OCD Action

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Has anyone ever experienced increased irritability to the point of feeling aggressive and out of control, after beginning a new medication? Yesterday, I almost attacked my husband.

I have only been on a low does of Mirtazapine for a few days (15mg) and it has caused some very unpleasant side-effects. Extreme tiredness, I can barely stand and am falling asleep literally on my feet, waking as I start to fall. There are noises in my head (tunes, repetitive conversations between friends that occurred days or weeks ago) dizziness and minor visual disturbances. However, the rage I am experiencing is really frightening me. I’ve looked the drug up on forums and found that I am by no means alone in experiencing this.

I am also feeling suicidal. I won’t do anything because of my daughter. But for her, I feel I would act on these feelings. I find it very alarming what a small dose of a drug can do.

Many years ago, my GP, when talking about increased suicide in those taking Prozac, explained that people are only more likely to commit suicide on these kinds of drugs because their deep depression begins to lift and they have the motivation to act. After a while the drug helps elevate their mood and this stage passes.

I am zombie-like and have no motivation at all, but suicide seems like a very tempting course of action. I am convinced that this feeling is due to the drug. A week ago, I was depressed and tired (I have ME) and the OCD was making life very difficult, but there was a glimmer of hope, a reason to fight on. This drug has taken that away. Right now I see no point to anything.

Sun Apr 11 2010 14:07:38 #
Truddles
Member

Hi Tricia,

I'm so sorry to hear that you're having serious problems with side effects from the Mirtazapine.

Anybody that's experiencing such unpleasant side effects especially feeling suicidal since commencing a new medication should seek the urgent advice of their doctor.

You know that you can contact me any time day or night should things get too much for you or you just need someone to talk to.

Hang on in there and please do speak to your doctor asap.

Thinking of you.

Trudy.

Sun Apr 11 2010 15:46:49 #
Unregistered

I'm off the forum atm, but I've just seen this post and had to comment. I can't offer much advice other than talk to your doctor about this drug, because if it really is making you feel like this then you need to come off it. Please don't give up, you are a wonderful, strong person, hold on!

Sun Apr 11 2010 17:03:51 #
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Trudy and Helz, I really didn’t mean to worry anyone. As I said, I would not do anything to harm myself, because of my daughter. I was just so alarmed by my reaction to this drug, especially the rage and suicidal feelings. I didn’t hit my husband, but the urge to do so was very frightening. I used language that I have never spoken before, it was as if I were another person! I don’t want to put anyone off trying Mirtazapine, because I realize we all react differently to drugs and I know it’s a very beneficial medication for many. I looked on a Mirtazapine forum and there was a thread about rage. Many said they experienced the same, but one man, who admitted being hot-tempered before taking the drug, noted how much more calm and relaxed he now is. I wrote my message to warn others to be aware of these extreme side-effects. They may not be common, but it’s important to recognize what is happening to us should we experience them.

A very good friend was prescribed Mirtazapine the same day as me. We could not believe the coincidence and were both optimistic that our lives would be changed for the better. I reluctantly phoned my friend, over the weekend, because I was hesitant about describing the effects, I didn‘t want to worry her unnecessarily. I am so relieved I did tell her, because she said ‘Thank God it’s not just me’. She also reacted badly to the drug, and like me felt rage building up inside her. My friend is the gentlest lady and the feelings alarmed her. Fortunately, I knew the drug was responsible for my anger, but she was worrying she might be schizophrenic, because she was also experiencing hallucinations. I developed auditory hallucinations, which were irritating more than frightening. We both said we had never felt so tired in our lives. I fell asleep several times while eating my dinner on Saturday. The clanging noise of the fork hitting the table woke me up before my face fell in my dinner!

We probably should have both consulted our GPs, but being the weekend we both decided to discontinue the drug without seeking advice. I shall be speaking to mine tomorrow. I will be very surprised if he tells me to go back on the drug, and I am unsure what to do if he suggested another. Medication is incompatible with my OCD if it’s going to add to my tiredness.

This morning was the first day for a week that I have felt normal (normal for me that is!). The suicidal feelings have gone, as have the hallucinations and rage.

Helz, it is so good to hear from you. How are you? I am very sorry for worrying you, you are such a kind hearted person and you care so much about us all. I do hope you will return to the forum regularly when you are able. You really are missed.

Trudy, bless you for your offer. I know you mean it. You too are so very special.

Mon Apr 12 2010 12:20:05 #
Unregistered

Thanks for the update, Tricia, I'm glad you're feeling better without the medication. And thanks for your kind words, I'm fine, just very busy revising for my exams next month. I start therapy this wednesday. I didn't think I was really missed at all, so it's nice to hear that from you, not that I've been looking for people to say that their lives have been empty since I've been away, haha!

Good luck, and stay strong. Keep going for your family, and for all of us.

Mon Apr 12 2010 12:54:28 #
Truddles
Member

Hi Tricia,

I'm so pleased to hear that things are back to your normal now that you have decided to stop the Mirtazapine. I will admit that I was really worried about you.

There are many medications that are prescribed for OCD with good effect and most people don't experience any problems or if they do the side effects are minimal and preferable to the OCD symptoms. Unfortunately some people do experience intolerable side effects and reactions to some medications and as Tricia says it is helpful for us to be aware of these.

I'm glad that you felt able to share your experience with us.

Trudy

The human body - the brain in particular is extremely complex and there are many factors involved in the way that we metabolise and react to medication. If that weren't the case then one medication would suit all. Often it's a question of trial and error in order to find the right medication.

Mon Apr 12 2010 13:07:21 #
aishah
Member

Hi Tricia,

I,m so glad you are feeling a bit better, that must have been a very frightening experience for you. Hopefully a new medication that works for you will be found very soon.

Do you remember the awful side-effects I suffered on the Clomipromine, yet as you say, for some it works.

I'm glad you decided to stop taking it and are going to see your G.P. tomorrow.

Let me know how you get on.

Take Care for now
Love Bridget
xx

Mon Apr 12 2010 20:06:33 #
Unregistered

Dear Helz, Trudy and Bridget,

I was unable to speak to my GP, he was off for some reason. I spoke to another doctor and she said I did the right thing. The rage, hallucinations and suicidal feelings don’t appear to be that common, but she said they can be side-effects of the drug. She added that if I had only experienced the extreme tiredness she would have advised sticking with it a little longer, but when we suddenly feel suicidal or have other severe reactions we need to stop the drug (obviously we should all consult our doctors).

The GP went on to read from my notes that I am ‘resistant to all medication’. That was the view of the last (useless) psychiatrist I saw. After being told that, back in 2006, my GP still agreed to go against the psychiatrist’s advice and let me try another drug. I asked if he would prescribe Fluvoxamine. Long story as to why I never took it, but I have been prescribed it again.

Apparently, my auditory hallucinations were worse than I realized. I’ve been told I was having a ‘conversation’ with a family member who was not even speaking. I was convinced she was! Looking on the bright side, my mood is better than it was, prior to the medication, because all the horrible stuff the drug caused has now gone!

Helz, Oh, you are missed, very much so! Do let us know how your exams go. Good luck with them. Also, good luck with your therapy.

Love, Tricia.

Tue Apr 13 2010 14:41:22 #
Unregistered

Helz, great to see you posting again. I for one have missed your postings and wish I hadn't abandoned the forum when I did.

Tricia, I'm glad you stopped taking that medication when you did. It didn't sound too beneficial, particularly hearing conversations in your head, as though they were taking place. I too have been feeling extremely tired recently. I get tempted to fall asleep at the gym when I'm particularly afflicted, like yesterday for example. Then when I went dancing, I was exhausted. Well, actually it was the trip to the hairdressers that got me really tired - Waiting for nearly an hour to get a haircut, does tend to make you sleepy, especially if you're reading 'a door through space' ebook on your phone.

Tue Apr 13 2010 20:12:00 #
Unregistered

I'm glad you're ok! And thanks.

And hello to you, Giles, glad to see you back. Thought you'd gone for good when you disappeared. I should be back permanently at the end of May, after my exams. I look forward to getting back into the forum again. Good luck to everyone.

Tue Apr 13 2010 21:51:04 #
Unregistered

Helz, Please let us know how the therapy went!

Giles, I've been worried about you, I haven't heard from you for ages! Any luck with finding a new dance partner?

Meant to add, yesterday, the GP I spoke to has cancelled my appointment for the Maudsley. Don't know how she could override a decision made by the senior partner who has been treating me for 30 years. It seems we even have to fight to hold on to the things we believe we have succeeded with!

Wed Apr 14 2010 12:59:28 #
Unregistered

Hi, just checkingng in to say that it went really well. The therapist was friendly and understanding, although she did seem determined to find some deep dark secret in my past that was responsible for my OCD starting. I told her that if anything it was the stress of exams but she seems to think otherwise. If she tells me I'm blocking stuff out when there honestly is nothing else then I wont be happy. But so far, so good. I can only have up to 6 sessions with her on the NHS though, so she's going to have to look into getting me help elsewhere after that, because she thinks I will need more than 6 sessions, and I agree. Things are looking up though. I just need to do my homework now.

Wed Apr 14 2010 14:17:22 #
Unregistered

Dear Helz, I was just switching the computer off, so pleased to read your message in time!

That’s really good that she is nice. Like you, I’m unhappy about searching for that ‘experience‘. I thought that was a pretty outdated view. Hopefully she will accept what you have said. A friend of mine, forty years ago, saw a therapist who tried to convince her that her hand-washing had to stem from a bad experience. This really distressed my friend, because there was no bad experience. However, because so little was known about OCD back then, the Freudian theories were believed and even my friend began to doubt her past and what she may have blocked from her mind.

That’s not to say stressful experiences can’t trigger problems, but I think we know when they do. Most OCD experts are opposed to delving in the past even when that is the case.

I saw a wonderful psychologist, years ago. He did believe in the psychodynamic approach as well as CBT and there were issues from my past that he helped me with. There are strongly opposing views on this, but, one thing I do believe, no-one should be urged to delve if they say there is nothing in the past or if it’s something they don’t want to dig up.

Many of my friends have said they had a perfect childhood, apart from their OCD. There doesn’t necessarily have to be anything more to this condition other than our genes.

Six sessions are not enough. I’m amazed that you can only have six on the NHS. Many people I know have had far more. One lady has had weekly sessions on the NHS for over a year. Can you ask the advocacy service here about this?

Love, Tricia x

Wed Apr 14 2010 14:40:17 #
Unregistered

I think the 6 sessions may just be to do with my surgery and how much funding it gets from the NHS. Hopefully I will be able to get treatment for free still but just elsewhere.

Wed Apr 14 2010 14:45:17 #
Unregistered

Good! Talk more soon. Hope the homework goes well. Tricia x

Wed Apr 14 2010 14:47:45 #
Drizzles
Member

Glad you decided to no longer take the drugs, it can be very dangerous just continuing to take the drug because you're feeling guilt towards your psychiatrist even though you're experiencing strong side effects. Hope you'll get along with the new medication and things will turn to the better for you.

Seb

Wed Apr 14 2010 21:40:47 #
Unregistered

Thank you, Seb.

What really alarms me even more than my reaction to this drug, is that not all GPs are aware of these side-effects. Mine was, and said I did the right thing to stop the medication. However, a friend was told her side-effects are nothing to do with the medication. My poor friend was distraught because she has obsessions of harm, and she felt she would become aggressive. Fortunately a pharmacist has confirmed that her symptoms are due to the drug. I know it's wrong of me to say we should be careful what our doctors tell us. But, if we are unhappy it is certainly wise to speak to a pharmacist or seek a second opinion from another GP.

Thu Apr 15 2010 12:35:44 #
Drizzles
Member

Seeking a second opinion is always a good idea. If I notice my doctor has no clue about something important I get a second opinion rather than trusting him blindly.

Sat Apr 17 2010 8:26:15 #
Rubber_Soul
Member

About ten months ago, I switched medications (from Citalopram to Sertraline). During the transition period between medications, I experienced sharp ups and downs. I found normal situations to be aggravating and unusually difficult to handle, especially during work. I was very irritable and I found a hard time to stay calm when something didn't go how I wanted it to. A few weeks after I was taking Sertraline, those feelings passed. I never thought that changing medications would be such a challenge. That is the extent of my adverse reactions to my medication, well for now at least.

Mon Apr 26 2010 6:02:51 #
Unregistered

Did you come off the Citalopram slowly and then begin a low dose of Sertraline and gradually increase, or did you go straight onto a fairly high dose of the new drug? Did you have a break with no medication at all? Also, did the Citalopram help you initially? Some people seem to build up a tolerance to an SSRI, which previously helped them. But, like with everything else, doctors don't agree on this! I have friends who found their SSRIs worked well for a few years, but then seemed to be less effective.

I ask because of the experience of a friend of mine. One doctor told her one thing and another contradicted the first.

I'm glad you got through the rough patch. I hope the new medication works well for you.

Mon Apr 26 2010 14:16:05 #
Rubber_Soul
Member

I did a gradual step down in prescription strength in three weeks. Citalopram was giving me sleep problems. My girlfriend is a nurse and she noticed that I began to sleep very deeply and I never felt fully rested during the day. She said I should go get a sleep study performed to see what may be going on. This lead me to making an appointment with my doctor and I had the sleep study performed. The results of the test concluded that I was getting half of the total REM sleep that I should normally get. It was a possibility that Citalopram was causing this discrepancy with my sleep, although it is not 100% certain.

Following the transition, I noticed that I wasn't sleeping as deeply and I was able to focus better. It took about 6 weeks to step up to the current level of my new medication.

At this point in time, I've been on both Citalopram and Sertreline (Zoloft) for the same amount of time. Citalopram did work initially, but it got to the point where the side-effects were out weighing the benefits of the medication. At this point, I feel that Zoloft works better, but it could also be that I'm handling my reaction to my intrusive thoughts better.

This experience just shows how important it is to have someone keep an eye on you when you're taking SSRIs or any other type of medication. I had no idea that my sleeping may have been altered from the medication I was taking. It is amazing how the patient is the last one to realize what is going on. Funny how it works like that, isn't it?

Tue Apr 27 2010 5:14:07 #
Unregistered

Thank you for replying. I felt as if I had been very inquisitive (nosey, basically!) after I sent my last message. My friend's first GP needs to read your message.

It was fortunate that your girlfriend made the observations she did. I don’t suppose many partners would. I hope that Sertraline (Zoloft) continues to help you.

Tue Apr 27 2010 13:12:34 #