Wait mermaid don't stop with a suicide thought maybe it was a joke I know but I was following this thread as I know mirt takes 7 to 14 days and sometimes 3 weeks to go into withdrawal. So please jump back on and let us know that you are ok and life is not so bad. It's ok people are here for you. We care. Jump back on for a little and let us know...I care! We all care!
unless you are out dancing then just continue to dance and forget this was even printed. Hugs kiddo❤️
Evergreen I had kidney problems as well. Oh I had two ER visits for stones hang in there! Hugs❤️
Good morning Rose!
No sadly it wasnt a joke. I was in a very bad place. mostly though because of cognitive issues, not necessarily medication related.
Thank you for caring and writing and your support!!!
Then again below is my update on the general topic.
O.k. a little update after .... 17 days now.
According to the Medical Rep who is distributing the new drug "Trintellix" it is NOT the same as Mirtazapine. It's "just" a new Antidepressant.
This is not what the psychiatric specialist said. So I may have gotten wrong information. I'll leave it at this for now.
I havent had any withdrawal effects when switching from 15 mg Mirt to 10 mg Trintellix (vortioxetine). Not in the beginning and not until now.
Though the last week has been very emotional due to my psychiatrist upsetting me extremely and I had a major set back with suicidal thoughts and self harming. Emotional stress usually causes GI issues with me, so it's not surprising that I had a few days of "the runs", but was feeling well at the same time. So not a virus.
Last Wednesday I saw my regular Psychiatrist again and he suggested that I'd take Mirtazapine "when needed" to control the suicidal thoughts and get a good night sleep. He also confirmed that my relapse was very likely caused by cognitive issues, not medication (or side effects).
He urged me though, to keep taking Mirtazapine - we agreed on "when needed", since I just can't face the weight gain. (He explicitly confirmed that I could take both medications at the same time.)
So 2 nights ago I took 15mg Mirt on top of my regular meds (Clonazepam and Trintellix). After a good night sleep my mood is 100% better, suicidal thoughts are GONE.
Thursday night I did NOT take Mirt, just my regular meds and a gravol.
I slept well, feel awake and good. No side effects. No suicidal thoughts etc.
I am now waiting to see if they come back and how long I can go without Mirtazapine.
Will update you all over the weekend / early next week.
Happy Victoria Day Weekend!
Oh Mermaid, poor thing, you've had a real rough ide this week.
Lets remember, at the very front of our mind ... suicidal thoughts are a "symptom" of depression and they DO NOT mean we want to chuck ourselves over a cliff somewhere. My therapist said it's MENTAL SPAM, unwanted thoughts that we should CHALLENGE and tell to go away and not let them take over our consciousness.
I know this is very very beyond difficult, they come AND THEY GO and if at all possible, telling ourselves "this thought will pass" and BELIEVE IT MORE AND MORE, we are maybe half way beating the nasty little b ......... thoughts.
Mermaid, I hope you came accept my deepest wish that somewhere deep inside you, you may get some strength from the above, and know YOU ARE NOT ALONE, I've been there, loads of people on this forum have too - try and rest your mind a tiny little bit knowing it will pass, and maybe even learn to "block it out" in time.
Wishing you well x
Thank you so much Calmer. I am only reading your message now since the last 2 weeks have been... yeah... difficult.
I like that: mental spam! So true!
Thank you for your amazing support though! I've gotten through it and will write below a bit more details for all!
Hugs
B.
Update at Day 30 off mirtazapine and on Vortioxetine
Hi everyone!
So.... I fired my prick of a psychiatrist LOL. Well... not really. I got the amazing chance to switch pdocs and now to see the specialist who I had consulted once and who agreed to see me going forward.
After a few more suicidal days (more or less acting) my dose of Vortioxetine was raised to 20 mg and then to 30 mg last Monday (3 days ago).
I am feeling like myself again. Seriously - just like on Mirtazapine, but without the sleepiness and without the weight gain!
My "new" pdoc is awesome! She walked with me to the hospital pharmacy and consulted a pharmacist on what options we have to get away from Mirtazapine and to help me sleep better. It was so nice to "be part of the discussion"... she feels comfortable asking other experts for their opinions. Compared to my former pdoc who just seemed to be hurt in his pride! Ugh!
Anyway - I don't ever have to see him again!
With all the switching back and forth I have had no side effects other than a few days of "nervous stomach" and one day of very slight nausea.
I am now on:
450mg Wellbutrin (AD)
4x0.5mg Clonazepam spread over the day (Anxiety)
30mg Vortioxetine (AD)
2.5mg Zolpidem (sleep)
I was able to reduce my meds from 6 or 7 to 4! Yay! And my weight loss has started again. Feeling well.
Oh and... the new pdoc and the pharmacist both confirmed that Mirtazapine and Vortioxetine have the same therapeutic effect, just without sedation and weight gain.
I hope things keep going as well as they do now. Suicidal thoughts are gone. I am slowly growing a stronger emotional "skin" and am looking forward to a beautiful summer!
I wish you all could have the same awesome experience (without the nasty 3 weeks before).
So if you do end up switching meds, please keep us/me in the loop! I want to hear your experiences!!!
Hi Mermaid
Glad to hear you're on the up ! A good story for once. You know you must have so must strength to sort out these p.docs ... not an easy task when you're feeling down and out is it! Good on you; hope you have an easy & happy & healthy summer.
Best wishes x
Thank you Calmer <3
I doubt it's strength. I was just really really exhausted by the ups and downs, fed up with not feeling normal for 9 months and in one word DESPERATE.
So I started to be a little bit annoying. Questioning. Asking. Reading up for myself. Discussing. Insisting that there must be more... Asking for weekly appointments when I felt my health wasnt improving. Resisting Mirtazapine and the weight gain by insisting on getting a Rx for Metformin at the same time.... a lot of appointments. A lot of disappointment. But it seems things are on the up.
You and everyone else can do that too. It IS hard to be your own advocate when you are sick and in the down. My sister drew the picture of a steady water stream. As long as you flow around a rock like a steady stream of water, eventually the rock turns into gravel and into sand. That's how I felt with my pdoc. He was standing in the way and slowly but steadily he got annoyed and moved aside, agreed for me to see that other pdoc who has a completely different approach.
I mean - show me the pdoc who tells you "if this med doesnt make you feel better, dont go to the ER, they cant help you. Just call me!"
Heaven!!!
This information has been very helpful.. Glad things are going selector you!
I personally have been struggling with anxiety and depression for months.. Side effects have been disrupting my life from low sex drive, digestive issues, headaches, nightmares, sleep issues, mood changes and so much now add many of you can certainly relate I am sure!! 
I am a constant emotional yo yo and I don't understand how my boy friend can deal with me...but themself he does! My doctor, social worker and digestive specialist are all recommend I start medication (ADs) sooner than later but I have held off because I have never been on medication like this and I am worried about side effects and everything. I travel alot for work and have just slowed down, they are urging me to now start with vortioxetine..I guess I'm just worried and don't want to begin but know I need to do something
Oh I can definitely say that Vortioxetine is helping me tons.
You dont have to be worried about feeling "different" on medication. I can say from my own experience that, if a drug is "right" for you, you will feel "yourself" again.
And that's the best feeling ever!!
Thank you! I can't wait to get back to that feeling
Hello. I see this is a really old post but i was wondering how the switch from mirtazapine to trintellix went for you? I am on mirtazapine 15mg and the weight gain just wont stop. I am looking to discuss with my doc about making a switch and was hoping this could be an option. Any input on how you switched, side effects, time frame, etc...would be appreciated. I had a hard time getting on the mirtazapine so I'm nervous about trying to stop it. Thanks so much for any info
Best of wishes. Whatever works for you, different drugs work better for different people.
Hi Mermaid3011
I am so pleased that Vortixetine is working for you. Is it still? My psychiatrist has offered to change me to this but I am really nervous about switching. If you can please will you update.
Kind regards Maria
Did you give it a go Shari?