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Anyone taking 15mg Mirtazapine with 10mg Escitilopram?

Posted , 5 users are following.

karen32905
karen32905

I was initially prescribed 30mg Mirtazapine about 7 weeks ago, was fine for a while, then I had a major family upset which triggered my anxiety, so GP up'd dose to 45mg, this was too much for me and my anxiety worse.

My mental health nurse specialist, got me tapering off 30mg to 15mg Mirtazapine ( 30mg for 3 days then 15mg for 4 days introducing 10mg Escitilopram when down to 15mgs )

I stopped the Mirtazapine 2 days ago and feel horrendous, major panic attacks, shaking, hyperventilating, nausea etc.,

Can anyone give me any advice please, I haven't slept for more than 3-4 hours in 36 hours!!!

1 like, 556 replies

556 Replies

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  • ann55375
    ann55375 karen32905

    Posted

    You two are lucky inasmuch as you both have mirtaz and escitalopram so you will be seeing an improvement.  I think the reason i feel so bad is i only have a small dose of mirtz and the withdrawal anxiety is crippling.  My gp suggested trying to come off it, no other plan in place. I think she felt i might be better with just an anxiety med.   i think she did this as i have had such trouble getting onto another anti dep.  what i can take is decided by psych not her.  Maybe she thinks i can get through the lowering mirtaz anxiety and come out the other side.  Sorry to trouble tou two, you are on a new refime and its working.  I dont know what i can take because ofmthe warfarin, theyve tried most.
    • karen32905
      karen32905 ann55375

      Posted

      Hi Ann, 

      Please do not feel you need to apologise, we're all in this together!!

      I can't understand why they haven't put a plan in place for something to replace the Mirtazapine, as obviously lower it so much is causing you chronic anxiety?!

      I know it's difficult for them to find a med that suits you and doesn't interact with your warfarin. But suffering like you are needs something to help you, surely ?

      Like Nikki said don't worry about the Diazepam, if you need it and it helps then take it, I'm still taking up to 10/12mg a day now .

      From what my mental health nurse specialist said the professionals in mental health say SSRIS all the way for anxiety, I'm not sure how true that is.

      Hugs 🤗 

    • nikki30670
      nikki30670 ann55375

      Posted

      Hi Ann

      I think this regime is starting to work but it's a long road.

      It'd be good if you can get an idea of anxiety meds you can try along with the warfarin and start one. X

    • karen32905
      karen32905 ann55375

      Posted

      Hi Ann,

      How are you doing?

      Did you see your GP?

      Hugs 🤗 

    • karen32905
      karen32905 nikki30670

      Posted

      Hi Nikki,

      How has your day been, not too bad I hope?

      I tried to have a nap this afternoon but it wasn't happening!

      Haven't felt too bad, exactly 4 weeks on Escitilopram today!

      I wish I could say it's definitely working but I'm not sure?? I guess it's doing something?

      Hugs 🤗 

    • nikki30670
      nikki30670 karen32905

      Posted

      Only just saw this Karen. 

      4 weeks today, that's good. I  think you are improving it's just hard to tell as the tough times are so very tough!

      I still can't sleep in the day either. I hope you can get some sleep tonight. 

      Hopeful for a better day tomorrow. Or just some better spells and less intense anxiety like today!

      Hugs to you and Ann 🤗

  • ann55375
    ann55375 karen32905

    Posted

    Hi there both of you and thanks for your support.

    GP read letter from psych who suggested i continue to get off the mirtazapine and use the diazepam for the anxiety, maybe even increasing it as the withdrawal could be uncomfortable.  Then consult will have a clean slate to see what to do next.  He felt i might be bettter using other methods ie therapy, exercise, etc rather than more meds.   By the time i see him it should be apparent whats what.   Meantime im left to reduce this by using diaz to get me through.  Hope their plan works.  

    Been for a walk to see swans on loch where we live so felt a bit more normal, whatever that is! 

    So, looks like i will have ne regime in a few weeks.  Just got to get through the days till then.

    thanks again. Such strong support.

    • karen32905
      karen32905 ann55375

      Posted

      Awww you don't have to thank us Ann, we're all here for one another, you've been here for us too.

      Gosh that sounds like it could be a rough ride!!

      And there's my GP wanting me to reduce my Diazepam!!

      Yet I remember my mental health nurse specialist saying to hubby that vallium ( Diazepam) is the only thing that works quickly for anxiety and panic?!

      Glad you went for a walk, sounds lovely 😊 

      Yes, what is 'normal ' I don't think I know anymore lol 

      I really hope and pray you can get through this until you see your psych.

      Just take one day at a time, that's what I do.

      Sending you massive hugs 🤗 

  • nikki30670
    nikki30670 karen32905

    Posted

    Hi ladies

    I've had a bit of a rough afternoon so not been on. My high anxiety seems to be changing to different times of day. Pretty exhausted!

    It's good there's a plan in place Ann but it sounds like a rough ride for you. 

    X

    • karen32905
      karen32905 nikki30670

      Posted

      Hi Nikki,

      Sorry to hear you've had a rough afternoon 😢

      My high anxiety comes at different times during the day too, just seems to come from nowhere !

      Thankfully not been too bad today.

      I hope things settle down Nikki ??

      Hugs 🤗 

    • ann55375
      ann55375 nikki30670

      Posted

      Sorry you have not had such a good day. Hope tomorrow will be better.

      thinking about you as we travel this road.

      people who have never had high anxiety havent a clue about what we go through.

      have a good night

       

    • nikki30670
      nikki30670 karen32905

      Posted

      Thank you Karen.

      I think I'm making progress then it seems to flare up just as strong and in a new way. Does that happen to you? Like a different thing bothering me or new thoughts I can't shift. Was full on at times today. 

      Am I still making progress? I suppose I've only started to feel I am the last couple of days.

      I felt a few leaps in progress at times, then like I say, it feels all bad again.

      I'm glad you've had an ok day. That's good news. X

    • nikki30670
      nikki30670 ann55375

      Posted

      Thank you Ann.

      I'm thinking of you. 

      I'm glad you got out for a walk today.

      Thank you for your support.

      Gosh I'm exhausted today X

    • karen32905
      karen32905 nikki30670

      Posted

      Hi Nikki,

      Yes that happens to me too, it just flares up from nowhere and when I'm least expecting it...... I hate it.

      I think you are making progress, but it's still early days and I think we are going to have times when we feel like we take 10 steps forward and 20 back!!

      It's definitely a hard journey!

      Hugs 🤗 

    • nikki30670
      nikki30670 karen32905

      Posted

      Thank you Karen!

      Gosh it's so boggling! I'm reassured it happens like that for you too, even though I wouldn't wish it on anyone! 

      It is still early days isn't it. 

      Thank you for reassuring me ??

    • karen32905
      karen32905 nikki30670

      Posted

      It is still early days, I wouldn't wish it on anyone either, it's frightening and horrendous!!

      It seems like ages but I guess we've only been on our medication for weeks and it says it can take months to feel the full effect!

      Hugs 🤗 

    • nikki30670
      nikki30670 karen32905

      Posted

      Yes, I was told by a mental health worker up to 12 weeks to get proper idea! 

      Which kind of helps get it in perspective. 

       

      X

    • karen32905
      karen32905 nikki30670

      Posted

      Definitely, I guess we're just inpatient lol 😂 

      But that's because we want to feel back to our old selves.

      Jeez I hope that happens for all of us.

      Hugs 🤗 

    • nikki30670
      nikki30670 karen32905

      Posted

      Yeah, we'll all get there. 

      Can't help getting impatient though lol. 

      Hugs back 🤗

    • ann55375
      ann55375 karen32905

      Posted

      Good morning ladies. Hope youve had some sleep as i havent.

      well, dropped down mirtazapine and the insomnia has hit big time.  I knew it was a great one for sleep but didnt realise how bad it would be to get off.  Dont think i can cope with insomnia as well as everything else.

      had to use the buccastem as nausea too.

      poor hubbys birthday today, i feel terrible. No dinner out for us.

      dr said ro takem5mg diaz instead of. Irtaz dor sleep - ha thatbdidnt work either.

      younare right, long rocky ride ahead.

      hope your day is better, at least youre on the right road to getting better.

    • karen32905
      karen32905 ann55375

      Posted

      Hi Ann,

      Ditto here, awful night with hardly any sleep!

      Absolutely getting me down now!

      And that's with taking 100mg Quetiapine at night!

      I go to sleep but only sleep for a couple of hours before I'm awake again!

      Happy birthday to your husband, I know how you feel, my husbands birthday was a few weeks ago and I only just about managed to get him a card the night before!

      We normally would of gone out too, but not this year!!

      Damn this illness!!

      5mg of Diazepam doesn't get me to sleep either, it might calm me down but definitely doesn't help me sleep!!

      I hope your day improves Ann.

      Massive hugs 🤗 

    • ann55375
      ann55375 karen32905

      Posted

      Just looking back on our old messages i saw your nurse had said ifnthings not better in two weeks would look again at situation - is that happening or do you feel you are a bit better.   They have a duty to look after you and not let things drag on so i hope you get some help there.  As you know, im having little help just now.  Even thinking of going back up to 7.5mg as although not good it was better than this.  Or is that just me being  a coward Nd not sticking things out.  How many more days can i feel like this i just dont know.   Wish there were more people coming off mirtaz could chime in.

      sorry for venting but sometimes its such a lonely illness.

      if you are feeling better at least the escitalopram is helping.

    • nikki30670
      nikki30670 ann55375

      Posted

      Hi Ann

      It might settle as you've only just dropped it. I imagine it will. 

      It's bad you have to wait til October for an appt with psych. I think you're within your rights to demand something sooner, they're meant to be looking after us, that's their job!

      Birthdays etc are impossible when going through this. I feel for you. I hope your husband begins to understand how tough this is for you. 

      I'm sending support X

    • nikki30670
      nikki30670 karen32905

      Posted

      Sorry to hear you had another rough night Karen.

      Gosh it's relentless isn't it.

      I'm hoping you get a bit of peace in the day. 

      No sleep is so debilitating.

      Sending my support to you and Ann X

    • karen32905
      karen32905 ann55375

      Posted

      Hi Ann,

      My nurse is on annual leave at the moment so am stuck with seeing GP again this Friday then nurse on 1st September ( which is also the first anniversary of losing my mum, I think he purposely booked for that day )

      He did say that if the Escitilopram wasn't working after 4 weeks he would review it.

      I'm undecided to be honest, I think it is beginning to work then when I have a bad day think it isn't?

      Maybe I'm expecting too much too soon?

      Just wish the night time sleep was better, did go back to bed this morning after taking my Quetiapine and slept for 2 hours.

      I can't believe they've left you in such a quandary regarding your medication , they must be able to tell how ill you are!!

      It's difficult to know what to do isn't it, I even considered reintroducing Mirtazapine at a low dose too but haven't, think that was mainly for the sleep factor!

      Vent all you want! It is a very lonely illness.

      I look at other people who don't suffer and wish I was like them.

      Hugs 🤗 

    • karen32905
      karen32905 nikki30670

      Posted

      Hi Nikki 

      I went back to bed after taking my Quetiapine this morning and slept for 2 hours.

      It does feel relentless.

      I hope you had a ok night, how are you feeling today?

      Hugs 🤗 

    • ann55375
      ann55375 karen32905

      Posted

      Oh how i relate to your problems

      i am pushing on through.

      hoping for best

    • karen32905
      karen32905 ann55375

      Posted

      Sending support to you Ann and Nikki.

      Through this hell.

      Hugs 🤗 

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