Posted , 11 users are following.
I thought I would start a new thread to give people tips for coming off this drug. I have gained so much advice and support from people on here and I owe my (so far) painless withdrawal to them. People like Calmer and Betsy, and plenty others too. I have been on 30mg mirtazapine for four years. I tried to come off them a couple of years ago and failed miserably, returning to my full dose after 10 days of awful anxiety and insomnia, as well as migraines and nausea. I had cut my dose to 15mg for a week and then dropped to zero.
This time I read every thread on here about mirtazapine withdrawal and started off really slowly, cutting down by just 3.75mg for two weeks. Then by a further 3.75 mg. At the same time I started taking a lot of inositol. I take a huge heaped teaspoon in my tea every morning. I had only slight nausea when I first started dropping my dose but I think that was me getting used to the inositol. Once I was down to 22.5mg of mirt, with no withdrawal symptoms, I figured I could go a bit faster and dropped my dose down to 15mg. I had no withdrawal symptoms after ten days and so have now dropped my dose to 11.25mg. I use a simple pill cutter from ebay to cut my tablets. So I am now on three quarters of a 15mg tablet. Mirtazapine had pooped out on me and so I already have terrible insomnia. I take temazepam some nights and benadryl on others to help me with that.
I will post my progress here. Who knows, I may fail miserably, but whatever the outcome, I hope it will help others. I was terrified of coming off mirtazapine, but now I am excited by it. I think the key is to take it really slowly and work out the pace your body can cope with. The smaller your dose goes, thee smaller the decrease in your dose should be. Good luck everyone, and please post your own experiences here. I know some people have really suffered despite coming off mirt very slowly. Everyone is different and I think everyone's experience can be a real help to others.
3 likes, 291 replies
lorraine52317 evergreen
Posted
this is fantastic info. Although i am withdrawing from citalopram eg reducing from 40mg. to 20 your info really helps me. I am due to introduce mirt next week. I posted a question yesterday as i was feeling sick and dizzy, and was asking is this normal on day 7 of reducing by half dose. Got only one response saying 'I'm surprised you don't know this'!!! It made me feel a little despondent.
The last six months of depression have been awful and to start from scratch on a new drug seems daunting.
This is my first time withdrawing from any drug (day 8 today and feel tearful too) your post is really helpful.
god bless
Lorraine
god bless and wish
lorraine52317 evergreen
Posted
this is fantastic info. Although i am withdrawing from citalopram eg reducing from 40mg. to 20 your info really helps me. I am due to introduce mirt next week. I posted a question yesterday as i was feeling sick and dizzy, and was asking is this normal on day 7 of reducing by half dose. Got only one response saying 'I'm surprised you don't know this'!!! It made me feel a little despondent.
The last six months of depression have been awful and to start from scratch on a new drug seems daunting.
This is my first time withdrawing from any drug (day 8 today and feel tearful too) your post is really helpful.
god bless
Lorraine
god bless and wish
evergreen lorraine52317
Posted
lorraine52317 evergreen
Posted
evergreen lorraine52317
Posted
lorraine52317 evergreen
Posted
betsy0603 lorraine52317
Posted
As for mirt plus Cit, it is common for docs to put mirt together with an SSRI. Â I was put on mirt and then reinstated Effexor because I was in protracted wd and the mirt could't overcome that. Â That combo is jokingly referred to California Rocket Fuel! Â The belief is that the combo is more effective than each drug by itself. Â Do beware of any potential symptoms of serotonin syndrome, however. Â Do a web search on SS to familiarize yourself with the symptoms.
betsy0603 evergreen
Posted
I think it is empowering to take control of your taper, and it definitely helps to keep a journal of when cuts are made by how much, and when withdrawal symptoms appear. Â If you know that WD symptoms occur, say, 5 days after a cut, then when it happens again you KNOW what is happening and have the choice to push through or updose.
The last 3+ mg are the hardest to come off of, so if you have access to liquid mirt or the Soltab version, that is the next best step to take in terms of tapering. Â The Soltabs can be disolved in water and then you can make your own liquid to make that last set of tapers more tolerable.
And yes, it isn't just about mirt - anyone wishing to get off their psych med, what-ever it may be, should follow the same plan.
evergreen betsy0603
Posted
I have felt brilliant today. Probably because I am getting plenty of sleep with the benadryl. I have also bought some phenergan to try. At least this means I don't have to take the temazepam more than once or twice a week. My plan is to rotate the three of them to avoid tolerance.
I really do think the inositol is playing a major part in my uplifted mood.
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betsy0603 evergreen
Posted
I hope it just gets better and better for you! Â I wish I was as close as you; I'm at 16 mg mirt, now.
evergreen betsy0603
Posted
Another thing I have noticed since stepping down to 11.25mg is my appetite has fallen off a cliff. I have to actively tell myself it's time to eat. I don't feel nauseous, just not hungry. I think I am returning to my pre-mirt days when eating was a necessity rather than an obsession.
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Calmer evergreen
Posted
Evergreen 11.25 mg
Calmer 9 mg
We're in it together folks ! Â
I slept for 10 hours last night, can't quite believe it! Â I have been extremely busy and was phsically nckr'd so maybe thats why. Â They do say the lower dose of Mirt' is more sedating which I find really odd.
Evergreen I think you're right about the appetite, mine is less now than on 15mg, still can't go hungry though.
Having the odd night of bad sleep is normal though Evergreen, I bet you didn't unwind, or had more on your mind, the high winds, that knocking sound??!!, or more caffeine or more worries - its important not to let a bad night bother you as it just makes you more worried that you are not going to be able to sleep! Â So, I'll bet you get a good night tonight.
Have you noticed the advert on this page on the right hand side re Zispin Sol tab ... are you getting that too??? Â big brothers' watching us (!)
Have a great evening x
betsy0603 Calmer
Posted
At 17 I am still obsessed with having some kind of sweet everyday. Â I am now keeping tabs on my caloric intake just to see where I'm at. Â So, looking forward to breaking that barrier appetite-wise! Â
The messed up sleep does cause me fear since I've read so many stories of people having horrid insomnia when tapering down to the lower doses of mirt. Â I've had the odd few nights of wakefulness but generally am still sleeping well. Â Only been on 16 mg for a few nights.
Evergreen, I forget if I mentioned trying Emotion Freedom Techniques. Â Do a search on that and you will find lots on what it is and how to do it. Â It is otherwise known as "tapping." Â Bascially, you announce an affirmation as you tap on an acupressure point. Â When unable to sleep, for me it would be "Even though I can't sleep, I deeply and completely love and accept myself." Â Then, you begin tapping on a series of acupressure points, repeating a reminder phrase such as "can't sleep." Â Each time you finish a round of tapping, you reassess your symptoms. Â Can't really do that for sleep, but if it were anxiety, you'd check yourself to see if you feel less anxious. Â For me, it takes about three rounds of tapping before I drop off. Â As I'm doing it, I'm usually thinking in the back of my mind "this isn't helping," but after round three, next thing I know I'm waking up from having fallen asleep!
Worth a try!
Calmer betsy0603
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Keep deleting my Cookies but the darn adds, whatever I look at come and find me !
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evergreen Calmer
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Yesterday I was in extremely high spirits. Almost like euphoria. Today, I still feel very 'up' but very tired. I am having some wine tonight as my lovely dad is fetching my son from work, so I'm off the hook. I'll see if the alcohol helps me sleep or has the opposite effect!
evergreen Calmer
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evergreen betsy0603
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