Documenting withdrawal symptoms to help people.

Mental health
1

Hi, people. 

I've decided to document everything I feel and what's going on with my body as I am suffering from withdrawal symptoms from Mirtazapine. I took it for two years, 15mg and cut them in half for a week then stopped taking them. My GP moved me onto Sertraline which only lasted three days because I had bad side effects. I have not taken anything since yesterday night (Buspirone 5MG, which was to calm me down). 

I am making this post purely to help people who are going through the same thing. I stopped taking Mirtazapine three days before Sertraline, my last pill of Sertraline was on the 9th this month. The following has happened :-

Wednesday - 10.06.2015, It has been 18 hours since I took the 25MG Sertraline pill. Third day of taking it, feel like absolute crap. Feel dizzy, nauseous, headache, shaking and just feel like I'm dying. I went to the ER on the 9th where they checked my blood pressure, my heart rate, and my blood, everything was fine and "on point" they said. I also had insomnia that night, felt wired and couldn't close my eyes because my head was buzzing. 

Thursday - 11.06.2015, After hours (32, I think?) the side effects started to slowly wear off. I stopped shaking but the dizziness and anxiousness was still there. I also felt derealization which was scary and made me panic even more. I slept after struggling all night but woke up after three hours dripping sweat, and then fell back asleep again. Tough night.

Friday - 12.06.2015, most of the symptoms had gone except one which remained. I felt "off", which I guess was the derealization. I also still had anxiety but it wasn't as severe as the past few days, and I got sleep that night.

Saturday - 13.06.2015, Had a panic attack this morning but felt okay after it, however, still felt the derealization symptom. Was no longer as scary though, and I had a crying spell that day. 

Sunday - 14.06.2015, I felt better and felt like I was slowly getting back to myself again. Played video games to distract myself. Watched movies. I was cooking and eating pretty well. Apart from the occassional diarrhea. 

Monday - 15.06.2015, bad day today, had a huge panic attack, felt dizzy, felt a burning sensation up and down my left arm, started shaking, anxiety and nauseous. I went to the ER, they said everything was fine and I should avoid Mirtazapine and Sertraline but take Buspirone ONLY when I feel like crap. They didn't exactly tell me why I felt like this, whether it was withdrawal symptoms or not. When I got home I could not sleep whatsoever, I also couldn't eat. I managed to fall asleep at 4AM and woke up at 6AM then fell back asleep again.

Tuesday - 16.06.2015, woke up and vomited, (just bile, I guess because I didn't eat the day before?) shaking has gone a little down, and sweating. Still feel "off", and a little dizzy. Anxiety is bad, though. Feel nauseous and going to see my GP later today so they can see if it's withdrawal symptoms. 

For a peace of mind I'm going to tell you things I'm NOT doing: 

I am NOT: 

Seeing things.

Hearing things. 

I do not have any pain.

I am not unconscious. 

I do not have breathing problems. 

I CAN: 

urinate. 

Hold a conversation.

Walk. 

TYPE perfectly.

Breathe without difficulty. 

Temperature is fine. 

Heartbeat is fine.

I can concentrate although with a little difficulty due to anxiety. 

I was able to eat before this but since I feel nauseous I can't now. 

I am ALERT and have not fainted, fell or lost my balance. 

I am a little concerned whether I am going to live or die but I do not know if that is my anxiety making me question that part of things. 

Has anyone experienced this? How long did it last for you? 

2

Wow,

That is utterly horrendous to read.

I hope you are not on your own and have people around you.

I withdrew from Setraline with no ill effects what so ever. While I was on it I had unexplained hair loss and a bad bad stomach for three months. But it sorted itself out. I wish I had never come off them but the docs werent happy.

Venlafaxine I was in bed clinging to my mum for three days and had a temper like ive never experienced. (When I say clinging to my mum - i am 29 and usually live with my partner but I was literally clinging to her or shouting at her). I had a headache, nausea and electric shock type symptoms in my head until the synapses got used to the lack of the drug (may a week-10 days). With Venlafaxine I couldnt go to the loo at all.

I dont know why medical professionals are having you go cold turkey?

Buspirone - I have never had this. Is it helping? You need to get back you GP. Why does no-one care enough to help us?

3

Well, I went to my GP today and he said it won't be in my system and that nothing will happen to me, it's all in my head. He took my blood and urine and found out I have a urine infection. I guess I just need to snap out of it.

I'm sorry that happened to you. Sounds like a messed up situation, much like  mine. When did yours go away?

4

Some of it never goes away.

I would see a different doctor. It is in your head because these disorders are but the brain is very powerful and can make you feel all sorts of things including physical pain. All anxiety responses start with the brain but I cannot see why the GPs arent helping you. 

If you can snap out of it then that is great but I think you will find that impossible as you have an anxiety disorder. If some told you to snap out of cancer or snap out of a brain tumour or snap out of diabetes would you not be questioning their competence as a doctor? This is exactly the same.

Dont suffer in silence. See someone else and let the person you saw today know that their comments were unhelpful and they need to seek some further training. It is such a common problem that ignorance is no excuse.

5

I spoke to different Doctors and nurses and GP's. Two of the doctors recommended staying off the medication and taking Buspirone only in emergencies. One doctor suggested NOT to take any of them (my doctor today). The only thing that I am struggling with is not feeling myself. I mean, before I had anxiety and depression but it was nothing like this. My shakes have stopped. That's about it.