I went cold turkey with (mostly) success!

Treatment and medication
1

I’ve followed many stories on this forum and they’ve all helped me a lot. I thought I would also share my story.

First of all, I managed to get away with only putting on around 5lbs by the fact I simply do not eat when I’m stressed, upset or down. So even though the food cravings were high at times, I still did not really want to eat. Prior to this I had been on a diet (where I lost 30lbs) with the help of a high protein, low calorie diet and Orlistat. I kept this going (mostly). I think the protein and Orlistat really helped. However, even though I was not really putting weight on, I was going to a lot of effort to just remain at the same weight. I weighed out the options and decided to get off Mirtazapine.

My weight is probably a bigger problem for me than the issues that led me to needing the Mirtazapine in the first place. I tried to taper, so I went from 15mg to 7.5mg in just one day, then I went to 3.75mg a day later, then the following day and then just thought ‘in for a penny, in for a pound’ and I went cold turkey. I did this for several reasons: 1) The end of Covid is in sight and I know that I will feel much happier looking my best for the summer 2) Many years ago, I went cold turkey from Sertraline and I do not recall any withdrawal symptoms. I also gave up smoking quite easily many years ago. From what I gather, different people react to things like this differently.

I did have some withdrawal symptoms. A lot of crying, sadness and some anxiety. I also felt like I had the flu. I have to say though this all passed in like 4 days.

To replace the Mirtazpaine I have combined the advice from several posts and every morning I take 5HTP (100mg), Vitamin B Complex, Magnesium (500mg), multivitamin, Vitamin D3 (4000 IU), and some Inositol with my protein shake every morning. I also have the 5-HTP with my lunch and sometimes with dinner. I feel amazing to be honest. The sadness seems to be diminishing slowly, I don’t get any withdrawal symptoms.

The Inositol is very unusual, you can feel it working. I didn’t believe it when I read it, but I highly recommend you give it a go. It really helps calm my anxiety. I usually space it out over the day. Just be careful, if you have a sensitive stomach or you have a large amount you will need to go to the toilet!

To combat the sleep I bought some first generation antihistamines (Promethazine hydrochloride) to try and partly re-create what the Mirtazapine was doing. I am eventually going to need to find a longer term solution to this, but I can tell you a good night sleep has also helped me so much.

In terms of weight loss, I’m very happy how this is going. I am eating less than I did, I’m fuller for longer, still on a low calorie, high protein diet. I am seeing the fat basically dropping off me. I feel extremely lucky that I’m not going through some of the withdrawals others are.

I did search the forums for some stories where going cold turkey worked, but it was a bit difficult to find. Mirtazapine was a miracle drug and if it wasn’t for the weight gain, I would have 100% stayed on it. I asked my doctor not to put me on an SSRI (I didn’t like the Sertraline many years ago) and the Mirtazapine helped, it gave me my life back by just being there when I needed it and help me get to sleep.

2

Thanks for sharing your success story and also for the recommendations! I’ve never heard of Inositol so will give it a go. Can I ask you an off topic question about Orlistat? How did you deal with the side effects? I tried it because of Mirtazapine weight gain but the side effects were unbearable… I mean literally ruining my clothes and bed linen bad, despite eating a healthy diet. Do those side effects subside? xx

3

Sure! Orlistat only usually produces those side effects from high amount of fat. As I’ve been calorie counting, you can imagine that that my fat intake has a result has also been lower.

I have had a few times where I didn’t realise something was going to be so fatty and surprised by the results! It’s possible for something to be lower in calories or ‘healthy’ and still have a high fat content, for example avocado will produce the side effects.

Has the Orlistat managed to help you keep your weight down?

4

Thanks so much for this, it’s interesting. I had to stop the Orlisat after about 10 days because the side effects were so extreme (I wouldn’t have been comfortable leaving the house kind of extreme!) and I hadn’t lost a pound. The weird thing was, I didn’t think I was eating a high fat diet - I don’t ever eat fatty meats, or chips, crisps, cakes, biscuits - any junk food. But perhaps like you say, it’s hidden fats that I’m not aware of (for example I do have greek yoghurt with nuts as a healthy snack because of the protein and there are less sugars with natural greek yog). I’m wondering if I should give the Orlistat another try, despite vowing never to again?

5

I really think you should! Nuts contain a lot of oil and fat. Depending on how much yoghurt you’re having, it’s easy for the amount of fat to creep up (if you’re not having 0%). You’re probably better getting getting protein from other places and Orlistat usually works better when you limit your fat quite a bit and lower your calories. Are you currently reducing your calories?

I would also say, whether or not you’re on Mirtazapine, make sure to drink lots of water! Losing water weight was the my first step and it sets you on your journey.

If it helps you feel better, I take Orlistat at least once every day (or more, depending on how I’m eating) and I never realise I’ve taken it. You should expect some small side effects regardless, but nothing enough to make you not want to leave the house.

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do you plan or did you come off the 5 htp ?

7

Hi, the forums were closed by time I read this reply before.

I did come off the 5 htp in the end.

I also moved to the keto diet and it has been a huge success.