Stopping mirtazapine

[Annabell46]

Has anyone successfully stopped mirtazapine. Im on 15 mg and want to withdraw. Tried reducing by a third and felt hellish after 3 days!

Yes but I did it myself. I was on 30mg and went down to 15mg for two weeks by cutting them in half, then stopped altogether. Probably not advised, tbh.

Having said that, mitarzapine didn't work for me and I actually felt suicidal on them. I didn't see the doctor because in my head, I felt like if I wasn't on them, I'd be feeling ten times worse. I actually felt a lot better once I'd come off them.

Why have you decided to come off it?

You need to speak to your GP. Get proper advice. These things need to be done slowly.

I weaned off at the beginning of the year. I did every other day for around 3 weeks, then every third day then every 4. This was on my GPs advice. I was on 15mg. I was fine. I did accidentally do an abrupt withdrawal (I ran out and felt fine not realising that it would hit me a week later) and felt awful so the gradual withdrawal worked well.

Thanks everyone. I just dont feel good on them. Feel flat and emotionless and got joint pain. They make me crave sugar like crazy! Dr wants to increase citalopram and then stop them. I was put on them for anxiety and insomnia as had a terrible time 6 weeks on sertraline. Could not eat sleep and was horrendously anxious on sertraline

@Annabell46
Hi, I know this is quite an old thread, but I’m now currently going through the same thing and wondered how you are getting on with your mirtazapine withdrawal?
MrsGlum

@MrsGlum I stopped after 2 days as felt so awful!
How are you doing? I just don’t feel brave enough right now to do it as mental health not great. I get so freaked out by the stories on fb mirtazapine withdrawal site

@Annabell46 I’ve been off them for 6 weeks now.

Like you i was feeling awful on them and had terrible joint and tendon problems on it.

The last few weeks of going cold turkey withdrawal have been horrendous but going back on is not an option due to the physical damage they have done to me.

Im not on FB so I haven’t seen that support group’s stories - it would probably depress me beyond repair as I’m already feeling very low indeed.

My main complaints now (apart from the joint damage) are terrible anxiety and insomnia.

I am determined to get through this and be back to my normal self eventually. I can’t believe how much damage a medication can do to a person in such a short space of time.

I was on for 9 weeks but it’ll probably take me a year to recover -if ever!

I’ve gone from being an independent , active, busy and gregarious woman into a scruffy, shambolic recluse.

I really wish I’d done my research first and will always rue the day I swallowed that first tablet.

@MrsGlum
I’m so sorry to hear this. Your story is very familiar. I feel the same. Wish I had never taken them. Drs don’t even know much about what they are prescribing, they say there are no withdrawals. I was put on them after a bad reaction to sertraline which caused horrific anxiety and insomnia. I was referred to a psychiatrist who put me on mirt. He said same that there are no withdrawals its just my anxiety!
I hate what its doing to my body. I have always been so slim toned and petite and now I am gaining fat around middle and legs and my muscle tone just disappearing even though I do Pilates and yoga and have an active lifestyle.
Are you getting any support from your Dr?
The withdrawal group recommends a slow taper of 10 % a month.
I really hope things start to improve for you soon. Take care

@Annabell46

I think GPs should do regular training on antidepressant effects and withdrawal experiences of ADs just to be sure they are
weighing up the potential damage vs benefit for each patient. I know mine didn’t.
Very little ongoing support from my doctor now.

I couldn’t have done the taper as I was suddenly in agony all over from the meds. I needed it out of my body ASAP. I already have damage in my feet from them.

Im on this road now so I have little choice but to keep going. I have almost forgotten how I used to feel when I was well. It’s only by looking at old photos that I remember the person I used to be.

I am so angry that I did this to myself and my family.

Good luck with your withdrawal when you start.

How are you getting on? Is it any easier?

I am thinking of going on some tablets. Sorry to hijack the thread, is anyone on an antidepressant that doesn’t make you gain weight (increase appetite)?

Don’t go on mirtazapine it’s very bad for weight gain and hellish to come off!
Citalopram or prozac ( fluoxitine ) are usually not weight gaining

Hi @Annabell46 I’m still feeling pretty unwell 6 weeks in [
Have you started your withdrawal yet?

No , because every small reduction makes me feel horrendous. Intrusive thoughts and flashback to memories from past. I’m not mentally strong enough right now. My mind races all the time.
Sorry to hear you are still bad. Are you sleeping yet?
I’m so scared, I feel I have made such a mess of my life.

@Annabell46 no I’m not sleeping. Got 2.5hrs last night. Also terrible foot pain caused by the meds is really distressing me.
I feel like you -terrified and have made a total mess of my life by starting on them.😢

Thats terrible,it is a hellish drug.
Those symptoms are so typical of withdrawal. I feel suicidal most of the time. Dr wants to refer me back to psychiatrist. Don’t see the point as he doesn’t believe in mirtazapine withdrawals and said it’s my anxiety. They will just try to medicate me more. Just feel so trapped

@Annabell46 it really is a nasty drug.
I was a normal healthy woman with some anxiety before this and now I am a shambolic, weeping wreck after taking them.
I really don’t want to go on any more meds after what this has done to me but I can’t keep living like this either. It’s absolutely evil!

@Annabell46
I feel trapped on this medication too - feel rubbish on it but the prospect of withdrawal from it could make things even worse.
I regret the day I ever started on this - I am a shadow of the person I used to be.

@Annabell46
I’m at my wits end. Another night of virtually no sleep. Had a horrible shaky internal itchy sensation throughout my body and my brain is permanently on. It just won’t let me sleep. Can’t stop sobbing.
I’m beginning to think I’ve got permanent brain and nervous system damage from the mirtazapine. I can’t imagine ever feeling normal again. I have visions of being put into a mental health facility and never coming out.

You need to get help
Maybe reinstate a tiny dose and wean off gradually.
I know how it feels to be like that.
You will get better .
Can you ring drs this morning
I’m really sorry you are going through this
Its hell