Posted , 7 users are following.
Withdrawal symptoms, severity and length of time depend on the dosage, the length of time on the medication and the individual. Speaking as a health care professional and someone's who's titrated successfully off Mirtazepine I suggest the following:
Get in the mindset right now that you will get through this and symptoms related to withdrawal will go away. Once you're truly motivated:
Think of everything in 2's. If you're taking 15mg then reduce the dose by cutting in 2 for 2 weeks. So reduce to 7.5mg for 2 weeks.
After 2 weeks buy yourself a pill splitter from Amy local pharmacy and split the dose in 2. Now you're taking 3.75mg for 2 weeks.
Finally, using the pill splitter cut your dose in 2 down to 1.87mg for 2 weeks. Following this stop the Mirtazepine.
You will have insomnia the first 10 days or so after first reduction. But you'll then get back to sleep after two weeks as your body adjusts to the lower dosages. This will be a cycle until you're off the Mirtazepine. You may also experience:
Headaches
Decreased Appetite
Weight Loss
Fatigue from Insomnia
My absolute best recommendation is to keep your mind & body busy through out the entire titrating process. Exercise, work, but do not sit around watching tv etc. This will result in increased anxiety and in some people panick attacks due to a misunderstanding of their withdrawal symptoms.
Folks, you can all do this. Yes you're going to feel the above symptoms but remember this:
THE WITHDRAWAL WILL RESOLVE.
1 like, 18 replies
kirsty12709 Guest
Posted
This is a really interesting post, thank you!
I've come down from 30mg to now on 10mg. As from today I'm cutting that in half to 5mg, then down to 2.5mg. Do you suggest I come off it completely after 2.5mg, some people suggest an every other night method until it's every third night etc... any help appreciated.
Main worry I have is increased anxiety, I'm used to no sleep being a single mum 😉
Thanks again
ann55375 Guest
Posted
kirsty12709 Guest
Posted
Also, any idea how long (roughly) withdrawal can take? I've been on Mirt 5 months.
Thank you
Guest kirsty12709
Posted
Kirsty
You mention that you're about to start reducing to 5mg, and 2.5mg from there. That's excellent just be sure to allow at least at 2 weeks in between. Once you're down to 2.5 mg use a pill splitter and cut that tiny piece in half so you take 1.87 mg.
I don't suggest stopping at 2.5mg. It's better to do this very slowly especially since most patients on the medication already suffer anxiety. You may continue having anxiety and need a medication you take as needed (prn) such as Ativan. But honestly, physical activity is the best cure for anxiety. Next time your anxiety increases go for a hike, jog, or whatever you enjoy most at an intensity that results in you breaking a sweat!
As far as withdrawal symptoms you should notice a big improvement by the time you reach 2.5mg with occasional insomnia. Stay busy, keep that body & mind active for the next 6 weeks and suddenly you'll realize you're officially off of Mirtazepine.
Guest
Posted
Kristy
Sorry I see you're reduced to 5mg. So yes, in 2 weeks go to 2.5mg. Then in 2 weeks reduce with pill splitter ro 1.25mg for 2 weeks.
I couldn't find an edit button to correct my response to you.
kirsty12709 Guest
Posted
Thank you for all info it's incredibly helpful, I was thinking a week between reductions but will take your advice and up it to two weeks.
I run and am in training for a marathon, just did a 14 mile run so I'm hoping that will help with it all. That and keeping busy with the kids!!! Thank you again
kirsty12709 Guest
Posted
Sorry one more question... I'd love to have a couple of glasses of wine but have been too nervous to as the packet says to avoid alcohol. I feel this has had a massive impact on my social life. Would a couple of glasses be okay? I'm not a big drinker, but do miss having a glass (or two) with a special meal. Many thanks
Calmer Guest
Posted
I am very pleased for you that you managed to taper from Mirtazapiner
Calmer
Posted
Sorry Ditch Doctor, I got bounced off the system for some reason.
Being a "Health Care Professional" and I'm not sure what that is, does of course qualify you, probably, to know that each and every one of us reacts differently to each and every AD, and the discontinuation of them.
I did a lot of research before I started my taper having read of many people suffering unbearable withdrawal/discontinuation symptoms, and personally having done so myself in the distant past.
I beg to differ regarding your advise to "Get in the mindset right now that you will get through this and symptoms related to withdrawal will go away once you're truly motivated" which you state above. The brains chemical reaction to a sudden 25% drop in dosage makes it simply impossible and unbearable for the majority of folk, and no amount of mind over matter can help them.
I have read of many people having terrible anxiety/insomnia/nausea/tummy flu inability to function or go to work, whether it is having been on Mirt' for 3 weeks or 3 years, for some people ... if you were able to quit using your recommended method that's great, but I'm hoping that no one uses this as a first line guide to quit Mirt.
Since my gradual taper I've helped dozens of people who are struggling, from doctors, accountants, journalists, nurses, home makers, students, retired folk - none of which could cope with their doctors advice of dropping 25% every 2 weeks, some even 10%, it's about finding out what our own bodies can cope with - one rule doesn't fit all. I just want to let people know that for some, most folk, this is not a drug that can be stopped so quickly.
I do however agree that the withdrawal does resolve, but better to find the capacity, or percentage at which we can drop the dose each time, function and stay mentally & physically healthy throughout.
Best wishes.
kirsty12709 Calmer
Posted
Completely agree everyone is different, the more we fill ourselves with knowledge the better equipt we are to figure out what is best for us. I was thinking 6 week seems like quite a reasonable amount of time to wean off something? But, I'm open to all ideas.
I've also been following someone who has gone 'cold turkey' from Mirt and after 3 weeks the worst aside effect has been insomnia, which is gradually getting better. This going to show how different we all are.
I really do appreciate seeing everyone's experiences and listening to people who have been there and done it, so to speak
Kirsty x
kirsty12709 Calmer
Posted
Also, as I asked before I'd love to know people's opinions on alcohol and Mirt. As I said I've been too nervous to drink and I really do miss having a glass of wine!
Kirsty
Calmer kirsty12709
Posted
Hi Kirsty
You might find a glass of wine will hit you harder whilst on Mirt, but I guess you knew that.
I had the odd glass of wine when I was taking Mirt, I'd suggest you just have one glass and see how it affects you the next day, you may be more tired/fatigued.
You seem to be doing a fast taper, how has that been for you? Are you holding in between each dose for 2 weeks? A few people I have read of can manage bigger cuts, and trying this carefully is key, see how it goes for YOU.
Personally I wouldn't jump off at 2.5 mg, I would taper down by making a liquid solution. But if your previous tapering has been over a long period, and you have been holding between doses, you might be one of the few lucky ones who can get off this med more easily than most.
kirsty12709 Calmer
Posted
Basically I went straight down from 30 to 15mg no tapering. The stronger does really didn't ageee with me.
I've gone down from 15mg to 10mg and that is going to be for two weeks, I'm currently on day 8. Then I plan to go to 7.5 for two weeks, then 3.25 for two weeks, then 1.75 (my maths is awful sorry) for two. After that I'm not sure what to do? And that's Hoping I get that far with no hiccups. I've never heard of a solution before?
I did try and glass and wine and boy did it hit me!! Another reason I'd like to try and get off Mirt is to be more sociable.
Thank you to your reply Kirsty
kirsty12709
Posted
Also, sometimes I think being a single mum helps me a bit, in the strangest sense. I have to get up even if I'm exhausted, I have to get on even if I'm feeling sick, if I don't, no one else will.
I just don't like relying on meds to get me through, (that's my person opinion of course) and I feel foggy on meds, and slower than normal. That's why I'd like to come off it. Kirsty
Calmer kirsty12709
Posted
Yes of course, Mirt made me foggy 24/7. Bless you, you sound like a strong single Mum giving it your all
So when did you drop from 30 to 15 Kirsty? And how long did you stay at 15mg?
I'm just wondering if you had any symptoms with that at all?
kirsty12709 Calmer
Posted
I had no real side effects coming down from 30 to 15, I actually felt a lot better, 30mg was making me feel awful!
Thank you, means a lot. I'm exhausted most days, but I want to go back to feeling like me, sometimes I feel Mirt masks a lot, rather than allowing you to deal with the problem, if that makes sense?
Kirsty
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