Help! I slowly tapered off Mirtazapine. It's been 4 and a half weeks off it now and I'm sure I'm still experiencing withdrawal?! I have crippling morning anxiety and zero appetite, the weight gained on Mirt has fallen off! I also feel sick most of the day. I got so down last week that I very nearly went back on it, but couldn't bare the thought of coming off again! Insomnia has just kicked in too.
I don't mean to post this to scare anyone, as when I was at my darkest Mirt really helped me. I just wanted to know if there's anyone out there going through what I'm going through? Any advice? How long can it last?
I'd appreciate any help x
Hi there,
I'm so sorry you're having symptoms still. Do not go back on the Remeron. It will defeat all the hard work you accomplished to get off of it. I'm still struggling with my withdrawal but I'm focusing hard on my diet even though I'm nauseous and I'm pushing through to exercise and take vitamin supplements. I have Xanax on board when I am too anxious. You're almost at the finish line. Don't give up! Drink lots of water, try to remain calm, eat healthy meals and get plenty of exercise to sweat out the poison in your body. I promise it will help your mental state tremendously. I've read that withdrawals can go on for weeks to months and I'm determined to do whatever I can to survive this and look back and say I will never be that drugged depressed overweight woman again. Stay strong and fight to get your life back.
Thank you! May I ask how long you've been off it for now? And do you still get spikes in anxiety? Insomnia seems to be kicking in now too. Crikey this med has some rebound effects doesn't it?!
I'm trying with my diet, but it's so hard when I feel so sick. I will up my water though! I try and get out every day, as my thoughts are racing! All this and looking after two little ones. Thank you so much for getting back to me!
I've been tapering for only a week now after being on for 4 years. I've ended up on the ground many times now screaming in agony and my family has been terrified and keeps wanting to call 911, but when I feel the storm coming on, I take a beta blocker for my heart and a xanax for the anxiety it's giving me and just have to ride the storm. This medication should be banned. I feel as if I was coming off of heroin. I have kids also and a full time job and it's been unbearable. The only thing helping at this point is the diet and exercise and knowing my body is finally getting used to the taper. My mood is so much better also. I'm struggling with insomnia so I am taking Benadryl to help with that. Remember that every antidepressant will be addicting and have horrendous side effects. Isn't it crazy that the one thing that is supposed to help is the one thing that destroys you in the end.
Do you get the anxiety in waves? That's exactly how it feels for me! I was in shock by how long this med takes to come out of your system. And the sickness is driving me mad, I feel pregnant, when I absolutely am not!!
I asked my doctor about betablockers but he wouldn't prescribe any as said they were too addictive, but will give this out no problem! A few times I have actually felt this is what it must feel like go come off heroin, it's crippling isn't it!
Surely it can't be much longer, I want this stuff out of my system! Hate waking up feeling awful, that's the worst time for me.
I wouldn't even have though of Benadryl, does it help?
There are a few of us who are experiencing the same symptoms as you with Mirtazapine withdrawal on the " Escitilopram and Mirtazapine " thread .
We have all had the same problems with withdrawal.
Yes the anxiety does come in waves.
Are you replacing the Mirtazapine with another drug or withdrawing from antidepressants altogether?
Withdrawing all together, I've done a very slow taper, hoping that would help, but it's hit me hard. I've read that at 4 weeks a lot of people struggle? Any help and advice would be most appreciated 😊
Yes, you and me too. Slow taper is hitting me hard, down to 5mg now. Anxiety still there. Dr gave me diazepam to help it. Works a bit. I am doing same as you, trying to withdraw altogether but its hard. Have you been having the nightmares I get? I am coming up to four weeks after the last drop so its not easy. I am also looking for advice and help. I am on warfarin so cannot take omega3 fish oils but thats meant to help, also magnesium. Most herbals are out for me due to interactions.
do you use diazepam to help you? I know people say go to a class on meditation or yoga, the anxiety is stopping me and i feel so inadequate.
look forward to hearing about you today.
Oh Ann,
Please don't feel inadequate, I can't face going to places either!
I think it's another symptom of withdrawing from this drug?
God it's hell thats for sure!
Hugs 🤗
Hi Ann, I'm so sorry you're going through all this too. I'm not 4.5 weeks off Mirt completely. But it's tough, I'm not going to sugarcoat it. I'm not sure how much you'd like to know, as I know sometimes knowing too much can be worse for us? I'm happy to share my experience if you'd like warts and all though? Right now I have waves and peaks of severe anxiety, especially morning times and in the middle of the night. I'm sure this must go away though??
I'm not taking anything else at present, doctor was reluctant to give me anything other than an antidepressant and I didn't really want that! He wouldn't give me betablockers for when I'm really struggling either, clearly never been on blooming Mirt 😂
Happy to answer anything I can help you with 😘
I think i am having the similar experiences of those reporting on here. Did you taper off at 7.5? Nausea some days, insomnia, anxiety, some days worse than others, appetite changes, a bit of agoraphobia but trying to push through it. The nightmares are the worst. Someone messing with my brain. Some days s. Ideation. I do find diazepam helpful 2mg.
yes, warts and all - at least i will know its not just me!
i am not taking any other anti dep and really dont want dr to try another, they've all given me problems.
hoping you can push on through today, good wishes.
hi again Karen,
are you completely off now, sorry i get mixed up about who is where.
am i the only one with the nightmares?
pity we cant get together and thrash out all our problems! Although you wouldnt want to go out here its like a monsoon rainstorm!
Hi Ann,
Yes I'm off Mirtazapine altogether now, been about 3.5 weeks, though it seems longer!
Am now on 10mg Escitilopram, which I'm on day 21 of along with Quetiapine and 2mg Diazepam.
I had the awful nightmares on Mirtazapine, but they have now appeared to of stopped.
Hope things improve soon.
Hugs 🤗
Thanks . How are you finding the escitalopram, is it better for you than mirtazapine, early days i know.
It is different to tell to be honest with being on Quetiapine too.
I started out ok on Mirtazapine so I'm not sure if things will stabilise on Escitilopram or get worse like they did with Mirtazapine!
It then it only got bad on Mirtazapine when the dose was increased!
I get anxiety in waves. I can get full blown panic attacks and feel like I'm having a heart attack. That's the only reason I'm taking the beta blocker right now because I wonder if I will even survive this mess.
The Benadryl helps a lot with sleep and with the insane headaches I'm getting.
Wish there was an easier and faster way to be done with it.
Hi!
I tapered right down to 1.87mg for two weeks before coming off completely.
It's been really hard (still is) first 10 days felt fine, then had a Sunday where it hit me, couldn't sit still, tremors, complete anxiety all day long, couldn't eat, I was a mess!
One day not so bad, then one day awful. I'm still waking up with severe anxiety every morning, I have to wait for it to calm down a bit, that's tough too. I still have really vivid dreams, thought they'd have gone by now?
Appetite is rubbish, I have to force myself to eat anything, so all the Mirt weight I put on is well and truly gone!
I'm truly hoping I'm getting to the end of this, I don't want to scare anyone by writing what I have, but it's my honest account, I could never have imagined it would be this tough to come off a medication. I'm hoping I can keep going!!
Anything else I can help with, let me know x
I tried to find Benadryl today, and nowhere I live stock it! I get panics likes that too. Just awful, I never had palpitations as bad before! I've started getting awful headaches as well, didn't think they would be connected to the withdrawal, but it makes sense. It's been the longest 4.5 weeks of my life!!!!
I'm so sorry! I would suggest ordering it online if it isn't anywhere close by. I can't find anything that helps my headaches but ibuprofen and Benadryl together. Let me know if you need help in finding it. I'm a drowned rat at work right now so today should be awesome. 😝
Where are you? Haha It's glorious sunshine here! I live in a village, so that's probably why it's not available, paracetamol is modern 😉