Nearly 4 weeks off Mirtazapine and insomnia horrendous!!!

Hi Kate

Thanks for this update.  I'm following your progress with interest as I went cold turkey on 31 May after 6 months of 15 mg of mirt.  Like you my insomnia is absolutely horrendous still.  It's been 9 weeks now and I can say I haven't seen much light at the end of the tunnel.  My doctor only prescribed 2 weeks supply of Zop a month ago and knowing that is hardly enough to get me through the darkest moments, it's made everything seem much worse.  I was awake until 5.00am last night and then managed to doze until 9.00am.  I try to take a Zop about once every three days.  I'm so worn down by this insomnia that I have made another appt with the doc for next week.  Can you remind me when you stopped mirt and are you managing 6/7 hours now without sleep aids?  I need to hear that somebody is coming through this sleep nightmare. 👍

Hello again Christine. So sorry to hear you are having such a rough time. It's so horrible isn't it?

I have worked out roughly that I have been off my meds about 9 wks now.

And yes I am sleeping 6/7 hrs without a sleeping tablet. I will see how I get on tonight and let you know?

Do you mind me asking how you used to sleep before you went on Mirtazapine? I have always been a light sleeper and never feel refreshed when I wake. I think stress and over thinking plays a massive part to my sleep quality.

Fingers crossed that you start sleeping better soon!! Xxx

Hi Kate

Thanks for getting back to me.  I stopped 9 weeks ago too but I can't seem to get anything like 6-7 hours sleep.  4 - 5 if I'm lucky (without a sleeping tab).   5 - 6 with a Zopiclone 3.75mg. Maybe this is because my system is still in shock as I did go cold turkey and did not taper this drug.  I only wish I had now because in truth I am struggling.  That's why I'm so pleased that you are posting your progress.  Did you taper on mirt?

I can honestly say I did not have a problem with sleep before I went on mirtazapine.  I went on it just before Xmas for mainly anxiety and low mood but my sleep at that time was fine.  Now I feel as I will never get back that fine natural balance of my sleeping mechanism before mirt and I don't feel that my gp surgery is supportive of my debilitating insomnia.

Do please keep me posted on your progress and thank you for your kind words xxx

Hi Christine...Well I think the 6/7 hrs sleep was a fluke as I had an awful night last night. Went to bed just before 11PM and woke up at 1:30am. I felt awful....had a headache too which wouldn't shift. Then couldn't get back to sleep properly!!

I went from 45mg to 30mg and then 15mg and that was it. Kind of went cold turkey from 15mg. Dr's didn't give me any guidance.

I definitely feel that I had other things going on within my body so I don't know if it's still withdrawal symptoms I am experience... So frustrating!!!!!!

Hi Kate

i honestly  feel for you.  I'm sorry you are not sleeping

I really appreciate you letting me know about your progress/battle with mirt. It looks like we stopped about the same time.  I was only on 15mg when I stopped completely.  This horrendous insomnia is really wearing me down now.  I thought that after 9 weeks I would have made some progress.  I have guarded my sleeping tabs carefully because as I mentioned I was only given 2 weeks supply of Zop at the lowest dose.  I haven't taken a Zop for 5 days and have had a dreadful time only getting 3-4 hours a night and then it comes about 5 in the morning, so I've been up all night, most nights.  I took one Zop at midnight and was still awake at 1.00am, hence I started typing this.  Even the Zop isn't working now and that's when I've left it alone for 5 days!!!!!

I am seeing the doctor on Tuesday.  I've kept a sleep diary and if the Zop still has no effect I shall be asking for either a stronger one or a different sleeping tab.  I don't think the doctors realise how bad the withdrawal symptoms are with mirt.  They don't want to hand out sleeping tablets but withdrawal from this drug completely wipes out any natural sleeping rhythm and I would like some support and guidance as to when a person stopping can expect to see improvements.  

We all have work or family to look after.  I have a severe special needs adult son in a care home that I visit regularly and the drive is a long one and an elderly mother who is ill and she is far away too.  I've felt unable to visit or look after them as this insomnia is driving me into a deep depression.  Anyway sorry this message is so bleak, it's just sometimes you feel the need to reach out and your post struck a chord.  I hope you get a better night tonight xx

Oh Christine that sounds really tough. I really do feel for you.

I am a full time mum and really feel miserable particularly when I have a really bad nights sleep. It just had a knock on affect on everything.

I ended up taking a sleeping tablet last night as I felt so rotten yesterday.

I only have 5 left and am getting anxious about this. The Dr that reluctanty prescribed my first 14 tablets was so horrible to me. Said that he would categorically not prescribe me any more!!!

Saw a different Dr a couple of wks after who prescribed me more with no problem. His words were 'its debilitating when you don't sleep'!!

Have you tried taking some magnesium supplements to see if they help?

How are you feeling today? Xx

Hi Kate

Thank you for asking after me.  I totally get your anxiety regarding your diminishing supply of sleeping tablets.  I'm in the same boat and the GPs attitude is not helpful.  They completely miss the point.  Nobody wants to take an endless supply of sleeping tablets for months on end but they don't seem to realise just how long and drawn out the withdrawal is from mirtazapine.  I never dreamt that after 10 weeks I would still be crippled by insomnia. 

I have tried magnesium but it doesn't help much.  I've got an appt with another doctor at my surgery tomorrow.  I'm anxious already,worried that I'll meet a brick wall when I say I need sleeping tablets.

it must be hard for you looking after children and no sleep.  My thoughts are with you 

Hi again Christine.... How are you feeling /sleeping. Did you manage to see to a Dr?

My sleep has improved a little bit. Still waking quite a few times in the night but managing to get back to sleep. I'm also dreaming like I used too. And I even managed to get back to sleep after getting up to tend to my daughter in the early hrs.

I have increased my salt (himalayan pink salt) intake as my dad suggested it. I take some before bed in some warm water with a squeeze of lemon juice and coconut oil. Sounds strange but here is a link to how losing electrolytes can affect all kinds of things. Including insomnia.

Also if I'm hungry before bed i have been eating something that is high fat - avocado usually. This tends to keep me full and stops me waking up in the night feeling hungry.

I haven't taken a sleeping tablet for a while now (last week was the last one).

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Hi Kate. How very sweet of you to ask after me.  I must admit there have been times in the last two weeks when I have felt completely alone.  I'm afraid I met a brick will with the GP appt.  She prescribed yet another AD.  I have not even bothered to collect it.  I do not want to take another AD.

From what I remember we are about on the same time line being off this evil mirt.  I'm into week 11 of cold turkey and still reliant upon Zop but only at the 3.75mg.  And amazingly like you I wake up during the night but even more amazingly (just as you described) I have managed to get back to sleep and have dreams too.  I'm so pleased for you, it must be very hard struggling with insomnia as bad as we know it and then having to look after a young child.  I did visit a good health food shop last week and the lady in there was very sympathetic, I ended up blurting out the ADs and the reason for taking them.  Anyway she recommended some supplements, one being a probiotic and an additional magnesium tablet to be taken before bed.  I know I must start leaving out the Zopiclone but I just feel so distressed sometimes, that end up  telling  myself tomorrow night I will start.  

I do do feel optimistic by your experiences thought because we seem to be at a similar juncture with the getting to sleep and managing to get back to sleep when it has been broken and of course the dreams👍

One of the most frustrating things is that if a have a bath in the evening I can almost  fall asleep in the bath but as soon as I go up to bed I feel wide awake.

I'm proud of you.