Mirtazapine withdrawal, how long does it last?

Hi Rachael,

sometimes people struggle stopping at 7.5mg so it could be withdrawals, but also something else I learned along my journey coming off Mirtazapine, is that if you get a cold or virus whilst coming off the drug, it will speed up with withdrawal process. So this could be happening to you too. I hope it doesn't last too long, keep posting and keeping us updated. Good luck x

I forgot to add that it's great that your sleep is ok, I too went onto Mirtazapine for sleep as my anxiety was as a result of insomnia too. X

Thanks I haven't got the cold anymore, just feeling sick in the mornings and experiencing some anxiety again. It does seem mad that I ended up like this from lack of sleep last October. I'm back at work now and really that's helped me the most after being stuck at home with a 3year old everyday constantly... Just need this last bit to disappear so I can truly enjoy every bit of life again. 

Thank you Rachael for mentioning the cold or virus.  Last night I had a sore 

throat and have had bad headaches for a week and thought surely this 

isn't related to cutting my 7.5 mg Mirtazqpine in half but I guess it can be.

The body ache is the worse it has been the whole time.  And my dose is 

very small compared to everyone else's....but you mention that 7.5 is the 

roughest point to get past so perhaps the answer is - BE PREPARED for some pain with this awful drug.

That's so weird - I stopped taking Mirt approx a week ago, this coincided with a shocking cold/cough. I have been waiting for withdrawal effects to kick in but so far - nothing. I dropped straight from 30-15 as per my Dr's instructions and was expecting the worst - but touch wood, so far - nothing...wonder if the cold is taking the edge off the drug withdrawal?

Hi

I've been off for a week now and feel pretty rough:

Mental debility/difficulty communicating

Awful tremors

Dizzy

Visual problems

Pins and needles.

what have you dropped from and to and how long were you taking it for?

I have been feeling *really* tired but put it down to my cold. Same with not feeling hungry...

My side effects from this drug have far outweighed the benefits I got from it. It took me ages to put all of the pieces together about what was causing all of the issues I had been having - weight gain was the least of my worries. My migraines went 1 a month to around 6 per month. Psoriasis flared up whereas I'd always had it under control - but the worst part for me - was the hair loss. I'm a hairdresser and thought at first it was just the normal stage that hair goes through but the falling out hasn't eased off. So, made the decision to come off mirtazapine and I will reassess my reasons for taking it in the first place - down the track.

Hope you're ok Steve. What country are you from? I'm in Australia.

Hi 139242 and Steve,

I'm in Australia too and have simular symptoms but only since coming off Mirt which is odd.

I've never had Psoriasis before but now have patches of it and things popping up everywhere. I've had 5 things taken off because they suddenly popped up and were itchy. Starting to look like I've been through a war zone.

After being off 2 months, I now am loosing hand fulls of hair every day. I thought it was from all the stress. Been a nightmare.  

Hi Both

I'm in UK. Was on 30mg for about 6 years, then dropped to 15mg about two years ago. (Intending to taper off at that time) Finally took the plunge and dropped to 7.5 about 3 weeks ago and stopped completely last week.

The symptoms are utterly devastating and don't know if it's withdrawal or return of illness??

I'm still taking 150mg Venlafaxine, as had been on this for much longer and considered to be more effective.

Ohhh --- I would have thought the hair loss would stop once you were off it for a while. I feel your pain. My Dr disagreed with me - saying hair loss was not a side effect - so she insisted on me getting blood tests to check for thyroid. I'll get those results next week. With the psoriasis - I kept on thinking it was my soap/body wash that was triggering it --- it became so itchy at times that I scratched it until it bled - absolutely unbearable. It also was also itchy at night - all over - not just the psoriasis - I kept telling my partner i felt like I had spiders crawling on me

Anyway - glad I've found you guys.. it's hard to talk to people that haven't gone through all of this .

Hey! 

I had hair loss when I first started mirt and my psyc told me he couldn't find any supporting evidence, but my long lovely expensively balayged hair thinned quickly so he switched me to something else but I had a bad reaction. Now I have stopped the 15mg I was on for a year,  3 days ago. It is reassuring that I did not imagine this hair loss - my hair was fine when I went back on mirt but I cut like 4 inches off my hair because it was so scraggly - I feel quite angry with my psyc - why does know one explain how difficult it can be. I had to stop it because I got elevated liver levels and if its from my meds he said to stop the mirt immediately. I've got the itching, the tiredness, the panick attacks, restlessness, even been like convulsing in an anxiety type way.. just hoping it won't last more than a week!

Hi

The tangible side effects - handfuls of hair - are hard to dispute. I will be floored if my blood tests come back showing thyroid issues because my hair loss only started in the months following my increase from 15 to 30mgs a day. I'm not expert when it comes to my migraines or psoriasis or itching until I draw blood - but hair is my thing. I've seen so many clients over the years start losing hair - and it's generally one of 4 things - a reaction to a traumatic event, hormonal changes such as pregnancy or menopause, genetic hair loss such as alopecia or medication. Im interested to see how long it takes for my hair to go back to normal but I am shocked at how many of our Dr's are saying hair loss isn't a side effect to this med. I call BS. You only need to trawl through people's experiences on this forum and hair loss is a common side effect 😩.

Hi Steve

I'm also in the UK and am several weeks off mirtazapine after just over a year. Have had awful insomnia followed by awful anxiety - feel like withdrawal is exacerbating the symptoms I'd be having anyway without any meds. Am also on venlafaxine, a higher dose than you, but want to come off that as well to find something actually helpful! Are you staying on venlafaxine? Have you found it better than mirtazapine?

Hi Susanna

Still on Ven (150mg) and, with devastating symptoms now experienced following stop of Mirt, not sure whether this was problem in first place. My main symptoms are physical- unbearable internal tremors that sort of reverberate through whole body, nerve pain, awful muscular rigidity, visual disturbance etc.

I'm seeing Doc on Friday, but need assurance that light at end of tunnel, if my symptoms associated with Mirtazapine withdrawal.

Thanks for your interest.

Hey Steve

So sorry to hear you are not feeling the best.

Hoping your Dr can come up with something to give you some relief.

Hang in there.

I have dropped from 15 to 7.5 and am waking every day with nausea. Today it was diarrhoe and vomiting.  I dont know if its the mirtaz or a bug?  I have never felt so ill in my life. Cant even get a drink of water in. Please help me.

Hi Ann,

I think you should go to the emergency dept and see what they think.

If you think it is withdrawals, you need to go back to the 15mg dose til you feel stable again and then reduce much slower..you poor thing.I had terrible symptoms too. Awful time of it. 

Gina

Thank you, i am trying to stick it out and hope it will pass in a few days. I cannot face hospital.  I am using panadol for headache, and little sips of water for tummy.  How lomg will this last?  I am thinking of doing 7.5 to see how i go. How are drs allowed to give this out, its pure poison.

by the way dr only put it up to 15 2 weeks ago!  Then the problems began....

Hi I come off about 2 months ago. I was a addict for twenty years I kept getting well then Re-lapse for years. I was finally coming off drugs for life as I was loosing both parents to cancer and seeing them fight for what I was throwing away (life). So I ask doctor if there was something I could go on to stop me going back into depression and self medicating and they used this Evil drug metazapen. It was ok at first but then started piling weight on until they finally got me up to 45mg then it levelled out. I was on it 7 years but that don't matter it's in your body after 2 weeks and after a month we will all suffer in some way/s. I come down myself slowly as didn't want to relapse as there is no one knows your body like u do. So do it as feels right for you and u won't get as anxious. I am off two month at first I was ok then it hit me like a sledgehammer. Didn't no where I wanted to be though my head was going to explode. Ended up in doctors after going on beach and didn't want to be there either. Doc reassured me it was withdrawing so I kept going I was ok next day just a bit rough but now I have lost 2 stone in 2 month which worried me. End up sent to AandE yesterday as have lost half stone in 6 days back at doctors to have tests arranged tomorrow I am hoping it is met but will keep u informed I am 42 so shouldn't be falling to bits yet I know I was addict but look really well u wouldn't know unless I told u. But all other stuff is great we all can do it keep positive people round u don't let people get u into negative thinking as light is at end of tunnel it will pass don't give up or it all starts again.

Hi :D

 I been taken mirtazapine and venlafaxine for over2 months now and i suddenly stop taken the mirtazapine because i couldnt afford to keep buying it every month. Now my head feels like its full of water, ears are numb, I rub my hand over my hair and i just have hair falling out, i weighted over 98 pounds and being off of it i lost to 92 pounds. No appite at all, feel so sick but i dont have thick hair at all and, rubing my hand on my hair and just get like 8 hair come out each time, it worries me and  i dont know if it is another illness or if it is due to not taken the mirtazapine anymore

Hey Steve!!

Did you go cold turkey? I strongly urge a taper. Trust me.. I wen through all of that for 27 months!! Didn't know it was anti-depressant withdrawal though. 

How much were you on? How long?

I just went through a 3 months taper from 30mgs and I was on it for 2+ yrs and a year before that long ass withdrawal. 

Go back up to 7.5 and taper down by 10% every 2-3 weeks. 

I felt horrible the second day off of the drug but the only symptom I've had this time is MAD INSOMNIA!! Knock on wood.. 

Hi iknowhowyoufeel,

That's interesting g.. I'm still feeling terrible after 10 months ..went from Mirt to Lexapro with out any taper..thought I was going mad. Still not feeling good right and thought it was the new drug but possibly still Mirt withdrawal.In

I've been on mirtazapine 6 years at 15mg up to 45mg.  Yikes! All my thick beautiful hair fell out at 36. I thought it was hormones but no. Now reading everything else people have written here I see hair loss is common. Tried going off it on round one failed, but I'm down to 15mg and will titrate down every 3-4 months. F**K BIG PHARMA

lowered mirtaz from 7.5 to 3.75.   Feeling very rough.  Nausea, diarrhea, ibs, fatigue, anxiety which spikes sometimes three or four times a night.  Dr gave me diazepam extra so they must know these drugs are bad for withdrawal.  Plan next 10% when this goes. Question is, how long till it stabilises?

Just wondering what dose you started on?and how did you manage the 10percent taper.managed from 45mg to 30mg with side effects quite bad,but persevered then after few months felt good.so then went 22.5mg (by cutting 15mg table half with pill cutter) again side effects,but went over time.tried dropping to 15mg last 7 nights,severe pain in neck and shoulders,that decided to go back up to 22.5 and stabilise,then do a slower taper.dont think the 15mg tablets will cut into quarters very well,how did you manage your tapering

Hi Ann,

sorry your feeling rough,withdrawel not easy road from this terrible drug.how did you manage to taper,my tablets are 15mg which are easy to cut half with pill cutter,but don't really think it's possible to cut into a quarter.how did you work out and manage 10percent taper?

Gp said, half the 7.5 then half that again.   Its not a good way of measuring but unless she gives me liquid i am lost

Are you in uk? The reason I ask is I have phoned my local pharmacy and he has told me that he 7.5mg tablets are not available,will still speak to my GP,as perhaps his suppliers don't do that strength,or maybe GP will prescribe the liquid,but pharmacy has informed me it's very expensive,so may not get it.I have a new GP,who I have never met,after having good GP for over 25 years who knew me well.really worried GP will think my withdrawel symptoms are in my mind,as even the pharmacist has said he hasn't come across anyone experiencing withdrawel symptoms!

None of this surprises me. Just look at the numbers of people on this site in trouble.

i am in uk and i know liquid is available but £50 bottle. My gp isnt playing ball but i will ask at psychiatrist next appt. 

Hi Paul.. I too was put on Mirt after a 20 addiction and after only 6 weeks I had a breakdown because of the side affects of this pill. I thought I was losing my mind because never in my lifetime of addiction had I ever witnessed sush irractic thoughts that made me out of control, and it was all down to this wicked Mind Altaring Drug.

Anyhoo I had my breakdown and finally got to where I needed to be in life, Drug free and my mind back in tact but it was with no thanks from  Mirtazapine.  

Gps should be made aware that this drug actually Causes

" Mental Health " issues because I'd never experienced anything like before.

Coming back from this has made me stronger than ever. 

You don't believe you'll feel the same as before but you do get your life back you just have to keep on reassuring yourself that you will. Glad to hear your over it. 

Thats awful,ten months on you are still feeling so bad.  Surely it cant be the mirtazapine by now, may be them lexapro doesn't do well for you, reviews are good for some and bad for others.  I wish psych would be able to,give out right medicines for each of us.  I am trying to leave mirtaz behind but lots of anxiety, really dont want another drug but what can i do.  Did the lexapro deal with anxiety?

I have the same trouble..my anxiety is so bad I have to take something...I've put up with the Lexapro because I'm terrified of going through the whole change over thing again..I seem to have a bad couple of days so think I'm going to have to go and change and then get some reasonable days so think I'll stick it out..I get really bad stomach issues with a lot of the meds so am limited with what I can take.. Lexapro is a totally different feeling to the other SSRIs. I can still get anxiety and panic attacks but get over it quicker..I am only on a low dose as I can't get any higher due to the side effects starting up again..my biggest problem with them, is that I can't remember things..very hard to get motivated because there is nothing going on in my brain..lol....so its good for general use and I think a lot of people would find it a blessing..I also don't worry so much..even though I have terrible insomnia since coming off Mirt, I don't have that awefully worry all night..mind you, I haven't remembered one dream since starting this either

I would definately try a low dose of Lexapro to help you as you may find it really good and I can see why people like it..

I havent seen a psych as this is just my local doc I'm seeing. I have to see him on Monday about my stomach issues so will see what he says. Today I have rashes and itchy spots again..Augh! Never ends..

Thank you so much for replying..not too many people understand or share what we go through..and I know unless you have experienced it, you wouldn't understand, so don't blame them

Let me know if you decide to try Lexapro..

How are things with you, have you finally kicked the mirtazapine after effects?

i have appt to see psych in March and will ask about Lexapro.  Its the anxiety for me which is the worst so hope that might deal with it. I will see what he says. Hope its not one of those which is difficult to get off.

meantime i am hoping to make next cut down to 1,88mirtaz after xmas, wish me luck. I am not good with insomnia and the dreams i think are coming off the mirtaz so maybe they will go.

 

Hi Ann,

Still going here...everytime I think m ok, I seem to have trouble again..waiting to get a gastroscopy and see a gastric specialist at but I'm pretty sure it's the tablets..between the bowel problems and the stomach pain..Augh

Lexapro certainly fixes anxiety ..I'm not looking forward to coming off it if its what's causing my stomach issues..it does make me feel dopey though..I wish it didn't as it's nice not to have continual anxiety.

Your doing really well...I wish I'd known about tapering before the doc made me go cold turkey..never again..the psychologist I saw the other day doesn't think I'm on the right meds either

I hope you have a wonderful Xmas and good things will happen in the new year for us both

Is the lexapro helping you and have you come through the withdrawal of mirtazapine yet

thats strange, they dont think im on the right med either, i have tried a few too.  I am also having gastric problems, they dont know what it is, my hunch is its come from meds! They took my gallbladder out but still nausea etc. An isty peaking with the thought of tests.

I'm not sure if the Mirt is still having an effect. I just had another bad few days but I have to cut my Lexapro tablet down a bit and I think I wasn't cutting it as small so it may have been side effects from that. I haven't had as many rashes and itching for the last couple of weeks too. But I've suddenly put on about 4 kg in the last couple of weeks which isn't impressing me at all..

I'm positive my stomach is the meds...a bit of a worry..I don't know about you, but I'm sick of feeling sick and the thought of changing again gives me nightmares..I had my gallbladder out a while back because of stomach pain and there was nothing wrong with it..it was the meds.

Lexapro is great for anxiety and suppose to have the least side effects but for me it's had the most. I can imagine how your anxiety ihas kicked in with the thought of tests..it does with me to but the Lexapro has helped a lot. I have a sore back tooth and the dentist is one of my worst nightmares..I saw a psychologist last week and she didn't think I was on the right meds either..

Its so so annoying when they keep telling you youre not on the right meds but when they try you on others then they give such side effects  you cant cope with them.

is the ideal solution not to take them at all?   I dont think i can try Lexapro if it makes me feel ill.  It does interest me if you think it helps the anxiety though.  

What side effects have you had from it, and did they pass?

I had a lot of side effects but have no idea if they were from the Lexapro or the Mirt withdrawals...because the doc changed me from the Mirt one day to the Lexapro the next...if I was you, I would try them but slowly. Perhaps 5mg, then 10 mg and see how you go..I had brain zaps, my brain felt fried,nausea and sweating with pins and needles .pretty much everything it says on the pack, I had lol.. I felt absolutely terrible for nearly 4 months and then I'd get a good day followed by bad days and that slowly increases to where I am now. somthat could have been withdrawals as well I'd say. I've stuck with it because I can do so much more on them anxiety wise

i know this is an old post but did you feel like the low dose lexapro helped you with the mirt withdrawal? i feel very stuck at 7.5. trying to stabalize sleep issues which is absolutely anxiety induced or the mirt no longer helping ... please let me know

Hi Steve,

Did your tremors eventually go away & other symptoms eventually go away?