Mirtazapine withdrawal - Chronic Insomnia

Posted , 9 users are following.

After 3 months of reducing my dose from 15mg to 2.5mg I am still struggling with sleepless nights and I'm wondering whether to come off mirtazapine altogether? I am thinking of substituting it for nytol on the really bad nights.I would appreciate any input/opinion on this. I am especially interested in hearing success stories from anyone that has struggled with sleep during

their withdrawal? 

1 like, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Posted

    I'm also interested in hearing success stories. I tried to stop (abruptly) mirtazapine twice before and know the difficulty of sleeping. I'm currently on 3.75mg withdrawing from 7.5mg, started 7 weeks ago. Cita recommended a low dose (10 or 20 mg) of amitriptyline for sleep but my GP refused to give it to me yesterday. He said it those drugs have a lot of features of antidepressants and I'd run from one problem to another and that they stop working too. Searching on different sites for insomnia issues, I have already bought sleepthru (by Gaia), Ashwaganda and Gaba, I'm thinking of melatonin as well but not sure how to get it as unavailable through doctors where I live.
    • Posted

      1980

      I live in the U.S. Melatonin can be bought in local health food or drug stores. I’m not aware of a prescription strength of it, not in the U.S. anyway. You may want to google it and find out more about it and possible side effects.

    • Posted

      Thank you Steve! I'll look it up. There are some US or Canadian online drug stores so it may be an option. Thanks for the heads up!
  • Posted

    The psychiatrist took me I me them in a wee  from 45 mg to zero and by day 6 put me on 2 x 70 mg Lofepramine.
  • Posted

    I tried nytol once when I had bad anxiety stopping me sleeping and doc wouldn't give me any more temazepam. Nytol had no effect, I still couldn't sleep. I'm starting reducing mirtazapine, going from 30mg to 22.5mg one day a week, then 2 days a week, and so on. To start with I slept less well on the nights I took the reduced dose, but this week there was no difference. I intend to take it slowly, and make sure I'm comfortable at each stage before going to the next step.
  • Posted

    Scott, last night made 3 weeks since my last pill, a 7.5 mg. I slept 6.5 hours. However, I take Atenolol for a rapid heartbeat, and as it is a beta blocker, it can make you drowsy. But, I feel better this morning than I have since I stopped the Mirtazapine. A sleeples night is a horrible, miserable thing that usually means a bad day to follow. Hang in there and good luck.
  • Posted

    Hi,I came off 7.5mg mirtizipine cold turkey in September,I did not know you were supposed to withdraw slowly, the withdrawl was really bad,and I could only sleep for a couple of hours a night,it took 4 months to get up to 6 hours a night,it does get better take care x
  • Posted

    Hi

    you were lucky it was as slow as that.   I was on 45 mg Mirtazapine for 3 days, then 15 mg for 3 days, then nothing after that and given Lofrepramine at 2 tablets x 70 McGilp.  It is a different class of drug and has no sedative effect and so about 2 hours after I fall asleep, I waken up.  The GP says my sleep pattern will eventually adjust, although I say how am I supposed to manage on a few hours' sleep each night but she just shrugs her shoulders and says I have a negative outlook, expecting not to sleep.  I would like to find out if there is some sleeping pill that I can buy over the Cou ter that would help (in the UK)?

  • Posted

    Hi scott

    I have been coming off mirt over the last six months, I take phenergan but only two nights a week and on other nights calms and melatonin which I get from America but I take way less than the recommended dose it works well but again only few nights a week

    Hope this helps I hate not sleeping, I was put on mirt for problems sleeping but they don't tell you about about not sleeping again when stopping

  • Posted

    Hi

    i have problems sleeping and my Mirtazapine was cut from 45 mg to zero in 6 days and I can't sleep.  Is melatonin a sleeping pill and, living in the UK where would you buy it?

  • Posted

    First night without any mirtazapine. Took two nytol tablets and didn't sleep a wink.

    I really need my sleep to improve. How long can I expect this withdrawal to last? I have been on 15mg for 7 months and I've tried tapering for nearly 4 months.

    I am feeling shattered and helpless.

  • Posted

    Dear Scott

    i found this post of yours. i am suffering chronic insomnia after quitting MIRTAZIPINE. Could you please tell me if you got your normal sleeping pattern back, and how long it took.

    thankyou

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