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Mirtazapine side effects

Posted , 14 users are following.

carolynne31189
carolynne31189

Hi

im a 65 year old lady who has been on Mirtazapine 30mg for just over a year now. At first I thought it was brilliant I sleep well and the reasons I went on the drug have really now sorted themselves out. My problems are and I’ve only just realised that maybe it’s Mirtazapine causing it is all the time I feel so lethargic, no energy whatsoever, aching,can’t stand for long periods, problems with IBS which I never had prior to taking them plus a lot of weight gain. 

What id like to do is come off of them so last night I took only 15mg.

could anyone advise if I’m doing the right thing plus how long should I take to come off of them. 

I know I’m 65 but I have never felt so ill and lifeless.  I’ve had blood tests etc in the last 6 months all come back fine.

2 likes, 30 replies

30 Replies

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  • sarah24378
    sarah24378 carolynne31189

    Posted

    How do you feel today having dropped last night ?
    • carolynne31189
      carolynne31189 sarah24378

      Posted

      Hi Sarah

      it took me a while to get to sleep but I think that was psychological really.

      i don’t feel any different yet though.  Don’t know how long I should stay on 15mg for though

    • aila51692
      aila51692 carolynne31189

      Posted

      I was the same as you on mirt for 12 months at 30mg then was told to reduce to 15mg for 7 days and then stop and start Fluoxetine.

      Don’t want to worry you but I feel dreadful not sleeping and anxiety is so high. I stopped 10 days ago. I would suggest tapering longer and maybe take 7.5mg after that. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone x

    • carolynne31189
      carolynne31189 aila51692

      Posted

      I’ve been reading such horror stories on here about the withdrawal it’s frightening. But I’ll do 15mg for 2-3 weeks and see what happens.

      i just want to get back to how I used to feel before I took them obviously not with the depression but energy wise etc.  I used to love going out on my own for the day especially now that I’m retired but as soon as I’ve left the house I feel like I need to sit down and take a rest it’s awful.

    • carolynne31189
      carolynne31189 aila51692

      Posted

      Plus my Dr wouldn’t put me on Flouxetine as he said it heightens the anxiety before it lowers it and I certainly didn’t need that
    • ann55375
      ann55375 aila51692

      Posted

      I have been tailing down from 7.5 for a while but now at 1.5ish i am having major problems coping with the anxiety, what do you do to help?

       

    • aila51692
      aila51692 ann55375

      Posted

      I’m not doing very well to be honest and can’t eat because I feel so sick and the insomnia is driving me literally mad. I’m going to call Dr tomorrow because I can’t cope anymore x
  • graeme_30533
    graeme_30533 carolynne31189

    Posted

    Hi Carolynne.

    First of all I’m sorry you are going through this with Mirtazapine.

    Without getting into a long story I was on the drug for 4 years. Up at 45mg. When I decided to come off, I was taken off abruptly and now suffering some very debilitating withdrawals.

    Now not everybody gets them, it just seems to be a lottery. Some come off the drug very quickly and don’t have any. Some come very slowly and have bad withdrawals. 

    The safest way is to come off very slowly and see how your body reacts. I’ve attached a link below to a charity that specialises in helping people come off antidepressants. I’ve spoken to them numerous times and they are very helpful. If you are ever in doubt. These are the people to contact. From what I’ve learned doctors are not the most reliable of sources. Otherwise I wouldn’t be where I am today 😊

    Stay safe and take it very slowly.

    Take care

    Graeme 

    http://www.btpinfo.org.uk/withdrawing-from-antidepressants

  • lorraine52317
    lorraine52317 carolynne31189

    Posted

    Hi Carolynne

    You have dropped a massive amount and although you may feel ok for a couple of days, it will indeed cause your mind to be in disarray. Going on my previous attempts to reduce, I would suggest a slower reduction to avoid feeling poorly. I was on 15mg and broke my tablet in 4 quarters. I reduced by a quarter each time, until my mind got use to the idea of less mirt. When I reduced to my last quarter, I still shaved a crumb e.g. 1mg which I am currently on. I aim to stop the crumb next week. Please consider taking at least 3/4 of a tab tonight.

    Please let me know how you get on ❤

    • carolynne31189
      carolynne31189 lorraine52317

      Posted

      Thank you Lorraine I will do exactly that tonight I also think 15mg is too much of a reduction so tomorrow I must get myself I pill cutter. I will let you know in a few days how I’m getting on thanks 
  • christine15542
    christine15542 carolynne31189

    Edited

    Hi Carolynne

    Most people using this site will have experienced some withdrawal issues coming off  mirtazapine. It is known for a its protracted withdrawal.  The recommended dosage to taper is no more than 10 percent a month, despite what doctors tell you.  They don't admit that there is withdrawal when stopping or attempting to taper mirtazapine.  Bear in mind that everyone will have different experiences coming off mirtazapine and some may come off with very little difficultly.  

    Having said that, I found this an evil drug to stop.  There was no advice or support from the GPs and I only found this link in desperation, after suffering horrific insomnia. I was  on 15mg for less then 6 months.  I stopped it because of the dreadful weight gain despite my exercise and diet regime.  Foolishly I stopped it completely and went cold turkey because I did not realise just how insidious this drug's hold can be.  Four days after completely stopping all the withdrawal symptoms hit me.  The worst was insomnia getting only 2-3 hours sleep per night or regularly no sleep at all.  I certainly don't want to frighten anyone reading this but a very slow taper coming off this drug is the only way to go.  There are support groups for people struggling to come off and it is quite common that they take months or years to be completely mirtazapine free.

    • carolynne31189
      carolynne31189 christine15542

      Posted

      Thank you Christine I will reduce them really slowly after reading what awful withdrawal symptoms people are experiencing. This is only day one so I’m not expecting it to be easy by any means. I just want to get back to how I used to feel and have more energy and go. If the depression comes back I’ll just have to talk it through with Dr
    • christine15542
      christine15542 carolynne31189

      Edited

      I wrote to you because I'm not much younger than you and I wanted my life back.  Take it very slowly and accept there will be good days and bad days.  There is hope though.  I've been mirtazapine free for 8 months now and the only other drug I take is HRT.  I'm back to my old self.  I enjoy walking and running, I've joined a yoga class and I would rather talk my problems through than ever take another antidepressant.  Whilst I appreciate they have their place and are helpful for some, I'd rather accept my life for what it is without them.  You can do this but slowly 

    • carolynne31189
      carolynne31189 christine15542

      Posted

      Your right Christine I also had CBT which I found really useful in knowing the worries I can deal with and the worries I have no control over. So if I manage to come off the Mirtazapine successfully I won’t want to go back on any antidepressants ever again.

      i am pleased for you that you have managed to stay off them though that’s brilliant.  Well done 

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