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Anti depressant withdrawals/ benefits of coming off them??

Posted , 5 users are following.

megan18725
megan18725

Ok so I've a history of depression and have been on mirtazipine 60mg, seroquel 100mg and zopiclone 15mg for over 7 months. I take these at night to help with insomnia also. I am also on 150mg venlafaxine in the morning. been on Mirap 60mg for just over 7 months, initially started on 15mg and increased over a 1-2 year period due to depression. I was finding the medication too much. Couldn't wake up. Felt foggy and generally felt emotionless. Dr suggested decreasing the mirtaz to 45 and stop taking the seroquel. I didn't do any of that. Instead I got really anxious on the morning of going to the pharmacy and didn't collect it. I've had your typical withdrawal symptoms; no appetite, cold sweats, headache extreme anxiety for about a week now. Besides withdrawals, should there be anything to be concerned about ? Is it dangerous to go completely cold turkey? 

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Laserbeam
    Laserbeam megan18725

    Posted

    That's a lot of medication. I suggest you slowly taper by 10% every day. But if you think you can do it than go ahead. You can guarantee that your insomnia will return within two days.

  • frazzled
    frazzled megan18725

    Posted

    I've been on Mirt for over 20 years at doses of 45, 30, 15, 7.5 mgs. and recently tried to taper.  I gave myself at least 3-4 months to be completely free of it.  NO WAY.  I got down to 7.5 mgs and all the reasons I went on the med came roaring back.  Taper very very very slowing.

    I'm very surprised that you are at 60 mgs. of Mirt because 45 mgs. is supposedly the optimal/top dose.  So you being at 60 means your taper has to be even slower than what I did.  DO NOT COLD TURKEY (yes it is dangerous to just stop; especially the meds you are taking).

    GO SLOW and good luck.

    • ann55375
      ann55375 frazzled

      Posted

      I have been on mirtaz for a couple of years, couldnt stand more than 15 so downed to 7.5.  Now trying to get off and i am finding it tough.  I have cut it a little to 5mg but when i halved to 3.75 i had the most awful insomnia kick in.  I also have nausea a lot but have had it on higher dose too

      have you got off this stuff?  I just dont know if i should keep going till it is a small piece then jump.

      i also take diazepam at night 5mg for anxiety and it will need to be slowly tapered too.

      it would be helpful if you could advise your best method.

       

    • frazzled
      frazzled ann55375

      Posted

      Hi ann:

      Mirt taper method

      1) 30 mgs to 15 = one day 30 skip two days then 15 -- did this for a month.  Didn't real feel side effects that I couldn't handle.

      2) 15 mgs to 7.5 = same as above.  Started to feel a lot of side effects such as lack of sleep, crying, no appetite, sweats, fuzzy vision at time, heart pounding and more.

      3) 7.5 to a crumb of 3 mgs and that's when all hell broke loose for me.  I stayed on 3 for a weeks and said to myself this is not the way I want to live.  All the symptoms I had before taking Mirt came roaring back.  Sooooooo end result, I'm staying at 15 mgs.   I talked with doc and he said if I get SAD during the winter with decreased depression,  we may replace Mirt with Cymbalta but I don't think I want to do that.

      Be very careful withdrawing from the diazepam as well.  It's a benzodiazepines.  I have panic disorder as well as insomnia and depression so I'm taking xanax (a benzo too) along with Mirt.  My doc told me (this is not meant to frighten you) that is is easier to withdraw from heroin then a benzo.  I went from 5 mgs. to 3 1/2 but it took me over 6 months of tapering by taking crumbs.  It may not be that difficult for you since all our bodies are different but I strongly suggest you go VERY SLOW withdrawing from that.

      May I ask why you are trying to get off of the meds?

    • ann55375
      ann55375 frazzled

      Posted

      Mirtaz has never really worked for me, symptoms still hanging around, so dr suggest get off and we can re assess situation.  I am not sure what steps he will take next.  He wants to See if i can manage without meds I think.
    • frazzled
      frazzled ann55375

      Posted

      I understand.  Suggest back to doc, tell him/her what symptoms you are experiencing tapering off of Mirt.  If doc thinks another anti-depressant will work better for you, if your symptoms warrant another go at a different med, I'd go for it.  No need to suffer. 

      I would think that Mirt at the 3.7 dose, you could drop it if you go on another medication at the same time.  I feel sorry because I know how difficult it is to adjust to these meds. Do you think you can manage without meds?  You're the only one who really knows what you are going thru.

  • hypercat
    hypercat megan18725

    Posted

    I don't think it is 'dangerous' as withdrawal symptoms won't kill you but it can be extremely nasty and I would never recommend going cold turkey.  Each to their own though.  Good luck.  x

     

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