Posted , 8 users are following.
Hi, so I've been on 30mg mirtazapine for about 3 weeks now, 15g for about 3 weeks before that. Previously I was on fluoxitine for about 2 months but my mood got really bad. Sertraline for a few months before that, had to switch as I wasn't sleeping and my muscle clenching was intolerable. My mood is terrible. I feel worse every day, I think about suicide constantly and I've tried to hurt myself. My question is, has anyone been on mirtazapine for this long with no improvement? Obviously as I've switched meds a few times already I want to give this the best possible chance before starting again. I don't think I can face more withdrawals and more dodgy first week bad come-ups. Another thing is I still seem to be withdrawing from the SSRIs? I've had the "brain zaps" for about 2 months, they aren't lessening at all and make me pretty much constantly dizzy. I don't want to bring this up to my GP unless it's really unusual and I don't know if I should be worried. Any opinions/experiences welcome, I'm seriously struggling. I also see a counsellor once a week, about 2 months into my second round of sessions in the last 2 years.
1 like, 19 replies
betsy0603 jessycntrl
Posted
Now I am stuck on two meds rather than one, and I am trying to do a very slow taper off, focusing on the mirt because indeed I have gained weight, nine pounds so far.
I believe your nervous system is all messed up from all the changes and yes, you are in WD from SSRI/SNRI meds. Withdrawal is because your neurons changed in response to the imbalance caused by the meds, and when the meds are no longer there, you are left with a nervous system trying to right itself, but that takes a lot of time and in the meantime you still have imbalance.
So, you can either try to see if an SSRI added to the mirt will help, in which case you are still monkeying with brain chemistry, or ride out withdrawal knowing that it is what is causing your symptoms and that you are in fact healing, though it sure doens't feel like it!
When did you start meds for the first time and how long have you been on all said and told? What was the reason for going on to begin with? Meta-analyses show that ADs perform no better than placebo, and that cognitive behavior therapy performs better. Have you tried counseling? If your original issue was emotional upset that is triggered by life, then CBT is the better bet. Take it from someone who has finally come to this conclusion after 19 years on ADs! The trick is finding the right counselor who offers the right kind of therapy. Talk therapy and meds did nothing to change the troubling thought processes of low self-esteem I still had until recently, when I got involved with a CBT approach.
Good luck to you!
jessycntrl betsy0603
Posted
I actually have my first cbt session next week, I was put on a looong nhs waiting list and have gone to talking therapy in the mean time. My gp thought that I would be better doing that first because something bad happened to me and I wasn't coping with it at all. How did you find cbt worked for you?
georgeGG jessycntrl
Posted
It may be worth considering a change of maker.
sharon14156 jessycntrl
Posted
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