Mirtazapine and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 2)

• dep...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 19, 2023

For Depression "Infection caused my sertraline (Zoloft) not to work for a while. Was then put on mirtazapine 15 mg. It worked to a point, but that could have also been because the infection cleared and sertraline was working again. This was after 2 weeks. However, week 3 was when the sedating effects occurred. Sleeping 17+ hours a day, staying in bed 23 hours due to being unable to function (zombie-like feeling) and not physically or mentally being able to get out of bed in the morning. This lasted for around 7 days before I spoke to the doctor and was advised to stop straight away. Lucky I have been signed off work for a few weeks, which is not good due to the nature of my job. The other side effects I got from the drug were feelings of no emotion, no sadness, no happiness, could not cry, felt drained, nothing. Insomnia from withdrawing is still occurring 2 weeks after stopping. Would avoid."

• Bru...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2019

For Insomnia "Mirtazapine is an effective drug for insomnia, but I have a hard time waking up because of it. I wake up after 7 or 8 hours, but if I shut my eyes for what feels like a split second, I'm sleeping again for another couple of hours. I shouldn't moan, really, as I'd rather sleep than have the horrible insomnia that I had. Good sleep is essential for mental and physical well-being."

• Anonymous
• July 21, 2019

For Insomnia "I was put on mirtazapine 15 mg back in March this year as I was having a bad spot of insomnia. I want to point out I wasn't depressed in any form before taking this drug. Once I started taking it, I suffered with rage, anger, and palpitations. I took 15 mg for 3 months and was concerned, so went to the GP to be told to increase my dose. So I did. Every day I got worse, my day was a constant panic attack. I was a paranoid mess, I knew it was the meds as I was fine before I started taking these. I told the doctors in the hospital after being on suicide watch for the 2nd time to be told it won't be the meds, and then they wanted to put me on antipsychotics and benzos. So I took matters into my own hands. I went down to 7.5 mg for a week, and my anxiety halved, and I started feeling myself again, the dark thoughts stopped, and now I'm on just 3.75 mg every other day. Awful, awful drug, it took away a problem and created more serious problems."

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 10, 2019

For Depression "I don't think that this drug deserves any stars. I wish I could rate it in the negatives. It has no therapeutic benefit for me and causes a great deal of harm. I have had issues with hostility, self-harm, and dark thoughts since starting this medication. I was initially put on this medication due to digestive issues, which were thought to be caused by stress after my endoscopy and colonoscopy came back negative. I have tried to get off several times, but I experience severe withdrawal symptoms whenever I do. These include sweating, diarrhea, anxiety, heart palpitations, shivering, lack of appetite, nausea, dizziness, flu-like symptoms, and insomnia. I was never warned that withdrawal symptoms existed."

• tit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2015

For Insomnia "Had panic attacks and depression, loss of appetite, and trouble sleeping with Restoril and other sleep aids. The Remeron works OK, after a few initial nights of being wide awake for 2-3 hours after bedtime. Now, on 15 mg, it seems I can fall asleep within 60-90 minutes, but wake up after 2-3 hours. However, I can fall back asleep easily. I have no complaints, but I usually get the weirdest dreams - nothing catastrophic, but just plain unreal. It is just where my brain gets this from is a mystery. I can't imagine where my brain dreams up (no pun intended) these situations. I've even tried cutting the 15 mg in half, which seems to work as well as 15 mg."

• la ...
• July 29, 2009

Mirtazapine 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."

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

Mirtazapine 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."

• Pen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 31, 2013

For Depression "After only five days on mirtazapine, I thought it was amazing. I was diagnosed with severe depression and was at breaking point. I was reluctant to start taking mirtazapine because of the negative reviews (weight gain, etc.). The first three days were awful due to the heavy sedation effect, but that wore off sooner each day, and by the fifth day, I could function normally. In fact, I felt loads happier and had tons of energy. Over the next six months, I put on a stone in weight and tried to come off it. But I felt dreadful with terrible insomnia, nausea, and depression. I went back on it after a week, having lost half a stone, and have been on it for 18 months. I did not regain the half stone I lost and have controlled my eating better."

• d19...
• November 4, 2014

For Insomnia "I've been taking Mirtazapine for about 3 to 4 weeks, and the change in my sleep has been life-changing. I work shifts and have always had issues with sleep (based around anxiety). I'm also prescribed Citalopram 20mg, which has worked fantastically for anxiety and depression, however, it causes me to wake frequently during the night (a common side effect of Citalopram is insomnia). Since starting this medication, I now fall asleep within 30 minutes to an hour of going to bed and only wake up about once a night (before this, I was waking up at least 3 times). The only downside to this medication is I now get cold sweats every night. I wake up freezing but dripping in sweat - already had these with Citalopram but they have become more frequent since starting this."

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

Mirtazapine 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."

• Exh...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 12, 2018

For Anxiety "This has been a great drug for me. For most of my 35 years, I have suffered with anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, poor appetite, and more recently, sleep issues. This drug has improved all of them, it's not perfect, but it takes the edge off, and I can live a normal life. I will never come off this drug, as my life would be poor without it."

• HLA...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 21, 2021

For Insomnia "I’ve been on 30 mg of mirtazapine for 19 years. It worked great for my insomnia until about two years ago. Now I can only sleep about 5 hours a night. I also have to take Imovane 2.5 mg at bedtime and again if I wake at 4 a.m. Would a lower dose of mirtazapine help? Does the benefit of mirtazapine wear off after years of taking it?"

• Sha...
• February 11, 2017

For Depression "I have been on mirtazapine 30 mg now for 3 months. I have BPD and Asperger's. I have depression, anxiety, and OCD. I have tried all antidepressants you can think of, and all gave me increased sweating, insomnia, and a stuffy nose. My psychiatrist even tried antipsychotics and mood meds, all had really bad side effects, including massive weight gain. He put me on mirtazapine, and I slept really well, no side effects whatsoever. It does cause increased appetite, but I take 2 Phenergan 50 mg with it, which is an OTC antihistamine, and that stops the increased appetite because the main side effect of Phenergan is decreased appetite. I'm from the UK, and I know you can't get it in the US. But I'm sure you can buy it online. Hope this review helps."

• Flo...
• April 15, 2016

For Anxiety "I suffered from postnatal anxiety. I had just about every symptom that comes with anxiety! Mirtazapine 15 mg changed my life, I can now enjoy my babies and lead a normal life like I did before! No more anxiety or insomnia, and I am now back at work!"

• Anonymous
• October 21, 2010

Mirtazapine 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."

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2019

For Anxiety "I just started this medication Monday. Before I started taking this, my anxiety was terrible. Didn't want to leave the house or interact with anyone, wasn't eating for days, shaky, hands sweaty, mind was racing 24/7, leaving me with no sleep and constantly trying to occupy my mind. Insomnia runs in my family, and I was crying randomly. My therapist believes I may have manic depression, and I've had GAD for most of my life. I take half of 7.5 in the morning and before bed, as well as Gabapentin 100 mg morning and night. I would say the first 2-3 days I was really tired and slept through the night, did not have anxiety, but mood is still the same. I'm now on day 7. I have energy through the day, I sleep well, but not as well as the first couple of days, and my anxiety is back, but just a tiny bit where I can notice it enough to not want to leave the house. I will update in a couple of weeks if it's changed or a couple of weeks if dosage increase has changed anything."

• Nom...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 30, 2023

For Depression "I was first introduced to mirtazapine by my doctor, who felt that my prescription of Deptran (prescribed by my former doctor) was obsolete with new antidepressants on the market. I was prescribed mirtazapine. Unfortunately, after years of long-term use, I have experienced significant side effects, including weight gain, dry mouth, memory loss, and above all, tiredness. Therefore, after many attempts to reduce mirtazapine, I experienced the struggles of withdrawal, such as poor sleep, muscle cramps, anxiety, and nightmares. Personally, I do not recommend mirtazapine and would advise against using this medication. While it may initially seem helpful for sleep reduction, I would suggest avoiding it and discussing your concerns with your doctor. As always, consult your doctor, and if symptoms persist, please don't be afraid to speak up, regardless of the circumstances."

• Rin...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 20, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "I take Viibryd for morning sadness. One side effect of that is insomnia. But it works so well. So I take mirtazapine to help me sleep. It works great. And yes, some of the visuals occurred while adapting. However, I have an issue where one manufacturer's pills allow me to wake refreshed. Another manufacturer's has me waking feeling all creepy. Kaiser just sends me what they have in stock. I know there shouldn't be a difference. But there is."

• Man...
• July 15, 2017

Mirtazapine 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

Mirtazapine 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!"

• 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."

• Dor...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 6, 2012

For Anxiety "I have taken this medicine for 7 years. Gained lots of weight, now on Weight Watchers diet and lost 16 lbs so far. Very happy now. At 45 mg, had bad restless legs, reduced to 30 mg and sleep great 9 or 10 hours. Had intolerable insomnia my entire life before. Wonder what would happen if reduced it to 15 mg. Also added 20 mg Prozac for daytime energy and works great."

• Ano...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 23, 2025

For Insomnia "I was on Remeron 15 mg, but would take 7.5 for sleeping. I would get brain fog during the day, so I slowly weaned off of it by taking tiny quarters and then tiny bites. I could not sleep for a week! Only about 3 hours a night. I was struggling with work and laid around when I wasn't working because I had no energy. I tried melatonin and Tylenol PM, with no success. Last night I gave in and took a tiny bite of Remeron, and after 5 minutes my brain relaxed, and I fell asleep for 8 hours!! OK, I admit it, I have to take it to sleep, even though you are not supposed to take it as a sleep aid. I never want to feel sleep deprivation again! It was the worst feeling ever!"

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

Mirtazapine 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."

• Fix...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2019

For Depression "For me, mirtazapine was life-changing. I don't feel super low anymore, my depression episodes are gone. I eat and sleep normally. I have stopped cutting myself. I don't even think about suicide anymore. Before starting the treatment, I felt sad and low 95% of the time, barely ate, had bad insomnia, cut the living hell out of myself, and thought about suicide at least 10-15 times a day. I am taking 30 mg before I go to sleep, and it knocks me out 20 minutes after taking it. Amazing and life-changing."