Gransnet forums

Health

Mirtazapine. Any one been prescribed it?

(23 Posts)
HelterSkelter1 Thu 25-Apr-24 14:14:46

DH possibly can be encouraged to take it. It was suggested by the GP a couple of months ago and DH was reluctant. I hope to get him to change his mind. GP suggested it to help encourage an appetite and as a general anti depressant. DH has severe emphysema and various other ailments. He is very weary. Any comments will be helpful. Thank you.

HowVeryDareYou2 Fri 26-Apr-24 08:15:47

I've been on Mirtazapine for about 6 years now. Initially, it was 15mg, then up to 30mg, then the full dose of 45mg. The side-effects were an increase in appetite and weight gain, but that's preferable to feeling as low as I did. My eldest son is also on the highest dose, after a breakdown about 8 years ago. My husband is on 30mg, and has been on that for about 6 months.

MissInterpreted Fri 26-Apr-24 08:22:46

Yes, I take it too and have done for a few years now. It made a huge difference to me.

lemsip Fri 26-Apr-24 08:32:19

I think it will lift his spirits so he should take it. He is very poorly with the emphesyma ect and would benefit from it

GrandmaHH Fri 26-Apr-24 08:56:17

I have been on a very lowdose,15mg, for about a year now as I was diagnosed with anxiety issues. I also used to become very emotional at the slightest thing.
I live with a very selfish and difficult man and we tolerate each other. That was the main reason for me taking Mirtazapine and it has definitely helped although I have put on weight which is a downside.
Like many others I cannot change my circumstances so the medication was the only option along with Reiki and meditation.

Shelflife Fri 26-Apr-24 10:37:13

GrandmaHH, I am sorry to learn of your circumstances. Weight gain may be a small price to pay in return for the benefits the medication is giving you . I wish you well 💐

Delia22 Fri 26-Apr-24 11:51:26

I have been taking Mirtazapine for almost two years now. I,ve been on 15mgs.However I'm a bit unsure how to stop.I feel better in myself and the issues which made me seek advice have been largely resolved thankfully.I believe it's advisable to taper off slowly to minimise withdrawal symptoms. I,m due to see GP in two weeks so I,ll discuss it then. Sorry to the op for 'hijacking her post '.I hope her DH can be persuaded to take the medication.I'm sure it's helped me.

Delia22 Fri 26-Apr-24 12:12:24

Meant to add...,it also helps with sleep! The 15mg does anyway.I don't think higher doses have the same effect. OP,I hope this helps.

HowVeryDareYou2 Fri 26-Apr-24 15:30:51

I'm on 45mg, and within an hour of taking it, I feel drowsy enough to go to sleep

HelterSkelter1 Fri 26-Apr-24 16:10:14

Thank you all for your helpful replies. I will try and persuade him...horse to water comes to mind.

Cherylg Sat 27-Apr-24 08:35:45

I took this medication a while ago 1st time I took full tablet felt awful next morning extremely tired took 1/2 tablet for a week or so then upped to full table and was ok.

Delia22 Sat 27-Apr-24 17:19:34

Cherylg

I took this medication a while ago 1st time I took full tablet felt awful next morning extremely tired took 1/2 tablet for a week or so then upped to full table and was ok.

I had this experience too Cherylg! Did the same.Half a tablet 7.5mg for a week or so then on to 15mg.

HelterSkelter1 Mon 29-Apr-24 14:06:26

Thank you. That's a useful tip.

Role Mon 29-Apr-24 21:02:17

DH has been taking mirtazapine 30mg for 9 months. It took a couple of weeks to work but has helped enormously. He hasn’t put on any extra weight, skinnier if anything.

valdavi Mon 29-Apr-24 21:11:33

I waas on it for 6 months a few years back, 15mg daily. I was hungrier but slept much better and at the end of the course I just stopped & didn't miss it at all (luckily my appetite went back to normal).

Whiff Thu 02-May-24 18:43:24

Bumping this up

Janet21 Sat 06-Jul-24 18:57:50

Hi I’ve been prescribed mirtazapine by my doctor as I’m sensitive to medication she told me to take 7.5 mg for a week and then 15 mg. I’m on amlodapine for blood pressure which causes swollen ankles just looking on the leaflet it says mirtazapine can cause urine retention does anyone suffer with this xx

HowVeryDareYou2 Sat 06-Jul-24 21:19:19

Janet21 I've been on Mirtazapine for years (son and husband also take it), never had urine retention

Janet21 Sun 07-Jul-24 10:55:10

Thank you for replying I’m only on small dose to start what dose are you on x

HowVeryDareYou2 Sun 07-Jul-24 12:15:49

I'm on the maximum, 45mg. Haven't had any problems, apart from weight gain/increase in appetite, at the beginning.

crazyH Sun 07-Jul-24 12:31:15

During my divorce, I was prescribed Fluoxetine. Quite frankly, it did nothing for me. That’s probably because, the ‘issue’ was still there. The process of divorce is stressful and had to be faced. There was lots to think about - lots of facts and figures to deal with. An antidepressant would have only dulled my senses, to my detriment. I needed to be sharp. So no. Antidepressants will help with clinical depression, but not circumstantial - that’s my opinion.

HelterSkelter1 Thu 11-Jul-24 18:44:01

Since posting this in April, DH has recently had a mini stroke and spent a very distressing week in the stroke unit. NHS at its worst.
He is now at home and has started Mirtazapine 7.5 mg which has enabled him to sleep at night and nap a lot during the day.
Tonight he will take 15 mg and see how that goes.
He has lost even more weight so we are hoping his appetite will improve. He was prescribed supplement drinks in the hospital.

Hopefully the 15 mg will be fine. My biggest worry is him going to the bathroom in the night and being unsteady, so I wont get a lot of sleep myself tonight...and am pretty weary. Well when he naps tomorrow so will I!

HowVeryDareYou2 Thu 11-Jul-24 22:39:49

HelterSkelter1 I hope your husband makes a good recovery. I had a bilateral stroke almost 3 years ago, was in hospital for weeks, made a fantastic recovery. If you're worried about him using the bathroom in the night, get a urine bottle from Amazon/chemist/Red Cross (or any container for a temporary measure) Best of luck.