Psychiatrist and GP advised to drop from 45mg straight down to 30mg, is this not too steep?
Posted , 7 users are following.
I have been on mirt for the last 4 years. I have only been on 45mg for 8 months, prior to that I was on 30mg. I went ahead and did as was told, its been 5 days since I have been on 30mg... I haven't noticed anything so far but I am dubious of this steep drop, doesn't sound right reading how others reduce by far less and other websites advising to taper by 10% . I would just like to know, how long does it take to experience any kind of withdrawals? I would rather stay on 30mg if this is a standard way to taper so just looking for experience of others if this can be done as advised?
I am also on quetiapine 150mg as well so will this help mitigate any potential withdrawal from mirt?
0 likes, 20 replies
SerotoninSurfer scichic72390
Posted
Hello, i would drop to 37.5 for at least 4 weeks first. The differences in 15mg are fairly large compared to other AD's due to its complicated nature.
scichic72390 SerotoninSurfer
Posted
Okay thank you, I think I will play it safe and drop to 37.5.
sarah24378 scichic72390
Posted
can take up to 4 weeks for withdrawal to show but you may be ok these big drops from the high doses can be easier than the lower doses.
david46414 scichic72390
Edited
I agree with other contributors that the low dosages are those with most withdrawal symptoms. I took about ten weeks of alternating progressively smaller half doses (daily alternating between the two steps for about 3 weeks at each stage) from 7.5 mg. and I was OK even at one 2 mg., but as soon as I stopped altogether ten days ago I have had daily anxiety or disturbed early waking. I had been taking 7.5 mg for a year.
sarah24378 david46414
Posted
i am nearly on 3mg and going ok. really scared about the last drops.
did you jump off at 2mg and how long did it take to go from 7.5 to off ?
david46414 sarah24378
Edited
I took 76 days to get to Nil. I kept a daily chart during withdrawal. I had symptoms on days 10, 13, 18, 19 and 21, then none on days 22 - 42 while alternating 1/4 and 1/8 of a 15 mg.tablet, but problems every few days (diminishing between days 63 and 76) while taking 1/8 tablet (approx. 2 mg.) to quitting on day 77. Since then I have had problems on all but 2 days up to today (day 90). I am keen not to go back and I hope I'll be better soon. My main problem is anxiety — ruminating on every facet of any issue (e.g. a trivial bank account mystery, travel arrangements.) If I absolutely had to go back I would hope not to go back to 7.5 mg.
sarah24378 david46414
Posted
thanks for that.
i have reduced from 45 and am nearly at 3. been 18 months so far. i am taking 6 months reducing from 7.5 with liquid . i have experienced terrible withdrawals from stopping a benzo too fast so never again. i have had some symptoms reducing but tolerable and in some ways i feel better. i am particularly worried about insomnia and anxiety. i am on 2 other meds so that may help.....till i have to taper them.
Ash1234 sarah24378
Posted
hi Sarah.
im coming off 2.5 mg olanzapine. i feel a bit of the withdrawal symptoms but so far its not too bad.
david46414 sarah24378
Posted
I needed to see a doctor on another matter today (day 93 of trying to reduce, day 17 of quitting)and I discussed my Mirtazapine withdrawal symptoms. He said that although I had started reducing OK I had at the end wrongly come off 2 mg. abruptly and should go back there and start missing just one day a week, then two a week and so on. I'm going to have to try that as every day has brought anxiety and I have had three really bad nights of insomnia (not all consecutive). I thought I owed you this update.
sarah24378 Ash1234
Posted
yep i have come off 2.5 of olanxapine too.....i think we have chatted before
sarah24378 david46414
Posted
i am delighted you have a psych that knows 2ng is too high to jump off. i am going 3 to 2.25 then 1.5 then 0.75 28 days each drop.
not sure about alternating doses
join our mirt withdrawal support group. look up Jo Merriam on fb send friend request and she can add you. loads of experience and knowledge there. they can help you.
Ash1234 sarah24378
Posted
yes we have.
sarah24378 Ash1234
Posted
so how are you getting on ?
Ash1234 sarah24378
Posted
im coming off olanzapine now. started working again three months ago so thsts been good.
Ash1234 sarah24378
Posted
coming off olanzapine is a bit scary as ive been on it for two years. yesterday i had some silly thoughts like i used to before but they went away. i think its withdrawal symptoms. do you think so ?
sarah24378 Ash1234
Posted
sp are you off it now ?
Ash1234 sarah24378
Posted
im coming off it slowly. hope i dont get bad withdrawal symptoms. had some yesterday like strange thoughts but those went away. now im just feeling some discomfort on the forehead.