HELP-Pregabalin,fluoxetine withdrawal-Mirtazapine symptoms

Treatment and medication
1

Hi I hope someone can help me!!

I have been taking fluoxetine on and off for roughly 3 years.  I was put on them following the death of my premature baby, I had turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism for 4 years wen I finally admitted defeat and tried antidepressants..

However, My doctor and I came to the conclusion about 4 months ago that the fluoxetine was not working, we noticed the pattern that a week before my period I was still becoming sucidal, anxious, withdrawn and emotionally unstable (longer periods without alcohol have enabled me recognise my symptoms better).

We decded I needed to be treated for the anxiety and I was prescibed 150mg of pregabalin at night and betablockers as and when needed for the anxiety..

A month ago my doc recomended that I reduce from 20mg of fluoxetine daily to one every other day, however, I stupidly just stopped them!

Since this I stopped sleeping, became severly anxious and withdrawn, began having panick attacks, been snappy, angry, had headaches, felt like ive had flu, extreme lows etc.

Bcus of this I stopped the pregabalin aswell as I thought these symptoms were bcus of them, as it was the only thing id been taking and it had been 4 weeks since stopping the fluoxetine so I thought that the fluoxetine couldnt be causing any problems, as it would be out of my system and the symtoms did not start immediatly after stopping the fluoxetine.

So, last Sunday I was extremely suicdal, depressed etc, a friend took me to the doc on Monday who prescibed me mirtazapine 15mg for the first 5 nights (to help me sleep) then 30mg a night thereafter.

last night after my second dose I slept for 16 hours!! I awoke today feeling shaky, tired, clumpsy, weak, blurred vision, spaced out etc so I called my doc who has advised me to stop the mirtazapine as I was having a bad reaction and restart the fluoxetine as I may be having withdrawals!!

I feel like im back to square one (back on the fluoxetine) which doesnt even work!! I dont know who I am anymore, whether im withdrawing, actually anxious or goodness knows what.  I dont want to be on any meds anymore bcus I dont like the side affects but I also cant continue like this....

Has anyone experienced these withdrawals or side affects to any of theses meds?? OR can anyone help at all???

I know I was stupid to stop the meds but I thought as they were not helping it was best, but now Im just confused and lost as to what to do next.. sorry for waffling im just trying to paint the whole picture :-(

2

You should never stop SSRI's without withdrawing, as you've discovered you're having unpleasant withdrawal effects.  On top of that it seems you may be having side effects of starting a new medication.  This is all mixed together so your body doesn't know if it's coming or going.  I can't suggest what meds to take or not take, but go see your doctor as it seems you need to let everything settle or just stick with one medication, letting that settle.  These meds are serious stuff and not to be taken lightly - you can't just dip and and out of taking them - they need to be taken for a long time before side effects settle and they take effect.  Coming off them has to be done really, really slowly or you'll be very ill.  I've reduced my SSRI's this year and has taken me months and months to get to a low dose.

Maybe you could take a low dose until your body has adjusted.  See your doctor and discuss a plan.  You may just have to go with it for now ..... it will take time, but it will pass, promise.

Take care xx

3

I dont have much experience with SSRI's, fluoxetine being the first antidepressant I have been on, ever!!  But you are right my body and mind are all over the place its awful.. 

I have ben advised t stop the mirtazipine and go back on 20mg of fluoxetine evry other day to help with any withdrawals, I am due to see my doc next week for a review, however I think in my case the meds are causing more harm then good or are just not helping at all.

4

I know how you feel - it's an awful experience - have been there myself.  Before taking meds I was a mess with depression for years and never thought I'd get better.  I started the meds and it took about 3-4 months before I started noticing a difference, then by 6 months felt great.  Been taking em ever since.

My son sadly had a breakdown last year and started Fluoxetine and Mirtazapine.  He went through absolute hell on them and was off work for 4 months.  Slowly they began to kick in and now he's back to his happy smiling self again.  It took 6 months for him to get there.

Yes it might be a good idea to take the meds every other day and stop Mirtazapine.  It might be a rough ride for a while, but with perseverance you'll get there.

You're not on you're own - there's many people on this site to support you.  

K xx