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Mirtazapine withdrawal

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Hey everyone,

I've been on Mirtazapine 30mg since Feb his year but I've had alot of problems with. Ear infections, burning mouth syndrome etc. so my Psychiatrist think's I should come of it. He told me to cut down to 15mg and only take them for a week and then just stop. So I finally stopped taking the 15mg on Mon night and I feel terrible.

It's not just my moods (my depression/anxiety had been great before coming off med), I physically feel really sick, been feeling extremely nauseated and last night couldn't sleep because I kept thinking I was going to throw up. Is this a normal reaction coming off mirtazapine?

Because my depression/anxiety had gotten alot better, we didn't feel the need to just take me off mirtazapine and put on on another drug because I thought I was cured. Plus, I don't want to take any more antidepressants at all really.

PLEASE, any help or advice you offer would be greatly appreciated because I'm really worried now and I don't want to have to go back to taking mirtazapine sad .

Will the withdrawal last long? How long will it take to fully get the tablets out of my system?

Please help,

thanks,

Star

7 likes, 878 replies

878 Replies

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  • Miami1
    Miami1 Guest

    Posted

    I got off of benzos in dec2013 and started mirtz @ 3.75 for sleep jan6-2014. Feb 8th I stoped it. 9 days later BAMM horrible WD. Waited five days after that and rienstated @ 1.87 mg. 1/8th of a 15 mg pill. I've been on that dose mid April when I started liquid mirtz and went to 1.7  May 2nd I cut to 1mg. This may sound ridiculous to those who have been on higher doses, being on 1mg but I've been unstable &withdrawaling from mirtz since march. I'm still compromised from the benzo WD and been beat up for two months on the mirtz . I think the mirtz WD has been worse than the benzo. No matter what dose I've been on I can't stabalize. So if I just jump off now ,weak and psych battered it's going to be rough most likely. I'm also thinking of reducing once more. 

    My symptoms for last two month;

    I get these feelings(waves)where I think holding my breath will relive the feeling of my chest and stomach emptiness and desperation. This deep void with hand and body tremor. 

    This wave (feeling)of overwhelming desperation &anguish,panicky, defeated, confused and anxiety all in one!

    Is this depression or anxiety ? Does anyone experience these feeling all in one that can last for several hours for no reason especially when waking up to them in the middle of the night ? 

    Mirtz was a serious mistake for me !

     .  

    • oswald15098
      oswald15098 Miami1

      Posted

      Hi Miami1.  I have beem off Mirtz for a week.  I was on 15mg for sleep for 4 months.  It worked well but I gained 20 lbs.  I was advised to stop the mirtz (15mg) and try trazodone dor sleep instead.  My nerves are a mess.   I am extremely restless and have an occasional panic attack.  Is this normal? I researched every med I was on and realized that the restlessness startted when I stopped the mirtz
    • nicolas77734
      nicolas77734 Miami1

      Posted

      Hi Miami1

      I hope what you wrote belongs to the past:

      I get these feelings(waves)where I think holding my breath will relive the feeling of my chest and stomach emptiness and desperation. This deep void with hand and body tremor. 

      This wave (feeling)of overwhelming desperation &anguish,panicky, defeated, confused and anxiety all in one!Unfor?tunately for me, I am experiencing exactly the same two months after stoping 15mg (2months tapering)  Mirt during 1 year . Along with is the bad sleeping quality.

      Every day is a battle. 

      Could you tell me how long these awful symptoms you perfectly describe lasted?

      Thx,

      Nico

  • oswald15098
    oswald15098 Guest

    Posted

    hello.  I had been taking remeron 15mg for sleep for 5 months.  I gained over 20lbs.  I was advised to discontinue the remeron and try trazodone at night for sleeping.  Sinve I stopped taking the remeron, i am a mess.  Restless all of the time.  I can't relax for a minute.  I don't want to gain weight however this nervousness and restlessness is to much for me to bear.  any suggestions>
  • julie1111
    julie1111 Guest

    Posted

    i have been suffering in silence with the side effect and now i have had on 3 accounts thought of ending it all..enuffs enuff..spoke to my doctors and they said maybe time to change me over to something else and couldnt understand why i havent reported this.. i tend to think people will judge me..the doc said could be something else that gave me these thoughts!! rubbish! why do they blame every thing else but the drug? baffels me!
  • Pauljdme
    Pauljdme Guest

    Posted

    hi julie, are these doctors GPs or psychiatrist? if GPs then yes they dont know too much about AntiDs, not all but most! i had a bad crash coming off the mirt as this drug didnt work well for me, for some it does work. my GP had no idea what he was babbling about and was cold as ice. so i went elsewhere.

    i went and saw a psychatrist and she put me on sertaline/zoloft and things got better. ive just come off the sertraline after just over a year with no problems, just a bit groutchy at times. im now using 5htp, a supplement not a drug and will see how that goes. as i dont wanna be on AntiDs.

    Dont end it all, try another antiD that works, until you are strong enough to come off, if you want to come off that is. AntiDs help others as they did me, just to get me up and started again. some folk may need to take them long term and if it works then good on them. i cant knock these drugs if they are used right, they have helped millions,

    good luck and all the best julie. hang in there, it will pass : )

    • julie1111
      julie1111 Pauljdme

      Posted

      hi, thanks for your reply, i took a small dose last night and went to bed listening to rain music helped me drop off..just woke and feel fine! for the 1st time ive woke better that i have done ! for a long time :-) im going to try go back to sleep now! and hope things will get better fingers crossed . im sure ill get withwithdrawl but having faith! with keep you informed..this is my 3 night of cutting back on this drug....thanks pjdme this forum is a great support ...julie
    • Pauljdme
      Pauljdme julie1111

      Posted

      good to hear you are sleeping well thats cool. with certain antidDs its hell coming off them. in time you nervous system will find yourself again, it takes a little time. coming off the sertraline was a peace of cake really, but the mirtazapine was a hell hole to come off.  

      keep that faith, its there for a reason : )

    • julie1111
      julie1111 Pauljdme

      Posted

      hi pjdme,

                     hello i did my 3rd night cutting back! im doing it alone so hard but i have to do this..they were numbing me and not allowing me to move on..if im not well and i wasnt on this drug ..how can i move on when im on such a drug..so need something else..could you tell me alittle about abou sertraline and the side effects ..thanks    julie

    • kennybhoy
      kennybhoy julie1111

      Posted

      Hi Julie 

      Trying to find the firstly the proper dr isn't easy and as pj said you must see a phyciatrist as they are the only ones with the proper knowledge of these meds, it took me 10 years and to move country before I finally saw a dr that I was fully comfortable with, 

      GP's know a little but not enough to properly support you, ending it is the worst thing you can do, different Ad's have can have completely different effects on each individual.

      Effexor is a great med which has worked for me, maybe that will help,

      Take care kenny

    • julie1111
      julie1111 kennybhoy

      Posted

      hi kenny,

               hi yes helps thank you ! i was starting to not trust doctors, but like you said they hand them out thats all..ill note down effexor! thank you kenny... 

                    julie

       

  • nicki16559
    nicki16559 Guest

    Posted

    Hi All I just thought I would share with you my experiences....been on so many different meds throughout the years and had enough of certain side effects, and just had enough of them all together.  Although mit picked me up out of a big bad hole even though I was dealing with things the weight gain was horrific and was so fed up of feeling fat, being called fat and just generally being a blob....so come off them a week ago and was expecting to feel s**t....but after nearly fainting and having a panic attack at work I felt like I was dying....the insominia, feeling sick, bad stomach, shakey ness, everything everyone on this discussion board i've felt...i'm hoping it will get better as time is the best healer.  good luck everyone x
  • alex44557
    alex44557 Guest

    Posted

    I was on Remeron for 3 years (30mg) and I had 3 attempts to quit. First two times I had so severe withdrawals that I decided to start over. Now it's all different - doing it under control of my doc. I'm russian, so please bear with my english smile Here is what he prescribed me:

    Ludiomil, Risperidone, Carbamazepine, Quetiapine (Seroquel).

    I'm on day 9 of withdrawal and that's my longest run so far. During current withdrawal I wasn't feeling so bad like the first 2 times. It's much better. Sleep is great. A little bit of anxiety at evening.

    Now what is my doc telling me is actually pretty interesting. If you check Mirtazapine page on wiki and look at Binding Profile, you'll see a lof of receptors which mirtazapine affects one way or another.

    Remeron is antagonist of 5-НТ-2- and 5-HТ-3-serotonine receptors. If you take Remeron for a long time your body fights that process: it produces more substances (including serotonine), which stimulate these receptors. But when you suddenly drop Remeron, your condition develops to the similar one if you have taken some agonist of these receptors. And agonists of 5-HT-2- and 5-HT-3- are ... LSD, mescaline, marijuana, psilocybin.

    So you are basically in a BAD TRIP smile

    And this is why your condition worsenes at evenings, this is why you have anxiety, fear of death, "choking" sensations. Same happens in a bad trip.

    So how do you fight that?

    You should raise noradrenalin levels in your body somehow. For example: cold shower, some adventure (go for a walk), and make sex with someone smile

    You can also take some antihistamine medication - it will help with sleep a little and will block your H1, H2 receptors.

  • Kerkstraat
    Kerkstraat Guest

    Posted

    Hello,

    I was on Mirt 30mg for over 2 years, because of anxiety/depression/not being able to sleep or eat...

    It is now 10 weeks since I quit taking the pills and I still suffer huge withdrawal, it sometimes feel like I am having a bad trip.

    Repititive thinking

    non stop music in my head

    nausea

    I sleep 4 hours / night

    weird thoughts

    fatigue but not being able to sleep

    headache

    panic attacks

    ...

    So it really is rubbish that you can stop these meds without issues.After the 30 mg, I went on 15 for one month and than nothing.

    I must say, when I have 'clear' moments, I realise that I feel better, I just hope these moments will be there more often.

    One thing is for sure, I am not going back on the Mirtazapine.

    For the moment I try to cope with some Xanax, but that is not a really good solution because I will have to withdraw from that crap also smile.

    To anyone who is having the heavy withdrawal symptoms:

    hang in there

    you are not alone

    I will let you know how I get on....

    • 1980
      1980 Kerkstraat

      Posted

      Hello,

      I'm seven weeks into withdrawal and I must say I'm not doing very well either. On top of all the symptoms you've mentioned I have some muscle and joints pains that I never experienced before. Doctor gave me a very small amount of Sertraline that I've been taking for two weeks now but I think it's just making me feel worse, with louder tinnitus and agitation. I so wish it was easier going through it but it's good to hear there is someone else fighting and not giving up!

      Take care 

    • Kerkstraat
      Kerkstraat 1980

      Posted

      I also forgot to mention the tinnitus and chestpain/heartpain + heart rythm disorder..

      So we're in it together.

      Let me know how you are doing, I will post here what I am experiencing.

      we'll get trough wink

    • Miami1
      Miami1 Kerkstraat

      Posted

      Hi Kerk:

      I jumped off Mirtz may31 so today makes 47 days. 

      I was only on for almost 5 months. Starting dose was 4mg and came off at 1mg.

      I'm having morn anxiety,agitation desperation, mental anguish, depression hits like every other day, OCD,terror,tenitus,etc...

      This is by far worse than benzo wd.

      I understand it takes some pep 3 months to 

      Start seeing improvement. I haven't had a benzo for over 7 months but on this mess it takes all I've got to not take one.

    • 1980
      1980 Miami1

      Posted

      I completely feel for both of you as I'm going through the same hell since 1st June. I've found many posts where it took people 3 or more months before they felt better and I hold onto this thought, although it's not easy with more and more weeks passing in distress. At least we know it's got to be the withdrawals if the three of us have the same experience! It will get better, it must!
    • Miami1
      Miami1 1980

      Posted

      1980/Kerk

      i came off benzos dec so 7 months off that. Jan was when I was prescribed mirtz for sleep. I tried getting off of it after 1st month but got hit with heavy WD 9 days later. I then held out 5 more days but ended up reinstating at 1/8 of a 15mg pill (1.87mg). With this nasty drug it doesn't much mater dosage for it to get its claws in u. 

      My doc says some of my distress may be protracted benzo WD and there is Merritt in that but what I'm experiencing is much more acute symptoms than 

      benzo, IMO. The crazy mood swings and at almost 7 weeks off it doesn't let up. The first week after jumping I had the nausea headaches which is expected but last few days it started again and flares up after eating. 

      I also get an average of 4-5 hours sleep but get the Ocactional night of such high anxiety that I don't sleep at all then from exhaustion I sleep longer following night. Mirtz was only good for me the first month then it's been down hill ever since. I have been getting last 10 days or so the every other day cycle of one horrific day then following day pretty fair maybe 60-65%. But haven't had a fair day for 2 days now.

      Recapping my symptoms :

      Anxiety

      depression twice a week

      fear/terror

      tennitus 

      agitation

      nausea

      dizziness

      vision cloudy

      poor sleep

      headaches

      shaky

      desperation

      mental anguish

      My symptoms are more psych than pyshical altough I'd take pyshical over psych any day! I'm finding it so hard to make it through this and it's very scary I may still have 6 plus weeks to go.

      I would love to take a benzo for relief but can't go there. I do take antihistamine (vistaril) on ocation as well as magnesium and zofran for nausea. Let's continue the support and exchanging info!

      Good luck all and hang tight

      Miami

       

    • Kerkstraat
      Kerkstraat Miami1

      Posted

      indeed.

      My experience is that the only thing that gives me hope, and keeps me going is knowing that I (we) are not alone.

      Sharing the experiences is good.

      I read some feedbacks on this blog whenever I am feeling I am losing it.

      Just hope it will not last forever smile...

      yesterday I even cried when I woke up, no reason...it had been a really long time since that happened.

      Those moments freak me out because no control what so ever.

      Xanax got me trough and the afternoon was pretty good, the evening was nog good at all.

      that is a major problem, you never know when it is going to be good or bad.

      so planning some relaxing holidays with the family is a disaster.

      to be continued

    • Miami1
      Miami1 Kerkstraat

      Posted

      Yep know that scenario well, can't plan a thing! But we will get out of this mess it takes lots of fortitude and time.

      Miami

    • julie1111
      julie1111 Miami1

      Posted

      it gets easier hang in there i tapered off mirtz but crossed over after a few weeks, was an awfull two weeks, awfull dreams sweats, mood swings . it will get better .. you will be fine 
    • Kerkstraat
      Kerkstraat julie1111

      Posted

      I have been off for more than 10 weeks and still suffering several withdrawal symptoms...

      But I must say that I had a pretty good last 2 days now.

      Slept pretty well and was able to eat and drink like before.

      Today, tiredness hit me, but I can live with that.

      Everyday without the mirtazapine is a victory.

      Unbelievable that it is legal to sell these medicines if I consider what I went trough the last 2 years.

      We should combine our experiences and publish a book or something to warn others before starting on this drug.

      hear you all later!

      all the best.

       

    • julie1111
      julie1111 Kerkstraat

      Posted

      well said. youve done great ur coming to the end of it , yes we sould write a book i suffered on mirtz , awfull drug 
    • 1980
      1980 Kerkstraat

      Posted

      I'm so pleased to hear that Kerks! Every good day is great news! I've had slightly better two days myself so lets hope we're closer to the end of the tunnel... smile
    • Miami1
      Miami1 Kerkstraat

      Posted

      Fantastic ! Your so close now! My sx have been still dificult specialy in the morning. But mainly fear panic emptiness and those terrible thoughts of will this ever end. 

      hang tight your closing in on the prize of freedom! 

       

    • Kerkstraat
      Kerkstraat Miami1

      Posted

      Indeed. Mornings can be hell when anxiety kicks in. 

      Therefore I do use xanax .25mg in the morning. (Almost daily)

      I am convinced this will end, someday... Just hope it will not last for years.

      No stress.

    • Miami1
      Miami1 Kerkstraat

      Posted

      Hi Kerk;

      im 60 days off mirtz and still struggling. My mood is all over the place. One moment anxiety then depression then fear emptiness. Wish I could use a benzo but can't . You are 3 months now have you noticed any improvement?

      im so tied of the torture . 

      Miami

    • Kerkstraat
      Kerkstraat Miami1

      Posted

      Hello!

      I am almost 3 months, 2months and a half now...

      And I have the impression it is getting better, but I do have some hard days, sometimes it is like 1 step forward and suddenly 5 steps back.

      But I do feel more vivid when I have my good moments.

      On the bad days on the contrary it is the fatigue and anxiety and repetitive thinking that is the worsed, in combination with some heart and chestpains.

      But I try to cope with that and hope that within another 3 months it will be even more better.

      I don't want to go back on the medicine.

      why can't you take any benzo?

      I take them only when needed, last week I took none.

      hang in there!

    • Miami1
      Miami1 Kerkstraat

      Posted

      Hi Kerk:

      60 days off of this hideous drug is nothing.

      I have some time to go. Your saying 6 months,I hope we it's not that long! Like I said in the past , most pep say

       3 1/2 to 4 1/2 months. 

      I am experiencing this ugly dark chemical depression that is horrific. It last most of the day and I get it bad every 10 days or so. It's less frequent than before but just as strong.

      I came off of benzos dec 2013 so been off them for 7 1/2 months so it's not a good idea for me to take again. I also aside from the Mirtz most likly feeling some underline benzo wd. 

      I do think the majority is of my problem is the Mirtz! It just such a nasty wd!

      Besides anxiety did you have depression as well?

      Pls Keep me posted,

      Thx Miami

    • Kerkstraat
      Kerkstraat Miami1

      Posted

      I don't think it is a good idea to set goals.

      But I also heard that from 4 months on things should really start to improve.

      And yes, i also suffer depression, but that comes along with the anxiety, when I feel anxious, I get depressed.

      Bizar thing is that I really have moments where I think I am 'cured', and where i am able to think clear and normal, but in a couple of hours it can be completely the opposite.

      Never thought I would end up like this; it is a really horrible disease.

      but we will get trough, we must...

      keep in touch!

    • Miami1
      Miami1 Kerkstraat

      Posted

      Helo Kerk! 

      you should be closing in on 3 months now? 

      Ill be 10 week in 2 days. 

      Ive vet been getting those every other day cycle where things are tolerable one day and chaos the next day. It's almost 5 am and have not been able to sleep because of the crushing depression yesterday evening along with this overall extreme desperation tinnitus panic and nausea. 

      How are you feeling. I too get some days that I'm symptom free only to get slammed shortly afterwards. I still experiencing acute symptoms.

      This seems never ending!  

      Hope you and all here are well

      miami

       

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