Tomorrow starts week 9 since the last 7.5

Treatment and medication
1

7+ years on 45 mg, + 1 year on 7.5, now 56 days off the stuff. The 56 days have been awful, and I am still not out of the woods yet. I f you are considering an antidepressant, pretend that this stuff doesn't exist. I know, some people swear by it, but my research indicates that more swear at it. I feel like I have had the worse case of the flu that you could have, for 8 weeks. The severity of the wd symptoms haven't been the same the whole time, but even the "good" days were bad, just good relative to horrible. To all of you who are thinking about withdrawing, or are in the process and fighting it with all your might, I wish you well. And if you have made the trip, I salute you! Take care, David

2

Are you doing ANY better, David? I think of you every day!! God Bless..

 

3

yikes. why do they even start uson it

4

great message David sympathies to you on withdrawal but congrats for coming for so far.....some encouragement to us all suffering with this awful stuff...kind regards

5

Yes Kathy, I am better, but this good day / bad day stuff has it's own stress. I decided to keep a week to week post with my experience, both to share, and to use as a sort of diary for me. Since I am 61, I don't figure to feel well every day, and I am 8 years older than when I was put on this stuff, so that figures in as well. When I get to a 5 out of 7 good ones I'll figure I have made it through. Does that make sense? David

6

Got to keep the drug reps happy and generous!

7

Sure does make sense, my friend. You are way stronger than you realize, having gone this far through living hell. I salute you!!!

8

Thank you, Lesley! The best to you as well! The manufacturers of this stuff should be required to build a hotel, with room service and counselors available, and group meetings for those who come off their "medication". You should be able to go there, free of charge, and stay until you are ready for a normal life again. What do you think? David

9

flipping drug corporates evil corporates feeding of us all sorry to but in but u got it in one David...........grrrr

10

flipping brilliant idea...where do i sign up!!!.........spa and room service would be great!!

11

Hi David, gotta ask while you were taking it was it an effective AD? Did the problems occur when you decided to reduce? Many blessings and thank you for providing regular WD updates.

12

I really don't know. I was given the stuff to help with GI problems, which were making me a little depressed. It originally helped with the GI problems, as well as a good nights sleep. Believe it or not, I just kept re-filling the script, and the side effects were so gradual that I was in a bad way as a result, and for a long time didn't make the connection.

13

We'll done David I knew you could do it  !!  I m so pleased you're starting to feel better take care

14

i agree 100%

15

Thank you "Fudgey" Regards, David

16

I have a slightly different tale to relate, in that mirtazapine was very successful in treating my depression and anxiety, when added to venlafaxine which was only partly doing the job. Side effects were few, and I was happy on it, but decided I should start withdrawal now I was better. THAT'S WHEN THE PROBLEMS STARTED! Withdrawal symptoms, after the tiniest of gradual reductions, which just got worse and worse, even after a week back on the 30mg. Hopefully they are now settling, but I'm in no hurry to try again! I'll stay on the mirtazapine, and try reducing the venlafaxine instead. I sometimes miss part of that dose by accident with no apparent Ill effects.

17

Well done David, you're a true inspiration for all of us poor sods on Mirt.  If you're having more good days than bad days then I guess you're wd is working for you.

I hope you'll keep on posting on the forum, I've been following you every step of the way, I wish you a good nights sleep, energy renewal and peace of mind for tomorrow.

Best wishes

18

Pixie, my mother is on mirtazapine, and was on it before I was, which was over 8 years ago. She also takes Klonopin when needed. She is fine on them. Not long ago, she dropped from 45 to 30 with no problem, but she will probably be on them for the rest of her life. I came off them for a good reason, a needed reason. If someone is getting the clinical benefit that they are given the medicine for, then why put yourself through withdrawals, which may land you at the place you were that caused you to be given them to start with. I am sharing my experience for those in a similar position, for whatever reason. Best Wishes, David

19

Thank you Calmer! Kind words that inspire others. I wish you well my friend! David

20

Yep I salute you too David ...when I consider just how long you were taking Mirtazapine ..and the doses involved ..and the amount of days you've experienced withdrawal and the degree of that withdrawal ...I am truly in awe.

Here's hoping you go from strength to strength ...and consistently maintain a 5 out of 7 at the very least!

Best wishes, Karl