Well it is now 2 weeks since I began taking 15mg mirtazapine in place of 30mg which I had taken for a few weeks.
I have been ok until 3 days ago!
Now I can not sleep, pains every where, feel sick, can not eat and losing weight.I feel as if there is a 'lump' in the middle of my chest and this aches too! No energy and beyond exhaustion.
Feeling dizzy and feel as if I am going to faint.
I was given mirtazapine for anxiety and insomnia.
Slept well until WD but anxiety is dreadful, much worse now.
I weigh 8st 2lbs and I wonder if a smaller person can not tolerate mirt although I am sure there are many who are small and do not have a problem.
Think I'm grasping at straws!
If it were not for all the good folk on this site I would be completely at a loss.
When I joined 2 weeks ago and read all your helpful comments and my heart went out to those of you who are suffering so much.
My stuff is small compared to others here.
Any way just wanted to thank you for all the information you share.
It is good to know that 'this too will pass' and knowledge is power!
I always try to convince my self that my roller coaster is going up but as we know this is very difficult at times.
Sorry that you're going through the WD symptoms I've got them to come but I haven't got past the start up symptoms. Only been on mirtazepine for 3weeks doesn't bode well. Might just give up altogether. Hugs to you Sunbird. X
Sunbird, if you are suffering this kind of withdrawal, and are still on the drug at 15 mg, I would consider going back to 30, get settled, and maybe try 25. You are having the symptoms that I had going cold turkey from 7.5 to off the medicine. Just a suggestion. Above all else, be kind to yourself!
Stay strong and yes we will support you all the way! Did nothing for my anxiety, and just made me feel immobilised. I hope it gets easier as you decrease your dose. I am in the process of quitting since I can't stand the side effects or function during the day. Others have suggested that a short term benzo may be in order for the anxiety as you decrease your dose. I am going that route if it feels unmanageable. There is a FB group for people doing the WD. you can send a request to Rose MCKay to join. Her profile pic is a red/ orange flower. She has given me loads of support and guidance , as has this group. Keep going, and know that it will eventually pass. PS. I was prescribed it for the same problems, so maybe there is a better way to address them than a med that causes you problems. Much love, Lee .
Hi sunbird, sorry to hear of your problems, i can sympathise as I am still withdrawing from mirt and it's awful, I have made it down to 7.5 but it's no easier, only thing I found is when I went below 15 the anxiety seemed to disappear, just a real rough feeling all day. I can't make the final jump as I'm barely coping on 7.5 so have been given Prozac to use as a bridge,. I told the doctors I needed something as it was unbearable, hope you do ok
Sunbird, so sorry for your sudden wd after 2 weeks - this is what folk on here are saying - "all goes well during wd until between two to three weeks" then it HITS BIG TIME. I agrede with David, seems clear you're not going to get off the Mirt lightly. Go back to 30 mg, settle there on 30 for a week or so, then reduce
s-l-o-w-l-y. From all the advice given from the wise folk within the discussions on this forum, to sum it up ... ... ... now you have experienced the wd devil effects of Mirt' go slow, just be kind to yourself. Reduce 10% every 2 or even better every 3 weeks, stay on the dose until "stable" - even if its for a lot longer. Then go 10% down again ... it should be available in liquid form which will help.
Some say stay on 7.5 for 3 months, then 3.25 for 3 months.
Hope this helps a little Sunbird ~ sending a big hug ((((((( ******  )))))
Yeah, Calmer, I went cold turkey off 7.5. That was over 9 weeks ago, and I am still paying the price. I am better in some ways, my sleeping is better, no crying spells in a while, headaches aren't bad enough to need Tylenol, I have my appetite sometimes, still losing a little weight, but none in the last 8 days, not quite as sick. Still weak, fatigued, and having dizzy spells. However, at times, for no apparent reason, everything comes crashing in as bad as ever, and I just have to suffer through it, like a rollercoaster. So if sunbird8 wants to feel like a human being through this, then taper - taper - taper. Take Care, David
So glad I have you people to advise me ... it's overwhelming at times.
My GP just ticks her box when I leave and doesn't seem to care a hoot.
Sounds like the road of recovery is looking up slightly for you David, hope it continues. We need people like you and Rose to continue posting on here, at least until someone else seems to be taking over - sometimes I feel like shouting out in the doctors surgery "IS ANYONE TAKING MIRT" and letting them know not to wd cold turtky ....
Wishing you a good day David, and warm wishes for your family too who are sharing the hard times.
Thank you Calmer. I wish you the best as well. I slept well last night, and so far this morning, not doing too bad. Wednesday will be 10 weeks since making the jump. Those overwhelming times were the crying times for me, and it helped bring some relief. Don't feel ashamed or weak if you cry, it is your emotional release to overwhelming stress and misery. Take care, treat yourself well, David
Ahhh that's great ~ that you slept well ... phew, don't you just feel like it's a whole new world when you sleep well though.
Crying doesn't come easy to me, although I can cry at most films ! I agree, huge sense of relief after a good cry. Indeed, our faith helps us to make the improbable happen, it's when we don't believe we CAN DO IT and that little bit more of wd is edging away ... and David will be better ... therefore it's important, keep believing ~ you will get to the finishing line.
Hi sunbird. I'd really be interested in keeping in touch with you as I've also reduced my dose from 30mg to 15mg. I've been on 30 for 6 months & 15 for a while before that.
How long exactly is it since you took your last 30mg pill. And how long exactly was it before you started feeling rough?
I took my last 30mg pill 2 weeks ago today & I feel ok. Not great but I've still got a little bit of an appetite. I'm really tired! And still feeling a little down.
I'm just trying to prepare myself so any info would be greatly appreciated! I'll also keep you up to date with how I'm doing.
There was really no reason for the increase just GP said that was the way to go!
How ever my anxiety seemed to increase on the higher dose so I decided that mirtazapine was doing nothing for me and I would taper and hopefully stop taking this drug although advice on here expains that it needs to be done very slowly.
I think I took my last 30 mg around 17 days ago and then I went back to 15mg.
As I say in my post I felt ok first 2 weeks and then past 5 days I feel dreadful.Sorry about the state of my post as I seem to really be struggling to put two words together!
This WD is messing up every thing!
I am glad you are feeling ok and I really do hope it lasts Becky.
It is good to gather information as we can be prepared.
How ever not every one will be the same.
May you have a peaceful night and a good day tomorrow.
Hello Sunbird, me again. The kind of pain that the mind and nervous system puts us through is almost without words to describe. You don't know what is coming, how much, and how long it will last. As I type this, I am having tremors in my left hand, and my abdomen feels awful. Today makes 10 weeks off 7.5. My advice to everyone who reads this is just imagine that you are in prison, but will be laet out at some point. Remember, we are all sentenced to solitary confinement inside our skins for life. Be as kind to Sunbird as possible. Use this site to keep you going! Take Care, David