seemed to be driving me insane)
I told the doctor i did not have a good experience on the zispin and naturally he did not listen and said that was all he could do for me. So i have given it another go..... and guess what, it still sucks.....im constantly tired, and hungry all the time, to the point that it is distracting and uncomfortable, ( i mean, i keep eating even when im full, which makes me feel bloated and disgusted with myself.).
I try to exercise and practice kick-boxing almost everyday to keep active ....mirtazapine does not want me to exercise....i get the most frustrating sensations when the physical activity endorphins try to kick in..and my muscles start twitching....this was not a problem before i started taking this crap. I feel like a zombie and get angry in slow motion...i hate it, ....its hard to describe, but the irritation i feel is so grating, it is like nails on a chalk board.
Told the nurse practioner i wanted off.....turns out it will take an entire month to be weened off this junk,...and that i will have to go cold turkey without any medicine for an entire week before being started on anything new.....
I have not, not been on any type of psych med in over a decade, and naturally i am petrified. I imagine that week will be nothing more then a 24-7 panic attack....and am having to ask friends to make time to look after me, incase worse comes to worse. .....( i live in the uk currently, and they are not very keen to assist people with mental illness, until you hit rock bottom) So yeah, im not happy about this situation ( as having just come off venlafaxine, which produced horrific side effects that im still feeling now)....so if anyone else can relate or give any input, i would be happy to hear from them.

to DF and yes you posted this in the right place.
I don't think I can help much because I seem to be having a shakey thing going on and I am only on 15mgs at bedtime to help me sleep and to try and boost the other AD. Hopefully some-one will have some advise for us. Is there no way your doc would give you something like ativan to help with the panic when it happens well you are cleaning out your system.

Many Doctors and Pdoc's do think that you need to have a washout period before starting a new drug. I am not a professional but do have some reservations about this theory. There are many people who successfully take drug combo's and I have tried it myself with no ill effects except for the normal side effects. I ramped down Paroxetine while ramping up Mirtazapine with my Dr's blessing, because I could not stand life with no med and also had no problems. Mirtazapine can have some nasty and scary side effects. I would have never have stuck with it if not for the fact that I was desperate and it seemed like the only thing that was going to keep me out of hell. My personal experience has been that the weight gain was only temporary it seems to have stabilised. But according to statistics it can be a no-no for about 58% of people who pile on weight.

Hi Everyone,
I'm just into my second week on remeron. I don't remember much of the first day. It felt like I was sleepwalking. The next day was better. I have been having vivid dreams though. Last night I woke up from a nightmare where I was almost crying with fear. Next dream was another nightmare and another wakeup and so on to the third and final one...also with a wake up. It was the first night of such bad dreams so I'll have to see how it goes tonight. I haven't run into the eating/craving horrors that I've read so much about. At least not yet. So far the only side effects are the dreaming and I'm a bit more tired than I should be. I'm hoping that it will stay this way. It's too early see any change in depression I guess. I'm not as anxiety ridden, but, I'm certainly not off the wall happy either. Here's hoping this works for me. Luck and love to all. Namaste.

hello
I am new to this site, and also new to Mirtizipine, this is my first week. I have had anxiety on and off ever since I can remember, and for no reason that I could really think of it has hit me so hard the last month, I have had to take some time off work. My Doc is great, we discused meds at first , but decided to wait. Things were just getting worse, so started this med. as I have never been on anything before, except for Benzo's on occasion, mostly for sleeping on planes and things where time zones change. I take 15 before I go to bed, the first morning I thought I was drunk when I woke, was very dizzy and wobbly most of the day, did not drive and took a short bike ride, but figured that was not the best thing to do, balance and all, so headed back home. The next day was much better, a little dry mouth and that was about it, even made it to the gym. Going on my sixth day, been working out everyday & have changed my diet a bit, worried about the weight gain thing, if I need to snack or eat its fruit and veg only. Everyday seems to getting better all around, my dreams are strange at times and a little more vivid, but in all honesty they are kind of fun at the moment. I am do to increase to 30 in a day, things seem to be working for me at this point, I still get anxiety daily but much less, and with the help of some emerg. benzo's things seem to be coming back to normal. Well this is my experience thus far, so far so good, I hope it helps. And to those who are having problems with it I am sorry and hope you find something that works. As this is the first med I have taken, and it was precribed for anxity for me, really have nothing to compare it with.
Cheers to all and stay well

I took Remeron for around two months. The first weeks I felt incredibly sleepy, after that I was having a good night sleep. However, I was eating much more than I used to before taking Remeron. It made me feel hungry all the time. Also, I started having suicidal thoughts constantly, something that never happened to me before. I attempted suicide twice, I have self injured myself (and continue), and now I stopped taking it. I also decided not to go to the doctor anymore. I didn't see any positive changes.

That's the wrong attitude to have. You can't rely on medication to make you feel better, it's all about changing yourself and things around you.

I've been taking Mirtazapine (Avanza in Australia) since March and it has helped in some ways but I'm still not able to function as I used to or work, but it is a great drug, especially for those who have trouble sleeping or are skinny (like me).

The sedation and brain fog isn't great but it's better than feeling sorry for yourself and doing nothing about your depression or anxiety. I try to force myself to go walking (even if it's just around the block), because being inside all the time or on the computer really does make you worse.

Another thing is to eat more healthy, drink more water and avoid things like caffeine, cigarettes, alcohol and drugs. It's the best thing you can do for yourself and your health if nothing else seems to work.

Hi all, first post on here after spotting this forum this morning.

I've been on Mirtazapine (as it is in the uk) for 3 months now and during this time I have increased twice from 15mg to 30mg then to 45mg on tuesday.

At least I'm not the only one having side effects with this pill. I am another in the vivid dreams club. Thankfully not nightmares just extremely 'real dreams'. I have also gained weight and I am extremely hungry all the time. I thought I was just being piggy but as I seem to be not alone in this it probably is the drug.

Overall though this drug is in fact working out quite well. I don't feel as anxious but I seem to be slipping from insomnia to sedation and I am feeling 'cloudy'.

I am currently taking the 30 mg and I have gained over ten pounds plus I feel more lethargic during the day. I have to go back to my doctor because I feel really panicked at work, as if I am not taking anything at all. I does seem to be a big difference in the 15 mg and 30 mg. I am thinking about taking half of the 30 mg bill because the weight gain just makes me feel even sadder.

Holy Cow!!!!! I can so relate...I have been on it for about 2 &1/2 months and gained over 20lbs. NOT NORMAL. It has helped for a bit, now I find myself feeling upset becauseof the weight gain, tired, and really want to go off of the drug. I am going today to see if I can stop it cold turkey as the weight gainis too much...thoughts?

I am in th same boat, weight gain, night sweats, horrible, I have gained 27lbs in a month and a half.

Just started taking Remeron during a hospitalization (7 days ago) - previously was taking Pexeva 30mg

I don't know (remember) what dose I started on Remeron but am at 30mg right now, I take it about 1-2 hours before bed.
I wake up in a fog, have a hard time concentrating and am blaming the meds. Or am I having withdrawal effects from not taking Pexeva?

It's taking every ounce of energy to concentrate and write this.

hi. im new to the site. just started on mirtazapine. has anyone been on this and not gained weight as this is really worrying me. also how long before you go to bed do you take this as i still seem to be taking ages before i get to sleep and even then the least little thing wakes me.
[/quote]

well been on mirtazapine for three nights now and stil lnot sleeping. am i expecting too much? getting really odd dreams bringing up things and peoople from past.

Hi Sank9, Welcome to DF,

Yes there have been others who do not have weight gain but many experience the weight gain as every individual reacts differently to the meds. I normally take remeron 1 hr before I go to bed but I've been on it for a long time and it does help. Keep in mind that it can take up to 8 weeks before you may feel the full benefits of this or any other meds. Vivid dreams are also a side effect of remeron and may subside as time goes on and dosages change.

thanx for your comments. looks like i may have to be patient then!!

Hi Everyone. I just started taking Remeron 30mg (last night). This is the first time on this med. My doc switched me off fluoxetine cold turkey which i think is a good thing because I have essential tremours(hand shaking) and that was making it worse. The remeron took about 30 minutes to kick in and I could barely make it up the stairs. My wife said I mumbled something as i stumbled by and bumped into the wall. This is the full first night's sleep I've had in a long time. Next thing I know the alarm was going off for work at 6:15. Usually I'm up at 4:00 but this morning it took me quite a bit of energy just to get out of the bed. I barely made the train to work. I hope I can adjust to this.
The only effect I had other than that is a had some vivid dreams. Not scary at all, actually they were rather amusing. I'm sitting here are work and my mind keeps drifting off and have no energy. Luckily I'm a coffee drinker so that seems to be helping. I'm also taking Budeprion SR 150mg twice daily. I tried the XR but it wore off rather quickly each day and by the evening I could hardly function. I'm not looking forward to this weight gain that I hear about, but then I've always had trouble keeping weight on so it might be a good thing! Hopefully these symptoms will level out.

Thanks for letting me spout!


-d

Hi dpcrow and Welcome to DF,

It's great to hear that at least you were able to get some long needed sleep. Yes it can take up to 8 weeks before things level out and since you noticed the effect of remeron right away then it probably won't take that long for you to get us to it.

Hi dpcrow,

I also felt really knocked out for the first few days on the drug, it takes a while for that to wear off. I've taken the drug for 10 days and I definitely feel more energetic now. Probably a little more energetic than when I first got on it.

I've also been on 2 long courses of fluoxetine, the first one of which I stopped cold turkey. You may feel withdrawal symptoms by stopping cold turkey, I know I did from both fluoxetine and escitalopram (both SSRI's). Just hang in there, they will pass too.

Cheers,
IB

God, I can't stand waiting for the Mirtazapine to kick in, I feel like my life is on hold any everything's just passing me by. I've been on 30 mg almost 2 weeks now, as far as I can tell it's doing jack s***.

I just feel so distant from everything, it's almost like I'm not living.

My faith in AD drugs is plummeting to new lows, I've tried lovan, lexapro, and now mirtazapine, it just feels like one big money making scheme for the drug companies.

My pdoc says if mirt doesn't work, then he wants me to try Effexor. Like hell I'm going to try that, I'm never going to take a drug that interferes with my libido again. I'd rather be miserable and be able to have normal sexual intercourse, than miserable and frigid.

Anyone else feel like ADs are a crock of s***? Look at all the side effects, why would you market an antidepressant that can cause suicidal thoughts, sexual dysfunction, etc etc.. I've read in many places ADs are 0-20% more effective than placebos in controlled trials, and that it's the amount of attention that trial patients get which actually contributes most to the positive effect on patients.

/end rant

Anyways, that's what's going through my mind at the moment. Peace out.

Cheers,
IB