Antidepressants - Side Effects on Mirtazapine / Depression

[SMH13]

Hello, I have been put on mirtazapine for depression : 1 week on 15mg and now on 35mg. I have been on them for 4 weeks.

This is the first time I have had depression. I went with symptoms such as insomnia , lack of appetite, lightheadedness, brain not functioning, sadness etc.....

I am sleeping and eating again but don't know if what I am feeling is the depression on side effects to the tablets?

Have such heavy eyes that can't focus and a heavy slightly dizzy head. Seem to feel better in the evening! Take them before bedtime to help me sleep.

My digestion is awful , but that could just be my eating habits!

Can anyone help or share their experiences?

Thank You

[beaniesq]

hi SMH.

There are a few things you need to know about your antidepressants.

The first thing is that you need time to get used to them. All antidepressants work by increasing the seratonin levels in the brain. (Seratonin levels are too low in people who have depression). It takes at least a month for the drugs to bring the Seratonin levels back up, and for your body to get used to the new elevated levels of Seratonin!

During this time, you can have digestive symptoms, weight gain or weight loss, constipation, headaches, dizzyness, shaking, dry mouth, blurry vision, daytime drowsiness etc.

As your body begins to 'tolerate' the mirtazapine, these symptoms should subside. If, after 8 weeks, you are still suffering, they are not the right type of antidepressant for you, and you should go back to your Dr to try something else.

I've had depression most of my life on and off, and it took me a few attempts at different drugs to finally hit on one that was right for me.

So you just have to be patient and wait for the side effects to subside I'm afraid.

Good luck!

[SMH13]

Thank you so much beaniesq, you have really helped with your answer.
Do antidepressants actually make you feel different? I'm usually an ultra organised person thinking 3 months in advance , at the moment I can't think very much at all. Thank You

[1955]

I was on Mirtazapine and although it helped me to sleep better and helped with my appetite (it gives you the munchies) it made me feel like a zombie. I lasted about 3 weeks on it. Personally I don't like taking tablets as they all have side effects. Exercise helps with depression - try getting out for a walk in the fresh air or writing down how you feel. I have a rebounder and use that twice a day - I also take Vegepa which is Omega 3 & 6 - good for brain function and concentration (available on the internet)
It's up to you whether you perservere with the Mirtazapine or not.
Best Wishes

[SMH13]

Thank you 1955, yes it helps me sleep and eat and I have got a thing for anything sweet! My friends have told me to walk which makes me feel a bit better. It's the zombie state that I don't like, but then I worry how I will sleep as I had bad insomnia. Back to the Doctors next week so will have a word, although all I get is "give them more time"! Thanks for your thoughts

[parra]

Try to chill and listen to some music


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POv-3yIPSWc

[andy-hughes]

Have to agree with beaniesq's excellent response.

The problem with any anti-depressant medication is that it doesn;t suit everyone, and the month-long 'trial' comes just at the time when you need your medication to work - not wait and see.

Do check with your GP who will know what side-effects you can expect, and what may be down to the unsuitability of the medication you have been given.

Sadly there is no point reading the side-effects list with the medication, they include everyhing that can possibly happen, up to a total eclipse and a lottery win - so that they can't be sued for anything that happens to you.

Take heart from the fact that modern anti-depressants are increasingly sophisticated, and once you find the one that suits you, you can carry on with your normal life again.

[SMH13]

thanks andy-hughes, i think that i saw them as a miracle cure and thought a couple of months i would be back to normal! I hav friends who have been on them and some friends who are still on them and they seem pretty normal! I will try and keep sane!

[andy-hughes]

The fact about depression is that it's there for life.

It may not always be present, but it lurks, ready to pounce.

I am not trying to frighten you - just to make you aware of the situation.

I had a total breakdown 20 years ago, i was in a psych. hospital for three months, off work for a year, and have been on medication since - and will be for ever.

I live a normal balanced life, but I have to be aware that I can have (as I have had) bouts of depression which I will conquor.

You should look on your medication as mental insulin, something you need to balance your mind, and accept it, and learn to look for the signs. If you want further advice and support, there are a number of fellow-sufferers on here, so come back at any time for help and support.

[craft1948]

I've been on Mirtazapine 30g for a year now and it's made so much difference to me I don't know how I managed before. It does take some getting used to but I persevered and it was well worth it.

[beaniesq]

Hi SMH - yes, antidepressants do make you feel different. Often the feeling is described as 'depersonalisation'. You feel like a shell of a person sometimes - like you're outside of yourself, or in a waking dream. Or like your emotions are manufactured. Does that make sense?!

I think youre organisational skills will recover as you start to get more used to the tablets! A month seems a long time to wait for the 'zombie' feelings to pass, but hopefully it'll be worth it.

Oh, one more thing - watch your eating. Because you might put on weight. Don't get into the habit of snacking in the night if you wake up hungry.

[wolf63]

SMH - You should stick with the anti-depressants.

My psychiatrist changed my antidepressant from Citalopram to Imipramine about 4 weeks ago and I am having similar problems to you. I feel like a Zombie looking at the world through a steamed up window..

I was told that my medication would take several weeks to kick in properly and I am willing to give it a chance.

Don't listen to people who say "antidepressants are addictive" - they aren't, but if you come off them quickly your body will miss the changes that it has made to your body chemistry . Your doctor thinks that these tablets will help you feel better - give them a chance. They will help you get better by giving you a more positive attitude, it is not an instant fix.

My psychiatrist advised me to try these omega 3 tablets. I take 2 per day - they are not cheap but they did help me.

http://www.healthyandessential.co.uk/shop/

Depression is NOT a sign of weakness - it takes a strong person to crawl back to normality. Talk to people about it as you would do if you had Asthma or a broken leg. It will amaze you how many lives have been affected by this horrible illness.

There is light at the end of the tunnel .... somewhere.