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Nearly 4 weeks off Mirtazapine and insomnia horrendous!!!

Posted , 6 users are following.

kate_02693
kate_02693

Hi again guys....I posted last week about a constant headache I was experiencing after coming off Mirtazapine. I feel absolutely shocking.... I'm literally not sleeping at all!!! I have never known anything like it. My Dr gave me some Zopiclone but I'm only really taking it every other night. I have other things going on too which may be contributing to poor sleep. I have high cortisol levels which is causing alot of health issues.

So my question is, is insomnia normal withdrawal (cold turkey more a less as Dr didn't tell me the correct way to taper off) from Mirtazapine??? I know everyone is different but when should I start feeling better again????

0 likes, 35 replies

35 Replies

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  • katie04237
    katie04237 kate_02693

    Posted

    Hi, I jumped off 10 days ago and insomnia is quite bad. Only getting about 4 hours sleep a night and it is still in patches. So will get to sleep around 2am then wake at 4 and again in the early morning. I suppose I am grateful at least I am getting some sleep. Feel for you. I also got prescription for zopiclone but trying do do without. So far I have taken half a zop for three of these last 10 nights. They gave me 7.5mg ones and am finding I only need half a tab, 7.5 is too much.
  • bob69285
    bob69285 kate_02693

    Posted

    I am exactly the same as yourselves. I tapered off Mirtzapine but after a few days the insommnia came back.

    I am back on it but cutting the tablets in to pieces to keep it to a minimum

    • ann55375
      ann55375 bob69285

      Posted

      Im trying to taper off mirtazapine, down slowly now to 6mg.  Nightmares and sleeping are bad.  Dr gave me diazepam to help. How is your taper foing.
  • kate_02693
    kate_02693

    Posted

    Thanks for the replies guys. I know we are all feeling pretty crappy but at least I know that there are other people out there experiencing the same withdrawal symptoms. We shall get through it!!!!
  • robert68588
    robert68588 kate_02693

    Posted

    Hi Kate.I'm going in the reverse of you in that I've started on Mirt 15mg 6 1/2 months ago increasing to 30mg(15 am,15pm) starting 4 months ago.Also Gabapetin 200mg up to 600mg over same period.Plus 50mg Tramadol twice a day, while being weaned off of Paxil (20mg twice a day) for almost 20 years.Have had up and down sleep.Some nights good some not.I'm hoping it will even out soon.Good luck and I hope you'll get some sleep soon.God Bless You,Bob

    • kate_02693
      kate_02693 robert68588

      Posted

      Thanks Bob. Last night was absolutely horrendous. I just want it to end!!!!!! I don't want to be reliant on sleeping tablets but at least they give me 6/7hrs solid sleep. I feel that it's more than just withdrawal symptoms as I have something else going on. Having a telephone consultation end of july with a man called Marek Doyle who specialises in nutrition, hormonal imbalance and adrenal imbalance!!

    • ann55375
      ann55375 kate_02693

      Posted

      I am also on mirtazapine and stuck.  Just at 7.5 and without it i cannot sleep.  It has done nothing for my anxiety/depression.  Has yours gone?  Is that why you are coming off?  I would love to leave it behind but just cannot.   I have read about Marek and he is a nutritionist so I expect he will look at things from that angle.  He is into hormonal side too.  No use for me at 65! I wish you success, do let us know how it goes.
    • kate_02693
      kate_02693 ann55375

      Posted

      I just wanted to come of the meds altogether Ann. I was initially put on them for sleep and low mood. My Dr kept upping the dose. I have had no end of blood tests by the NHS but they show as normal. But I have done 2 saliva cortisol tests and my levels are almost off the chart!!!!! I constantly have mouth ulcers so there is something going on internally and I need answers as I can't carry on!!

    • ann55375
      ann55375 kate_02693

      Posted

      I can understand all that i wish you good luck with going down the nutritionist line of attack, can you keep me updated how it goes?  My gp just stares blankly at me when i say i would like to get at this from a natural approach, homeopathy or nutritional.  Feel like they only farm pharmaceuticals in gp practices and just dont want to know about anything else.
    • ann55375
      ann55375 robert68588

      Posted

      Bob, i am taking this mirtazapine and im finding it hard to get by.  The lower dose is ok but not doing anything for me, the higher dose i try makes me feel quite zapped. I have anxiety and depression and have tried gabapentin which made me just sit and look at the walls.  I just feel so down and nothing is ever going to get better.  I have meds for anxiety too - diazepam.  Psych is not having any luck with me, what i willl get next i dont know. I just need some help. 
    • robert68588
      robert68588 ann55375

      Posted

      Hi Ann.Totally understand that hopeless feeling.If you see my post above you see I seemed pretty okay 7 days ago but if you read my long reply to Ryan I just posted, the last 2 days have been crappy.It really gets discouraging.I trust very strongly in God,but I just wish I could get thru this season.You never really appreciate what you have,especially health wise until it goes downhill.I'm 54 and have abused my body,drinking heavy in my 20s,not eating right most of my life even with IBS,working hard which both physically and psychologically wore me down(I've worked in warehouses for 36 years the last 28 1/2 where I'm at now but I still have 5 1/2 years to go to hit 60 and start collecting on my 401k) and straying away from God even when I was/am going to church,doing outreach,etc.I was doing stuff for HIm but I didn't have Him in my heart and now although He doesn't cause pain He's using it to bring me back home.I understand that but I hope He starts healing me soon,but I realise I've got to let go and let God,as they say which is hard for us as humans to do.By the strength of The Holy Spirit I'm able to carry on one more day.Jesus's blood washing me clean,but even though I'm forgiven for everything I still can't LET GO! Help me to let go Oh Lord! I pray for us Ann and all on this site.You know over the last few months I have so many family and friends that have/are having long term physical/psychological/pain problems it's almost like He's trying to get people close to Him quickly and He knows those are the things that turn people to Him,sadly, rather than when thing are going good for us.Sorry Ann and all for the rambling.Sometimes it's just nice to know there are others out there with similar problems to vent to.God Bless everyone and especially you Ann! Bob

    • ann55375
      ann55375 robert68588

      Posted

      THank you for the kindness of your reply.  It is so hard getting through these days.  I am blaming the mirtazapine but i think its my condition and the mirtazapine just making me worse.  I have been a lifelong christian who believed i would be looked after and i went to church loving the sermons, taking away the good vibes.  Then this happens to me.  I am finding it difficult to believe there is a God out there now as ive been ill for too long.  Others at my church get ill, then get better.  I am so vervous i cant even get through door now to sit in a pew.  How did i get this awful illness there seems to be no respite.  Psych can only do so much as they dont really understand the brain properly.  Dont worry about your rambling, it helps to talk, hope you have a better day.
    • robert68588
      robert68588 ann55375

      Posted

      Hi Ann.Don't feel bad.I had a rough weekend with the anxiety/depression/IBS and ended up missing church because when it was time to get up I needed the extra hours to calm down.What made it so bad I drive the church bus(small one seats 15 people including the driver) and had to call one of the other guys at the last minute to cover for me.It's really hard but I trust God is in this with me and will start to get better.I pray that it happens soon!Keep the faith!! God Bless You,Bob

  • katie04237
    katie04237 kate_02693

    Posted

    Hi Kate any update as to how things are now? Following your thread with interest, I am now 15 days off mirtazapine and still struggling with sleep
    • kate_02693
      kate_02693 katie04237

      Posted

      Hi Katie... Thanks for thinking of me. I reckon I have been of the meds for about 5 wks now. Still feel absolutely rotten!!! The insomnia is absolutely horrendous. I have never known anything like it. I took a Zopiclone last night as the night before I got just one hrs sleep. One hour!!!!!!

      I think there is more going on with me like I have said in my other post to Ann.

      How are you feeling Katie xxxx

    • katie04237
      katie04237 kate_02693

      Posted

      Not too bad I suppose.. I can seem to get about 3 or 4 hours without zopiclone, and maybe 5 or 6 hours with it. But it's broken sleep, not in one long block, I keep waking and going off again. Am just really hoping it doesn't  get worse. Been off Mirt for 16 days now. Keep in touch and keep letting us know how your getting on and I will too. Really hope it starts to get better for you soon 

      Katie xx

    • kate_02693
      kate_02693 katie04237

      Posted

      Just a bit of an update.....despite the lack of sleep I felt a tiny bit better yesterday.

      I went to the Dr's on Wednesday who actually listened to me instead of the last Dr who was a complete arsehole!!!! The Dr is running another thyroid function blood test and i'm doing a 24hr urine collection to check my cortisol levels (I know they are extremely high as I have paid for 2 private tests).

      The Dr actually asked me if I wanted some more sleeping tablets which I said yes too. I still only want to take them if I really need to though. Last night I managed to get to sleep OK but woke up quite a bit and found it very difficult to get back to sleep.

      I'm also finding that when I do take a sleeping tablet it's not really having the same effect as when I first took them. I used to get a feeling of overwhelming tiredness and my legs would feel like jelly. I'm not getting that now??? Also had a headache through the night which didn't help matters.

      Going to take a sleeping tablet tonight....will keep you updated xx

    • katie04237
      katie04237 kate_02693

      Posted

      Thank you! Is it zopiclone you have? I am trying to take them no more than every other night but ideally just one in every 3 or 4 nights. Hope sleep soon resolves itself for both of us 

      katie x

    • kate_02693
      kate_02693 katie04237

      Posted

      Yes Zopiclone Katie. 7.5mg. Yeah...like you I'm only taking it when I really have too. I've always been a light sleeper but a few hrs solid sleep would be nice. Sending sleepy dust to us both xxx

    • ann55375
      ann55375 kate_02693

      Posted

      Thats great you have got your gp to do a cortisol test.  If it is found to be high what is the solution?  I really think my problem lies in the same area but i have only just managed to get my gp to do a thyroid test (again) and she wouldnot agree to do a b12 as it probably costs more!  I am wondering will an ordinarynthyroid test show up if t3 and t4 are out of whack, or will it just be a general reading and not show that?   Anyway, moving on and hoping for the best.  Still on 7.5 mirtaz as still not well,and diazepam as rquired.i complained to CPN that i was concerned about it and he said dont be silly, there are lots of people on more than 2mg.
    • kate_02693
      kate_02693 ann55375

      Posted

      Hi Ann...Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I don't think GP's recognise issues with cortisol levels unless it's in extreme cases. Ie Addisons disease or Cushing Syndrome. I have paid for two private Cortisol tests through a company called Genova. You produce 4 saliva samples at different times of the day and the samples are then checked by Genova. Both times my cortisol levels are off the chart (extremely high).

      I had my thyroid blood test today. Not really sure what will be the outcome of that. Probably normal!!!

      Could you get a b12 test done privately if you can afford it? Or push your GP to do it?

      I feel a tiny, tiny bit better in myself but sleep is still a problem. Not as bad as it was but still having to take a Zopiclone as and when I really need it.

      Xxxx

    • ann55375
      ann55375 kate_02693

      Posted

      My dr did thyroid test, came back yesterday saying it was within normal range. She wont do any other tests unless indicated. I just feel so abandoned in all this.  Even if i get cortisol test done privately will she be able to do anything?  I will look up Genova and see about B12. Thanks for help

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