Quitting Mirtazapine (Insomnia Help) Read if you're struggling.
Posted , 28 users are following.
I have been on mirtazapine for just over a year on all doses 15 to 45mg constantly upping then lowering the dose.
I have tried to quit multiple times due to the weight gain and haven't been able to cope with the insomnia. I can go days without sleep but get severely paranoid and delusional so it's out of the question.
I have tried many sleep aids and natural treatments. I have found one that works.
Phenergan (Promethazine)
Now I know it may not work for everyone, but for it to me sleep after using something strong like mirtazapine for over a year, it's good.
I took mirtazapine for depression but depression never really lifted, I had a good nights sleep and that was all.
I take 75mg of Phenergan about an hour before bedtime and it allows me to sleep through the night. I highly recommend it for any of you struggling with the insomnia side effect of mirtazapine withdrawal
2 likes, 50 replies
lit53944
Posted
Phenergan has literally solved my problems. I'm so so so happy to be able to sleep and know that I will return to my original weight.
I hope the rest of you can find it helpful if you try it.
Calmer lit53944
Posted
Did youu get Phenergen over the counter & are you in the UK. I asked in Boots the Chemist and they said it wasn't available, so a bit puzzled (!) Glad you've found this to help you anyways, insomnia & nausea being the worst effects of WD from Mirt' - at least now you can sleep.
I'm wondering if you need advice re quitting or not, I can't quite tell.
lit53944 Calmer
Posted
No, I was putting this out there for anyone who might be panicking, because I spent a lot of time looking for answers when trying to quit and didn't find much that helped.
I just want people to know there is hope if mirtazapine withdrawal is hard on them.
It's only been two days not taking it, but I actually feel happier. I was told buy him I could buy over the counter too I just chose online because it's easier for me, so now I don't know if I was told wrong..
Maybe I was misinformed or the doctor was confused as to which pill he was recommending but as long as there's a legit site that sells it, I'm lucky.
London_ridge lit53944
Posted
Good luck and so glad you found something that does help with the sleep issues. ️Hugs
Calmer lit53944
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Just wondering, now you've stopped mirt for 2 days ... how did you withdraw?
lit53944 Calmer
Posted
Everyone is different, but phenergan has helped me so much to quit. One thing that is precious when withdrawing is sleep.
Calmer lit53944
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All sounds good for you so far and I'm pleased. WD can kick in at 2 weeks so I hope you carry on bring successful, keep posting and let us know how you're doing won't you
Did you say you were taking 75 mg Phenergen?? Isn't that 3 times the recommended amount Lot? I thought it should be 25 ?
Long may your recovery be positive for you !
frank745 London_ridge
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I was on Mirt for about 20 weeks and wasn't working so took several weeks tapering off with severe WD. Could you pleae direct me to the facebook WD group...Thanks
lit53944 Calmer
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I have stopped taking it now and am sleeping on my own for the first time in a year! Again, I took that much out phenergan out of sheer desperation to sleep :') got to the point of I'll try anything possible, ha!
catherine_55459 lit53944
Posted
Hi Lit
Thanks for your post! I took mirtazapine 15mg for 18 months for post natal depression and insomnia. It worked a trick for the insomnia. I weaned off slowly over about 3 months. My last dose was 30 days ago and i still wake at around 1am and cant get back to sleep. I have tried a bit of everything mainly 1/4 nitrazepam in the wee hours and this at least stops the tossing about. Benzopiazipines can also be addictive so have been looking for a longer term solution. very glad high dose phengergan has worked for you. Can i ask what your night was like for that awful year? Were you able to get to sleep but then waking early? and the phenergan then stopped that wake?
sarah23029 lit53944
Posted
I am exactly in the same boat as you (groan)!!!! Been on mirtazapine a year from 15mg and up to full dose. It did nothing for my mood felt worse and had really bad anxiety. good for sleeping but couldn't stop eating. So weight gain. So I started duloxetine aswel and have increased that up while reducing mirtazapine. I am of it now for about 3 weeks and have been struggling. Hardly any sleep so have been taking sleeping tablets which are making me feel yuk the next day!!!! But if I don't take one I just lay there for hours and nothing happens. This then goes on for days untill I am exhausted so take a sleeping tablet to get some rest!!!! I just can't seem to get a natural sleeping rhythm again. My first time stopping it and I am determined to keep going. The eating all the time has stopped infact it's the opposite feeling sick and struggling to eat. Dropped 5lb the first week!!!!
It's hard work. Does anybody know how long this will last for?!!!
You are not alone. It's awful. Hope you stick with it too. Let me know how you are doing. Sarah. X
London_ridge sarah23029
Posted
sorry to hear you are in mirt WD. We have a facebook site for those wanting to get off mirt and as a team we help each other with support and any ideas on how to navigate this WD.
Your more than welcome to join
I think you'll find people who are having the same issues and it's very helpful.
PM me and I'll give you directions to the facebook site. It's secret so no one can know your business.
Hugs
jenny13633 sarah23029
Posted
sarah23029 London_ridge
Posted
Thankyou for your reply. I don't go on Facebook much but would be gratefull if you point me in the right direction. Always good to see you are not alone.
Thanks again for your info.
Sarah. X
sarah23029 jenny13633
Posted
I would talk to your doc again hun and say you are not happy and this medication isn't for you. I trusted my gut instinct and I knew it wasn't working for me. I only picked up when I started taking duloxetine at the same time. Left it for a few months and let it build up in my system and then slowly started running mirtazapine down while slowly increasing duloxetine. It's not a quick process but so glad to get of mirtazapine. The longer I was on it the worse the eating got. U are not hungry but just have this uncontrollable urge to eat and especially at night. It was great for knocking you out for sleep. But as I reduced the dose the good sleeping effects went too. Also got really fidgety before I went to sleep and had restless legs which drove me mad!!!!!!
Talk to your doctor again. You can take two antidepressants at the same time. I have gone back to the sweats abit on duloxetine which is why I tried mirtazapine. Didn't have sweats on it but it had other bad side effects. Not for me lol. But I know everybody is different.
Hope you can sort this out soon. I think there are alot of people on here who understand how you are feeling. Hang in there. Hugs. Sarah. X
jenny13633 sarah23029
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sarah23029 jenny13633
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Be firm but polite. Good luck. Sarah. X
sarah23029
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Hope you get sumwher. Think you need to b happy n positive about the meds they put you on. Not feeling crap and wanting to get of them. It's not good in helping you feel confident for the future. Xx
jenny13633 sarah23029
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Calmer jenny13633
Posted
2 things for you, the pp windows is the correct one, Linda will answer you
Also, before you even consider a taper from Mirt, why don't you be fully 'armed' with correct procedure, click on my name here (Calmer) and follow the link to the 10% reduction advice.
See you on facebook x
Calmer jenny13633
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lit53944 jenny13633
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Doctors give you anti depressants knowing they may make someones depression worse which is what happened to me
I really hope you find a way to combat this.
asha26498 London_ridge
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asha26498
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YCL172 London_ridge
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susan52126 London_ridge
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lu31517 Calmer
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robin03319 Calmer
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robin03319 lu31517
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robin03319 YCL172
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gina81662 London_ridge
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