Mirtazipine withdrawel and severe neck,back and shoulder pains and tightnessweight gain is a big pro

Treatment and medication
1

I have been on mirtazipine 45mg for 5 years,plus citalopram 40mg after severe clinical depression,that was so very bad to the point of thinking suicide was the better option.it took a very long time on these drugs,up to a year before I began to feel really well.would have been prepared to stay on these drugs for life if I hadn't had such severe side effects that are no longer tolerable.mainly very severe nightmares and terrors that I can't wake up from,and eventually when I do,go straight back into if I try to resume sleep.weight gain also a side effect,despite dieting,but one I was prepared to accept,but can't live with nightmares anymore.I also have medical conditions of prolapsed spinal discs and spinal stenosis,so severe pain at times and cervical spondylosis.plus irritable bowel syndrome.

may 17th decided to reduce from 45mg to 30mg,had some side effects,head swimming and dizziness and heart palpitations,plus increase in anxiety levels,but just ate well and rode out the storm and eventually theses side effects subsided.still nightmares persisted.on 29th July reduced to 15mg.suffered severe nausea,plus had symptoms diagnosed by GP as trapped nerve in neck,as severe neck and arm pain,so as I was coping with this new problem decided to restart 30mg mirtazipine.after 10 days trapped nerve improved.

11th Aug reduced mirtazipine from 30mg to 15mg.after 2 days had severe nausea,so cut tablets half and went to 22.5mg dose,had side effects sweats,slight nausea,head swimming and more anxiety,but persevered and eventually resolved,but nightmares persisted.

on 12th Sep reduced from 22.5mg to 15mg,have severe neck pain and severely tight painfull muscles top of back plus arm muscle pains and shoulder painsonce again,convinced this is due to decrease mirtazepine,not sure whether to try and stick with it and ride it out,or go back to 22.5mg and make GP appointment ane ask for liquid mirtazipine,to reduce even slower.

as most GP have no idea of all these side effects not sure she won't just think it's all in my mind.also not sure perhaps my cervical spondylosis has got much worse over 5 years on mirtazepine,but symptoms have been alleviated by this drug.

dont know what to do!

2

Hi chrisy9

We note from a recent post which you have made to our forum that you may be experiencing thoughts around self-harm. If we have misinterpreted your comments then we apologies for contacting you directly. But if you are having such thoughts then please note that you are not alone in this, and there are people out there that can help.

If you are having these suicidal thoughts then we strongly recommend you speak to someone who may be able to help. The Samaritans offer a safe space where you can talk openly about what you are going through. They can help you explore your options, understand your problems better, or just be there to listen.

Their contact details are on our patient information leaflet here: https://patient.info/health/dealing-with-suicidal-thoughts, which also offers lots of other advice on how you can access the help you may need.

If you are having such thoughts then please do reach out to the team at the Samaritans (or the other people detailed in our leaflet) who will understand what you're going through and will be able to help.

Kindest regards

Patient

3

Thank you for your concern.you have misinterpreted my post,as those feelings were 5 years ago,when suffering severe clinical depression,hence reason for being put on mirtazipine.mentally now feel 100%,and as now reducing dose mirtazipine suffering withdrawel side effects as mentioned in my post.

4

I am trying to get off mirtazapine too.  Its a hard haul.  Down to 3.75. Usual symptoms nausea, aches, insomnia, anxiety.  Trying to keep on and not go,back a dose. People say its worth it but not easy. I have had spinal surgery, still,backmbain though.