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Setraline/mirtazapine withdrawal? After only 1 week. I'm scared, please help

Posted , 4 users are following.

Whitecup
Whitecup

I'm hoping that someone could hep reasure me, I'm pretty scared. I have suffered anxiety attacks in the past but I managed years without them. Due to stress at college my anxiety was starting to creep up although I was managing. The docs gave me 50mg of setraline to try, I was on them for 3 days and they made me so ill, nausea, dihorea, buzzing in my ears, shaking and constant anxiety attacks. The doctor said stopping them after 3 days wouldn't cause any problems however I just kept feeling worse to the point I pleaded to be put in hospital. The doctor then prescribed me 15mg of mirtazapine and I was desperate to feel better. I was on them for 3 days and although I was able to get out my bed I felt extremely drugged and still dealing with panic attacks, I stopped them after 3 nights as i dint want to be stuck on drugs, and was told there would be no withdrawals due to how long I was on them. I felt much better before any of these meds. This is my second day off them, the 1st day I still had anxiety but started to feel better throughout the day but I'm now on day 2 being off them and I feel worse. I feel extremely spaced out, i'm having to constantly battle with panic attacks (I am keeping them at bay) however it's a constant battle. I have had no appetite since this started and have lost over half a stone. I feel totally exhausted even though I am getting sleep. All this seems to be worse in the mornings and throughout the day and easing very slightly at night. Does anyone know if this is normal and how long it will last?

0 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • lynne82155
    lynne82155 Whitecup

    Posted

    I think its always best to consult your doctor where medication in concerned.

    I know that with any AD they take a few weeks to kick in and sometimes your symptoms get worse before they get better

    You have to give them time to settlebiggrin

    • Whitecup
      Whitecup lynne82155

      Posted

      Thanks for relying lynne82155, me being on the meds is triggering my anxiety, I cannot get the thought out of my head that I have really made my life worse by trying them. I just want to go back to how I was feeling before as that was nothing compared to how I feel now. I would constantly be worrying about having to withdraw from them at some point. Do you think I am experiencing withdrawl symptoms? If I didn't feel so spaced out like I'm stoned and exhausted I think that I could manage my anxiety more
    • lynne82155
      lynne82155 Whitecup

      Posted

      I know what you mean Im coming off mirt 45mg after being on it for 6 years for depression,it was great and then it sttopped working and the anxiety started Its a nightmare,withdrawing slowly but still tough.

      I dont think you have been on them long enough to have withdrawal but im no expertsad

      Stay strong and this is a great forum to be on.

      Your not alonebiggrin

    • pixie22
      pixie22 Whitecup

      Posted

      In my opinion, and I admit I'm speaking from experience rather than being an "expert", what you are suffering with is the anxiety you started off with, but increased by worrying about the effects of the medications. You really do need to talk over your situation with the doctor again. 3 days is a very short time to judge a drug by, they often take a few weeks to get going. Your description of the feelings being worse in the morning and easing off at night sound very familiar to me, that's how I was when my anxiety was bad. You also need to bear in mind that worrying about anxiety makes it worse, it is a vicious spiral dragging you down. Also recovery from depression and/or anxiety is never smooth, it always comes and goes. So my advice would be not to worry alone, talk to the doctor or someone else you trust.
  • Calmer
    Calmer Whitecup

    Posted

    So you are saying you were on Sert 3 days, off for 2 days then started Mirt for 3 nights and stopped taking Mirt 2 days (nights) ago?  Is this right?  

    Some people can't take AD's and you may well be one of them, it's not unusual and not to be frightened of.  Some people can feel more anxiety, I wouldn't recommend you continue to take them to "get them into your system" or "give them time to work", your docotor should know this anyways.

    I think this will pass within a few days, you say you are sleeping ok and that is KEY, I would ride out the anxiety, try some CBT, relaxation exercises, you may want to find some soothing clips on you tube, maybe the guided mediations  by the honest guys ~ learn this tecnique if will be your best friend in times of trouble.

    In fact, once you have learnt meditation you might want to build it into your day, every day, its such a powerful tool for us likeminded folk for life !

    You will be ok, rest assured, try not to dwell, Mirt' can be difficult but after being on it for a few days I am sure it will pass quickly.  xx

    • Whitecup
      Whitecup Calmer

      Posted

      Thank you 5calmer. I understand the cycle of panic attacks and have been trying to deal with them all day, I've even been out in a busy shopping centre and kept myself calm, but I just feel so dizzy, sick and weak. Everyone keeps saying I won't be having withdrawals or anything however they are not experiencing how I feel or how the drugs actually affected me. I am really hoping that this will pass and it is just the drug leaving my system that is causing all this smile
    • Calmer
      Calmer Whitecup

      Posted

      I think Mirtazapine can cause those symptoms.  Do you have any Diazapam?  I would think your doctor might prescribe something short term to get you over this spell?  But if youu can bear with the relaxation recordings, or any CBT you may have done, breathing exercises, it could be better in the long run.  Of course any Benzo like Diazapam could be addictive ... ugh   sad  xx
    • Whitecup
      Whitecup Calmer

      Posted

      I try to do the breathing exercises however I just feel really exhausted as it seems continuous. Like I said, yesterday the 1st day off I seemed to manage better but today I feel so bad sad I'm really struggling but don't want to be taking any more meds. I was given diazepam to cope after the setraline, it just made me feel really drugged/tired but i could still feel the anxiety and when I was given the mertazapine I stopped as it as seemed to have the same effect as diazepam. Now I'm stuck and no one understands. I am sitting trembling as I type for no reason and my eyes still go in and out of focus like they did when I started mirt. Even when I had bad anxiety before meds my eyes never done that. I'd like to know if anyone has ever had this experience after just a few days. And if so how long this will last and if it will get better after such a small dose. I really don't want to be on meds, they scare me now
    • Calmer
      Calmer Whitecup

      Posted

      Just a thought ..., some people use Inositol to ease anxiety, google it, see if you can buy locally maybe and don't hesitate, the powder is the one you need, i'll look up how much and get right back xx
    • Whitecup
      Whitecup Calmer

      Posted

      Thank you calmer. I reckon I want to stay clear of all suppliments/drugs etc and try to see if I can help myself naturally. Today I feel a little better, i'm hoping all the drugs are out my system now seeing i was only on them for such a short time and whatever it done to me is repairing. Had slwwp paralysis this morning and I'm having to cope with my anxiety still, however it feels like it has eased slightly, my eyes have not been going in and out of focus and I have not felt so spaced out, which has made dealing with my anxiety easier. I've also been able to eat today aswell! Or drink should I say (fruit/yogurt/nut smoothies) smile I'm hoping that tomorrow will be a good day also. I'd really like to thank you for your help it's much appreciated! I thought I was going crazy...much love x
    • Calmer
      Calmer Whitecup

      Posted

      Much love to you too Whitecup, sounds like a slight improvement, how are you today?  

      AD's can sometimes cause anxiety in some people and it seems to have upset your nervous system too.  I'm sorry to read about the sleep paralysis ~ as you said above it's a very stressful time for you at college, it is weird how this manifests different in different people, some eat non stop, some don't sleep, some get angy etc etc ... I too went through a very stressful time and found myself with a constant fear of choking, which would rear its ugly head at times whilst I was eating and suddenly there I would be in a panic. You're not going crazy, I think if more people spoke up about their suffering we would all be less inclined to feel so alienated about our own.

      Let us know how you are, and do keep eating, even those Whey powder smoothie drinks with the nuts too would be good - food really is the best tranquilliser, don't ever diet at stressful times it just makes the adrenalin worse !!

      Wishing you well xx

    • Whitecup
      Whitecup Calmer

      Posted

      Hi Calmer, thanks for your message. Today has been hellish. It's definately anxiety that I'm dealing with. I have trembled since I woke up and felt nauseous. My body won't stop at all. I have such a fear of meds now that I don't want to be on any and I'm guessing I will have more anxiety for being on them. I've got myself into a terrible place. I'm trying to read some self help books but my concentration has been bad. (I'm reading Dr Claire Weeke (essential help for your nerves) I've read quite a few comments about it so thought I'd try. I hope you are doing well x
    • Calmer
      Calmer Whitecup

      Posted

      Hi Whitecup

      How are you today, any relief from the anxiety at all?  I think you may be caught up in the toxic AD's at the time being, it may well pass within a few days.  Anxiety can escalate just by worrying about itm I hope you may have some relief today.  I would think the 3 days you were on Sert & the 3 days on Mirt have sent your nervous system into a little shock, try and remember this is temporary though, and relaxation/meditation might bring relief.

      Were you able to eat something today?

      I'm OK thanks, just tapering slowly off Mirt', its a long road off but i'll get there.

      x

  • lynne82155
    lynne82155 Whitecup

    Posted

    Hi again 

    Everyone is different and meds affect people in different ways

    Mirt I did not have any side effects apart from weight gain

    Anxiety I have lots of different symptoms, one of then is dizziness &nausea

    Sertraline which Ive just started dizziness nausea blurred vision

    Because symptoms are similar The dizziness could be anxiety it could be withdrawal from mirt or it could be the new drug Im taking.

    Its REALLY complicated and I think when medication is concerned its always best to consult your doctor.

    My dizziness nausea with anxiety was so severe I had to resign from work

    Take Care and Stay strongbiggrin

    • Whitecup
      Whitecup lynne82155

      Posted

      Thank you lynne82155 I feel a bit better today, i'm coping with my anxiety and the spaceyness and eye focus have improved. I hope you start to feel better soon x
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