Mirtazapine and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Kan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 5, 2016

For Anxiety "Initially prescribed 15mg. After 2 weeks and no improvement, dosage upped to 30mg per day with the option to take an additional 15mg for anxiety. Week 1: well, to be fair, I really didn't know if I was awake or asleep - it was like an out-of-body experience. I was unable to function whatsoever. Week 2: dropped myself to 2 tablets to try and regain some function and normality, this helped for around 1 week. That was when everything then started, moodiness, anxiety. These pills have turned my world upside down, and now I am an irrational, nasty, fearful, and generally unwell person. I'm going to the GP tomorrow to stop these, as they are terrible for me."

• Red...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "Twelve weeks in using Mirtazapine for clinical depression, or MDD. My disorder started in January 2020. I am now taking 15 mg at night and sleep 8/9 hours. I had a couple of vivid dreams in the beginning, but no longer. I wake up energized. I run high energy, so my anxiety is still present but not as severe. I’m able to supplement .25 mg/day of Clonazepam, taken PRN. Hoping I will need this less and less given more time. Also, I’m trying to regain some weight, but it seems I’ve leveled for now. I eat a healthy whole food plant-based diet, so calories are low. Also, I eat smaller portions than I used to. I will have to remain on Mirtazapine indefinitely, and I’m good with that if it continues to help me have better days and nights."

• Tab...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 3, 2023

For Insomnia "I really can’t say how well this has worked for me. It helps me fall asleep, but I still wake 3 to 4 times a night. I started noticing that I was filled with anger and rage and didn’t know why. I was waking up in a panic attack every morning. This medication is the only 'new' thing I take. I’m on the highest dose, so that could be why. Everybody is different, but I see a lot of hopeful, good reviews. I’m not giving up on this yet, I think I will have my doctor prescribe a lower dose. I suffer from extreme anxiety/panic attacks. I have secluded myself in my home. I’m scared to go anywhere. It’s been so horrible for 2 to 3 years now. I’m hopeful that a lower dose will help and that I can get my life back. Please don’t take my review as negative. If it starts to help, I will write another review."

• Big...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2019

For Depression "Been on mirtazapine now 4 weeks on 30 mg and 3 weeks on 45 mg. A couple of better days here and there when started. Now, little sluggish and anxious. Been on sertraline, Trintellix, bupropion, and MAOIs, those gave me BAD diarrhea that lasted 4 months overall. Still waiting for mirtazapine to kick in. Fingers crossed. Best wishes to all fighting with MDD and other mental illnesses. These are only temporary phases of our lives. Heads up, even though it's hard, we will get through this and we are stronger after all of this."

• Eno...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 1, 2015

For Depression "For severe depression and generalized anxiety disorder, I was prescribed mirtazapine at the starting dosage of 15 mg, which I took every night for 5 weeks, before the dosage was increased to 30 mg as the physical symptoms had subsided, but the psychological symptoms were still quite prolific. 30 mg tackled most of the psychological symptoms, but after taking it for 4 months, the positive effects were starting to wear off. At this point, the dosage was increased to 45 mg. This dealt with all remaining symptoms within a couple of months, and after taking 45 mg for 7.5 months, I am coming off the medication entirely over the space of about 6 weeks. Main downsides: social anxiety, which got worse with time on 45 mg and drowsiness."

• Jos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 25, 2016

For Anxiety "I'd write more, except I can't focus for long. Citalopram made me suicidal, I hate that drug with a passion. Doctor gave me this, it's yet to help with my anxiety or panic attacks (2 weeks in 30mg). Side effects are not great: the most horrific and graphic nightmares I've ever had in my life, which make me wake up in tears. The problem here is that this drug makes me sleep for 10 hours, so there's no escaping these dreams. Then when I wake up, I just have these disturbing images in my head all day, which makes my anxiety worse. My anger is unreal, and I'm not an aggressive person in general. Another thing is I cannot sit still, I have to be moving all the time from the second I wake up. Concentration is non-existent..."

• Wal...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 28, 2019

For Insomnia "Mirtazapine definitely helps with my insomnia, however, it makes me feel kind of groggy in the morning. I had initial anxiety (not too bad, and I already suffer from anxiety) when I woke up, but that eventually went away. Remeron gives some people an appetite. It did for me in the beginning, but not anymore. I’m on a low dose of 7.5 mg. I’m having to get off since I have epilepsy, and it can cause seizures."

• Ell...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 12, 2019

For Depression "This drug, mirtazapine, made my husband sleep all day and be apathetic. He wouldn’t get out of bed. He was on it for a few years. Initially, it seemed good, but he put a lot of weight on, got speeding tickets, and started gambling without telling me. Eventually, he weaned off it over 3 months, but then a few months later became extremely anxious, suicidal, and insomniac. He is now back on it with sertraline 50 mg, but he has cut back to just 3.75, and it seems to be enough to take the edge off the sertraline and help him sleep. Wish he never started on it. He has Parkinson’s now, and I can’t help wondering if these drugs and the antibiotics they had him on for rosacea helped to bring on his condition. He is in his 50s. If you aren’t on it already, try Hardy’s daily essential nutrients before trying antidepressants, as you may just be deficient in B vitamins and minerals."

• Sli...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 10, 2020

For Depression "I've been on mirtazapine 45 mg dose for a year now. It worked great at first, but going on the higher dose caused anxiety. I've piled on the weight, I'm constantly hungry, which makes me anxious as well. I can eat a meal and be fine, then all of a sudden, I'm hungry like I've not been fed for a week. Also, the nightmares are terrible, so it really takes me a while to calm down when I finally wake. A lot of people suffer the nightmares and weird vivid dreams. I'm working to come off it. It's great for anxiety, I'm prescribed diazepam 28 mg a day as well, so they probably help as well. I advise anyone to read up on it before taking it if the plan is for long-term use, speak to your doctor. I've put on 2 stone, I can't be putting on anymore. It once helped, now it makes me miserable having to take it, and the withdrawals are rotten and lengthy, especially on my dose."

• bec...
• December 25, 2011

Mirtazapine for Depression "I started this medicine 7 days ago. I have anxiety and depression. I have taken Prozac for almost 11 years, and I really couldn't tell any difference this past year. So now I'm trying different medicines that might help me. So I have tried Celexa, Effexor, and now Remeron. The first day was okay, I felt really relaxed and hungry. Then after the 2nd day, I started feeling really weird, like my heart is jumping and my body moves with it, also, my dreams are very weird. They are about me dreaming. It really scared me, so I quit taking it."

• Shi...
• July 12, 2015

For Depression "Mirtazapine worked for me. Or is it that my circumstances became more favorable in treating my depression? I'm slightly on the fence with the outcome, it's made me incredibly levelheaded and monotone, boring even! Which is totally out of character for me. This was a lot better than not being able to cope with day-to-day life. Night one of taking a 15mg tablet gave me a good night's sleep, however, for the following 2-3 days, I became very 'strange', anxious, and jittery. I think this was my brain adjusting to the meds. Six months in, I'm ready to stop taking it. I've stacked on 7 kgs in the process, which isn't doing anything for my self-esteem. Not sure that this drug increased my appetite, but gave me a who-cares attitude, and I'll eat whatever I want!"

• Shi...
• July 12, 2015

For Depression "Mirtazapine worked for me. Or is it that my circumstances became more favorable in treating my depression? I'm slightly on the fence with the outcome, it's made me incredibly levelheaded and monotone, boring even! Which is totally out of character for me. This was a lot better than not being able to cope with day-to-day life. Night one of taking a 15mg tablet gave me a good night's sleep, however, for the following 2-3 days, I became very 'strange', anxious, and jittery. I think this was my brain adjusting to the meds. Six months in, I'm ready to stop taking it. I've stacked on 7 kgs in the process, which isn't doing anything for my self-esteem. Not sure that this drug increased my appetite, but gave me a who-cares attitude, and I'll eat whatever I want!"

• che...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2021

For Anxiety "I’ve had generally a great experience. My sleep has been 10 times better, including the amazing random dreams I get from it. I have trouble with gaining and keeping weight, and mirtazapine has kept my weight at a healthy, steady weight. I haven’t noticed much about it affecting my anxiety, because I still struggle with it severely, but it definitely has kept the depression out of it."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 30, 2022

For Depression "I left a bad review in February regarding mirtazapine withdrawals - I absolutely recommend doing it under Dr. guidance - it's pretty bad. I've since had to restart mirtazapine 15mg as SSRI side effects were intolerable for me. The first two weeks, sleepy and sleep hangover next day - this went away. At day 23, couldn't sleep and anxiety kicked in for about a week, this went away. At week 8, started to feel better but not a drastic change. The doctor increased the dose to 22.5mg - six weeks later I feel so much better. My mum passed away and I would have been a mess without this. I am coping. I gained the weight I needed, my digestive issues have somewhat improved (gastroparesis), my sleep is so much better and I no longer feel the terrible despair I did. I gave up too soon the first time I started, but this time I persevered and it was well worth it. For me, it has been a lifesaver. I think the key is to stick it out for six weeks at least."

• ire...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 30, 2021

For Anxiety "This drug really saved me. Like many others on here, I was terrified by the polarity of the reviews. I got stuck in a horrible cycle of panic attacks, I could not eat, and as a result, was suffering constant anxiety, low blood sugar, and an inability to sleep from hunger for about two weeks. I was close to being admitted to inpatient care but agreed to try out this drug first. I started on a low dose and had the best sleep of my life, I got my appetite back nearly immediately, and it was great. It’s not gotten rid of the anxiety and panic altogether, but it’s given me the headspace to manage it better! I was worried about the cravings and weight gain everyone spoke about, but for me, it’s been great to want to eat, and I don’t find cravings unmanageable at all. So please don’t let some of the scarier reviews stop you from at least trying this if you’re in a bad place, it’s really helped me."

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 27, 2016

For Anxiety "I was on 40 mg of citalopram, which was working a treat, but I wasn't sleeping, so I was given mirtazapine 15 mg. I've been on them less than 2 weeks now, and the change in myself is simply terrible. The first couple of nights, I got an amazing sleep but found it hard to get up in the morning. But things have just gone from bad to worse. I have bad anxiety, can't sleep, feel like a walking zombie, dizziness is terrible, crazy dreams/mares, compulsive sweating, itching/burning sensations, and the worst for me is my anger, it's unexplainable. I can fly off the handle for someone looking at me. This drug might work for some people, but I'd say avoid at all costs, I've never felt so unhappy and downright miserable."

• Jaz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 18, 2014

For Depression "Now it's around two weeks, and I am promoted to 30 mg from 15 mg three days ago. My side effects are still the same. When I go to bed to sleep or try to sleep, I immediately wake up due to panic or extreme anxiety, and it looks like extreme dehydration or a heart attack is going to happen. I fight with this for one to two hours in a half-sleep and half-awake situation, then go to sleep and wake up in the morning. Anyone faced the same problem or side effect? The doctor says it's normal to have panic attacks during the first four weeks."

• Bak...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 29, 2018

For Depression "This medicine made me completely lose my personality, gain 30 pounds, and feel awful. But the icing on the cake comes when you are ready to come off of it. Absolute nightmare. Anxiety, sweating, vomiting, and this was after a very, very slow taper... like six months. Got down to a few crumbs every 3 days. Felt fine for a week, then it hit. Abdominal pain, joint pain, unbelievable sweating, and shaking... and NO sleep. Absolutely NONE. So this “wonderful” drug that’s helping so many? There’s a catch. A big one. This drug is awful. When you decide to come off, PLEASE do your research. There are many things you can do to help the discontinuation. Just research “stopping Mirtazapine.” Good luck!!"

• JWi...
• July 6, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "Started 7.5 mg of Mirtazapine on June 3rd for anxiety and depression. My episode started in the beginning of May, and I was having good days and bad days. After starting the Mirtazapine, I still feel general sadness and not myself. I had moments of clarity but just wasn't feeling enough effect. After three weeks, I upped my dose to 15 mg. I immediately felt better and like my old self. I was so excited, but that only lasted for a week. The last two days, the depression/sadness has crept back in along with the worrying. I called the doc to see about upping my dosage to 30 mg. She wants me to give it another week and then go back and talk about upping the dosage or trying a different med. I can't do SSRIs, they sent me off the deep edge."

• Stu...
• March 17, 2019

For Anxiety "Have been on mirtazapine for 15 days while withdrawing from Clonazepam. I have been unable to sleep in my room at night. My anxiety goes up, and I start feeling like I can’t breathe when I lay down. I stay awake all night and sleep during the day for at least 4 hours. I have been staying awake for a whole night. Not sure if anxiety is from backing down on Clonazepam or introducing mirtazapine. Also have leg pains from sciatica and neuropathy. The sciatica started a week ago and is very painful. I am up and down with pain going down my left leg, and I take Aleve that does not stop the pain. Also have loss of taste withdrawing from Clonazepam (1 mg twice a day). Have been taking it for many years. I am in pain and not sleeping as I write this message. My primary doctor said I have two more weeks for Clonazepam to get out of my system and two more weeks until mirtazapine gets into my system. I wonder if anyone else has had a similar experience."

• Bet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2018

For Depression "Started mirtazapine at 15 mg. Helped sleeping for about a week as I was only sleeping 1 hour a night for over a month, but then had little effect. Could go to sleep but would wake up after about 3 hours and couldn't get back to sleep. No increase in appetite at all. Increased to 30 mg, but still had bad anxiety and some depression after a few weeks. Then depression started creeping up, so I increased to 45 mg for 1 week, but depression increased to the point I felt like I had no purpose in life. No motivation to even get out of bed. Even brushing my teeth was a huge task. Going to stop cold turkey as I haven't felt this bad ever. Going back to pDoc to try something else. Lifelong anxiety and depression sufferer."

• Har...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 28, 2018

For Insomnia "This is by far the most hideous antidepressant I have ever been on and absolutely horrific to get off! I now have postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), vision issues, neuropathy, worse anxiety, depression, akathisia, weakened immune system. Yeah, it will make you sleep, but the sleep is horrid with hallucinations and nightmares. I now have histamine issues and allergic reactions I never had before this drug. Lost a ton of hair. Have major breathing issues now. And never have felt so agitated in my life! This drug is absolute poison to the mind, body, and soul. Destroyed me and my life. Very debilitated by this drug. In absolute hell every day."

• fly...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2021

For Depression "Horrific! I was on this drug for two days, and it completely knocked me out, it was horrid. Now I’m off it, and its side effects are still hanging around due to its 4-5 day half-life! Horrible anxiety and completely spaced out, out of touch with reality feeling! Like someone has hit me over the head or something! 0% recommend, it is terrible!"

• Her...
• November 19, 2016

For Anxiety "Mirtazapine made my anxiety worse. It has been hell getting off Mirtazapine. It has taken me 2 years to get to 3 mg from 37.5 mg. It has done nothing for me, but cause havoc in my life. Weight gain, nightmares, anxiety, panic, sugar cravings, night sweats, body quakes. Neck pressure, headaches, pressure in the head, pins and needles in the arms, chest, burning head, food/supplement intolerance. Can't wait to get off this poison. Also developed a pot belly from this drug, and I have always had a flat stomach. When you stop Mirtazapine, does that go away?"

• Tot...
• June 17, 2017

For Insomnia "Prescribed Mirt for chronic insomnia, difficulty with both falling and staying asleep. 15 mg was stimulating and caused a jittery, anxious feeling. 7.5 mg helped moderately with staying asleep but did nothing for sleep onset - still tossing and turning for several hours. No weight gain or carb cravings, but routine blood work showed that triglycerides increased substantially and blood sugar (which has always been normal) rose to pre-diabetes level while on the Mirt. Did a quick two-week taper and stopped the drug. Bottom line: not effective for insomnia and caused an alarming rise in blood sugar. Glad I caught this early and got off this drug."