Mirtazapine agony!

[MrsGlum]

Help please, lovely Mumsnetters, I really need a handhold!

I’ve been taking 15mg mirtazapine for 2 months to treat anxiety and insomnia but have just had to come off it due to suddenly developing severe joint pains everywhere - shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles and feet. Really debilitating pain.

GP was quite nonplussed when I spoke to him. He said ok to stop straight away because I was on a low dose and only for a short time. To be honest I don’t think I could have tolerated doing a taper anyway because the pain is already so bad. I didn’t want any more of the meds in my system for even a minute longer to be able to do more mischief! Been off 12 days now.

Has anyone else had this with mirtazapine and found the pain goes away once you’ve stopped the medication?

I’m in agony and need some positive stories to see me through this nightmare !

Hopeful bump

Ooh, I'm sorry you're in pain! I take 15mg a night to make me sleep.

The Mirtazapine should be out of your system by now. Was the pain very sudden?

If it persists, maybe talk to your Dr again and see what they suggest, as I have no answers!!

Thanks YouCantTourniquetTheTaint.

With hindsight I was getting little niggles within a week of starting it but didn’t really make the connection.

It’s only in the last 3 weeks that the pain has intensified and into all my joints and become excruciating.

I’m speaking to the GP next week so if no better will ask what options I’ve got.

I've been on the highest dose (45mg) of Mirtazapine for about 3 years, never once noticed any aches and pains.

Thanks @MyQuietPlace

I think I must be one of the unlucky ones to get one of the ‘less common’ side effects. It is listed on the leaflet but never could I have imagined it would be this bad!

MrsGlum Sorry you're having that. You probably should see the GP.

Are you sure it's the mirtazapine causing it?

Hi @Frankii

Yes I’m pretty sure it’s the Mirtazapine.

With hindsight the symptoms came on quite insidiously when I first started it, but it’s only now when I look back at the timeline of taking it that it all adds up to the meds being the culprit.

It’s only during the last couple of weeks that the pains have accelerated so rapidly and intensely that they’ve become really debilitating and difficult to ignore

Joint pain is listed as a side effect and I think I’ve been unlucky enough to experience it. Maybe it’s due to the way I metabolise this medication.

@MyQuietPlace

Thanks - I have already spoken to my GP about it and he was pretty dismissive. Just told me to come off it and ride it out.

Think I’ll need to try and speak to a different GP in the practice next week.