Remeron and Insomnia: What Users Say

• Dav...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 5, 2020

For Depression "I really like this medication. I'd always been wary of antidepressants because of the well-known side effects, but being an SSRI, I gave this one a shot. Never looked back. Gained maybe 8 pounds, but you can't tell because I look and feel so much healthier and happier. Little to no side effects other than that 8 pounds, I can finally sleep again. Woke up a little dizzy in the morning for the first 2 or 3 weeks, but it doesn't happen anymore. You probably won't ever forget to take it, and you won't be able to sleep without it once you're on it, but my quality of life is so much higher I don't mind."

• Mir...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 6, 2019

For Depression "Prior to taking mirtazapine/Remeron, I had been on most SSRI and SNRI type drugs. I had chronic depression, suicidal ideation, and anxiety. Before taking Mirtazapine, I was starting to think all these drugs were a joke or a big con. I also didn't realize how ill I was until I started Mirtazapine, it's been a revelation! The first month, I went manic and had a few side effects. Since then, I've had the first three years of my life without any major episodes. My insomnia has basically disappeared, and I sleep like clockwork 2 hours after taking 30 mg. I can't describe just how grateful I am, it's not just changed my mood but also my whole frame of reference and outlook. It's something akin to changing the color of a lens on a camera, where once everything looked dark, now everything looks bright. Anxiety is the one area where it's been a help but has not solved the problem completely. My anxiety has improved, but I'm still trying to find a med that targets panic attacks and anxiety disorder."

• ste...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 20, 2014

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was on Remeron for about 2 years before. Helped very much with my depression. But although I often felt very sleepy near the beginning of the treatment, the massive fatigue eventually subsided to an acceptable level. 20 mins after taking it, I'm ready for bed. I can't keep my eyes open no matter what. I just restarted Remeron two days ago after more than a year being on it. As I type this, I feel fogged over, sort of sleepy, and immensely 'munchie'. As before when I took it, I'd find myself waking up several times a night going to raid the fridge and cabinets for munchie or sweet foods (and meats! definitely craved meat all the time). So again, on Remeron: eating again, sleeping some, more relaxed, less sad."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 11, 2019

For Depression "Terrible! Never again. I gained 13 pounds, and I'm normally a small person. You gain every few months. I felt like I was in a fog the whole time with no personality, and I didn't realize it until I got off. I refused to gain more weight and told them I'm getting off it. They told me to just stop taking it. DON'T! I did since they said to, and my anxiety spiked to a 10, and after a few weeks, I had a nervous breakdown. I also had insomnia for months and slept maybe 2-3 hours a night for the first two weeks until I said put me back on so I can wean myself off safely - the right way. It's been about 5 months off, and I still have insomnia, which could be lifelong. No one told me I would be addicted to this med."

• ral...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 24, 2012

For Depression "I started on Remeron 15mg per day. I started to feel somewhat better at two weeks. Went up to 30mg at that point. After being on 30mg for about a week, I felt significantly better. I've gained a few pounds, around 4, so that's not too bad. It did not help with sleep. I experienced insomnia for 3-4 days after starting or changing the dose. Also, had some difficulty with thinking clearly for a few days after changing the dosage. I have severe Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). I believe Remeron will really assist me. I feel like I'm on a good path. I particularly appreciate the absence of sexual side effects."

• Pop...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 25, 2015

For Depression "The first time my doctor prescribed this medication, I ate 2 whole large pizzas, a family-sized lasagna, 2 sandwiches, and some desserts all in one sitting. The day after, I decided to get off of it. I then realized I couldn't sleep very well and I had some depression, which otherwise, at the time, nothing else was helping me cope with besides my Buspar/Klonopin. Thus, I continued my dosage of 15mg. It is true, at least for me, the lower dosage is higher sedating of the medication. Once I figured out a way of controlling the 1-2 hour boost of what seemed like an infinite metabolism, I felt awesome, if only for a short while, then immediate beauty sleep followed. I definitely recommend this to anyone with sleep problems."

• Swe...
• January 17, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "My experience with Remeron is short. It worked wonders for me, but I stopped it as it causes awful weight gain. 21 pounds in 4 weeks. I looked pregnant. It made me more depressed. I would just eat. It does something to your brain that makes you feel as though you are never full. At night, I would sneak food. I could not stop. I was at 30mg. I've heard 15 mg is worse for weight gain. Also, this drug is also given to elderly patients who are undergoing chemotherapy and also given to people with eating disorders (bulimia and anorexia). As I said, in one respect, it did wonders for me with anxiety and depression and stopped the voices in my head and helped me sleep. But I couldn't go through gaining any more weight."

• Gia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 25, 2020

For Insomnia "Remeron helps with sleep in the short term, 7-10 days, but then will act as an antidepressant long term. It works best for sleep in low doses like 7.5 mg. I’m trying to wean myself off Ativan, and Remeron acts as a very good sleep agent for the short term. I'm still on SSRI Celexa at 30 mg for depression. Here’s an article explaining this."

• C B...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 14, 2024

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was prescribed Remeron due to having the additional complications of low appetite and increasing insomnia in major depressive disorder. I would sometimes be unable to sleep or completely lose interest in eating. I do not have the option to ignore food because I actually get hunger signals again. In the past month, after three months on this drug, something happened for the first time in nearly a decade: I had dreams multiple nights in a row. I have gone from dreams being completely absent in my sparse, unsatisfying sleep to having a dream every night for the past four weeks. I only began taking antidepressants on top of seeking therapy because I had become entirely unable to sleep for more than two hours a day, and while I had begun getting more sleep than I had gotten since beginning college, I now actually sleep seven to eight hours a night and have my long-lost dreams back. I didn’t realize how badly I missed dreaming until it returned."

• med...
• September 7, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have taken this med for over 2 years. I've been suffering from insomnia, anxiety, and depression my whole life. I found that nothing could help. Every night I tossed and turned, waking up every 2 hours. The first night I took this, like magic, I slept a whole night without waking up. And every night since then it has worked. However, BEWARE, it will make you binge eat. You have NO control over it. Studies say weight gain from this med only affects like 15% of people. Use look at the reviews on here and across the internet–it's more like 90%. I've always been skinny, and I put on 14 pounds within a month of starting it. I quit for a week, which made me extremely depressed and unable to sleep, but I immediately lost all the weight. But I was so depressed, it hurt, so I got back on it. That's why I give this a 7, it's a conundrum, it helps so much with insomnia/depression/anxiety, but it makes you FAT. Don't try this med unless you've tried ALL other SSRIs and sleep meds."

• la ...
• July 29, 2009

For Depression "Taking this medicine in conjunction with Lamictal. Doctor gave it to me because I wasn't eating/had no desire to eat for a week and I wasn't sleeping at all, and also for depression. This drug gives me crazy hunger cravings. I have been on it for about 2 1/2 weeks now. When I first started it, I was eating everything. Buttered toast is still my favorite. I notice I crave salty and sweet foods. I am sleeping all the time, and I am on 15mg at bedtime. I have to drink coffee so I can get up and function, if I have nothing particularly important, I sleep until 3 or 4 o'clock. So it definitely has helped with the insomnia and the not eating, but it makes me feel high."

• hus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2019

For Depression "I took this medication 7.5 mg before bed periodically for about one year, usually for two to three months and then stopped it. It helps a lot before sleep, inducing drowsiness, enhancing the quality of sleep. So, I definitely recommend it for people with insomnia. Moreover, it helps fight anxiety through its sedative effects. This medication also helped me a lot to gain weight, I am skinny and usually have no appetite. I gained 7 kilos with Remeron. In addition, it helps me reduce my sex drive remarkably! Because normally my sex drive is too high, and with Remeron it became normalized! Finally, this medication helped me recover from depressive attacks. I got divorced, which gave me depression. I took the 7.5 mg before bed, it reduced my depressive feelings by 80%, and it worked quickly within a couple of days. However, Remeron withdrawal effects were really bad for me. Despite the low/short dosage/period, I had withdrawal symptoms like severe insomnia, headache, as well as low appetite."

• Anonymous
• October 21, 2010

For Insomnia "Remeron is great for insomnia. Start with very small doses and work up. I use the dissolving tablets, they are easier to break up. It immediately stopped my anxiety. The drawbacks are increased appetite, and after prolonged periods of consumption, it can affect your blood pressure regulation, mostly noticeable when you stand up fast. It is excellent for stopping the racing thoughts. It can be difficult waking up in the beginning, but this gets better with time. It also suppressed my sex drive. All in all, it is excellent for those who have tried everything, gotten hooked, suffered withdrawals from the 'pines,' and need something for sleep."

• Man...
• July 15, 2017

For Depression "I've been taking Remeron for a little over a month now. Since taking it, I do sleep better, however, I have been having very strange, unusual dreams that I wouldn't regularly dream about. My dreams are more vivid and lifelike, although I know it's not real. Also, the day after taking the medication, I can't seem to fully wake up - like I never feel fully rested."

• Anonymous
• April 4, 2011

For Depression "I started taking this medication 4 days ago. I was given a prescription for 1 30mg tablet to be taken at night. I am sensitive to medication, so the first night I only took 1/2 of a tablet (15mg). I couldn't sleep at all. I was up all night. Finally slept about 2 hours early in the morning. On the flip side, I felt GREAT all day. So that night, I took the same dosage. Slept well, and no grogginess. The next day, I took the whole tablet (30mg) and slept from 10 pm until 8 pm the next day! I could NOT get up. My husband was worried, so he finally got me up and into the shower. I was okay after that. I took 1/2 tablet (15mg) and went back to bed that night around 2 am. Felt fine in the morning. Proper dosage is the key with this medication!"

• And...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 13, 2022

For Depression "Dangerous drug caused me spasms, heart racing, no sleep, and it’s near impossible to come off. Severe anxiety, anger, shivers, suicidal thoughts. Stay clear, it may work in the short term, but long-term dangerous should be illegal."

• Anonymous
• January 18, 2012

For Depression "I'm in the Marine Corps, and I've been on Remeron for a little over a month now for anxiety, depression, and insomnia, and I gained 15 lbs. I get about 8 hrs of sleep a night. But, if you have a job that requires you to be a certain weight, I would advise you to ask the doctor for something else. I quit taking it because of that and literally cannot sleep again because I have to 'weigh in' soon. Now I'm back to not sleeping, and I literally have not eaten for 3 days just so I can make the right weight. Wish me luck!"

• Anonymous
• January 31, 2011

"Please give this medication at least two weeks to work! I have had severe panic attacks for a number of years. I am on day 10 of taking 30 mg each night, and I have finally been able to get out and do the things that had caused instant panic in the past. The first week was hard. I wanted to sleep and eat constantly. After about day 7, I woke and felt great. My mood was good, and I have not had a panic attack in a few days now. It is a hard medicine to get used to, but please give it time. It may work as well for you as it has for me."

• bsa...
• April 1, 2010

For Depression "Remeron at low doses worked beautifully for my insomnia. At high doses (I was on 90 mg at one point for depression), it was useless for me. As my doctor once put it, 'For depression, Remeron is not a heavy lifter.' But for insomnia, it was a Godsend. The only problem came when I tried to wean myself off of it. I had little trouble until I got down to a quarter pill (0.375 mg). I got terrible rebound insomnia and eventually had to go back on. It also made me gain 14 pounds."

• Anonymous
• June 10, 2011

For Depression "I had taken Effexor XR for a year or so and wanted to see if there might be something else out there that may work better. My doctor suggested Remeron. Unfortunately, I had a severe reaction on two separate occasions (six months apart) after my first dose. I had trouble falling asleep, then could not get out of bed the whole day. I also had very severe mood swings, to the extent of screaming at my small children when they asked a question too many times. I had terrible rage."

• Anonymous
• October 28, 2011

For Depression "I was given Remeron for depression, although my diagnosis remains mood disorder, I was given Abilify as well because I have some psychotic symptoms, and bipolar runs in the family. Remeron does not help with my sleep, which is disappointing. I still have trouble with my self-esteem, but I have noticed improvements in my attitude. I can control anxiety much better and feel more relaxed going about my day. I have only been taking it for three weeks. I wish I felt better about myself, but maybe medicines are not the help I need for that."

• Qui...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 1, 2022

For Depression "I’ve struggled with anorexia for a long time but had been doing well until my family member became very ill with cancer. I’ve never been a great sleeper, but the stress and the anorexia relapse caused terrible insomnia - I was getting 4 hrs of interrupted sleep for 9+ months. My weight was very low, and trying to force myself to eat to avoid hospitalization was feeling impossible because food tasted horrible, and I was so exhausted mentally and physically. I started Remeron and slept for 8 uninterrupted hrs the first night. I’ve been taking it for 2 months and still sleep 7-8 hrs each night. My appetite has also improved somewhat. Food tastes good again, which has been really helpful in getting some much-needed weight on. I have a ways to go to get to a healthy weight again, but I’ve gained 3 pounds so far. I’m very grateful for the sleep! And to be able to eat again without significant distress is great. I started at 7.5 mg, then 15 mg, now 22.5 mg."

• Ray...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2022

"I complained of inability to sleep and the feeling of being stressed out all the time to my doctor. Remeron 7.5 mg was prescribed. I took Remeron at 8 pm before I went to bed. Two hours after taking Remeron, I had the feeling that my bladder was about to explode. I went to the bathroom, and to my surprise, I could not pass my urine. I knew I had to urinate, so I waited, and only trickles of urine came out. I drank some water and went back to bed. All night long, I had to go to the bathroom, and every time, only a few drops of urine came out. At 7 am, to my greatest relief, I was able to urinate, but the feeling of fullness in my bladder persisted. For the next 4 hours, I was able to pass my urine, and the feeling that my bladder was fully emptied came back. Aside from this, I was feeling down and depressed and did not want to do anything but sleep all day. I did not take the Remeron again. I think it did more harm to my body than solve my problem. I hope my experience will guide others and make them aware."

• Sun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 17, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "It hit me hard. Insomnia. Bad dreams. Dilated pupils. Brain fog and headache. Freaky hungry, but I countered with turmeric golden tea to up my insulin resistance. I took 2 days. I was tripping..."

• boo...
• March 11, 2015

For Insomnia "Cannot sleep on Remeron."