I'm new to the forum, so hello! I've been taking one 30mg tablet of Mirtazapine each night for one year (for anxiety). Recently I made the decision to come off it because it's not helping me anymore and I have found other ways to manage my anxiety. Yay! My doc suggested I begin tapering off by alternating between 30mg one night, then 15mg the next night, and do this for two weeks. Then, at the next two week period I'll only take 15mg. This pattern will continue in two week time slots but with gradual lower dosages until I'm off it.
I'm at the beginning of the first stage now. However, I'm tempted to just drop straight down to taking 15mg every night instead of alternating. I don't see how alternating can do any good. It's like telling your body to get used to one thing, then the next day something completely different... right!? Do you think I'd be okay if I just started taking 15mg every night? I'd do this for about three weeks, to give my body more time.
I know I shouldn't go against my doc's advice. I just want to get off this pill. What do you think? Have you gone through a similar experience?
Hello! From personal experience I'd recommend taking it slowly. My psychiatrist suggested alternate 30 and 15 mg, but after a week I felt on edge and jittery. So I'm going really slowly, and it's worked fine so far. Week 1 down to one and three quarters of a 15mg tab Friday only, next week one and a half tablet Friday only, then next week Friday and Monday. I'm now on that every 3rd day. When I'm comfortable on one and a half every day, I'll drop it further. To begin with I didn't sleep so well after the reduced dose, but now I notice no difference. So the slow method is working. You might not need to go as slowly as me, but I'd rather take my time and stay well, since I'm coming off the mirtazapine because i've been fine for over a year. I hope that helps. Pixie xx
Hi and welcome. I was mirtazapine for about 8 months.
I went down to 15mg stayed on that for a week or two until I felt stable then dropped to 10mg and did the same thing. It's hard to get the dosage right so I just did approximate.
Then I just stopped taking it altogether and I was fine. A little bit of heightened anxiety but definitely not the worst I've ever had. I also had some trouble getting to sleep for while but that resolved it self in a couple of weeks too.
You can do it! Stay strong. Do it slowly and you'll be right!
Thank you so much for your response. It was very helpful! I too have done the alternating thing between 30mg and 15mg for a few days, but already I know my body isn't liking the constant adjusting. I think I'm just gonna take a 15mg every night for three weeks so it's more stable, and then come down slowly from there. I'm glad you found a method that works did you. Take care xx
Thank you for your helpful and kind response. I think that's a really good thing to do. Sometimes you just have to go with what you feel is right for you personally. I think I'll drop straight to 15mg and stick with that for two or three weeks, then come down from there.
It's also encouraging to hear that you didn't experience horrific withdrawals after completely stopping the Mirt. I have read so many posts where people have said they've really suffered afterwards. I hope that won't be me!
Thanks again.
I noticed that r15954 had been on mirtazapine for only 8 months and got off it in a few weeks. I've been on it for more than 6 years, so perhaps that's why it's taking me longer. But I am heartened by the feeling that I'm getting there, slowly but surely. I hope you can find the way that suits you. Pixie xx
Hi
my doctor took me off it in 9 days. 3 days at 45 mg then 3 days at 30 mg, then 3 days St 15 mg. I don't get nightmares but I only sleep a few hours.