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Mirtazapine withdrawal, how long does it last?

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rachael42781
rachael42781

Hi, Just looking for some reassurance/support. I was on mirtazapine for about 6months. I went up to 45mg and decided to taper down as I felt they were making me worse and the weight gain was nasty. I felt fab tapering down and generally, its been better than I anticipated however, I'm approaching the 3rd week off of mirtazapine and have started to feel a bit anxious the last few days. I've read withdrawal peaks around the 3/4week mark, so I'm trying to stay positive that it will pass.

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  • gordon21115
    gordon21115 rachael42781

    Posted

    For what it's worth, I've just got myself off Mirtazapine. I was on it for seven years in total, 15mg for the first year, 30mg for the second and 45mg thereafter.

    In my case the withdrawal wasn't too bad.

    I initially started by cutting my 45mg pill in half and going down to 22.5mg. The first week was pretty bad, I felt disassociated, anxious, edgy, irritable and altogether odd, but after about a week that began to fade. The symptom that lasted longest was insomnia. I was typically only getting four or five hours' sleep and some nights no more than two or three. That lasted about three months before my sleep started to get back to normal. I'd occasionally get a little more anxiety too, but not major panic attacks (which I've had in the past).

    Once my sleep settled down (after about three months) I cut out the remaining 22.5mg, which was much easier. I felt a little edgy for a few days but that soon faded. Alas, the insomnia has come back, so I guess I'll just have to wait it out for a while.

    I've now been Mirtazapine-free for a month and I'm already beginning to lose some of the weight I gain since I started taking this drug, which I'm pleased about.

    Judging by some of the horrendous withdrawal stories on here, I think I've had it fairly easy.

    I used a little Lorazepam during the first phase of withdrawal to take the edge off the anxiety but I'm clear of that too now.

    Time will tell how my depression and anxiety hold up in the long term.

    Good luck to anyone going through this sort of withdrawal.

    • karen_57593
      karen_57593 gordon21115

      Posted

      Can i ask what u did for the sleep problem I'm not sleeping much at all 50 mins here n there x

  • RJM1979
    RJM1979 rachael42781

    Posted

    Being on Mirt for 3 years I could feel myself entering into a zombified state so I decided enough was enough -  on 45 mg then tapered off via 30 mg then 15 mg.   Whilst I was traveling with work I lost my 15 mg tablets and decided to just go cold turkey.  Felt fine for about 10 days then started to feel anxious whilst driving, to the point that I had to stop the car and practice controlled breathing,  symptoms I am dealing with are, shaking in spinal chord,  dizziness , loss of appetite,  blurred vision,  head zaps, unable to concentrate which will all hopefully pass.   What I have found has helped me through this is to cheer myself up,  as on Mirt I was a arse and I had no emotions and I lost all interests in life,  it was all about me and nobody else.  Gym,  Yoga, reading, music, meditation have enormously helped.   Also get bloods checked as this ensures you that there is no medical issues.   Taper off if you can as cold turkey can put you through a quasi nervous breakdown.   Writing this and reading others experience has really helped.

    38 year old man

    • ann55375
      ann55375 RJM1979

      Posted

      I have tapered this drug over the lastyear and dinally at 1.88 dropped it over a month ago.  The anxiety i horrendous, waking shaking and diazepam is all i have to deal with it.   I know there are withdrawals but this anxiety is non stop.  I dont want another a.d. as i tried many, none worked.  What can i do?
  • majella78981
    majella78981 rachael42781

    Posted

    Hi Rachel, I was on mirtazapine for 5 years, went ct 2 weeks ago, my sleeping is awful, 2 or 3 hours a night, slight anxiety but I can handle that, had my bloods done last week and my underactive thyroid has now reversed to hyperthyroidism so I’m guessing it’s this that is causing my symptoms, apparently mirtazapine masks thyroid problems too
  • summer43602
    summer43602 rachael42781

    Posted

    Help/Advice! 

    My boyfriend has been taking 45mg of Mirtazapine for about 2 years and his withdraws are absolutely horrible. He decided to quit cold turkey because he’s disgusted and fed up with being dependent on this medication. He is experiencing symptoms such as loss of appetite, anxiety (he’s already had a couple panic attacks), fever, migraine...and the ones that really concern me are the ones where he says he’s hallucinating (like when he looks at the walls they’re moving) and the other scary side effect is that he says it feels like an elephant is sitting on his chest—his chest is in so much pain.  As a bystandard I feel completely helpless in watching him go through this and I was wondering what I could do to help support him and/or experienced advice on if these side effects are normal. Please and thank you! 

    • gordon21115
      gordon21115 summer43602

      Posted

      Hi summer43602,

      Sorry to read about your boyfriend's withdrawal problems. Mirtazapine is a tough drug to withdraw from and I recognise a lot of the symptoms you mention. Some people withdraw easier than others. My own withdrawal wasn't too bad (even after many years on 45mg) but others have a really bad time.

      I note your boyfriend went cold turkey but most people would probably recommend a slow withdrawal, gradually cutting down the drug. I did it in two stages, dropping from 45mg to 22.5mg and then stopping altogether but others would recommend a much slower withdrawal than that.

      The loss of appetite is understandable as Mirtazapine certainly increases appetite (and weight, generally). It's the same with anxiety: Mirtazapine tends to suppress anxiety a bit, so any anxiety your boyfriend had before starting the drug may return, and on top of that there'll be the anxiety induced by the withdrawal process itself.

      It is difficult to know what you can do to help him. Being there for him is the most important thing. These withdrawal symptoms *do* eventually pass, although it can take some time with this drug. He needs to be kind to himself and, of course, if the withdrawal symptoms are unbearable then he really has no option but to consult a doctor and that's certainly what I'd recommend if he's having hallucinations. I've not come across that as a withdrawal symptom of this drug before. Certainly one's mind can go to some strange places but out-and-out hallucinations are unusual I'd say.

      I wish you and him the very best of luck. I found that Mirtazapine did help a lot with my depression but it also suppressed every other emotion, leaving me numb and withdrawn. I also put on 25lbs in weight. I just had to get off this thing and take my chances with other drugs for the depression.

    • ann55375
      ann55375 gordon21115

      Posted

      I have been slowly titrating off mirtaz since last summer from 7.5 and eventually down to 1.88 at xmas.  Been off it now for fifth week and am having terrible sleep problems and anxiety through the roof.  I had anxiety on it too.  Its just worse now and i am waking with whole body shakes.   How can i deal with this , all psych has given me is diazepam and im starting to use it more  and its making me depressed.  I cant seem to win.  Any help,please.

       

    • tom08955
      tom08955 ann55375

      Posted

      Hi Ann

      This is 4 months late, but I hope you got over your WD symptoms. 

      I had mild withdrawals compared to other people's: lethargy, muscle pain in back and neck, nightmares. 

      I found doing 20 mins light yoga 3 times a day helpful.  Someone earlier mentioned breathing exercises.  They can be part of your yoga routine and after a session if you lie on your back and relax, you begin to feel better.  If you can't do the exercises, just try the breathing exercises.

      Hope this helps.

       

  • Morning_Rain
    Morning_Rain rachael42781

    Posted

    If you want to join a Mirtazapine W/D support group, please private message me.
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