Mirtazapine Withrawal

[[nu...]]

Hello everyone,

 

I want to share my experience with being on mirtazapine and the wignificant impact negatively its been having on my life.

 

I started mirtazapine about two and half years ago when my ex and I broke up. I was really sad and low about it all and not eating or sleeping. So my family doctor prescribed mirt to help with appetite and sleep and the feelings of depression. Had I known the impact it would have on my whole nody I would of never started on it.

 

I was feeling really happy and put on a ton of weight. I am a skinny girl already so I was super happy I was gaining weight. After about 7 months I was on 30mg and noticed that it wasnt having much effect on me anymore and I began to get anxious about everything in life including going out, eating, working. So I decided to cut cold turkey. Which I learned was the worse idea of my life. I was severly sick and had awful withdrawal symptoms. This went on for about 4-5 months but in this time frame I was severly anxious, couldnt eat, sad all the time, insomnia and heart palpitations that were so bad in the morning I would feel sick to my stomach. So I was hosptalized and monitored by a psychiatrist who wanted to try other medications such as cipralex and zoloft. But I couldnt handle the side effects. I was sick to my stomach from them and having severe anxiety.

 

So I was put back on mirt and had been on it for almost a year. But I noticed I wasnt myself. I still have heart palpitations, my appetite was very selective, I would wake up so grouchy and sleep like 10 hours every day. I still got easily anxious about stuff. So I decided to taper down slowly about half the pill each month. Really bad withdrawal symptoms even with slow tapering. I've now been off of mirt for two weeks and am struggling like crazy. I cant sleep at night, i have a sick rock feeling in my stomach, palpitations, no appetite to the point where when I try to put something in my mouth im gagging, I feel anxious and tense all the time and have crying spells every so often. I feel so hopeless and I dont know what to do. My mom has been forcing vitamins into me and getting me to drink smoothies with protein but that can only last so long. Im not sure if these are withdrawal symptoms or just my GAD. Ive decided to see a counsellor and a new psychiatrist. But I really just want to be medication free. Can someone give me some output or support. I could really use it!!

[[me...]]

Welcome to the forum! We're glad to have you as a new member. 

 

Mirtazepine (Remeron) is an atypical antidepressant.  You'll find posts about it and can ask questions about it on the Other Medications Board, below.

 

You'll find lots of information and support here.  Our members have been through all aspects of withdrawal, and you're likely to find  people who understand what you're going through. For those who are currently tapering, we suggest reducing no faster than 5-10% every 10-14 days, and some taper even slower than that.  One exception: very short-term users of a few weeks or less may be able to taper faster. 

 

Having some withdrawal symptoms is normal, especially near the end of a taper and for a few months after discontinuing the medication.  First/only withdrawals after a slow taper tend to be easier than multiple reinstatements/withdrawals over time, which may make symptoms worse and longer lasting. The most common symptoms are anxiety and insomnia but there are many others. These are temporary and will go away in time.

 

Here are a few links you may find useful:

 

Other Medications

 

The Ashton Manual is an authoritative source on what to expect in withdrawal and recovery.  Dr. Ashton is an expert in the field. Section III explains and describes symptoms, and there is also a section with suggested taper schedules.

 

Please take the time to Create a Signature.  This will allow others to see where you are in the process so they can better support you.

 

Again, welcome!

 

 

[[So...]]

Hi nursenat: You may want to try the site: http://survivingantidepressants.org/

 

Hope you stabilize and find some peace. I was put on Wellbutrin years ago, and fortunately it helped and was able to wean off without problems. It is weird how drugs affect people in different ways. I know people on this forum that Mirtazepine has been a life saver. GAD is horrible, but one can learn how to manage with changing our thought patters. CBT might help in this area, also mindfulness. I can understand your mom trying to keep you healthy with clean eating. She is concerned because she loves you. Changing my diet has definitely help me. Cutting coffee, alcohol, and processed sugars. Also, I changed my doc to a holistic one. So I am much happier with her. My goal is to try get healthy more naturally. However, if one has to take a med, then it has to be done. No one is here to judge anyone. Hope you find some support in this forum.  I am grateful that I found somebody who helped figure out how to liquid titrate ativan slowly. It is saving my life. You might want to try the other forum which I understand is also a good one. Good luck and much healing your way 

[[So...]]

My message was intended to Nursenat not Meagan.

[[me...]]

My message was intended to Nursenat not Meagan.

 

I edited the post to show that

[[So...]]

Thank you Meagan