BloombieK: Sensitive to tapering but managing well

[BloombieK]

Hi, 

I started my tapering journey from mirtazapine, which I've taken for almost eight years, on mid January of this year.  After reducing to 25% and feeling awful for two days I found on the internet that 10% is what people recommend reducing.  Tried a 10% reduction and after two weeks depression and anxiety manifested and went back up to 100% for a day.  I'm on a 5% percent reduction and AM very happy to Say that WD symptoms now practically have disappeared.  My current challenge is during PMS.  Even with taking a full dose, PMS has been challenging.  WD symptoms appear (a wave) and I find that taking one 100% dose makes me get back on track.  Has anybody dealt with PMS and WD symptoms? I want to thank Altostrata and all the people who collaborate to keep us informed. I'm learning a lot from this forum and hope to keep learning and finding hope for this journey.

[ChessieCat]

Hi BloombieK and welcome to SA,

 

It seems that you have done lots of research about tapering.  I will give you links to information so we know that you have the information.

 

Thank you for completing your signature.  Please delete the percentage amounts in your signature as well as the brackets around the dose amount.  The following is easier to read.  Please also move the information of tapering off clonazepam as shown below and also include when you took your last dose (I've coloured it red so you can see it.  Thank you.

 

Meds: March 2011: Mirtazapine 30mg, Clonazepam 0.5mg when needed Tapered off clonazepam with ease - last dose ???.

2013-2015: Several unsuccessful withdrawal attempts from mirtazapine. 

Jan 16, 2018: Mirtazapine 27mg

Feb 24, 2018: Reinstated mirtazapine 30mg

Feb 25, 2018 'til this day: Mirtazapine 28.5mg

 

 

SA recommends tapering by no more than 10% of the previous dose followed by a hold at that dose for about 4 weeks to allow the brain to adapt to not getting as much of the drug.  This is because psychiatric drugs create a physiological dependence, not physical like caffeine or nicotine.

 

Patience is needed to get off these drugs.  We suggest throwing out the calendar and listening to your body and your symptoms.  If after 4 weeks you don't feel stable, are unwell or life circumstances are a bit more stressful than usual (for example the Christmas period, winter time, or job change) it is better to stay at that dose for a bit longer until things settle down.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

 

Tips for tapering off Remeron (mirtazapine)

 

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen's Withdrawal Symptoms

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

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

What should I expect from my doctor about withdrawal symptoms?

 

Brain Remodelling

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

Keep it Simple, Slow and Stable

Keep Notes on Paper

 

Rate Symptoms Daily to Check Patterns and Progress

Tapering Calculator - Online

 

The only supplements which SA recommends are Magnesium and Omega-3 Fish Oil.  Try a small amount one at a time to see how you react.  It is best to make only 1 change at a time.  It is also better not to start taking a complex vitamin because if you experience issues you will not know what exactly is causing it.  B vitamins can be stimulating especially B6.  hypersensitive-to-b-vitamin-or-b-vitamin-complex  If trying anything new, start with a small amount to see how you react and build up to the recommended amount.  

 

Even with a careful and slow taper you will most likely experience times of discomfort.  It is best to learn and use Non-drug techniques to cope

 

There are many existing topics and discussions on this site.  You can use the site search function on the main page of the site at the top right, or use a search engine and include survivingantidepressants.org in your search string.

 

Lots of information, but I really want you to have what you need so you can have a successful taper.

 

This is your own Intro topic where you can ask questions and journal your progress.  We suggest that members visit each others Intro topics so that can support and encourage each other.

[BloombieK]

Thank you.  I will edit my signature and look up all the information you mentioned.

[BloombieK]

Hello everyone,

 

It's been a while since I posted here.  I want to let you know that after several attempts at tapering down (10%, 5%, 2%, 1%), I finally found my rate.  I am very sensitive to tapering and after the whole last year trying and testing I decided to microtaper after a post I read in this forum a few months ago.  I thought it would be my last try because I had pretty rough months.  So, I am microtapering and I've been feeling much better, I am more stable or adjust more easily (I'm reducing 0.5% about every month or so, although my last taper a few days ago was about 0.3%).  Another thing I realized is that I needed help in order to manage the tapering process, so I started going to psycotherapy again and it's been REALLY helpful in this process.  So, I am pretty much happy that I finally seem on a good road towards recovery.

 

I've made some dietary changes because I am on perimenopause and I have suffered PMS practically all my adult life.  What I've found very useful to stabilize my hormones are eating oatmeal in some form everyday, eating more carbs, sweet potato and plantains.  I've really healed a lot with these changes and I am very happy and grateful that I discovered this.  It has been life changing.  I don't worry anymore about how my next premenstrual days will be.  I share with you the link to the book that opened my eyes to changes in diet and habits for hormonal balance.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Quit-PMS-Naturally-menstrual-misery-ebook/dp/B00MV67H3E

 

Another book that has helped me enormously with anxiety is this:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Dare-Anxiety-Stop-Panic-Attacks-ebook/dp/B0158S7E1G/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1547502596&sr=1-1&keywords=dare

 

It's a wonderful book that teaches a simple and effective strategy to handle and heal anxiety and I think it could apply to emotional spirals as well.  I really recommend it.

 

I hope that my findings will help some of you or at least give hope to us that are in a rough but blessed road.  May you all find your way to healing.

Sincerely,

Bloombiek

[BloombieK]

Update:

 

 Hello everyone! I had difficult moments for the last two months.  After trying to taper by 2% and 1% on the third decrease my body had a really rough time coping with WD and went downhill for several weeks.  My nervouss system was overly sensitized and had problems with high blood pressure and daily anxiety.  I usually don't have as much anxiety as I had and was prescribed a benzo which I took for a couple of weeks but stopped taking it because I didn't want to suffer double for withdrawal.  It's been hard enough to withdraw from mirtazapine.  I one rough afternoon and that was it.  I am now on a new decrease after reinstating to 100% and my anxiety has dropped down to minimum and my blood pressure is now normal.  I've been experiencing a little bit of fatigue, irrational thoughts pop up more easily, neuro-emotions especially anger and fear, trouble sleeping, (I take tart cherry for that and sleep wonderfully), painful memories from the past, insecurity-fear of being jugded, and less tolerance to frustration.  I'm currently on group therapy, CBT, which has been very helpful in managing symptoms.  I am hopeful that now, with homeopathic medication and tools from therapy I will sail a little bit better my withdrawal process.

 

Will keep you posted.

 

 

[Carmie]

Hi BloombieK, 

 

I’m glad you’re feeling a bit better. Going on a benzo for two weeks and then cold turkeying it can also put you in withdrawals.

 

I’m sorry you’re so sensitive to every small drop of the mirtazapine, but I’m glad you’re finding what works for you. You sound very positive about your forward movement. Slow and steady does it. Yes, some of us have to go even slower than others. Are you still going down by 0.5% as you mentioned in January? 

 

Wishing you all the best with your continued tapering 💚