Brainzap
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi, I was on clonazepam last year summer for about 4 months .5mg. The doctor told me to stop becouse I was getting bad anxiety attacks from it. Before I went in this med. never had any depression or anxiety. So I stop e cold turkey. Than they put me on remeron 7.5 mg in Oktober and after a month I started to get brain zap. I new that this is not a med for me. So I started to taper off (way to fast) and stopped after 2 monts. Had a terrible 1 week could not sleep shaking and crying all the time so went back on it 3.7 mg. now I tapering much slower but the brain zap Is getting worst. I can't function and had to go sick leave. Anybody has the same experience or any suggestion? I'm now 1.6 mg and had to go on clonosapin for 2 days for sleep and anxiety.
0 likes, 13 replies
eva28308
Posted
Calmer eva28308
Posted
So sorry for your suffering.
Have no fear, many have been worried been in a similar position not knowing which way to turn. When you say you tried to taper "way too fast" - THERE LIES THE PROBLEM - the brain zaps are withdrawal symptoms, that is very clear, also you say "you stopped after 2 months" - again stopping Remeron abruptly caused severe anxiety and insomnia.
I'm not sure of your taper programme ?? there is no correct "one method suits all", but if you are getting brain zaps it may well be (and more than likely is) an indication that you are going too fast.
The best way to taper is no more than 10% every 3 to 4 weeks, some prefer 5%, some can get away with 2 weeks - no sooner; it sounds like you are sensitive so you may need to see how you go, say 3 weeks?
I have been withdrawing from 15 mg Mirftazapine since late September and am very keen to avoid the nasty withdrawal symptoms that tapering too quickly can bring. In my humble opinion, I would either stay where you are at the present time on the Mirt - did you say 1.6 mg? Or take a little step back to the previous dose, what was that ?? And just WAIT ... it may take a few days or a week or so, but just wait for the symptoms to settle - this will be your time to try to relax knowing it WILL PASS, and it will, sure use the Clonazepam when you need to ... your rewireing takes time, and once the anxiety or nausea has stopped and you feel settled again, and you feel ok without the Clonazepam - only them will you be ready to take a little step down on the Mirt again. No more than 10% each time, 5% may be kinder (that is what I do 5%).
You will need to make up a liquid method with the Mirt for a slower taper, but that is quite easy - hope this sounds helpful.
Doctors love to chase one drug with another and offering you Prozac for the Brain zaps - well that is just not helpful, I wouldn't take another drug is I were you - I think you are right to be fearful of that.
Stay with us, we can help, just go very slow, stay in touch, ride out the bad and the good comes through this horrible Mirt' withdrawal.
Wishing you well Eva xx
eva28308 Calmer
Posted
Calmer eva28308
Posted
Did you see Evergreens post today where she recommends going as low as 0.1 mg, I recommend that also, this may sound too low but I think in the long run this will help.
Did you see if Betty? Take a look if not, this has to be the best way I believe.
Betty may I also have a copy of the sleep advice please? Did you intend to post it on here?
Wishing you both well ~ what dose are you on now Betty? I'm at about 5.4mg ... going ultra slow ..... ugh
x
laura65229 eva28308
Posted
You said that you have been on Clonazepam for 4 months at .5 mg. You are probaby having withdrawal symtoms from that, not the Remeron. I have been on Clonazepam for 5 months now and am trying to get off of it and it is very hard. I am down to .25 per day and it has been terrible. I am also on 7.5 mg of Remeron and it helps me sleep, which is wonderful because without it, I don't think I would sleep at all. You should never go off Benzos cold turkey, especially Clonazepam. You should only try to get off one at a time. There are a lot of methods to wean off (Ashton Manual)
Good luck to you!
eva28308
Posted
To Calmen ... No I'm not making liquid form bc I have no idea how to do it. I have a scale and will measure it until my scale able to (.05) than I will take one day out for one week then 2 day out for one week.... So on. I'm not sure why I'm so sick is it remeron or clonazepam? I know I had a very happy life before and now is all suffering. Some day the brain zap is so bad I can't function. Most days are I feel painfull tight had, and burning scalp. I have to put ice on my head, and my scalp looks red where ever is the pain. They recommend me to get off all the vitamins and fish oil for a month or so to see if is help. I'm right now taking only 1 mg remeron treating today. Will see how is going to be. I'm scared. Big hug for you ladies. God help us.
Calmer eva28308
Posted
I see you have gone from 1.6 mg (9 days ago) to 1 mg, that is FAST ! I would think you would feel more withdrawal effects after that taper, so I would go slower, and if youu get many symptoms just stay at the dose you are on a while longer.
This is what I would do if I were you, and I will follow this when I get down to 1 mg also.
You will need a 1ml syringe with markings on at 0.1ml intervals
A pill crusher (available from Amazon)
A clean medicine bottle or small jar
A small accurate measuring jug or medicine cup with measure on.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Crush up 2 x 15mg (or 1 x 30mg) Mirtazapine pills until they are a fine powder (although the outer coating does not grind up as fine as the white Mirt’ powder that is inside, but that's fine. So long as the white Mirt’ is a fine powder.
• Then measure 30ml of half water and half maple syrup (or something else to your taste) and pour into the medicine bottle.
• Then pour in the powder and shake it vigorously. So 1ml of the liquid equals 1mg of Mirtazapine. N.B. Mirtazapine is not soluble in water and so you must shake it vigorously every time you take out a dose to ensure you are getting an accurate measure of Mirtazapine.
• Also you should store it in the fridge. It is recommended to keep it no longer than four days, but a reliable source kept (her) each batch for two weeks without a problem.
So from the 30 mg / 30 ml draw up the syringe what you require.
1 ml of the liquid = 1 mg.
This has been tried and tested and works very well. Just make sure you shake it very well before drawing up the syringe.
Credit to Evergreen
So stay at 1 mg for 2 weeks, or until you feel stabilised, less nausea or less headache etc.
Then for a week each, or slower if necessary, go to
0.9 mg/ml on the syringe
08 mg/ml
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
I know this may sound crazy, but to get to zero safely, and without too much suffering this seems to be the best way.
Look after yourself xx
eva28308 Calmer
Posted
Calmer eva28308
Posted
eva28308
Posted
Calmer eva28308
Posted
Sorry to hear the brain zaps are worse for you. How long have you been at 1.3mg now???
You might be able to get Propranalol for the anxiety, they can be taken when needed and not addicted. Speak to your doctor about this.
Brain zaps are common side effects of the Mirtazapine during withdrawal, and sometimes before withdrawal. I have read they aren't damaging but just quite shocking when they happen, it means the neurons in your brain are rewiring/firing or something along those lines.
Of course you must not stop the Clonazepam abruptly either, you will need to wean off this, but I would tackle the Mirt first and have the Clonaz as back up.
I think to stay at 1.3 for 4 weeks and then review/see how youu feel, to see if any improvement BEFORE going any lower on the Mirtazapine, keeping the taper schedule above for the future.
Hope you get some comfort and relief from your symptoms soon Eva, these Psych meds can be really awful when they don't suit us.
x
eva28308 Calmer
Posted
I'm on 1.3 mg 3 weeks now. Today is a better day, I have only a painful thingling feeling in my brain. This is much better than zap. I'm praying to stay like this. I don't even remember when I had a good day like this.
If is goes back to strong zaps I will ask my doctor for that Propranalol.
Thank you Calmer your replay and suggestion, and kind words. I feel like you are a good friend to me and I don't even know you. God bless you
Calmer eva28308
Posted
You might want to hold that 1.3 mg a whiloe longer, wait until all signs and symptoms are gone, even if its for another 2 weeks or more because your brain needs to catch up with the physical wd.
Yayy, glad you're having a good day, remembering that wd comes in waves good day/bad day ... two steps forward one step back sometimes. But it sounds like you will improve now.
Best wishes dear friend ♥