Lexapro and Mirtazapine - Awful Side-Effects

I am reading a lot of post on side affects of lexapro (Escilitilopram). I started taking this medication back in 2015. Have not had any side effects other than helping me with my PTSD Anxiety/Panic Disorder.

Recenlty had serious family issues and medial issues with my spouse and under severe stress that was causing depression. My Mayo Psychiatrist medication specialist suggested uping it by a half pill if I felt needed it. We discussed me trying to resume my daily exercise activities as had let them lapse and if still needed the increase in my medications would raise it. It was my decision to make.

I resume my exercise routine and greatly improved my mental outlook and never increased my dosage. Regarding weight gain. I read that it does cause an increase in weight gain. I am not sure why. My weight gain comes from my love of mixed nuts as well as TV habit of snacking when watching TV.

If a medication does not work for you or you have side affects speak up to your medical providers. When I had serious isses before and could not sleep I was given ambien. It did not work. My problem was my mind racing at bed time and could not stop it. My psychiatrist specialist then put me on Trazodone. Boy did that work. It kind of put a brake on mind racing and could get to sleep. The only side affect I could bring up were groggnies in mornings and very vivid dreams.

I was told the very vivid dreams was the Trazodone as it increases serrotonin.

I find and maybe can work for others is to find an exercise (after doctor approval) that you like to do and do it. If it is a social type exercise (I do water aerobics) you are doing it with others who like the exercise and enjoying themselves.

If exercise is not your thing consider a hobby. Find a hobby you like doing and do it. If social one you will be doing it with others who like it and enjoying it togehter. If not enjoy it by yourself.

I read many books on FDR. He was an avid stamp collector. His family reported he worked almost every day on his stamp collection even during WWII. They said it brought him so much joy they knew it was good for him. Finding an exercise you enjoy or a hobby is good for you both mentally and physically not just rely on medications.

I’m prescribed Mirtazapine 15 mg at night I take Loreev Xr 2 mg in the morning. The Mirtazapine has been wonderful for me bc I could only eat cooked apples and crackers for months. I lost so much weight. Gained it all back now. Loreev Xr is Ativan/lorazapam. I was taking Ativan 3 times a day so my PN put me on Loreev…it’s long acting so you only take one a day. Have to pay out of pocket bc my insurance doesn’t cover.

How long have you been on the Loreev? I take Ativan as needed. I am reading horror stories of people trying to get off the drug. It works so well for me - but I am scared of it.

I was under the impression that one of the benefits of Trazadone was that it didn't leave you with that drugged out feeling in the morning. Sucks that it's not the case for you.

Been on Loreev for about 7 months now.

@bajjerfan
It definitely was the Trazadone as did not wake up feeling that way when not taking it. Could have been caused by getting a very heavy sleep versus awake and struggling to sleep.

I was originally prescribed Ambien. I had read a lot about how fast and good it worked. The only caveat was the warning could cause sleep walking. It did absoulutely nothing for me. My mind racing just as much as before.

I will say for me the trazadone worked and getting a good night sleep was great for me mentally and physically. A little groggy in mornings was not a problem.

@jc76 Trazodone is known for it's hang-over effect, I have experienced it and was told by provider and my own research, that this is common. Typically, lowering the dosage to the smallest dose necessary for sleep initiation and sleeping through the night, will decrease this morning hang-over feeling. I recommend speaking with your prescriber about this and get his/her advice about how to best do this with your individual needs, etc. Best wishes in getting this resolved.

I am an advocate for natural treatment regarding anxiety and such. I have tried every colour of the rainbow regarding anti-depressants and found all it did was caused suicidal ideation. They have increased the problem instead of fixing it. The worst for me was Mirtazapine and getting off it took eight weeks. It was not a very nice eight weeks.
I take medicinal cannabis, CBD in the morning and THC/CBD at night/afternoon (after I no longer need to drive). At first my anxiety was still an issue, but it has over time improved my overall life. It is not for everyone, but I have never met anyone that said anti-depressants helped them.
Doctors just jump on them, they get free tickets to events, pens, stationary, etc.... from the pharmaceutical companies for prescribing their poisons.

I don't take it and never have, but my recollection from a couple of folks who either did or still do is that it didn't cause them to feel that hung over feeling.

I can only speak to Mirtazapine which caused me some serious issues when taken with prednisolone. I basically lost control of myself at the slightest provocation. I have had experience with a lot of anti-depressants and nothing good ever comes of it. You have to wait a month (two weeks to begin) for the results to show and if it is the wrong one you have to wean of it over eight weeks. This just messes with your brain chemistry, they make big pharma plenty of money and doctors that prescribe it receive benefits like free dinners and the like. But they don't work in the majority of cases.