mariamisery: Can I survive this withdrawal?

[mariamisery]

I stopped mirtazapine 5 and a half weeks ago. I had to get off because  mirtazapine was making me worse.  I didn't really taper.  Most of the time I was taking 7.5 mg. then 15mg for a couple weeks  and 30 mg a few dsys. It did not get really bad until about the 3rd week. A few days ago I was feeling better but today I feel awful . The symptoms are not specific except for the excessive tiredness.  Will this ever end? Need motivation. 

[Emonda]

Welcome to S.A. @mariamisery

 

So the moderators can best help you, please complete your drug signature by following these instructions. Adding a signature ensures your drug history appears at the bottom of every post, making it more efficient for those trying to assist. 

 

12 hours ago, mariamisery said:

I didn't really taper.

 

Stopping CT is likely to leave you with very unpleasant WD symptoms: Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

It might be worth reading this: About Reinstating and Stabilizing to Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms

 

12 hours ago, mariamisery said:

Will this ever end

 

With time and patience. People seem to experience Windows and waves pattern of stabilization as they recover.

 

12 hours ago, mariamisery said:

Need motivation. 

 

Have a read of the success stories. You can search for stories of people that stopped your particular AD, or others that stopped by any AD by CT...or both.

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but two that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. Add one at a time and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

Magnesium

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)

 

Avoid alcohol. 

 

This is your own Introduction topic.  Each member has only ONE Introduction topic.  Your own Introduction topic is the best place to ask questions and the place to journal your progress.  This keeps your history in one place and means you do not have to repeat your story. 

 

Once again, welcome to S.A.

 

Emonda

 

 

 

 

[mariamisery]

I need encouragement to keep going. Feel awful everyday. Been in withdrawal since  January 20 2023 mirtazapine.  Will this end.

[mariamisery]

Please looking for people to walk together through this difficult process 

[Emonda]

Welcome @mariamisery

Can you please confirm the dates you started and stopped your AD in December and January. People can become dependent on ADs within a month. I can't see at this stage if you were taking your AD for a month or shorter.

 

How did you stop? Just CT? If you were on the AD for a month and stopped CT, then I imagine you may feel rotten: 

 

Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) Can you relate to anything on this list?

 

Things will improve with time and patience: Windows and waves pattern of stabilization

 

For a little encouragement, drop past the success stories and read accounts of others who stopped CT and recovered.

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but two that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. Add one at a time and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

Magnesium

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)

 

Avoid alcohol. 

 

This is your own Introduction topic.  Each member has only ONE Introduction topic.  Your own Introduction topic is the best place to ask questions and the place to journal your progress.  This keeps your history in one place and means you do not have to repeat your story. 

 

Once again, welcome to S.A.

 

Emonda

 

[mariamisery]

Has anyone with mirtazapine withdrawal experience breathing issues especially in morning and head tightness. Thank you. 

[Rosetta]

Hello, Maria,

 

You have found the right place for support getting through this. I’m so sorry that you need it, but I’m glad you have found SA.  I’m not here very much, but I remember how I held on to hope because of the messages from regular old members of SA in addition to the very kind and knowledgeable administrators and staff.  They saved me, and I will always be grateful.
 

Please know recovery is absolutely possible!  You are not alone, your case is not hopeless and you are valuable!  Don’t let anyone you know lead you to believe otherwise!  If you answer the staff members’ questions you will learn how to help yourself out of this.  If you feel hopeless, try to read a few of the Success Stories.  https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/forum/28-success-stories-recovery-from-psychiatric-drug-withdrawal/

 

Hang in there!

 

🧚🏻‍♀️Rosetta

[mariamisery]

Never had breathing issues until after mirtazapine.  I am in my sixth week of withdrawal Feel bad and feel like I  can't take a full breath. Need to know if this will end .

[mariamisery]

Anyone has issues with tightness in head and eyes during withdrawal. I am in withdrawal from mirtazapine but would like to know no matter the medication.  Thanks 

[mariamisery]

Tiredness all the time.  I can fall asleep but wake up a few times during the night. Anyone else suffering the same thing. Is this just a part of withdrawal and will eventually go away?

[Emonda]

Please refer back to the WD symptom checklist in my first post above.

 

It gives you a comprehensive list of potential WD symptoms. 

[modelarz71]

22 minutes ago, mariamisery said:

Cały czas zmęczenie. Potrafię zasnąć, ale w nocy budzę się kilka razy. Ktokolwiek inny cierpi na to samo. Czy to tylko część odstawienia i w końcu minie?

Hello, waking up at night is also my problem. (now less)
I think you can be happy that it took so short a time, so you will heal and not return to it.
You will probably be one of those people who will write a success story
You just have to be brave and not panic, I panicked and started taking it again and considered my stomach, and I only had insomnia earlier
 

[mariamisery]

How far into withdrawal are you?  Or are you taking medication again?

[modelarz71]

49 minutes ago, mariamisery said:

How far into withdrawal are you?  Or are you taking medication again?

I got WD from around April 2023 I should then wait for recovery , but I slept poorly two nights I got scared and went to a psychiatrist and restored a high dose and my stomach broke, 
it's very hard for me I can't give myself this big restoration , if I didn't do it I would live with my anhedonia with weaker sleep but this stomach I can't strain because it was always healthy:(

Then in the summer of 023 I restored the microdoses but it didn't help anymore so I haven't taken AD since XI 2023

I forgot to ask if you have colorful realistic dreams, because in WD some people have such dreams,
I have them all the time, but it doesn't bother me because I sleep then....

[mariamisery]

I do have very realistic dreams and that is when I sleep too. I don't recall are you on mirtazapine.  So you are still on medication 

[modelarz71]

I have had 0 mg of medication since November 2023, but I would start taking it again if it were to cure my gastroparesis symptoms.
I was only taking escitalopram before but I now have a number of medications proposed also for sleep, but I don't use them so far because I am afraid of them.
I lie down at 12 o'clock at night and fall asleep for two hours, but then I sleep and when I wake up around 5 o'clock I usually fall asleep again so far 

[Telomere]

On 3/3/2024 at 9:50 AM, mariamisery said:

I need encouragement to keep going. Feel awful everyday. Been in withdrawal since  January 20 2023 mirtazapine.  Will this end.

I am about 6 weeks post my last dose of Sertraline. I am noticing that the waves are getting tolerable, but it’s taking a lot of talk therapy techniques to keep me in a functional state during the waves. Other things that have helped are walks, alternate nostril breathing, exercise and a lot of self-reminders that the withdrawal symptoms will pass sooner or later. Also success stories on this site have helped when the doc just wants me on another medication to sort out the ‘anxiety’ symptoms that I have now learnt are withdrawal symptoms. All the best to you!

[Telomere]

8 hours ago, mariamisery said:

Never had breathing issues until after mirtazapine.  I am in my sixth week of withdrawal Feel bad and feel like I  can't take a full breath. Need to know if this will end .

I had this specific symptom until last week. It did fade away for me, but not sure if it will come back in a future wave 😳

[mariamisery]

Can waves get worse? How more painful can it get?

[Emonda]

I've just moved your new post back here to your own thread.

 

This is your own Introduction topic.  Each member has only ONE Introduction topic.  Your own Introduction topic is the best place to ask questions and the place to journal your progress.  This keeps your history in one place and means you do not have to repeat your story. 

[mariamisery]

Hi, I read about waves.  Not sure if they can get worse than worse.  How can I put questions on main page so I can get others input. Thanks. 

[Telomere]

19 hours ago, mariamisery said:

Hi, I read about waves.  Not sure if they can get worse than worse.  How can I put questions on main page so I can get others input. Thanks. 

In my case, they have been getting more tolerable— but I am only a few weeks from the last dose and I have not been able to identify a pattern in my waves so I am not sure whether the waves will continue to getting easier. Until a few days back, I had chest and nerve pain along the arms. That faded away, and I had a window lasting a day, followed by a wave full of thoughts that run in loops and constant underlying anxiety. 

[mariamisery]

Help! Looking to walk this journey with someone.  I really think this will be helpful for us all.

[Emonda]

As per my previous post, please do not start new topics for yourself.

 

Post updates here in your own thread.

[mariamisery]

PLEASE HELP! How to ride the PAINFUL waves?

[Emonda]

Please do not start new topics every time you post. 

 

Please post your updates here.

 

Have you read the links you have been provided above?

 

Thank you

[modelarz71]

On 4.03.2024 at 23:09, mariamisery said:

Mam bardzo realistyczne sny i wtedy też śpię. Nie pamiętam, czy bierzesz mirtazapinę. Więc nadal bierzesz leki 

Why did you start taking this drug in the first place?
You took 2 months is not as long as many others.
The lump in my throat also appears lately during panic, when I start crying that I am so victimized, but the lump then passes so you will get better with time.
How many times do you wake up during the night?
Do you have night sweats?
See how lucky you are that at least your stomach ok

[Greatful]

@mariamisery  HI Maria,  I know how scary and awful this is.  Your panic is normal, how could this be, why is this happening, how can I make it stop.  Panic will only cause you to feel worse, which can lead to making quick decisions. Take a deep breath and breathe.  Look for ways to help yourself, meditation, walks, learning about these drugs, reach out to others and share coping skills.  Have you looked at the Symptoms and Self-Care part of this forum?   http:// Symptoms and self-care.  Finding others with the same symptoms and talking with them can help validate that you are not alone and your are not going crazy.  You are going to be okay, you where on them for such a short time.   Now you have to let your mind and body find it's own homeostasis again.

Read through Scrountz's helpful information for coping

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/28647-techniques-for-managing-an-adverse-drug-reaction-or-cold-turkey-withdrawal/#comment-577067

 

You are stronger than you think.  Reach down deep, take care of yourself, be kind to yourself, and let time take over and let your body and brain heal.

🌞

 

 

[Rhernan]

Hello, I came off of mirt July 2023, so about 8 months ago.  I too am very sick and in acute withdrawals.

 

for md my stomach and brain are a mess along with horrible nights.  
 

you will be okay and this will pass.  Eat healthy, hydrate and if you can take small walks, sit outside or stretch.

[BaccatePlayer]

Maria, your tone suggests a lot of desperation and panic. This is expected and common reaction to what you experience, but be aware that withdrawal can do a lot of things to you and if you will just rely on others and what symptoms do to you, you will become hugely dependant on reassurance which may not always be at hand when you panic and symptoms will be dragging you lower and lower because you'll be more and more fixated on their messages.

 

Head tightness is a common symptom, I relate to it. Your mind is stuck at very guarded mode because it learnt to expect a symptom to attack and when it involves breathing like in your case it simply thinks this is a serious business because it's directly related to survival. The inner sense of panic and feeling trapped in this state tightens your head and there are chemically related processes going on there too. Leave this feeling alone as you are in no position to untighten it other than easing your reaction.

 

The whole withdrawal will pass, I guarantee you. There is an end of this on the timeline, your mind just can't feel like it because it is aware of how much healing needs to be done yet. It's like watching the broken bone and thinking it won't recover because you can't move it without pain. But you have faith knowing your body is healing despite suffering you're going through.

 

When you're in a wave, remember that it always passes. I've been having 9-day long waves and they always eventually ended. Multiple times throughout the day you may feel hopeless, but key is to remember that you don't urgently need to do anything with it. You could continue what you were doing and you wouldn't collapse or anything. If you focus on your wave, you will be trying to fix it, but you can't do this. No amount of rumminations can repel the wave. Your best bet is to trust the external. You may feel that you can't leave the wave unsupervised, but this is the only way to put your focus elsewhere. Don't let wave dictate your actions, force the wave to follow what you are doing in the moment. You can choose to give in to negativity or force/try being positive. Neither is easy, but one at least doesn't make you suffer more than you have to.

 

I suggest you work on impatience and panic first. You may even dedicate every morning to physical and mental relaxation. Don't overstimulate yourself too because accelerating your mind can both stress you and wire your mind to be panicked. Please be gentle for yourself! You are strong enough to endure it, Maria! Promise yourself that you will not give up no matter what your withdrawal brings to you. Sending lots of good energy!

 

 

[mariamisery]

Thanks so much! You got everything right!  I have become dependent on others messages. The breathing  I do panic !Trying to stop doing that. I need to learn to reassure myself. It is so hard to deal. I don't get many windows The majority of my symptoms is just feeling absolutely awful and tired. I  was only on mirtazapine for less than 7 weeks and it was the only drug. Hoping this will end sooner than later. The bad part is nobody knows when it will end. Do you feel something before it end? Do you wake up one day and it is gone? No success stories on how the healing took place towards the end. I am in need of hope. You came right on time. Appreciate the wisdom. I have tried saying to myself that I am feeling this way because I am healing.  This works for a short time. I am struggling bad but will see it to the end. You made a difference.  Thank you. Hope you have your success story soon! Can I keep in touch?

[BaccatePlayer]

14 hours ago, mariamisery said:

Thanks so much! You got everything right!  I have become dependent on others messages. The breathing  I do panic !Trying to stop doing that. I need to learn to reassure myself. It is so hard to deal.

Yes, it is even harder in such vulnerable time, but your efforts still go somewhere, so you may as well steer them towards self-compassion rather than helplessness.

 

14 hours ago, mariamisery said:

I don't get many windows The majority of my symptoms is just feeling absolutely awful and tired. I  was only on mirtazapine for less than 7 weeks and it was the only drug. Hoping this will end sooner than later. The bad part is nobody knows when it will end. Do you feel something before it end?

If you're experiencing windows that's a sign of your CNS finding balance. First windows may even be as short as 20 minutes and still leave you with many symptoms. As time goes on you should get them more often, they will likely last longer and resemble your natural state more and more. Sadly, the instability can occur even after one dose and last quite a bit, so even if mirtazapine is out of your system, the effects of it can still be shaking you. Your concerns are very reasonable, though it's probably better not to expect recovery within some close range now. You know too well how slowly time is passing during this time. Waiting for full relief now just wires your mind to act like it can virtually "skip" to a deadline, but you will still have to go through all the waves and symptoms that are ahead of you and in the moment any date in the future would not save you from it, so maybe try to be there in the moment because it's much easier to suffer the present struggle rather than present, past and future struggle at once. Ideally it'd be best not to think too much about withdrawal, but I know it's difficult. I assume you're curious if you can feel it's coming to an end? Well, it's likely that you will keep feeling better and better until you're fully yourself. The waves will slowly take less % of your time during a given period and they'll be of less jarring contrast to your regular mood too. Sadly, there is no eureka moment that will tell you that you are close to full recovery as it improves so slowly that you barely feel any difference between two days unless you're going out of a wave.

 

15 hours ago, mariamisery said:

Do you wake up one day and it is gone? No success stories on how the healing took place towards the end. I am in need of hope. You came right on time. Appreciate the wisdom. I have tried saying to myself that I am feeling this way because I am healing.  This works for a short time. I am struggling bad but will see it to the end. You made a difference.

I'm afraid it's not exactly that sort of scenario. When you feel so much burden it really feels like the only rescue would be for it to dead stop from day to day, but I haven't heard of such experiences. Have you read about WDnormal? It explains how you get better and better on average until you hit 0, though even then you can still be getting waves and be vulnerable to substances, excessive stress, potentially work overload, maybe sexual or athletic activity.

 

This may sound upsetting, but withstanding it is mostly saving yourself for short time as many times as needed. Your mood can jump drastically between two or three hours, so it really is a matter of coping in the critical moment.

 

15 hours ago, mariamisery said:

Thank you. Hope you have your success story soon! Can I keep in touch?

Thank you as well, Maria! Human kindness might be the crucial shield for us now. Totally up for staying in touch. Wish you best too!

[brassmonkey]

Here is a section of a much longer article I wrote some time back. It will help answer you questions about how long this is going to last.

 

Are We There Yet? How Long Is Withdrawal Going To Take? - Tapering - Surviving Antidepressants

 

 

[Catina7]

I'm leaving this post here in your own personal topic thread.

Edited March 19 by Catina7

[mariamisery]

Hello. Is there anyone who was on medication for  a short time.  I was  on  mirtazapine for almost 7 weeks What did your recovery  look like,? I am 2 months in and still having a bad withdrawal.  In the morning I wake up with feeling like I can't breathe but I am.  Awful emotional feelings I can't explain. Tiredness and head feel tight.  Heart palpitations. Please help if you can. Thanks.  

[getofflex]

Hi Maria.  I'm very sorry that you are going through this. You say you were on it 7 weeks, but from your sig it looks like 4 weeks.  Please clarify, and change your signature if needed.  Thanks.  

 

Please completely avoid alcohol, and other mind altering substances, like CBD, kratom, etc.  Eat a healthy diet, avoid excess salt, sugar, chemical, etc.  Reduce stress however you can, take gentle walks outside each day, and so whatever it takes to calm and soothe yourself.  Stay on a regular routine.  

 

It sounds like you are in a wave.  Unfortunately, when we get in a wave, our withdrawal monkey mind tries to play tricks on us, and make us think this will go on permanently.  But I can assure you, that it will not.  Please rest assured that with time, and natural self care, you will get better slowly.  

 

I suggest you use our site search feature to try to find other people like yourself who you can chat with.  Search the Intros and Updates Forum, and the Success Stories forum.  This link will explain how to do that. 

How to Do A Site Search

 

Also, I suggest you read the first post of this link. 

 

Techniques for Managing Withdrawal

 

I think you would do well to learn some non drug coping techniques.  Which ones have you tried?  Here are some links with information about how to manage your symptoms.  Please read them, and choose several techniques, and work on learning them.  

 

Important topics about symptoms, including sleep problems

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

I like the post that Baccate Player wrote to you on Thursday.  You might reread it.  Hang in there.  This is a very tough situation, I know.  I've been there, and am still recovering, but I know it will get better.  It is important to try not to panic about your situation.  It is very unfair, but many have gone through this, and they have survived it and recovered.  You will too.  

 

Edited March 19 by getofflex