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Mirtazapine

(14 Posts)
mrsmeldrew Fri 04-Jul-25 09:22:47

I do find it somewhat ironic that anti-depressants which are meant to make you feel better have this side effect of a non-stop appetite and sugar cravings. The pounds pile on and your self esteem drops even further and make you more depressed!

It's also so unhealthy.

Mt61 Thu 03-Jul-25 16:59:46

mrsmeldrew

I was on Mirtazapine for a short time, for insomnia and anxiety but couldn't stop eating.

My GP put me on Venlofaxine which really helped with mood and was great as it actually reduces appetite and cravings so I have lost weight as a consequence - last time I was 9 stone was when I was 40!

However, one of the common side effects of Venlofaxine is insomnia and it made mine worse. My GP prescribed an anti-histamine promethazine which makes me drowsy and at least I manage to get a couple of nights decent sleep every four nights. He did ask me to try without it - I have and have had night after night of very poor sleep so had to go back on it.

Trazedone was best thing I ever had to help me sleep but I don’t think they prescribed it now.

Mt61 Thu 03-Jul-25 16:58:23

mrsmeldrew

I was on Mirtazapine for a short time, for insomnia and anxiety but couldn't stop eating.

My GP put me on Venlofaxine which really helped with mood and was great as it actually reduces appetite and cravings so I have lost weight as a consequence - last time I was 9 stone was when I was 40!

However, one of the common side effects of Venlofaxine is insomnia and it made mine worse. My GP prescribed an anti-histamine promethazine which makes me drowsy and at least I manage to get a couple of nights decent sleep every four nights. He did ask me to try without it - I have and have had night after night of very poor sleep so had to go back on it.

Me too, couldn’t stop sweating, uncontrollable yawning. Awake all night even though I was constantly yawning.

mrsmeldrew Thu 03-Jul-25 16:49:12

I was on Mirtazapine for a short time, for insomnia and anxiety but couldn't stop eating.

My GP put me on Venlofaxine which really helped with mood and was great as it actually reduces appetite and cravings so I have lost weight as a consequence - last time I was 9 stone was when I was 40!

However, one of the common side effects of Venlofaxine is insomnia and it made mine worse. My GP prescribed an anti-histamine promethazine which makes me drowsy and at least I manage to get a couple of nights decent sleep every four nights. He did ask me to try without it - I have and have had night after night of very poor sleep so had to go back on it.

HelterSkelter1 Thu 03-Jul-25 13:01:20

DH is on 15 mg since last June. Increased to 30 mg about 3 months ago which made him incredibly drowsy all day and night and groggy when he woke in the morning. So after a month or so reduced down to 15 mg. This suits him at 81 and very very underweight. He sleeps fairly well all night. He certainly didnt put on weight....we hoped he would do. I think it has improved his mood over the last year. Difficult to tell. He could be the same without it. He is less anxious I think. He would say he is no different. He certainly is not an insomniac. A higher dose than 15 mg is supposed to be less a cause of drowsiness,

Mt61 Wed 02-Jul-25 09:46:15

I put on three stone with this drug. I was getting up in the night, to eat anything with carbs as I had a real craving. So probably not really sleeping properly.

iridales Wed 02-Jul-25 08:18:22

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

Crocus5 Fri 17-Jan-25 20:03:37

Thankyou HVDY2

HowVeryDareYou2 Fri 17-Jan-25 20:00:02

Crocus I started on 15mg, always at night, then quickly went to 30mg, again at night. I've been on 45mg for several years now. I take it at about 10.30 and go to bed an hour later.

valdali Fri 17-Jan-25 19:38:08

I took it for a few months, it made me very pleasantly drowsy.
You could try the doctor's suggestion as mirtazapine is discussed from time to time on here & 15mg once a day is a very ladylike dose.

Crocus5 Fri 17-Jan-25 19:31:42

Thank you for the replies. What is the right time Howverydareyou2? I’ve been taking 15mg at night and doctor has now suggested I take 15 mg in the morning as well. I just want to sleep.

HowVeryDareYou2 Fri 17-Jan-25 19:19:11

I've been on Mirtazapine for about 7 years, and it still makes me drowsy. Have you been taking it at the right time? Other than that, you could perhaps try an antihistamine tablet to make you a bit sleepy.

ViceVersa Fri 17-Jan-25 17:52:16

No, quite the reverse, in fact. I was first prescribed it for menopause-related insomnia and it certainly works for me. I can feel myself starting to get drowsy within a fairly short time of taking it.

Crocus5 Fri 17-Jan-25 16:50:19

Has anyone had chronic insomnia while taking Mirtazapine and if so, how did you deal with it. The first three months, sleep was fine. Doctor says it’s not the medication.