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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by pretty_paints on March 7, 2005, at 17:02:02
Hi
Last year, I went in to hospital in about August for psychosis. Now up until this I HAD been very psychotic, but wouldn't talk about the thoughts/feelings.
Then I went on 15mg Mirtazapine and woooh - suddenly I started remembering my life, I started smelling smells, I remember an INTENSE terror that something AWFUL had happened, and that started me off going weird until eventually I went into hospital.
So then things settled. The psychosis has remained, but I've been on four AP's since I got out, still trying to find one that suits me. But ALL have relieved symptoms somewhat, which is why I haven't been in hospital since.
Right. So now my doc has just increased the Mirtazapine to 30mg. And what do I notice? The same thing. I am not feeling out of control tho like before. But I'm getting very bad deja vu from last time. I'm remembering stuff from my life, scary moments, awful things, I'm feeling terror, I am feeling very lost at sea and weird.
Could the mirtazapine be making the psychosis worse?
It should be mentioned that the last time I was in hospital, I came up with all these theories about awful things that must have happened in my life. Rapes, attacks, abuse, all sorts.
None of it was true. It was all psychosis, and in fact, people say I've had a very nice, happy life.
But now again I am remembering things, like being in the toilets crying. So why was I crying? Everything seems to be fitting into place like before. Something that's been concealed. I'm really scared and feel like I've really got to root it out of my subconcious.
I don't know what to think. I personally don't think that I'm psychotic on this, but at the same time, I AM feeling like I was before (altho much more mild at the moment), which is making me wonder.
I hope it doesn't get out of control. Please reply!!!
Thanks
Posted by Phillipa on March 7, 2005, at 17:45:23
In reply to Can Mirtazapine make psychosis worse?, posted by pretty_paints on March 7, 2005, at 17:02:02
Kate, I'm sorry you're feeling so bad again. Have you E-mailed Ed? He may be able to help you with the med answer. Have you told your Social Worker, or your new pdoc how you're feeling? Keep us posted. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by med_empowered on March 7, 2005, at 18:22:29
In reply to Re: Can Mirtazapine make psychosis worse? » pretty_paints, posted by Phillipa on March 7, 2005, at 17:45:23
hey! Sorry you're not feeling well. Anti-depressants can, theoretically at least, worsen psychosis or induce psychotic episodes. From what I understand, this is pretty rare, and some anti-depressants are apparently considered more likely to do this than others (notice that most doctors are VERY hesitant about RX'ng tricylic anti-depressants for schizophrenics; apparently, they can worsen psychosis or 'unmask' psychosis), but again: it can happen and does happen upon occasion. Even if what you're experiencing isn't psychosis per se, it sounds awfully unpleasant...if the Remeron may be causing/contributing to this, talk to your doctor about changing the dose or discontinuing it.
Posted by SandyWeb on March 7, 2005, at 20:09:20
In reply to Re: Can Mirtazapine make psychosis worse?, posted by med_empowered on March 7, 2005, at 18:22:29
Hi. I just wanted to comment on ADs and psychosis.
Paxil made me psychotic VERY quickly. Within just a couple days of beginning this med, I was rapidly losing touch with reality....so much so that I thought the cat was watching me and I thought I should kill him. I couldn't even distinguish what physical sensations were.
I am now on mirtazapine (Remeron) at 45mg. I find that it has helped me immensely. I do not have a busy brain anymore, and I feel connected to reality.
Just my experience.
Take care.
Sandy
Posted by ed_uk on March 8, 2005, at 5:54:17
In reply to Can Mirtazapine make psychosis worse?, posted by pretty_paints on March 7, 2005, at 17:02:02
Hi Kate,
I'm not sure why your pdoc increased the mirtazapine. You seem to have had some recent psychotic symptoms but I didn't think you were depressed. Perhaps it would be wise to call your doctor and ask whether you can decrease to 15mg of Remeron. I'm sure she would understand if you told her what you were going through.
>I'm feeling terror
Although Remeron often helps anxiety, I've also heard of people who's anxiety got much worse on Zispin.
Ed xxxxxxxxxxxx
Posted by xbunny on March 8, 2005, at 18:06:43
In reply to Can Mirtazapine make psychosis worse?, posted by pretty_paints on March 7, 2005, at 17:02:02
Hi
>
> Could the mirtazapine be making the psychosis worse?
>My experience is that all antidepressant make my psychosis worse. SSRI's were the worst. Mirtazapine is what I take now and makes the smallest impact on my psychosis. My CPN who only has clients with psychosis says that almost all her clients who take antidepressants take mirtazapine and she has had the best outcomes with that drug with psychosis. For me antidepressants affecting psychosis is an unfortunate thing that has to be accepted. If you find an antidepressant which does improve your mood but exacerbates your psychosis then try increasing your antipsychotic since finding a working AD can be too rare to pass up. The logical downside of it that you can end in a frustrating mess as you jiggle one set of drugs to accomodate another. Bunny
Posted by ed_uk on March 9, 2005, at 7:35:12
In reply to Re: Can Mirtazapine make psychosis worse?, posted by xbunny on March 8, 2005, at 18:06:43
Bunny! Did you ever try pericyazine?
Ed.
Posted by xbunny on March 9, 2005, at 13:50:14
In reply to Re: Can Mirtazapine make psychosis worse? » xbunny, posted by ed_uk on March 9, 2005, at 7:35:12
> Bunny! Did you ever try pericyazine?
Yup I am taking 20mg at night and an additional 10mg in the morning on those days when I am going to go out. I think the results have been good. My anxiety is down, I am calmer, more focused and my paranoia has lifted somewhat more too. My mood has improved possibly as a result of that. I feel more comfortable going out which was one of the principle reasons for trying the drug so I feel that is major target hit. I dont get much side effects from it, some tremor and dry mouch but thankfully no restlessness or crawling out of my skin effects like chlorpromazine. When I started it the first few pills made me very dizzy but that didnt stick. All in Im very pleased with it and would recommend it. Bunny
Posted by ed_uk on March 9, 2005, at 15:18:52
In reply to Re: Can Mirtazapine make psychosis worse? » ed_uk, posted by xbunny on March 9, 2005, at 13:50:14
Hi Bunny!
>Yup I am taking 20mg at night and an additional 10mg in the morning on those days when I am going to go out. I think the results have been good. My anxiety is down, I am calmer, more focused and my paranoia has lifted somewhat more too. My mood has improved possibly as a result of that. I feel more comfortable going out which was one of the principle reasons for trying the drug so I feel that is major target hit. I dont get much side effects from it, some tremor and dry mouch but thankfully no restlessness or crawling out of my skin effects like chlorpromazine. When I started it the first few pills made me very dizzy but that didnt stick. All in Im very pleased with it and would recommend it.
Hey that's great :-) I bet your pdoc hadn't ever prescribed pericyazine before, I've asked a few pdocs about it and none of them had ever heard of it!
The tremor sounds like mild parkinsonism. I know you take flupenthixol, do you take an anticholinergic? eg. procyclidine etc.
Would you describe yourself as well at the moment? ...or do further changes need to be made?
Ed.
Posted by xbunny on March 9, 2005, at 17:27:24
In reply to Re: Neulactil » xbunny, posted by ed_uk on March 9, 2005, at 15:18:52
Hi Ed,
> I bet your pdoc hadn't ever prescribed pericyazine before, I've asked a few pdocs about it and none of them had ever heard of it!
We shall see, I have a follow up with the psychiatrist next week. I got the GP to prescribe the pericyazine he hadnt heard of it neither had the CPN but both were happy for me to try it.
>
> The tremor sounds like mild parkinsonism. I know you take flupenthixol, do you take an anticholinergic? eg. procyclidine etc.no, the tremor is really very mild mostly in my legs doesnt really bother me more of a curiosity than anything. I have been getting quite painful cramps in my knees which have been waking me up but I dont know if its related, again its just annoying not a show stopper.
>
> Would you describe yourself as well at the moment? ...or do further changes need to be made?I would say Im doing great mental healthwise about as well as I have ever been since getting sick. If I could stay this way I would be well satisfied.
Bunny
Posted by ed_uk on March 10, 2005, at 8:49:35
In reply to Re: Neulactil » ed_uk, posted by xbunny on March 9, 2005, at 17:27:24
Hi,
>I would say Im doing great mental healthwise about as well as I have ever been since getting sick.
I'm glad to hear it :-)
Ed.
This is the end of the thread.
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