Mirtazapine and Restless Legs/Arms; How Long do side effects last?

Posted , 4 users are following.

Hi.  I tapered off of Mirtazapine and then discontinued about 5 days ago.  I was taking 7.5 mg most of the time I was on it except for a slight bump to 11 mg (side effects worsened) and then tapering from 3.5 mg to 1.875 mg.  I've been taking Mirt for a little over a month.

First night I experienced restless legs.  Soon I started feeling restlessness in my left hand.  Slight tremor too.  I've been off Mirt for about 5-6 days now, but I am still experiencing RLS as well as involuntary muscle twitching all over my body,   Has anyone experienced this post-discontinuation?  I am getting scared that the RLS and the twitching are permanent.  Thanks, John

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Posted

    Hello John, I've had 5 months on the dreaded Mirt, the last 10 days I was on 45mg. I dropped to 15mg 7 days

    ago and am still twitching like mad. If you're worried mate get back to the GP. A good diagnosis from him will probably help you no end. I don't think there is a standard for coming off this bloody stuff, we all respond

    differently. According to what I've read it should be out of your system 4 days after the last dose. That is a load of old bull.

  • Posted

    Hi I’m five weeks off now after five months tapering I’m still find it hard and the headaches for me are horrific 

    I’m not sure how long this lasts but I do know it’s not quick hang on in there your symptoms are withdrawals 

    • Posted

      Hi. Did you get brain zaps?  What about involuntary twitching in various parts of the body, could be a finger, arm, leg, pretty much all over.  Thx.
    • Posted

      Everything's twitching and I'm still on 15mg. My head hurts, I keep getting anxiety attacks, I've lost over a stone in 10 days, the day I finally finish with Mirt will be the best day of my life. You'll be ok John, just hang in there.

    • Posted

      I didn't get the twitching while I was on the drug, only since I've discontinued.  I've come to the conclusion it is a horrible drug.  So glad to be off it.  Was only on it for a month.  I hope these side effects are not permanent.  I'm surprised you are losing weight.  I gained some, but I needed the added weight.

    • Posted

      Yeah like I said John, it affects us all differently. I've just got out of bed in the last 10 minutes and I feel really rough. I'm still on 15mg and can't see a doctor till 8th June. I'm just praying things get easier in the meantime.

    • Posted

      Hi.  When you say you feel "rough" in the morning, what exactly does that feel like? Do you have nausea?  Do you have difficulty getting out of bed?  Do you feel anxious?  Have you since discontinued the drug (or tapered down)?  I would be interested to know more about your experience.

  • Posted

    Hi John - I recently had exactly the same thing happen to me! Stopped taking a small daily dose of Mirtazapine (7.5mg or less) about 5 days ago after trying it for a month and now having lots of problems with restless legs at night. Mirtazapine was great for sleeping through the night but waking up so groggy it felt like I had been hit by a bus. Started on Valdoxan 25mg instead to see if that works better for sleep but not doing so great so far. Just wondering how long before your restless leg issues settled down? Regards John
    • Posted

      Hi John.  It took about 1-2 weeks after discontinuation for the involuntary jerks to end.  The still happen from time to time, but quite infrequently.  My RLS also has subsided greatly.  I noticed distinct RLS on the very first night I took Mirtazapine and I am convinced it had an effect.  Very strange drug and glad to be off it.  My appetite has stabilized and I have put back on some weight.  I am still having some insomnia, but has been decently managed by alternating between lorazepam and Ambien before bed.  For sleep aids, I have tried mirtazapine and doxepin, both of which made me very tired in the morning.  I just felt horrible (nausea) and couldn't function.  It was hard enough to just get out of bed and start my day.

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