Mirtazapine : afraid of losing myself & no motivation?
Question posted by ori_me on 21 April 2016
Last updated on 7 May 2016 by Hawaii2009
Hi everyone !
I don't speak english fluently so please don't judge me about that :)
Before taking this medication, i had little to no motivation and i was always seeing horrific images of myself (including self injured parts of myself). I never had violents acts on myself, but was taking drugs all day (codeine) to calm down my body. I stopped codeine for a while (maybe my only motivation moment !) and never came down again. After about 5 months (maybe more) i decided to go to the GP to talk about my problems but it was so hard to explain ! My body was shaking all day, i had bad dreams which induce me to wake up very sad, and this feeling last all day long (accompanied with all those nigthmares visions... ).
After many visits to the GP, she prescribed me mirtazapine 15mg ten days ago (i started it immediatly). it gaves me a good sleep (thanks god i really need it !), but i have to wait hours to wake up ! My dreams are now really strong and clear, but not like before. They are kinda nice and apreciable (even if they are nightmares they are clearly better than before !). But now i have really no motivation. Can't do anything all day long by myslef, just waiting the night to get rest. By chance it's holydays here (i'm a french student), but i can't do my homeworks, can't do anything... just waiting on sofa or bed...
So my question is : will i be able to find any motivation with mirtazapine ? i know it's been only 10 days i started this pill, and it needs much more time to be really effective. But i'm on the end of the school year and i really need to work hard, really hard... I don't want to stop this pill cause know i have good sleep, no seizure and no horrific images in my head, but i feel like a zombie...
Is there anyone who have experienced this ? Thanks for reading and sorry again for grammar mistakes :) Orime
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9 Answers
HA
Hawaii2009
7 May 2016
Orime
On a side issue 15mg is the starting dose and is great for sleep but an increase has a paradoxical affect as it loses its night sedation ability in some. But it a great first line drug.
Regards
Chris
Votes: +0
CH
chuck1957
29 April 2016
Well mona I just typed a big answer and the system did not want to take it but I well get back to you later maybe its work they are doing on the system I lost everything I typed but the main thing is don't try and go off of any of these medications on your own you do need support and help from the doctor and I like to do it a medication at a time so you can find out if you really need it and it is a slow process to have it done right. But it is very importaint to have the doctor helping you go down off any of these medications because all of them need to be taken down slow and the slower the better keep in touch my friend we are here for you.And you really want to make sure you are able to go off then start to go off of a medication and find out that is not the one because it is helping you the most. etc if you try and go off of all at one time you can't tell which is causing you the problems and you want to do it as comfortable as possible.
Votes: +0
MO
mona77
30 April 2016
Thanks for that Chuck, will talk with my Dr this week. Sometimes it's difficult to see the forrest through the tree's and it's good to know there are others out there to talk with
CH
chuck1957
1 May 2016
mona77; Not a problem at all keep us posted and know we are all here for you and yu are not alone all of this is more common than people think and are worried about anyone knowing we are having troubles this is life and we have to find what works for us You hang in there and feel free to come for help or just to see what the doctor says later my friend
MO
mona77
26 April 2016
Hi Orime, I also recently started on a new antidepressant that has left me feeling the exact same way. I'm lucky if I shower every day
Votes: +0
CH
chuck1957
27 April 2016
mona77; You did not say what the medications is but many of these it takes between 1 and 2 weeks for the side effects to go away or at least get better in most case's and whatever it is please try to take it about the same time each day to keep a constant blood level. Good luck if you need more help please write back.We are not doctors but we have had many of the same problems and try to help others with the effects we have already gone through.
MO
mona77
29 April 2016
Hi Chuck, I'm not sure what happened to the rest of my comment the other day, not very good with computer stuff. I've been on mirtazapine for around 6mths now and am trying to come off them due to the inability of doing anything, however I am also on endep and pristiq as well as lyrica and tramadol for pain. Have worked out is probably all interacting with one another so if anyone can suggest how to come off some of the meds, I'd be really grateful
OR
ori_me
1 May 2016
Hi Mona ! How do you feel ?? I feel like my life is going in a way i can't control. This med make me sleep at fixed hour, i can't have a minute of concentration... I'm kinda sad about that, and my dark ideas comes again... Do you think it'll be okay with time ? I think about stopping this med...
Oh don't worry this is not your message that make me feel bad. I got these feels since i realize most of the things which happen to me (this realization is really hard). Yeah my GP said to me that dreams will be weird, cause i used to speak to her about my dreams, which were really weird before taking this med. I am no upset with you or stuff ! On the contrary i'm all here to listen to your advices ! These bad feelings are just my brain dayline... I'm tryin to think about something else but it's really hard.
I'll talk to my GP about these problems and see what she says about that. I'll see her the 25 of May.
I'm sorry i can't talk you more i hard to wake up at 9 to go to school but i just wake up and now i have to prepare an oral for this afternoon..
Thanks for your messages both of you Chuck and Wildcat :)
Votes: +0
WI
WildcatVet
24 April 2016
Just dropping in to say bonjour and I hope you're having a better day. :-)
Votes: +0
OR
ori_me
28 April 2016
Hello :D Everything is going fine little by little. I'll continue this med during my internship which starts at the very end of May. How are you ? have a good day orime
MO
mona77
30 April 2016
Hi Orime, just wanted to let you know your not alone
MO
mona77
30 April 2016
Hi Orime, just wanted to let you know your not alone
ori-me; Good MORNING i have to start here again I can't hit the comment line because a bug in the system... I CAME OF WRONG THE WAY YOU TOOK MY LAST COMMENT. when I said your smart. sounds like I am joking with you. after your comment, I rethink what you said back.Please believe me in no way do I want to upset you I want you to know I think I did not say it right. Like that scary dream and your teeth so I looked at the medication your on and seen these as possible side-effects of the medication I am going to put them here(((Commonly reported side effects of mirtazapine include severe sedation, weight gain, increased serum cholesterol, drowsiness, constipation, insomnia, fatigue, increased appetite, xerostomia, and decreased appetite. Other side effects include increased serum triglycerides, dizziness, tremor, vertigo, hot flash, palpitations, dyspepsia, abnormal dreams, bitter taste, decreased libido, and diaphoresis.
See )))) Now you know all medications can have side effects this has Abnormal dreams,fatigue like being tired even when you have slept 12 hours.also drowsiness sedation. But these are ones that do go away when you have taken this medication after a few weeks. You have said you do feel a little better you have said but sometimes the doctor does have to try different medications. when you see the doctor again I would like you to tell the doctor about these dreams that feel real. Also it is not uncommon to have to use more than one medication to help any of us. They many times start us on one medications and sometimes we have problems so they may add something with it or take one away and try again.because when you have bad dreams like this even if your sleeping you really are not getting good rest. I want you to know you are right here about wanting to do things and not being able to be yourself.I have this problem from time to time too. Much worse a few years ago.IT well get better. But I think you should talk with your doctor again and tell her or him about being so tired and these real dreams that are life like if they have not gone away by then. Please don't think all of this is in your head my FRIEND.some of this can be medication related it is common to have the doctor have to try other medications the hardest part of this is we want to be ourselves again.And you well but my friend you are smart but we don't see things the way we should this is not your fault.It can be the condition and I know you are worried about missing school feeling like you do and you can't do anything about it. This is not easy for anyone that is going through this.How long have you been taking this medication as of today? And how do you think you feel now when you think of before the medication. Now it still can be that you need to get a better level of the medication in your system but it seems like forever when we feel like you do.Most the time these type side effects start to go away within 2 weeks then you start little by little feeling better at about 3 to 4 weeks and by 6 to 8 weeks your blood level should have a steady amount of the medication in you as long as you keep taking it or the doctor might have to increase it but never increase without the doctors okaying it.See these things can happen to because you are under a lot of pressure school is hard.Right now and sometimes brings on problems like what you're having and I know your worried about papers you have to get turned in.But your more important than school at this moment.when we can't think straight we can't do our best job.I regret the way I said that last post.I know how you feel I have been there. And what you are going through is as real as you feel. And it is like one work can change the whole meaning of a sentence. and that is what I did I did not mean that you should be able to figure all of this out yourself but you are a smart young man you had the brains to know you needed help with what you are going through and found a doctor to help you. And stopped taking anything else you were taking and you might have been taking other meds to cover up what you were feeling.Thinking it was helping.But this stuff in our mind does not mean we are crazy or anything like that our mental health is as important as our physical health. I say this because I have been through this when I could not even open my door without having a panic attack of the outside. But if you continue to just sleep and when you're awake your tired and confused etc you really need to tell your doctor about this.SO the doctor may need to adjust your medication or try something else with it. Please don't get upset with me I said that part the other day and after I read it I know what you mean.all the problems your having can be helped but it takes some time and patients and help with the right medication and the doctor helping you out.And I hope you well keep writing to me or us.for support. YOUR NOT ALONE MY FRIEND AND THIS IS JUST A BUMP IN THE ROAD. I am sorry the way my other post came out and feel bad.I want you to know you can talk with me but know things well get better and hopefully very soon. your friend Chuck. Portland,Oregon USA. things are going to get better. trust me everything you feel is very real. And I did not mean it to sound like it did to you I understand there are many things I want to do but I can't because of fears or I get to upset in crowds etc.so I do understand. And I am so sorry the way I worded that and did not mean it the way it sounded I am here for you. And my friend Wildcatvet is also. and many others you well be okay my friend just takes time and do the best you can don't be hard on yourself my friend and again I am so sorry for the way I worded my other post I apologise.
Votes: +0
CH
chuck1957
21 April 2016
Orime; Please don't worry we don't judge!! I think you are doing very well you just need more time and remember your not alone. Please remember do not take any other medication without your PD (Doctor knowing) what you are taking and don't stop the Mirtazapine without the Doctor knowing it is important you don't take anymore Codeine or drink any alcohol. You are not alone many people have problems like this but you are smart enough to go see a Doctor for help.If you have to you could have the doctor write a note to your school that your having some medical problems and your school work may have to be a little late. You do not need to put more pressure on yourself. And hope within a few weeks you well feel better as long as you keep taking only the medicine from the doctor. You can tell it is helping you but making you very tired this should go away and you can catch up on your school work.Please know your not alone and you are doing something about it.
You well be better in time. And sleep, and make sure you keep eating even if you don't feel like it you must stay strong. and know things well get better keep in touch with your doctor. If you need more help feel free to write back.It is common to have problems like what you are having.but little by little try and get up and look at your homework or something to take your mind off of the thinking that is bothering you.Things well get better in time. Your a very smart young man to know you need help with this problem. And once again do not take anything else without getting a okay from your doctor.Best of luck.
Votes: +3
CH
chuck1957
21 April 2016
Orime; Really you did a very good job explaining your problem. Yes this is very common side effect when you first start this new medicine But it should get better it takes about 2 weeks to get past the side effects sometimes 3 weeks, Then many of these side effects go away and you should even feel better between taking this only as directed by your DOCTOR you should take around the same time each day as GP SAYS but the motivation should get better anytime now it's still going to be a little hard to get yourself going but you must make sure you are eating good to build yourself up and keep taking this medication this is normal how you feel but like I said it well go away and you should start to feel better soon if you continue to have problems go back to the GP and tell the doctor what is going on. Good for you with something like this you need help to get out of the bed and moving again but please don't worry this is normal.
hope you well start to feel better soon and be able to do your homework. try not to push yourself to hard. and best of luck write back if we can help you or you have a question your doing well on the english. best of luck.and trust your doctor do not use any medication or pills that the doctor does not have you on. YOU ARE VERY SMART TO KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG AND TO SEE A GP..KEEP SEEING THE DOCTOR AND AGAIN THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS MEDICATION FOR 2 TO 3 WEEKS AND THEN IT GETS BETTER AND AGAIN TRY AND TAKE IT AT THE SAME TIME EACH DAY AND DON'T TAKE MORE THAN WHAT THE DOCTOR SAYS. TRY NOT TO WORRY YOU ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING. Chuck1957 USA.
Votes: +1
OR
ori_me
21 April 2016
Hello Chuck :)
Thanks for your message, as i said i'm kinda worry about everything in these time and each message is great help for me. You're right i need healthy food and no other drugs to develop... I was just eating fat food today, tomorrow i'll try to buy some good food for me and many bottles of water :) I think i can do it, but at a very slow speed. I'm trusting my doctor even if it seems she doesn't listen to me, i hope she understand everything !
Yeah i take only the right dose at the same time ! i don't mess with it ! I'm gonna wait and wait again, hope it'll be ok for the back to school.
Regards from France !
CH
chuck1957
22 April 2016
Orime: Yes don't worry it may take you a little longer but your health is the important part and by eating good fat food is okay as protein but try fruit some vegetables things that are good for you.When we are in school,We grab a candy bar and soda and think this is okay.But you must eat well to feed the brain too.And it is not too late for you.EASY TO UNDERSTAND smart person you know to stop drugs and alcohol and take good things only ordered by a doctor you're going to be okay but it is too bad that many doctors seem like they are not hearing us but they do .Please keep seeing her she is there to help you have a good day chuck write anytime you need us. Wildcatvet is a very smart lady and helps me a lot. Chuck.
OR
ori_me
24 April 2016
Hi !
You say i'm smart enough to think about myself and my problems but i'm not smart enough to take care of myself and do the right things. All day long i keep looking to my acts and stuff and i clearly dislike the way i behave and the way i conduct myself with others.. My body and language act so quick that i can't do anything in order to change this. I can only stay quiet and calm down. I can't act like i would with others. There are so many things i'd love to change but the only thing i can do is waiting.
I hope my mind will be more clear about everything because i feel really confused. I sleep 12 hours per night and i feel really tired all day, maybe i really need some sleep ? i just woke up right now (it's 11H30 am in france) and i dreamed about loosing all my teeth in blood and wow it was so realistic...
Hi, Orime! First of all your English is beautiful ~ you could teach English to quite a few English speakers! You've sort of answered your own questions by saying that you know this may take some time. Most people start feeling better around 3-4 weeks (sometimes sooner) but it takes 6-8 weeks for your blood to have therapeutic levels of the drug, which is called the steady state. As your levels build and you feel better the annoying side effects should go away. You're on a fairly low dose (the maximum is 45mg) so your doctor may increase your dose if you don't improve quickly. Try to give it a little more time and you should have the motivation you need and the energy to act on it. Feel free to post here any time you have a question or concern. We'll be more than happy to lend support! Bonne chance et au revoir pour le moment,
Votes: +3
OR
ori_me
21 April 2016
Thanks you Wildcat ! Your message helped me so much ! 15mg is quite low as said my doctor and she also said me that we'll need to up the dose. She also told me to pass(?) some health scans (like liver, fat... ). I feel really stressed about everything in taking a med, but i hope that'll help.
I don't understand the part of your message about the steady state. Can you explain me ? I'll try to do some search about this :)
I'll give you news about everything and thx again !
PS : How do you know i'm french ?
WI
WildcatVet
22 April 2016
Steady state simply put means that when you've taken a drug long enough you will always have a steady amount in your bloodstream For instance you'll be taking in the same amount of the drug everyday as what you eliminate primarily in urine every day. In your post you mentioned that you are a French student which would mean either that you are a student who is French or that you are a student who studies French. So I knew you'd understand my attempt at using my high school (école secondaire) French. :-)
CH
chuck1957
22 April 2016
Dear O; wildcatvet; I am sorry I read it one way and because of language problem she is meaning it takes every day you take the medication when you reach the 6 to 8 weeks the drug is working at its best for you as long as you keep taking the medication about the same time each day.RIGHT now you are building up a level in your blood but you only absorb a small amount the longer you take it the more you absorb until you reach the steady state which is the whole 15mg it takes that long to absorb the 15mg this way if you took 15mg it would really hit you hard and it takes time so it does not knock you out. Also, if the doctor increases the dose it well take around that amount of time for the full dose to peak again.I hope I did not confuse you more if so please ask us again. Chuck or Wildcat. PS this way it is building up in your blood level until it gets the total steady level Chuck
OR
ori_me
24 April 2016
Hi !
Thanks to both of you, i think i understand well why i have to wait all this time to get some benefits. I'm trying to take my dose at the same hour each day. My sad ideas are slowly coming back to me, i hope it's just a side effect. It's been 2 weeks i've started now, but my mind can't really be unbiaised about myself, i can't really say it's better or worst.. May i wait more time ?
Yeah i'm a french ppl studying in France about computers !
Thx !
CH
chuck1957
27 April 2016
Hi, Orime! Yes, but if the weird dreams continue by next week I would like you to check with the doctor it could be you need the dose increased a bit, Or possible to add something with this med. Your doing just fine. please write back and let us know if things change but you are at the part that you should be getting through the worst part of the side effects.Take care but if the feelings and real like dreams are too much you should put a call into the doctor.
OR
ori_me
28 April 2016
Hello Chuck :) How are you ? I think those dreams are part of myself (it started at my childhood) and i won't fight against them. I'll try to get the message from them and maybe improve my way of life :) I'm starting to feel better i guess. Thx for ur message :) cya
CH
chuck1957
28 April 2016
That is great that you feel like you may be getting better, And part is understanding the dreams or if they wake you up, Just try and think of good memories and such so when you fall back to sleep you don't go right back into an upsetting dream Hope you continue to improve and thanks for letting me know. Have a good day my friend you're going to do okay. Just takes time. talk with you later any time we can help please stop by and let us know how you are doing
