Tallis: my quest to be free from mirtazapine

[Tallis]

Hello. This is my first post. Can someone please direct me towards how to make a signature and a drug history. From what I understand the signature is a condensed version of the drug history and visible to all users whilst the drug history is visible only to moderators. Is this correct?

 

 The drug I am beginning to withdraw from is Mirtazapine. The only other drug I am currently taking is HRT which I don’t intend to change at present. I’ve been taking an antidepressant of some sort or another for about 20 years and have changed from citalopram to Mirtazapine about 2 years ago. There were other drugs and alcohol in the mix intermittently until quite recently too which I will go into as I go along and figure out how this site works. 

Until a couple of months ago I was taking 30mg of Mirtazapine. After a couple of cuts I am now taking 20mg. The first cut was down to 22.5. My main symptom kicked in after a few days and was characterised by feelings of anger, rage and difficulty sleeping. Thinking back, maybe the cut was a bit too big, but my symptoms abated after a couple of weeks. Once I felt comfortable and stable from this dose (just over a month),  I cut another 2.5 mg to my current dose. I experienced irritability and trouble sleeping again, but this is now improving. I don’t feel that I am stable yet and plan to stay on this dose for at least another month. I don’t have any terrible symptoms but just feel like my brain is still catching up. It’s like an intuitive thing and trying to tune into my body. So in general I feel like it’s going quite well so far.

 

I’ve been dipping into this site and found it very helpful in driving home the importance of going slowly. I’ve had some horrific cold turkey withdrawals from other substances and want to approach this methodically and do it properly. 

 

I’ve spoken to a doctor about it as I wanted to change the format of the drug from oral dispensable to tablet so they are easier to cut. He was completely uninterested and neither asked questions about my decision or offered any helpful tips. I didn’t really expect anything different but it’s kind of funny how people always tend to stress the importance of talking to a doctor before making any decisions regarding changes in medication. He offered me 15mg instead of 30 and I said I wasn’t ready to go to that amount yet and said I would be in touch when I am. 
 

Most people I speak to about this seem to think I am foolish for attempting this, especially given my dubious history around substance use. The popular opinion is that if a doctor prescribes you a drug, it is safe, and you need it. But I have come to a point where I have had enough and want out. So here I am, and that’s my current status. 

[Frogie]

@Tallis

 

Welcome to SA. We are a volunteer ran site helping people taper off psychiatric medications or have tapered off and are now healing.

 

This is your introduction page where you will receive information, ask questions and meet other members. We ask that each member only have one introduction page so we can keep all your information in one place.

 

Here is a link to create your drug signature. I wouldn't go into detail on the illicit and unprescribed substances, just the date and what they were.

 

How to List Drug History in Signature

 

Here are some links you will find useful on tapering.

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Tips for tapering off mirtazapine (Remeron)

 

How do you talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal?

Dr. Joseph Glenmullen's withdrawal symptom checklist

 

Irritability, Anger, Rage

 

 

 

Here is some information about how these drugs actually work.  

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

 

Stability is really important when we are tapering off psych meds.  Please read the link about stability:

 

Keep It Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

 

We don't suggest a lot of supplements on here as they can be stimulating to the nervous system. We do find that magnesium and omega do help calm the nervous system with some people. If you would like to try one try it in a small amount and wait a few days before introducing the other.

 

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/15483-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

King of supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) - Symptoms and self-care - Surviving Antidepressants

 

After you have read the links provided please reach out with any questions you may have.

 

 

 

Edited July 25, 2022 by Frogie

[Tallis]

Thank you for your reply Frogie. I think I would have made my signature much more long winded than it needed to be! I believe I have submitted it now. 

[Frogie]

@Tallis

 

Looks great!

[Tallis]

Haha. It wasn’t a great couple of years as you can probably tell but I am back and fighting now. 😊

[Tallis]

I’ve been drinking a lot of Ovaltine. At first I thought it would be helpful as it’s full of vitamins, and I love the taste of it. However it seems to leave me feeling quite wired and jittery. I wonder if it’s all the b vitamins, or the sugar. I should probably eliminate it or at least cut it right down. 

[ChessieCat]

16 minutes ago, Tallis said:

I wonder if it’s all the b vitamins,

 

Some SA members find B vitamins activating, especially B6.

[Tallis]

1 minute ago, ChessieCat said:

 

Some SA members find B vitamins activating, especially B6.

Thank you. It does contain B6.