I took mirtazapine 15mg for about 5 weeks, then decided to stop as the tiredness that came with it was unbearable and I couldn't function. I am a teacher and mornings were very difficult, including the drive to school. I decided to stop cold turkey as I thought I had not taken the drugs for too long. I have had some very tough time since. One panic attack, nausea, extreme tiredness, dizziness, vision being weird. I have been given prozac but haven't started it as I prefer to detox first. It has now been 10 days and I am worrying about going back to work feeling like this. I seem to get all sort of side effects and was on Sertraline before Mirtazapine. That didn't work either. Has anyone got a similar experience? I have read some posts but none with same dosage or length of treatment.
You should have tapered it by breaking them in half and gradually substituting the half tablet over 3-4 weeks, then skipping on alternate days until down to zero. no matter from experiance 15 is a very low dose anyway, perhaps try 7.5 for a week or two then taper off over another 2 weeks, believe me coming off mirtazapine is a lot eaaier than coming off benzodiazapines like lorazepam.
I can't say I was in the exact same boat as you but I was on 15mg for 6 months, Fudgeybear1 was on it for a couple of months and then went cold turkey so maybe they can offer more input. I went through very similar symptoms to you so I expect the withdrawal process will be similar.
It took me roughly a month before I started to feel better and could start to work again but I definitely recommend taking Omega 3 to speed up the process. It could be a long road but don't give up, you will feel better.
I'm interested in this too as I am tapering after about 12 weeks or so. I have just had my second night on a split pill so 7.5 mg, and both nights pretty similar, had about 4-5 hours sleep before waking then dozy for rest of night but really hard to get out of bed and get going. Still now feeling very dopy and out of it. I really hope this settles down as I am back to work on Monday.
Any tips on what to do in getting through will be gratefully received.
I switched from Mirtazapine to vortioxetine after taking Mirt for 4-6 weeks. It has almost the same chemical profile and works quite the same, but without the drowsyness or weight gain.
I believe because of the switch to a very similar medication I had absolutely no side effects. Though I had to adjust the dose of Vortioxetine to 30 mg. Since then I feel "myself" again.
Maybe that's a possible alternative for you?
I also had the problem that Sertraline was nice, but not good enough and have been looking for quite a while for an alternative to Sertraline and Mirtazapine.
I am now taking Wellbutrin in the morning (gives you a bit of energy) and Vortioxetine at night.
I hope you can find the right cocktail that works for you!
Thanks for your message. I have just taken my first tablet of Prozac 20mg as suggested by GP. I am not sure what to expect. Have been signed off work for this week, I hate not being able to function properly and I am desperate to feel better. I am not familiar with the drugs you have mentioned but I am happy you are on something that works