Whenever i try to quit mirtazapine, terrible insomnia force me to get back on it?
Posted , 10 users are following.
Hi all, I'm currently in the withdrawal stages with Mirtazapine and its just ridiculous. I can go to bed completely calm and not fall to sleep at all. I zone out a little but come round and look at the clock in half an hour. Its like i need that drug to fall asleep and if I don't have it, even if I'm perfectly calm and my thoughts aren't racing, i won't fall to sleep.
I come off mirtazapine because it wasn't helping my anxiety at all and it made me feel very tired, lacked concentration and i genuinely felt trapped in a cloud. I went down to 15mg for a week and then got put onto fluoxetine. The doctors thoughts were it would cut out the withdrawal symptoms by introducing the new drug. Honestly, i felt great when i first took it. My energy was high and i felt clear headed and focused. Also my anxiety was kept in check just after the first pill. Literally the only thing going wrong is the sleeping again (well lack of). I find it very hard to be positive when I'm mentally exhausted. Bags and watery eyed, my head feels like its being stepped on. It just doesn't feel like i can be productive in this state. I just don't want to cave in and go back on mirtazapine when i knew for a fact i was unhappy on that drug. So I'm not sure what to do, trust me, i have tried every sleep hygiene tip you could imagine. I think its deeper than that. I believe i NEED that drug to fall to sleep now seeing as i can be calm and still nothing happens. I meditate before bed and everything but it doesn't help. Any advise would be appreciated. Thank you.
1 like, 16 replies
Anonymous111 Beezwax
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linda73653 Beezwax
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linda73653 Beezwax
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My doc never said anything about withdrawal - I used the internet to devise a plan - obviously from what I have read in the last couple of days - 3.75 was far too high a dose to finish on. Hoping to see/or at least talk to my doc this week to try and get some help. Using zoplicone for sleep - alternative is to lie there all night awake.
I am meditating and using an app CALM which is good.
Just reading on this forum how others are struggling has at least stopped me worrying that I am slowly going mad.
Gretel linda73653
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Hey Linda,
Sounds really vain...when did your weight loss begin? Im about 4 weeks off and thankful that I am not gaining. But I'm not losing,either. That has been my motivatio...losing the 40 lbs mirt gave me.
linda73653 Gretel
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Hi. It started whilst I was down to 3.75 and has poured off in the last month which is about 4 weeks after stopping. I think I am in my 10th week but lost count. I am naturally slim. Gained about 7lb on the drug. Too scared to get on scales but jeans hang on me . Mostly lost from bum and legs. Demoralising. I realise others are pleased to lose weight but I can't afford to lose . Shows in my face. Vanity I know. Only a woman would understand.
Gretel Beezwax
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Hi Beezwax,
I feel ya! With this much withdrawl behind you, I would tough it out. Alot of people don't make it that far. I'm taking benadryl and melatonin nightly...isnt really working. I am 4 weeks off and there is no way in hell i would put another mirt into my body. I am just riding it out. Today, I am lucky that I have the luxury of HOPEFULLY taking a nap. Usually, I have anxiety so bad that I can't be still. Good luck to you. Keep posting because something may resonate with another. Dr's really seem blind in all this. Peace.
linda73653 Gretel
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I have melatonin 5mg. Doesn't help. How much do u take?
Gretel linda73653
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I take 10 mg tablets. I also take 75mg of benadryl. Then after not sleeping for 2 hours i take 50mg of doxylamine ( generic Unisom). I know its alot. Nothing is working. At best I get 2 hrs. max.
sunshine1234987 Gretel
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I feel ya Gretel! I'm so angry I ever agreed to take one of these! Such poison! I am 5 weeks off now and right this minute I am getting another of those waves of tense withdrawal where you just have to grit your teeth and hope you don't lose your mind before all this is done. I have calm moments but this last week has been awful, Feels like it will never end. If anyone has any reassuring words that would be great! I'm slowly improving, at least I can eat and do some work now and I have been sleeping about 5 hours a night but these waves of tension and anxiety are killing me! Mirtazapine should be outlawed. I will NEVER take another one. Even when I was on another AD for 3 years, I quit that cold turkey and was right again within 2-3 weeks. This stuff is hell to come off of.
linda73653 Gretel
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Hi. I find zoplicone knocks me out. 6mg gives about 5 or 6 hours sleep but doc reluctant to prescribe. I tried somimex from chemist. Anti histamine. Sort of slept but felt strange all day after. Apparently phenergan works the same but can't buy locally. Off to see doc Monday for some help. His first reaction on phone was ok do u want to go back on . How helpful is That? No way.
😥
Gretel linda73653
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My dr. is an addiction specialist as well as a psychiatrist, so he wont prescribe much. That is why he put me on the mirtazipine. There is a very good post....by I believe, Barbara, stating the use and cautions in using antihistimines while on and d/c mirt. I have been taking a handful of benadryl, nightly...to no avail. I hope your Dr. visit is productive. I still have not told my dr. of my d/c, he has been out of the country. I am due for an appt soon...when i am running out of meds, lol. I am enjoying a day that is not so bad, today! Take care.
Calmer Gretel
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Hi, I've read of so many folk who get rebound insomnia after tapering Mirt', so difficult hey?
I think the reason why it's not a good idea to use any anti-histamine sleep aids is because they block the same brains receptors that are trying to repopulate having been blocked by Mirt', so it halts any healing - halts WD.
Phenergen the same, available over the counter here in UK, but may not work for long ugh ... can't win !
Gretel Calmer
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Calmer Gretel
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linda73653 Gretel
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Hi - went to see doc last night - Monday. He recommended going back on mirt or sertraline. I said no. Just need help to sleep and get through this phase. He prescribed me Beta blocker Propranolol 10mg x 3 per day. On day 2 of taking it. Can't say whether it helps or not really. I spent the day out with friends today and whilst busy looking around a stately home felt absolutely fine. Then wham - something happened to my head and the anxiety was back after lunch. Weird. He also reluctantly gave me another pack of Zoplicone with dire warnings of addiction. Trouble is I am dependant upon it to sleep. As I have an easy day tomorrow am thinking of taking 40mg of Sominex instead which is the anti histamine I referred to before. Doc said up to 50mg ok. Suck it and see - plus 10mg of melatonin. Will report back how it goes.
?btw apparently beta blockers don't help with sleep - just anxiety, but having read the leaflet, I don't think the dose I am taking is large enough to have a significant effect. recommended 40 - 120 mg so my 30 is a drop in the ocean.