Mirtazapine and Depression: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Anx...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2024

For Anxiety "I suffered with a mental health crisis in June 2024 when Citalopram 40 mg just gave up on me after 20 years! So I was a wreck, the doctor thought it was hormones, so he gave me progesterone tablets for 7 weeks, which made me very depressed. The doctor then realized that it could be Citalopram not working, so he reduced me overnight from 40 to 20 and added mirtazapine 15 mg. From the first tablet, I felt it working. Yes, I was a zombie for 3 days, but my sleep and anxiety improved. I’m now on week 4 and will increase to 30 mg mirtazapine and 10 mg Citalopram. I’m hoping this will be my perfect dose and I can return to work and enjoy life."

• Cha...
• August 24, 2021

For Anxiety "I know everybody is different. I started taking them nearly 3 months ago, on 45 mg, and my anxiety has gotten worse, my depression is at the lowest, dark thoughts, can't eat, always on edge. Extremely moody."

• Hol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2023

For Insomnia "I was prescribed this medication for insomnia, and before using it, I tried several holistic approaches. Trazodone made me feel suicidal and emotional, while Benzos were ineffective. Restoril caused a severe drop in my blood pressure (70/56), and Belsomra resulted in nervousness, violent nightmares, and more insomnia. I then tried Seroquel, which made me more nervous and angry, and caused muscle stiffness and a facial rash. Finally, I was prescribed Mirtazapine, and on the first night, I took half of the recommended 7.5 mg dose. Although it helped me sleep a bit, the next day, I was angry all day. That night, I took the full dose, but it made me feel like a zombie, unable to even get out of bed. I was overcome with suicidal thoughts and depression, making it difficult for me to take care of myself. I eventually managed to raise my dopamine levels by taking Mucuna and doing a coffee enema while eating spicy food, which brought me back to some baseline. This medication is dangerous, and if I wasn't knowledgeable about the brain and my body, it could have resulted in me taking my own life. If you experience suicidal or catatonic symptoms, it is crucial to discontinue the medication immediately and seek help."

• Anonymous
• November 1, 2015

For Depression "It was the worst medication I had ever taken. Took 15 mg for 2 weeks to help with major depressive disorder. Started with not being able to wake up, feeling sedated, almost drove off the road. It changed my personality, I became angry, emotional, and constantly upset. Made my depression 10 times worse. Ended the medication abruptly following 1 week of suicidal idealizations and a near suicide attempt. Horrible medication, if you have any side effects, go off it immediately."

• Bur...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 25, 2018

For Anxiety "Worst hell I ever experienced. Worked okay at first for sleep, then the side effects got worse. Started making me feel more agitated, depressed, trashed my immune system, respiratory issues, horrid body pain in muscles and joints, made me more allergic to foods, bad eyesight, horrific nightmares, suicidal thoughts, skin sensitivities, akathisia, fogged head. Worst withdrawals: shaking, diarrhea, vertigo, sweating, passing out feelings, vomiting, severe panic attacks, akathisia, terror, derealization, sensitivities to lights, sounds, smells, worse depression, agitation, anxiety off the charts, hard to eat because you want to vomit and food just sits in your stomach if you can eat, hard to walk some days at all. Itching and rashes, painful headaches, burning skin, neuropathy. Lost half my hair and skin like sandpaper. I was a beautiful woman before this drug. I have no idea if I will ever be the same. BEWARE, this drug can change on a dime and destroy you!"

• Bur...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 25, 2018

For Anxiety "Worst hell I ever experienced. Worked okay at first for sleep, then the side effects got worse. Started making me feel more agitated, depressed, trashed my immune system, respiratory issues, horrid body pain in muscles and joints, made me more allergic to foods, bad eyesight, horrific nightmares, suicidal thoughts, skin sensitivities, akathisia, fogged head. Worst withdrawals: shaking, diarrhea, vertigo, sweating, passing out feelings, vomiting, severe panic attacks, akathisia, terror, derealization, sensitivities to lights, sounds, smells, worse depression, agitation, anxiety off the charts, hard to eat because you want to vomit and food just sits in your stomach if you can eat, hard to walk some days at all. Itching and rashes, painful headaches, burning skin, neuropathy. Lost half my hair and skin like sandpaper. I was a beautiful woman before this drug. I have no idea if I will ever be the same. BEWARE, this drug can change on a dime and destroy you!"

• Hol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2021

For Anxiety "I was prescribed mirtazapine for anxiety and panic attacks after citalopram and escitalopram made me really poorly, and I could barely function… well, started on 7.5 mg for a week, then up to 15 mg for a week, then 22.5 mg for a week… had diarrhea, nausea, post-nasal drip, which made me feel like I was going to gag all day long (Halls throat sweets, 1 pack a day!!!), high anxiety and panic, so told my doctor I wanted off… she told me to just stop then as I hadn’t taken them long… so I’m now 5 days off them and have had nausea, diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, sneezing in my sleep, no appetite at all, but the worst thing I’m experiencing is emotional blunting!! I don’t feel anything about anything, and I’m not handling it very well. I just want to feel like me again. I’ve never had this, and I hope it doesn’t last much longer!! Please seriously think before starting this med because it’s been a rough ride from start to finish and beyond!!"

• M m...
• July 30, 2017

For Anxiety "I have been on this drug for over a year now, and it's safe to say mirtazapine saved my life. I was having really bad anxiety for 3 to 4 months, and that brought on the depression. It got that bad, I was running into the wall to try to stop the feeling. After the doctors saw me, they put me on mirtazapine at 15 mg for 6 weeks. I dramatically saw a difference in the anxiety, but I still was feeling really down, so the doctors put it up to 30 mg and I have been on it since. I can go to my job with no problems. But every now and then, the anxiety still comes back, but I'm learning to deal with the issues that bring the anxiety on."

• Cas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 1, 2020

For Anxiety "I have been on this medication mirtazapine 30 mg dose for 3 months now, and it is not helping in any way my depression and anxiety. I struggle with an eating disorder, and this is primarily why I was given this medication from outpatient. It is only worsening my ED. I am putting on a lot of weight, and it is really affecting me because it is encouraging me to not want to eat. And even when I don’t eat a lot, I still put on a lot of weight because of this medication. My depression and ED have worsened since taking mirtazapine."

• Dal...
• October 16, 2016

For Depression "I took Endep 145 mg for 10 years. It was fantastic for my insomnia and really helped with my anxiety and depression, but I always had poor word recall and memory. Dry mouth and dry eyes. Severe constipation and no motivation. Weight gain. I recently came off them. I've been taking 30 mg of mirtazepam now. I have none of the above side effects, and so far I feel really good."

• Har...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 16, 2021

For Depression "Mirtazapine will screw your head up in the long term. Been on for over a year, started to get angry and snappy. Intense itching of legs, shortness of breath, memory problems, no sleep. Blurred vision and can’t move, no motivation, lack of appetite."

• Jac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 14, 2018

For Anxiety "I find this drug very good. I have been suffering from severe anxiety and depression to the point I couldn't even drive, it was so bad. I was self-medicating since I was 17 to 21 with benzodiazepines, then 2 years on Sertraline, but found my tolerance built too quickly, and nothing worked anymore and got worse anxiety and depression. So when I was prescribed Klonopin, my tolerance shot up after two days, so I was prescribed Mirtazapine. After two days, amazing sleep and minimal anxiety. I have a really strong natural tolerance to all drugs, including coffee, alcohol, everything, which sucks. I'm just hoping it's not the same for Mirtazapine. I take 7.5 mg in the morning and 7.5 mg in the evenings."

• Tam...
• April 25, 2017

For Depression "I have only been on this for about a month at 15 mg. While daily suicidal thoughts are gone, I am emotionally dead. While I don't have feelings of doom and gloom... I also have no happy emotions. I feel nothing. I literally can't figure out what to do during the day, because nothing interests me or even makes me a little happy. I'm not sad... but feeling nothing is just as bad to me. My husband keeps asking if I'm okay, a discussion about the kids today, and he said, 'It seems like you don't care.' I do... but I can't feel any of it. It's really bothering me. And I have read people say to wait it out... I'm just not sure I can. Having an adverse reaction to Prozac and trying to commit suicide on it, I get very nervous about meds. Calling the doctor tomorrow."

• not...
• March 23, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was given this med to deal with depression, insomnia, and anxiety. The first night I took 7.5 mg, and yes, I slept, and slept, too much. Was told to bump up to 15 mg, and the first day and night I felt good. Now a month later, I am more depressed than ever before, shaking, feel like I have the flu, and can't sleep more than 2 hours. Worst part is the horrendous heart palpitations, my heart literally skips beats now. I won't even talk about the 7 pounds of weight gain in a month. I wish it had worked as it seems to help some people."

• Sam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 22, 2016

For Depression "I went on this drug for insomnia. It helped me sleep, but mirtazapine made me very depressed. I lacked motivation, and my anxiety levels were worse over time. Since switching to amitriptyline, I have never felt better. If this drug does not agree with you, go back to your GP. Personally, I think this drug is poison, it stole my life for 4 years."

• Sam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 22, 2016

For Depression "I went on this drug for insomnia. It helped me sleep, but mirtazapine made me very depressed. I lacked motivation, and my anxiety levels were worse over time. Since switching to amitriptyline, I have never felt better. If this drug does not agree with you, go back to your GP. Personally, I think this drug is poison, it stole my life for 4 years."

• Abs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 4, 2019

For Depression "I have suffered with depression for around 7 or 8 years. I changed from citalopram to mirtazapine. I had mixed effects from them. They helped me sleep a lot better, but that was the only positive from them. My paranoia, depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts all worsened. I experienced weight gain despite eating healthily. In the end, I stopped taking the mirtazapine as I didn’t feel safe taking it anymore. I was close to taking my life several times."

• Bun...
• November 22, 2019

For Depression "I took this last night and stumbled to go to the bathroom. I am still in a deep, zombie-like fog and extremely depressed 14 hours later. I will never take this again. I have taken meds for 20 plus years and never felt like this after taking something."

• Pot...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2019

For Depression "So I was on mirtazapine alongside my citalopram for approximately 8 weeks. If you are triggered easily, don't read on. First week, extreme fatigue and hunger, and couldn't wake up the next day. Second week, a bit of depression hit, but wasn't too concerned as it can make it worse first. Basically, by week 8, I was a zombie, in a very dark place in my mind, walking around in a daze, crying nonstop, feelings of dread and despair, adrenaline rushes, and bleeding from my butt. It poisoned me. The withdrawals weren't too bad, but that's because I was in such a mess. Been 9 months since I stopped and still now am suffering from the adrenaline rush feelings, they are leaving and getting a lot better, just very slowly. Please, please be careful with it."

• Pot...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2019

For Depression "So I was on mirtazapine alongside my citalopram for approximately 8 weeks. If you are triggered easily, don't read on. First week, extreme fatigue and hunger, and couldn't wake up the next day. Second week, a bit of depression hit, but wasn't too concerned as it can make it worse first. Basically, by week 8, I was a zombie, in a very dark place in my mind, walking around in a daze, crying nonstop, feelings of dread and despair, adrenaline rushes, and bleeding from my butt. It poisoned me. The withdrawals weren't too bad, but that's because I was in such a mess. Been 9 months since I stopped and still now am suffering from the adrenaline rush feelings, they are leaving and getting a lot better, just very slowly. Please, please be careful with it."

• Pot...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2019

For Depression "So I was on mirtazapine alongside my citalopram for approximately 8 weeks. If you are triggered easily, don't read on. First week, extreme fatigue and hunger, and couldn't wake up the next day. Second week, a bit of depression hit, but wasn't too concerned as it can make it worse first. Basically, by week 8, I was a zombie, in a very dark place in my mind, walking around in a daze, crying nonstop, feelings of dread and despair, adrenaline rushes, and bleeding from my butt. It poisoned me. The withdrawals weren't too bad, but that's because I was in such a mess. Been 9 months since I stopped and still now am suffering from the adrenaline rush feelings, they are leaving and getting a lot better, just very slowly. Please, please be careful with it."

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 21, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "Have been prescribed 15 mg Mirtazapine with Lamotrigine for severe bipolar depression/unipolar disorder GAD. Just to say if you're taking this medication with another as I am, unwanted side effects may be greater. Restlessness in legs and arms, cold sweats, vivid nightmares/night terrors, no appetite, no mental stimulation/dullness. These unwanted side effects should weaken over time since this medication is still pretty new in my system. I wish lots of luck to those who are really trying to treat their depression (if you've mentally been to hell and back). You're not alone, look at all these reviews!"

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 26, 2019

For Insomnia "I was given mirtazapine for ongoing insomnia. I started on 7.5 and slept well with a lot of side effects for the first month. I gradually went up to 30 mg over the next 6 months as instructed. It did make me sleep, but the biggest downfall was it's actually an antidepressant given to anorexic patients to stimulate their appetite. I did not need to gain weight, mine was normal, but I ended up 25 kg heavier and really depressed. The doctor that prescribed me this medication failed to tell me what it was really used for. I would never recommend anyone to take this!"

• Anonymous
• May 8, 2019

For Anxiety "This medication, mirtazapine, ruined my life. Yes, it helped my anxiety and insomnia at first, very well in fact. It does make me binge eat every night, which has led to me becoming prediabetic. While effective at first, it has since pooped out, and I’m left a now diabetic, apathetic, emotionless zombie. I feel nothing. No emotions, no love for other people, no passion for anything. I’ve been on it for 8 years, with the dose oscillating between 75 mg and 45 mg. Dropping the dose below 45 mg leads to crippling depression, anxiety, and withdrawal symptoms. Tread with caution and keep the doses low. You’ve been warned."

• Dan...
• April 2, 2019

For Depression "Been on mirtazapine for about 8 weeks now. Four weeks at 15 mg and 4 weeks at 30 mg. I also take citalopram 20 mg. At first, I felt good, but now I feel like that was just a placebo. It's made my anxiety a lot worse, and my depression is the worst it's ever been. My doctor has suggested I come off it because it's making all my symptoms worse. It does help with sleep and appetite, so that's good if that's what you need. Some people get on well with mirtazapine, but for me, it has made me feel a lot worse and feel like it has prolonged my recovery. Good luck."