[Lisa Michelle]

I just wanted to write a little bit about my doctors apt today.

I told my doctor today that the mirtazipine isn't working and I feel WORSE. She said the meds don't cause those sides effects so it's just that it's not working. I asked to stop it and try something else, but she said I have to take the highest dose first before we can say it doesn't work. So I'm now taking 45mg a day.

I'm not happy about it but I'll do it anyway.

She's also sending my therapist (who is 'just' as I say, a mental health nurse) a letter to say I need to see a psychiatrist, I'm happy about this because I'm hoping they will be more qualified and able to see the bigger picture... my therapist now is an eating disorder therapist and puts me in a box too much "you feel depressed because you think you're fat".

Thank you for reading. If anyone is taking mirtazipine and it helps them, could you tell me about it? Or even if it's not working I'd like to hear. I really don't like this drug and feel a bit worried that if it doesn't work it's just going to be even longer before I feel better! The psychiatrist will prob take about 6 months (bloomin waiting lists).

[sorrel]

Mirtazapine helps me.
By no means a miracle cure, it has however taken the edge off the rawness, and at least gives me decent nights' sleep. My GP says I'm much more stable on it.
I've recently reduced my dose, with my treatment team's blessing. I'm now on half my original dose. I've been on it 4 and a half years now.

[theave]

Hi Lisa - hope the increased dose will help, and if not, that you are changed to another AD soon. I was just wondering, would your mental health nurse be able to get an appt with a psychiatrist sooner? Mine - when I was in the UK - would set up appointments with a pscyhiatrist if she thought I needed it - maybe worth a try, rather than waiting? Just a thought.

Take care.

[estrella]

It's not anyone's place to say that you are depressed because 'you think you're fat.' You could have easily been through several rough patches in your life. Go see a psychiatrist; someone who is actually trained in this field. Post how it goes.

[Lisa Michelle]

Thanks everyone for your replies, it's much appreciated.

Sorrel - thanks for sharing your experience with mirtzapine, it's reassuring to hear it does work for some people, I keep hearing bad things about it.

theave -- the woman I see for therapy (the mental health nurse) is the one who should be referring me to a psychiatrist, but I don't know, these things seem to take so long, even when you're already in the system. I think you were lucky to get appointments quickly. I've been on a waiting list for cognitive behavioural therapy for months now and I'm told it's another 2 months wait... but that's just a 20 weeks course or something so I'd still need the psychiatrist.
I'll find out next week, I think, how long it might take, so I'll update again then.Thanks though.

xxxx

[Willow13]

Lisa Michelle, I'm so glad you went to your doctor and at least things are moving ahead (even though you want something to help right now!). Good for you!

[theave]

Hi again - I guess it depends in what setting your MH nurse works? - mine worked in a day hospital and the psychiatrists covered that and the MH wards in the hospital, so I think they had regular meetings about current patients, I know that she talked to the psychiatrist about me and encouraged me to agree to an appointment with her - so it really didn't take long to see someone, and I was glad I did - I had been a bit put off by seeing a couple of SHOs who looked about 12, but I started seeing a more senior psychiatrist who was excellent, and because they covered the wards as well as the day hospital, I continued to see her when I was in hospital - so there was at least that continuity.

Psychology was a different matter, though - I was referred by my GP and it was later chased up by my CPN, but it still took about 6 months from referral to get regular appointments. I'm sure it doesn't save them any money in the long run if they appointed more psychologists, as it means by the time you do seem someone, you've probably tried several ADs and been referred elsewhere - whereas starting psychology at the outset might prevent things getting worse. It has been very strange now that I live in the US - feeling that I am in control of it, if I want to see a therapist and/or psychiatrist, it's up to me and I can choose when to end it too - a real cultural shift.

Hope it works out for you - take care.