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16 days off mirtazapine - withdrawals continue

Posted , 5 users are following.

scott10262
scott10262

The last 16 days have been really tough. I'm averaging 3/4 hrs of light sleep each night. Sometimes none at all. I keep as active as I can in the day, in order to feel tired enough to sleep in the evening.

I have tapered slowly from 15 mg since December (using the CITA method) I started the tablets in April last year.

I wasn't depressed before starting this but it has left me feeling so low and desperate for a good nights sleep. I wish I could get back to sleeping 8 hours a night again.

Other withdrawal symptoms include nausea, de personalisation, obsessive thoughts and Repetitive songs.

Any idea when this is likely to improve? It's such a struggle to remain strong when I feel and look like a zombie everyday.

2 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • lee1111
    lee1111 scott10262

    Posted

    I get that! Keep strong Scott. Was prescribed this last week and not sure I even want to go down this road. Bombed all day, and battling to function. Sorry you are having a rough time. Any advice from your Dr regarding your sleep? Surely there is some alternative. I hope you feel well soon.
    • scott10262
      scott10262 lee1111

      Posted

      Thanks Lee. Things seem to be improving. I'm taking 5htp capsules to help with depression and sleep. I think it's working...I'm averaging 6.5 hrs sleep a night with the odd bad night.
  • shez32
    shez32 scott10262

    Posted

    I feel your pain lad. I tried reducing last dec slowly from 15. 3 months I got half way and it was too much for me and docs made me go back up. Been back to 15 nearly two months. The side effects are insane. I wasn't no where near this bad before taking these awful things. The side effects are insane and I'm at my wits end but out of ideas. I feel wd effects from judt reduction 2mg. Like you my head wakes up repeating random songs. Tummy all over anxity all over. Some days I get excitement and can't handle it that it ends up in anxity .my head obsessed over negative thoughts that I'm dying. A tiny issue is made huge. My slsleeping is more that I have to sleep 10 hours and I wake up on another planet and feel groggy a couple of hours. No motivation or energy. Frequent shakes As is I'm cold but am not.

    This is daily I never get a break from it even tho I know it's not me it's the tabelt. It's still hard to self talk when I get too anxous my thoughts run away and race with all sorts that I'm dying.

    I'm stil on my 15 itching to get off once I have the strength. I know it says the wd can last month's but apparently our body's do adapt and return to normal. I've asked my doc over and over and they say we do adapt over time just everyone is difdifferent. Sounds like you done the safest wd like cita said so hopefully you will feel ok soon.

    Keep going and be positive and tell your self everyday your off is one step closer to feeling human again haha. It's an awful experience I know but there is many success stories and your off now just a matter off waiting on body yo adapt it seems most find its 6-8 weeks from what I've read but each week you will feel better so keep going

    • scott10262
      scott10262 shez32

      Posted

      Hi Shez, I'm now 27 days off - feeling and sleeping a bit better.
  • sandy93756
    sandy93756 scott10262

    Posted

    I had very similar symptoms, I took Omega 3 every day and it seemed to speed up the process. It will all be ok, I felt suicidal at times during the depression I had from the withdrawal but after a few days the depression lifted significantly. I found passion flower tea helped me a lot with the anxiety/depression.

    Hang in there you will be feeling more yourself soon, just ride it out smile

  • Calmer
    Calmer scott10262

    Posted

    Hi Scott

    Sorry to hear of your suffering & the dreaded wd of Mirt.  I understand from what you say that you wd slowly over 5 months ~ wow I am so not looking forard to wd after the summer months!!  

    Not sure if you want to try and find the other discussions re wd - there are some wise folk who have experience of wd, one lady (Rose) advised 7.5. mg for 6 months then 3.5 for 6 months and weaning after that!  If you want to try find it it might reassure you.

    Wishing you good health, be strong, I know it's difficult.

     

    • scott10262
      scott10262 Calmer

      Posted

      Thanks. CITA advised me to stick to the protocol of reducing the medication and not going back up (even just to stabilise) they suggested taking 5htp capsules to bridge the seretonin deficiency. It seems to be working for me. I'm not out of the woods yet but I'm making progress. 😊
  • London_ridge
    London_ridge scott10262

    Posted

    Hi Scott, I had everything you had. The first time I tried getting off I felt like I went insane, and I think I did actually. I begged my doctor to put me back on. Then I tried again but was vomitting daily so went back on after 15 days. Then third time I went off and all hell,broke lose after 2/3 weeks. I lost over 40 pounds and went down under 115 in weight. That was with anti nausea too. Each day I was taking the strongest strenght they give to cancer patients. Yep.mthe anxiety had me waking at 2 am shaking, sweating, and in panic, not from a dream but just pure panic. It took me several hours to settle. Im sure some night I got only three hours but most less than that. I couldn't eat as when Id try, id gag reflex. Id wait until I felt somewhat ok and pounce on food, even a small portion felt like a heavy weight in my gut. I felt disoriented and spaced out but not depressed, but low enough mood, might came out in anxiety and at times cried a river of tears ( im not a crying type person) 

    i did everything by the book, during WD and after and to no avail, mirt twisted my mind and it sent wrong signals to all parts of my body.

    i ended up with a rare  disease called parathyroidism please be careful. If you can ...I've always been healthy and was put on mirt for insomnia. So, I know where your at and I m sorry you are there and the pain is so great but keep going eventually we will get out of this mess. Bless you❤️

    Also im sure your doctor is putting you off on this mirt WD or are you getting help? Please get to a doctor that will and can help you. Let me know how you are doing.

    • scott10262
      scott10262 London_ridge

      Posted

      Thanks a lot Rose. I'm taking each day as it comes. I am sleeping better - 6.5hrs on average. Which is enough for me to function. I'm hopeful that this will continue to improve and I will try to not let the odd bad night affect me so much. I am 27 days off from Mirt and I will keep you posted on my progress.
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