No one should be alone in this. We can help. View New Content

[shizuku]

Hi, I'm a returning member who has been absent for a while now. I'm also an ex mod

I currently take 40mg of Citalopram and have been for about 2 years now. I've been suffering the sexual side effects of this medication for some time now and it's affected my relationship quite drastically so my doctor is moving me to Mirtazapine. I also take 1mg of Risperidone, but I probably don't need it any more but without it, I don't sleep so this is another reason why my doc has moved me to Mirtazapine.

I'm a bit nervous about starting a new medication as I've been on Citalopram for so long, what can I expect? I'm slightly concerned as one of the side effects can be increased appetite and subsequent weight gain, I already had this problem with the contraceptive implant which made me put on almost 2 stone, I am eating healthily now but I really can't put on any more weight, it's affecting my illness enough as it is

Please, I would love to hear your stories on using this medication

[PoeticProse]

Hi shizuku,

I tried Mirtazapine as an adjunct treatment about 6 months ago. I didn't notice much change in my appetite, and only experienced one side effect - akathisia. My doctor expected it to help with my sleep as well, but it had the opposite effect on me. I didn't notice it too much on 15mg, but it became a problem after increasing to 30mg. Everyone is different, and this may not be the case for you; it is very possible that it will help you sleep. I wouldn't worry too much about the weight gain until you have been taking the medication for a few weeks. If it becomes a problem, just talk to your doctor and you two can decide what to do.

I wish you the best of luck. Keep us posted.

[shizuku]

What is akathisia? I've never heard of it!

Thanks for the advice, it's been a real help :) I am a bit nervous as I've been on Citalopram for so long so I am not sure how the new meds will affect me. My GP has prescribed a lower dose of Citalopram and Mirtazapine to take so there will be a crossover, then the Mirtazapine dosage will be doubled.

[houns339]

Mirtazapine does make me want to eat more and I did gain a bigger belly. I'm a 57 year old man and I don't worry about it too much.

The thing I still get is weird dreaming followed by spaced-out mornings.

It is better than the other anti-depressants when it comes to the libido though.

I hope it goes well for you.

- john

[luckyfrank]

Mirtazapine does make me want to eat more and I did gain a bigger belly. I'm a 57 year old man and I don't worry about it too much.

The thing I still get is weird dreaming followed by spaced-out mornings.

It is better than the other anti-depressants when it comes to the libido though.

I hope it goes well for you.

- john

Mirt has killed my libedo, lexapro didnt affect it,

[PoeticProse]

Akathisia is restlessness; it was particularly in my legs when I would lie down in bed. Just pay close attention to any side effects you have, and report them all to your doctor during your check-up.

[shizuku]

Thanks for your responses.

I get restlessness anyway when I'm in bed, the Risperidone has helped with that as it just knocks me out!

I will keep my appetite in close check, on the diet I'm doing there are a lot of foods that you can eat as much as you like so I'll have to learn to fill up on those and not reach for the cake!

It's really great to hear how other people get on with it, I really hope it helps me as much as it's helped you guys.

[Davevanza]

As for me, I am taking 45mg Mirtazapine, at about 6.30pm.
This helps minimise the hangeover the next morning.

I used to take it late in the night. at 11pm. And this gives a bit of hangeover the nextmorning

[houns339]

As for me, I am taking 45mg Mirtazapine, at about 6.30pm.
This helps minimise the hangeover the next morning.

I used to take it late in the night. at 11pm. And this gives a bit of hangeover the nextmorning

I tried that myself and I would just feel zonked all evening and crash-out in the chair.

It can be different for each person though.

- john

[shizuku]

I was advised to take it at night, I've not started it yet though so we will have to wait and see how it goes when I start :)

[Bradoonee]

I'd say Mirtazapine is one of the best anti depressants. I just wish I was on it to start with instead the garbage SSRIs I was given which mess up your libido and can push you over the edge and make you end up in hospital which happend twice!! Citalapram didn't sit well with me and I quit taking it after 2 days! Mirtazapine will definitely increase your appetite but I don't personally see that as a bad thing because I lost about a stone before I started on it and I wasn't eating. I've kinda topped out at 10.5/11 stone and I was a mere 8 stone before so have to say a plus for me!! As for weight gain I think the key is to try and be disciplined about it. Anyways good luck!

[shizuku]

That's the thing I'm most worried about. Weight gain. My weight is a major factor in my depression and if I put on weight again it would send me spiralling back down. I'm just going to have to be strict with myself and fill up on fruit instead of cake and chocolate!

The Citalopram has worked for me, it's just time for a change.

[Davevanza]

As for me, I am taking 45mg Mirtazapine, at about 6.30pm.
This helps minimise the hangeover the next morning.

I used to take it late in the night. at 11pm. And this gives a bit of hangeover the nextmorning

I tried that myself and I would just feel zonked all evening and crash-out in the chair.

It can be different for each person though.

- john

Hi houns339,

But do you find the next morning grogginess or sedation?

i witch to the Soluble tablet form, 90mg, as it is fast absorbed, so won't affect the next morning grogginess, it's quite a high dosage ..
so I have to take it around 6.30pm

My sleep is ok.
except with weird dreams.
always dreams.