Posted , 8 users are following.
Hi together.
Just want to assure myself that I am not only one.
I have been on Mirtazapine since February (15mg), later in May I tapered to 7.5mg (in one step). Since February I have this strange ill feeling. Experts call it "malaise" - a feeling of not being OK, like the flu or cold is coming. Thank you all for answers! It is very helpful!
0 likes, 12 replies
We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.
paul_33483 neogenx
Posted
Hi,
You can get cold/flu symptoms when tapering but you seem to have had them since starting the mirtazapine.
You can feel lethargic on mirtazapine but it shouldn't cause your symptoms long term.
I take it you've had full bloods taken and they're all ok?
Perhaps mirtazapine doesn't agree with you and you need something else?
I had cold/flu symptoms but only when tapering 15-7.5 and they lasted a week or two
elainec33 neogenx
Posted
I think as Paul says everyone is different. I was on 15mg for anxiety and depression, I had a bit of anxiety but mine was more a medical issue making me anxious but you cannot tell that to psych team because EVERYTHING is blamed on depression and anxiety. Sadly they are trained to have tunnel vision. Reluctantly I was increased to 30mg and I felt quite unwell, most noticeable was irritability and very aggressive and swearing, which is something I would never do. All I was told was that if I was being openly aggressive in public she would be worried but not when it was indoors and mainly aimed at myself and my four long suffering cats. I cut them back to 15mg unbeknown to them and felt a little better. I also have severe osteoporosis and one of the possible side effects can be depression of bone marrow so I certainly didnt want that. After a month I cut it down to 7.5mg and was okay and then I had a bit of a wobble but I put that down to a too strong a dose of vitamin B12. Straight away, oh you must increased to 15mg but I didnt of course. Gradually I have reduced to 3.75mg for the last 6 weeks or so which is so negligible possibly not worth taking and last night I left it off altogether and am hoping to say goodbye to this drug. I do pop the very occasional bromazepam or valium maybe once in a week or a fortnight if something has stressed me out and I have a lot of that. I never felt drowsy or flu like symptoms. I am always suffering fatigue anyway possibly due to an underactive thyroid which has never been picked up until recently. Someone on another mirtazapine forum said she had exactly the same, over active thyroid but the Mirtazapine masked the symptoms and it eventuated into underactive thryoid which is what I think has happened to me. Plus they now find after sitting on the information for 9 months that my thyroid antibodies were 1300 at the last count two weeks ago and the highest on the range is 60. Just be aware please that if you think this medication is not helping, don't be bulldozed by the medical profession. You know your own body. I know that some of these newer antidepressants they say can make you feel like hell for the first couple of weeks and then things start to calm down. I was given cyprimil (forgotten the geneneric name) years ago when I had a frozen shoulder and a lot of stress with my poor mother and her illness. I took one as directed at 10.30 in the evening before bed and by 3.00 a.m. I was standing at the front door with some horrible force going on in my head encouraging me to go down the road to the river. It was the most awful experience and needless to say I never took any more. I have since learned that this should have been given to me as a morning medication and should not have been given to someone living on their own. Just be guided by your own body, good luck.
paul_33483 elainec33
Posted
You sound as though you've been through so much, but you've done so well to get where you are now! Incredible. I wish you all the best
elainec33 paul_33483
Posted
Thank you Paul that is so kind of you. My life has been one long stress, first husband dying and left with a three year old, then horrendous things happening to my mother who eventually died and I wasnt given a death certificate immediately due to suspicious circumstances (one of those nursing homes you see on documentaries), then there was her sister, and lastly my poor old dad, who actually died on the 1st of January this year and he would have been 100 in July. Was such a shame as he was looking forward to being a great granddad which he would have been three weeks later. Another case of some selfish person taking their viruses into the nursing home. So I thought I could concentrate on myself but now I seem to have hit the jackpot, severe osteoporosis, primary hyperparathryoidism (so difficult in this country with the total ignorance of GP's and endocrinologists) and now possibly Hashimotos, oh and in June I reached up too high and seem to have torn something in my shoulder. Saw a chiropractor who made it so much worse so now the pain goes into my neck. I'm a mess, constant and chronic pain in my back (even though they say ostoeporosis is not painful until you break something, however, specialist thinks its quite possible to have microscropic fractures in the vertibrae) lol but have to keep plodding on for the sake of my daughter and her little boy who is not well. I feel it could be worse as a friend has just been diagnosed with myeloma. I wish you the very best and hope you feel better soon. Take care.
paul_33483 elainec33
Posted
robert47886 neogenx
Posted
Hi Neo,
When I went up to 30mg I started experiencing the exact thing you decribe - a sort of general unwell malaise. Due to this I went back down to 15mg and it subsided and then my GP suggested a dose of 15/30mg on alternate days. This was ok although some days early on in the new dosage I would sometimes feel the malaise again but not as bad as before.
Eventually I got used to this dose and with psychotherapy and meditation, my anxiety is greatly reduced and I'm feeling good most of the time now and much happier. Still have the off days and sometimes still have some side effects from the Mirt but it's ok to deal with.
i have a review in January and hope to start tapering.
I wish you well!
Rob
neogenx robert47886
Posted
Dear Robert.
Thank you for your answer.
Well, I've been on 7.5mg for pretty long time and it is still present. As well as back pain, legs pain, joints pain. I am only 28 and feeling like 60+
toni47195 neogenx
Posted
Maybe the MIrtazapine is the culprit. I was on 15Mg from May till July and from the 4th of July am reducing it slowly... currently being at 8.1Mg. I also have back bain, stomach pain fatigue nausea ... but i am continuing to taper. Why are you staying at 7.5...???? I think it would be better to taper this useless medication. You can use the 10% rule... it is doable.
neogenx toni47195
Posted
Dear toni.
Thank you for your answer. Well, honestly it is because I am a little scared of "what will happen". I also have Lexapro (Cipralex) prescribed that I use in the morning (10mg). Would like to get off both. But it is sooooo scary to me.
sashagirl neogenx
Posted
neogenx sashagirl
Posted
sashagirl neogenx
Posted
Yes I am on this drug. I have only been on it for 3 weeks. The first week I had to go from 15 tto 7 bc of dizziness. Since Tuesday I have been so down and I feel almost like I am getting the flu. The first week I was sick to my stomach and had horrible pain in my stomach. I am having horrible nightmares. I don' t think I want too be on this medication.