Tarabird: Switching meds today

[Tarabird]

Hi. I am here because I am very sensitive to meds - when the pharmacy changes from one generic to another, the drug either doesn't work, or I get terrible new side effects.

And I have very bad side effects from many medications others can tolerate.

Which is all part of my current situation.

I have been on one variety of mirtazapine (made by Teva lab) at 22.5 mg. for many years, until Teva discontinued it. And at the same time, all the chain pharmacies said they will no longer let you specify manufacturer.

So I was forced to a private pharmacy who LIED to me about what lab they were giving me (I found out by using "pill identifier" that I was given Aurobindo lab). I had told them Aurobindo gave me extreme tinnitus.

At another pharmacy, I experimented with two different generics, and found out that THEY DO NOT SEEM TO WORK AT ALL.

 

So now I am suffering 24/7 extreme panic and the worst depression of my life. While my life circumstances are extremely stressful.

At the doctor's office today, I was given "starter" boxes of 5 and 10 mg. Trintellix and told to switch over with very little explanation of how to accomplish this safely.

 

I know you guys do "getting off antidepressants" and this is not that.

 

But I hope you can help.

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, Tarabird.  As if it weren't hard enough, they make it harder.

 

I have brought your situation to the attention of the other moderators.

[Altostrata]

Welcome, Tara.

 

How long has it been since you've taken mirtazapine?

 

If I were you,  I'd phone compounding pharmacies and see if any can make a liquid for you from pure mirtazapine powder. This will bypass any of the additives that might cause problems for you with tablets. Getting a custom liquid compounded may be expensive, but you can use it to taper off properly.

 

You will need a prescription from your doctor for the compounded liquid.

[Tarabird]

Hey. Thanks for the feedback.

 

Sorry if I wasn't clear, I am currently taking mirtazapine. It doesn't seem to be working anymore.

 

I am not trying to get off antidepressants. I -- boy do I -- need some help now. It's a long, bad story.

 

Point is, my PA has told me to switch to Trintellix. I'm not thrilled, I have had bad stomach trouble all my life.

 

That's why I was given mirtazapine in the first place. I have been told it is the only one without stomach irritating side effects.

 

I don't really know if I have hit a point where the mirtazapine just doesn't work anymore, or if the generic versions I get now just don't work for me. The manufacturer of mirtazapine I stuck to for years seemed to help me, it doesn't exist anymore.

 

 

[Altostrata]

What do you mean by "not working"?

 

As we volunteer advice about how to go off psychiatric drugs, if this is not something you want to do, not sure what we can do for you. We don't counsel people in drug switches or problems with their drugs, that's your doctor's responsibility. If you suspect they don't know what they're doing, welcome to our world.