A handhold please - antidepressant withdrawal

[MrsGlum]

Hi lovely Mumsnetters,
I’m asking for a handhold as I’m really struggling today
I came off Mirtazapine 30 days ago and I am still feeling absolutely awful. Had to pretty much go cold turkey due to horrible side effects after 2 months on 15mg.
Whilst the nausea and dizziness have worn off, I am still suffering with relentless insomnia, anxiety, palpitations and lack of appetite.
I’m so regretting ever going on it.
I am absolutely no good to anyone at the moment and my life is literally on hold
Has anyone else coming off an AD felt this bad for this long and if so when did you turn a corner?
Surely I’ll have to feel better soon won’t I? 🤞🏻

I’m terrified that I’ve permanently ruined my body and my brain with this medication.

Anyone..?

You’ll be fine. I’ve come off this and pretty much every other AD. Try to forget about it. Eat even if you’re not hungry. Build your strength up and think positively.

No experience of this but massive congratulations for being in a position to come off them. Minute by minute your are stepping further away from medication, well done

Anxiety, insomnia and poor appetite can all be linked to a major depressive episode. Is it possible that you aren’t suffering from antidepressant withdrawal, but are actually still depressed? I think it’s worth having another discussion with your GP or psychiatrist. This is an awful way to be feeling for two months. I’m so sorry.

@Pantsomime

No experience of this but massive congratulations for being in a position to come off them. Minute by minute your are stepping further away from medication, well done

Medication can be life-improving for some people, and literally life-saving for others. I don’t think it’s appropriate to congratulate someone for coming off it, especially if they’re still struggling tremendously with physical symptoms. Medication isn’t a terrible thing. I understand trying to be supportive, but I’m not convinced this is a helpful comment.

@ashitghost I’ve never been on an AD before so it’s new territory for me. Thanks for the encouragement - I’m trying to keep a positive attitude and hopefully come through the other side before too long 🤞🏻

Thanks @Pantsomime - I’m desperate to be off them. I really don’t think I needed them in the first place as I was only suffering a period of short term anxiety and sleep issues due to a difficult situation now resolved. The GP prescribed them and because I was none the wiser I went along with it. I wish now I’d just had some counselling and some sleeping tablets.

@UpToMyElbowsInDiapers I wasn’t actually depressed when my GP put me on them. I was experiencing some anxiety and sleep issues related directly to a particular situation.
I actually feel more depressed now having come off them because they have caused me some bad physical side effects (joint pain and tendon problems) as well as affecting my sleep which before all this started was ok.
I do feel now that it was a bit of a ‘sledgehammer to crack a walnut’ approach. I wish I’d just treated the problem more conservatively but I suppose hindsight is a wonderful thing!