Mirtazapine and Brain Fog: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Now...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 7, 2019

For Anxiety "I was on mirtazapine 30 mg for 4 weeks, and the fog was miserable. Ok, it did help with sleep, but the lack of energy was outweighing the benefits. Plus, I gained so much weight in such a short time as I was craving food despite only eating in the evening. It was like I had no control, so I stopped the medication, and within 10 days, the fog has lifted and weight is slowly coming off. I'm now on 60 mg of Cymbalta and await the outcome. But it definitely does not make my every step feel heavy. I know meds affect us all differently, but I cannot believe my experience with that drug. Wow, I get how they give this medication a bad rap!"

• Red...
• August 7, 2017

For Anxiety "Not only was this medicine not helpful, it made me a zombie. I took a quarter of a pill in the lowest dose available. Within 15 minutes, I literally could not function and had to stop what I was in the middle of and go to bed. I woke up after a full night's rest and was still in a fog. As I drove to work, I was so out of it. I would snap back to reality for a second and be scared that I passed my exit, which was still miles away, because I just wasn't with it. I also nearly missed an appointment because, despite reminding myself more than once during the day that I needed to get to this appointment, I completely forgot. I stayed in a zombie-like state all day."

• Red...
• August 7, 2017

For Anxiety "Not only was this medicine not helpful, it made me a zombie. I took a quarter of a pill in the lowest dose available. Within 15 minutes, I literally could not function and had to stop what I was in the middle of and go to bed. I woke up after a full night's rest and was still in a fog. As I drove to work, I was so out of it. I would snap back to reality for a second and be scared that I passed my exit, which was still miles away, because I just wasn't with it. I also nearly missed an appointment because, despite reminding myself more than once during the day that I needed to get to this appointment, I completely forgot. I stayed in a zombie-like state all day."

• eve...
• January 17, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "Avoid. Brilliant for sleeping, but was still falling asleep the next day, and I’m a mum to a newborn baby. Felt foggy, lack of balance, dizziness, and the right side of my mouth felt frozen. Numbs you up so you can feel. Brings out your negatives. Didn’t know who I was on this drug. Never again ever! Please avoid."

• Phi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 23, 2021

For Anxiety "Was on a heavy dose of 45 mg mirtazapine for 6 months and now down to 15 mg. I'm being completely weaned off them, my mental health problems have eased up. I do feel ready to come off them. They help you get to sleep, but it's not a proper sleep, I have very vivid dreams and nightmares on them. They also make my mouth as dry as a desert at night, and they make me feel like a zombie all day. I honestly can't wait to be completely off them. Not saying no one should take them, but they aren't for me, and I'd say plenty of people have shared the same experiences on them."

• Pus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 30, 2019

For Depression "Been on mirtazapine for 9 days. For me, I'm not sure it works. 15 mg per day. It gets me to sleep within an hour, but I'll just wake up every hour or so, crazy vivid dreams every time, and starving hungry. So, generally, sleeping is now a weird, irregular experience. Getting out of bed, I'm still tired, dizzy, foggy. Lasts all day, really, that feeling. I'm not even sure it's helpful for my anxiety, though I do think I care a bit less about the stupid things. But after 9 days, I'm going to half the dose for two days, then stop."

• Kar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 6, 2018

Mirtazapine "I take 7.5 mg of Remeron for sleep, and it allows me to get a great night's sleep, which allows me to get back on track emotionally. The only reason why I did not give this a 10 is because, at this dosage, I am pretty much a zombie the next day, but as long as I have nothing to do, it’s well worth it."

• Mrs...
• January 16, 2018

For Anxiety "I have been on this for 2 weeks now. Prescribed by my Dr after being given Lorazepam but having no luck. I am still having panic attacks daily, but I am finding I am able to calm myself down a little easier most of the time. I also suffer from depression and insomnia, so these help with those. I have been feeling very foggy and sluggish the next day, though, and this has been making it hard for me to function at work. After reading these reviews, though, I am wondering why my Dr has given me 30mg straight away. I will definitely update this the longer I am on it."

• Lum...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 2, 2021

For Insomnia "Took one 15 mg mirtazapine tablet last night. I took it as I suffer from tinnitus, so I find it hard to get to sleep and stay asleep for more than 4 hours. Within 10 minutes of taking it, I felt really, really tired, went to bed, and slept for 12 hours. All good so far, but the only problem: I feel like a zombie today. I've been up about 4 hours now and not sure I will take one tonight."

• Ray...
• February 13, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've been on 15 mg of mirtazapine for just a little over 5 months, tried the 30 mg for 9 days, made me have horrible disturbing images, so I went back to 15 mg. I think it should be only recommended for people with insomnia, and the high dosage doesn't work on me. For 5 months, I felt like a zombie, and that's not fixing your anxiety or depression, it's just making you numb to feel it. I call that cheating, you might think it's helping, but in reality, it's just making you numb to your feelings. I realized whenever something made me panic, my anxiety would go crazy, so how's that possible being on a medication after 5 months? I also noticed I gained over 20 pounds. I quit cold turkey 2 days ago. I've read some good and bad stories, but I'd rather quit now and try new medication that's actually for my situation. Mirtazapine is a sedating medication, that's why every morning you wake up feeling foggy and out of it."

• der...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 1, 2021

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "(Note: I also take Propranolol 40 mg 3 x a day for anxiety since 2019.) I was first prescribed in August 2020, 30 mg. Immediate effects: sedation, nausea, muscle twitching. Slept 10-13 hours every night for about a week. Leveled out to 9-10 hours a night. First 8 months or so: dulled very intense anxiety and hypervigilance, alleviated crushing low mood, allowed me to get through trauma therapy. In early October 2021, started 45 mg as I was no longer sleeping well, feeling noticeably anxious/manic with possible psychosis. Initially, 45 mg induced 10-12 hour sleep, but after approaching 1 month, effects were wearing off. Side effects: twitching and tremor in legs before sleep, intense hunger, heightened anxiety plus elevated mood, racing thoughts, difficulty focusing. Somewhat heightened impulsive behavior means I am seeking new experiences, but it could be risky. In my opinion, most effective with short-term use, e.g., less than a year, but now I dread weaning off and imagine side effects will be rough."

• Pig...
• January 31, 2018

For Depression "I was prescribed mirtazapine 15 mg after suffering with anxiety and depression and sleep problems. I was prescribed these specifically as I have trouble sleeping. As I have a child and a busy job, my GP told me to take them at tea time. I took the first one at 6 pm and was out like a light on the settee at 7:30 pm. I couldn’t wake up to go to bed. I spent 3 weeks on these and felt awful. I felt so tired during the day it hurt, my body felt heavy, my head felt foggy, and I had a painful itchy rash on my legs and arms for a couple of days. I was either exhausted or angry. The only thing I noticed was I was less tearful. When I went for my review after 3 weeks, my GP told me to immediately stop taking them and changed me to fluoxetine instead. I felt better 2 days after stopping the mirtazapine."

• tha...
• May 23, 2019

For Anxiety "I was on 30 mg of mirtazapine for 3 months, and it didn't alleviate my social anxiety, but I did notice a slight improvement in my mood. The main drawback for me (aside from it not actually working for its intended purpose) was that I gained over 6 kgs on this drug; it's TERRIBLE for weight gain. I also felt spaced out constantly during the day. I can see this drug working for depression, but I can't recommend it for anxiety."

• Lin...
• May 2, 2018

For Depression "I was on Sertraline for almost a year and suffered major depressive and suicidal thoughts, so my doctor took me off and put me on Remeron (Mirtazapine). I have only been on it just over a week, but I already feel a difference. I have noticed more good than bad, but will share both. I use this for anxiety and anger. Bad: groggy and dizzy in the mornings for a while, increased appetite, a bit of a 'hazy' feeling almost like a glaze over you, a bit of tenderness in touch. Good: VERY relaxed constantly, feeling of being 'high' almost... sort of a constant state of relaxation, feeling chill and not being so easy to anger, excellent sleep. Overall, it does seem to help with lowering worry, stress, anxiety, depression, anger, and overthinking. So far, this seems to be working, the only thing I don't really like is that it makes me feel groggy most of the mornings. Has anyone else had these side effects? Do they gradually disappear?"

• pad...
• May 3, 2010

For Depression "Two weeks in and my dreams are very pleasant indeed. Like other blogs, I have increased appetite, and getting up in the morning is pretty chaotic. I'm a bit spaced out until midday, but exhausted by 9:30 pm. Not sure about it being a continuing part of my life, at least with depression the wine controlled the lows for a while, will give it a while longer."

• eva...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2019

For Anxiety "If you are a regular user of Stilnox (Ambien), you may find, like I did, that mirtazapine interferes with the effects of Stilnox. I am new to mirtazapine. I took 7.5 mg about 36 hours ago, and I feel like a zombie. I am not sure this will work as I hoped."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 10, 2016

For Anxiety "Been on sertraline for anxiety, however, my limbs have had a constant ache, so doc changed me to mirtazapine 15 mg. I took half a tablet before bedtime last night and slept well, but woke up totally zombified. I am a carer, so can't function feeling like this, so won't be taking any more!"

• JMW...
• July 8, 2021

For Depression "I was put on this at the beginning of 2020. I was slowly increased within a space of 4 months to 45 mg. The sleep helped at the time, and the effect of not stressing as much was nice, as I was off work for 'work-related stress.' But when I was stressed, it made me tired. I eventually returned to work, still on 45 mg, and began noticing I wasn't able to come around fully (unable to connect in conversation, unable to think at all, talking slower, emotionless) until 1-3 PM. I felt like a zombie. The main problem was when I did feel anxious, I'd be zoning out and unable to let people know. I asked for doctors to lower it, but they wouldn't at first, as it suppressed my nausea and vomiting. When I did miss a day, I had mostly all side effects within a day. It was helping when I was mentally exhausted, but now I'm not in need of the sleeping side of it, and it's not exactly helping my anxiety/panic attacks, it's becoming an inconvenience."

• Med...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2022

For Depression "This will help you sleep for sure! At a dosage from 7.5 mg to 15 mg, it knocks you out. Unfortunately, it also made me feel dizzy, zombified, and unable to concentrate during the day. I also broke out in severe acne from the moment I started taking it. If you really struggle with insomnia, go for it! However, I felt like the walking dead the next day."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 19, 2013

Mirtazapine for Depression "I am taking this medicine now, and I am happy with it. I felt like a zombie the first few days, but today is the start of week two, and I am feeling great."

• Jim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2020

For Depression "When I started mirtazapine, I got a lot of confusion and brain fog, but that cleared up, and it's been helpful ever since. Some weight gain, but I don't mind as I was a bit underweight."

• How...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 5, 2020

For Insomnia "Took this mirtazapine for 1 night, never again. I slept 13 hours, then was like a zombie all day, not recommended."

• Tra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 7, 2019

For Depression "Total zombie. Asleep or totally zoned out for 20 hours a day. Other 4 hours desperately seeking sugar."

• Fuk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 26, 2022

Mirtazapine for Major Depressive Disorder "Don’t touch this stuff, it is the worst antidepressant I’ve ever come across, unless being a permanent zombie (fat too) is your thing."

• guy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2019

Mirtazapine for Major Depressive Disorder "Ok, so I took this last night to sleep at the dose of 15 mg. It's horrible. The next day, I'm sleeping all day, zero energy, feels extremely sedated and zombie-like. I will never take it again."