Faure: mirtazapine withdrawal

[Faure]

Thanks Rosetta, happy new year and I hope you continue to improve steadily. You have come so far😊

[almuPA]

On 12/28/2021 at 10:48 AM, Faure said:

the important thing is I'm well, stable and able to cope with more of the things life throws at me.

 

That is so important! It is really good to read that, it makes me very happy:)

 

On 12/28/2021 at 10:48 AM, Faure said:

I'm also walking 0.5 of a mile round the block every day till the end of January

 

Yes, well done for keep moving, so important, also! I feel like in WD we lose so much physical fitness (not sure those are the right words), so its important to not stop but go little by little. 

 

I hope you have a Happy New Year (a bit late, but yeah).

 

I send you a big hug.

 

[Faure]

2 hours ago, almuPA said:

also! I feel like in WD we lose so much physical fitness (not sure those are the right words),

@almuPA Hello!! These are the right words. Also you asked ages ago in your own thread if having your 'views' tested was the right words... I've been meaning to say it's 'have your eyes tested'! That was in your early WD when you were trying to work it what was going on.

 

Anyway, English idioms aside it's good to hear from you. Have you got an update on your thread about you are? I'll go look😊

 

I've just started week 3 of the cycle and so far it seems like it was slightly, only very slightly, tricky to get past 10mg. I feel much better this week, on 9.2mg.

[almuPA]

On 1/4/2022 at 2:56 PM, Faure said:

I feel much better this week, on 9.2mg.

OMG you dont know how happy It makes to read this!! Yeeees, little by little is the way!

[Faure]

2 hours ago, almuPA said:

OMG you dont know how happy It makes to read this!! Yeeees, little by little is the way!

Thank you! Today my get up and go returned, after 24 months! I hope it carries on like this 🙂 I am still being careful not to do too much, but I can do so much more than the last 2 years.

[Bestill]

I read your story this morning and it’s very helpful for me.  I’m glad things are going well for you

 

bestill

[Faure]

Dear @brassmonkey thank you for confirming I was explaining correctly to Tania how to measure her pills. I felt such a huge sense of responsibility and was very concerned I didn't tell her anything wrong. Next time I may feel confident enough not to have to ask you 🙂 thank you for all you do.

[Erimus]

Just wanted to chime in and say it’s really uplifting and helpful to read this. Knowing there is a method to safely withdraw from these drugs makes me feel a lot better about myself after such a bad experience changing doses. 
 

I’m harvesting all the information regarding how to prepare doses for next year. So do you measure out the powder based on the weight of the original pill?

 

Thanks

[Faure]

On 6/8/2021 at 3:03 PM, Gridley said:

You asked via PM whether it would be all right to cut your 15mg Mirtazapine pill into slivers to reduce by 10%, since it seemed excessive to make powder from a whole 15mg pill to reduce by only 1.5mg.

 

It is better to make powder from your tablets than to cut slivers.  There is no way to tell the standards that the manufacturer of your brand uses to make sure the active ingredient is evenly distributed throughout the pill.  If you cut into slivers, there may be more or less active ingredient in your sliver than in slivers from other parts of the tablet, putting you at risk of taking inconsistent doses.  If you grind into powder and stir thoroughly with a toothpick (or a powder measuring spoon, available on Amazon), that will ensure that the active ingredient is evenly distributed throughout the powder and thus in each dose.  

 

Either with tweezers or a powder measuring spoon, you can add or subtract powder from the scale to get the correct weight for your dose.  Then, using the tweezers or measuring spoon, transfer the powder to a size 0 gelatin capsule to make your dose.   Keep the rest of the powder in another gelatin capsule for future doses.  Pour the powder into the capsule with a bent 3" Post-it or, as I did, with LabExact 3" weighing paper, also available on Amazon.

@Erimusthis is the advice I received. You need to weigh 3 pills and take the average to get the starting weight.

 

This was also discussed the other day and you can read the helpful advice at:

 

[Bestill]

How is it going with your taper?  

[Faure]

Hi @Bestill it's going very well thank you! I'm just finishing a 2 week hold at 9mg and tomorrow start the journey to 8.1. I often have thoughts about going faster, perhaps 3% a week but then I remember how thankful I am for the 2 week hold which really does give me a rest, so I stick to the plan despite the thoughts! I also had a look and saw I'll only be 0.5 mg ahead in a year if I do increase so it isn't really worth the risk.

 

I'm able to do much more these days, not as much as before, but much more than when I was on 15mg. Also my ups and downs are mostly gone and I'm actually much more stable than when I was on 15mg. I don't think I ever adjusted to bring back on the full 15mg after my failed taper a couple of years ago.

 

I don't really get many WD symptoms at all, the most frequent is fleeting pains mostly in my legs. I see it's not quite so easy going for you, I hope it gets easier for you. I have so far found each 6 week cycle easier than the last.

[Bestill]

@Faure

 

Thats really good to hear!  I’m actually having a better week with the decrease.  Feeling it a little more today as it’s been a week since I dropped but not like the beginning.

 

I did notice more times of feeling normal and just feeling blah at night.  Sleep and appetite are great as well.  If I could get rid of this air hunger, I would be so happy.  There are times it is better, so there is hope.

 

I have a good feeling as I keep getting lower, I will start feeling much better.

 

bestill

[Faure]

I feel so blue about how long this is going to take. I have lots of thoughts about going faster but I always decide to stick to the plan for fear of getting ill from WD, even though I get barely any WD effects.

[Bestill]

@Faure same.  But you are doing so well and how wonderful your withdrawals are minimal.  Keep on keeping on.  You got this!

[ChessieCat]

7 hours ago, Faure said:

I feel so blue about how long this is going to take. I have lots of thoughts about going faster but I always decide to stick to the plan for fear of getting ill from WD, even though I get barely any WD effects.

 

I have literally just read the above post after re-reading what I had posted to you before in October 2021.  A member had liked it so I got notification of it a few minutes ago.

 

I suggest you re-read it too. 😉

 

faure-mirtazapine-withdrawal

 

 

Edited February 13, 2022 by ChessieCat

[almuPA]

On 2/12/2022 at 6:51 PM, Faure said:

I feel so blue about how long this is going to take. I have lots of thoughts about going faster but I always decide to stick to the plan for fear of getting ill from WD, even though I get barely any WD effects.

 

As someone who did a CT'ed, please, don't go faster. I totally understand that  sometimes it can be daunting and even frustrating to think about the time it will take you to do it. But for what I've read in this website and what I know in my own experience, people who CT'ed or who tapper too fast normally have symptoms for longer time. And sometimes they have to go back on the AD and start tappering anyway. 

 

How are you feeling lately?

I send you a hug. 

[Faure]

Hi @almuPA @BestilltChessieCat,

 

thank you, I needed some encouragement last week. Almupa I'm feeling better than last week. It's really strange, weeks 1&2 used to be really easy, now they are a bit harder and weeks 3&4 easier!! Anyway it's a holiday week for me so I'm enjoying taking it easy, went out for a lovely meal today, it was quite far and I came home not feeling exhausted which was a lovely change. As I'm able to do more I feel more encouraged. I'll keep plodding on with the snail speed schedule, it's working and I feel better nearly all the time. I'm even going to take on a bit more work in April, on top of the bit I already took on in January. So things are so much better, I really need to remember and be thankful for that.  I'm very grateful for this forum and the support 🙂

[Faure]

Just a little update, week four of my 6 week cycle nearly finished. My best cycle yet, I haven't really had harder/easier weeks, it's all been pretty easy WD and mood wise except for a few days as you can see in my previous post. I think that was not WD related, more sadness with how long it takes to get safely off these drugs.

 

Two week hold starting on Monday. Then the journey to to 7.3 begins and I will be truly under 50% of my starting dose with no stability lost and countless improvements on the way. I really hope doctors /psychiatrists read these logs of ours, they could learn so much and become so much better at caring for people.

 

Incidentally, my ups and downs have been mostly gone for a few months now. They were much more extreme and noticeable when I was in 15 mg. These days I'm nearly always steady 🙂

[Faure]

@brassmonkeyhope all is well with you. As I am experiencing minimal WD effects (occasionally it takes over an hour to fall asleep and I now only get fleeting pains in my limbs rarely, no other WD effects) do you think I could reduce the two week hold to one? Or should I stick firmly to the plan? I must not get ill!

[brassmonkey]

It's always a temptation to try and speed things up when they are going well, but it almost always ends badly. I would stick with the two weel hold and enjoy the feeling good.

[Faure]

Ok @brassmonkey thank you. It's frustrating how slow it is. But by the start of year 4 I'll be under 1mg which is some consolation. It's a big lesson in patience!

[Faure]

@brassmonkey @Gridley & ChessieCat (I know you don’t want to be tagged) I’m sorry to say I have hit a bump. I was very stressed the past 2 weeks, without realising it. They were weeks 6 & 1 of the cycle. Things came to a head last Friday when I felt exhausted halfway through the day at work. I managed to finish then spent the whole weekend resting. Rest didn’t make me feel less tired. Sunday night I only got a couple hours sleep. I mostly remained calm thanks to all the meditation I’ve been doing. Monday (drop day) was tricky but I worked and slept well. I thought I’d do a hold so made up a week of pills at the same dose (7.9mg). Tuesday I felt much better so decided to do the drop after all to 7.7mg. Slept well.  Wednesday I woke up feeling too good (false energy) I recognised it and managed to take it easy (my day off work) but didn’t feel right and was scared of getting ill. Minor anxiety. 
 

I have not slept at at all Wednesday night, again I have managed to stay calm but am very scared of getting ill. When I went to bed feeling very scared I made a deal with myself that I’ll do a long hold (at least 4 weeks, even if I feel good) at the new dose (7.7mg) until things steady up.  I’m scared. Have you got any advice? Should I go back to 7.9 or are the amounts so negligible it won’t make much difference? Input from others very welcome too. 
 

This is the 9 month point so I’m at half my original dose of 15.2mg. I think my body and brain have been through a lot and probably need a good rest on a long hold. I’m supposed to go on holiday in a fortnight but don’t like going away if I don’t feel good. 
 

I should probably add that I didn’t feel ready to start this cycle. I didn’t feel bad at all, just not ready. I should have held till I felt ready. Maybe I should go back to the hold dose, I think it was 8.1 (I have it written down). 

[brassmonkey]

Sorry to hear that you are hitting a rough patch. That's a problem with tapering, you never know what will happen with each reduction. This sounds like a pretty normal reaction to a reduction, so unless you actually are getting sick, I wouldn't worry about it. For the time being it would be a good idea to hold. Either the 7.7 or 7.9 would be fine. I would probably do the 7.9 and hold for at least 6 weeks before picking up and completing the cycle. It is always best to listen to what your body is saying and go with that.

[Altostrata]

17 hours ago, Faure said:

This is the 9 month point so I’m at half my original dose of 15.2mg. I think my body and brain have been through a lot and probably need a good rest on a long hold. I’m supposed to go on holiday in a fortnight but don’t like going away if I don’t feel good. 

 

This seems like a good idea. Why not updose to 7.9mg and take a vacation from tapering through the summer?

[Faure]

Thanks @Altostrata I think it was a wave brought on by stress. I’m lucky in that I haven’t had any yet, so it was quite a shock. I feel better today (going to work for my busiest day) and have scheduled at least 5 weeks on the same dose (7.7). I won’t start tapering again until I feel ready; for me that is feeling excited to start again! The whole summer is quite a long hold I hope I won’t need that as I’m hoping to be on a much lower dose by September in order to take on more work.  Thank you for your advice and for this wonderful website ☺️

[Bestill]

How are you feeling today?  Do you feel like everything is evening out?

[almuPA]

Hello, dear  @faure, 

 

How are you doing?

 

I am sorry to read that were going through a rough moment. Are you feeling better?

 

On 3/24/2022 at 4:29 AM, Faure said:

I have managed to stay calm but am very scared of getting ill. When I went to bed feeling very scared I made a deal with myself that I’ll do a long hold (at least 4 weeks, even if I feel good) at the new dose (7.7mg) until things steady up.  I’m scared.

 

I am sorry to read this. I am no mod or expert, specially in tappering, as I CD'ed, so dont take my words too seriously. When I am in a wave, that is one of my most persistent symptoms, the fear of getting sick, or the fear of having some illness. I am not saying this is your case, just to let you know that it can happen during a wave. It is indeed a shock when we are hit by that fear out of the blue after a window. 

 

I send you a big hug. 

[Faure]

Hi @almuPA, thank you for checking in. I’m through my little wobble. It was very scary to feel like that but it was just a stressful situation that brought it on. A few days’ rest and I felt ok again, to then be hit by food poisoning!!!
 

I was well enough to get away on a lovely holiday and am just back and feeling pretty relaxed about everything now.  I didn’t even do a longer hold, I’m just starting a 2 week scheduled hold now ☺️
 

I feel better and better as time goes on. My tiredness when on 15mg was both severely physical and mental. Now it seems to have become less physical which is great as it means I can do much more. I still get pretty mentally tired but hopefully that will improve too as the dose reduces further. 
 

I saw you haven’t been too good - sorry to hear that. I’ll reply in a few days when I’m over my holiday!

[Faure]

Update further to my wobble. I started feeling much better and was able to stick with the schedule. This week I started a new 6 week cycle. I went down from 7.3 to 7.1 and what a difference!  I have been feeling I’m ready for a bit more for a while and this week I subscribed to an online exercise platform. I’m doing yoga to start building my strength back up.  I’m expecting it might take up to a year but perhaps with this drug getting out of my system things won’t take as l as they have in the last couple of years. Maybe I’ll be able to start some cardio within a year….
 

This morning, for the first time since reinstatement in December 2019 I woke up feeling ready to go, even with some “beans” and it’s not that fake energy I sometimes get when I’m really tired. I’m so happy I seem to be getting myself back ☺️
 

10 months into my taper.

[Ariel]

So happy for you, Faure! Great to read you're charting significant improvements and steady progress.

 

Thank you for sharing and spreading the love.

 

56 minutes ago, Faure said:

I’m so happy I seem to be getting myself back ☺️

 

Heartfelt congratulations and hats off for all your hard work thus far.

 

Healing is happening <3

A. 

[Faure]

Talked to the doctor today about what I thought might be perimenopause.  She thought it sounded more like PMS and went on to detail treatments, one of which was anti depressants for 2 weeks of every month. I kept my mouth shut but what a dangerous thing to be suggesting. I feel like sending Joanna Moncrieff’s latest book:

 

A Straight Talking Introduction To Psychiatric Drugs: The Truth About How They Work And How To Come Off Them

 

to my practice with a kind (anonymous) note encouraging them to read it. 
 

More evidence to steer clear of doctors who are sadly subjected to mis-‘education’ by the pharmaceutical companies ☹️ Makes me wonder if HRT is going to end up proving as damaging as anti depressants….

 

Very interesting book about the opioid crisis is being read on the BBC this week, about the Sacklers and Oxy if anyone’s interested in learning more about the level of corruption among big pharma. 

[Ariel]

Hi @Faure

 

I hear you.

 

Once one has crossed to the other side it can be so disheartening/annoying/frustrating/maddening/galling/appalling/triggering/__insert emotion here___ to be met with the ignorance of the medical establishment pushing psych drugs. Ever since the fundamental paradigm shift, knowing what we know, it is hard to fathom how the world at large can continue on like "business as usual". It can truly feel like being on two different planets, separated by an invisible barrier -- except that we are familiar with both sides, whereas they see/acknowledge only their view. I am at a loss as to how to reconcile these disparate realities. 

 

2 hours ago, Faure said:

She thought it sounded more like PMS and went on to detail treatments, one of which was anti depressants for 2 weeks of every month.

This is apparently not uncommon medical advice. I know of several cases where PMS complaints/diagnoses have been treated thus. Today I find it shocking and can't believe these women did not lose their minds... Although who's to say they didn't, I don't have any follow-up information. It certainly didn't cure their PMS, that much I remember from their stories. The kindling implications alone send shivers down my spine. 

 

If you don't mind my asking, what are you experiencing that leads you to suspect perimenopause? If it's too private and you don't want to elaborate, I understand. No pressure. 

 

Thanks for the book links. I've watched/listened to a few programs about the opioid crisis. In a way it seems like a more narratively tidy story than antidepressants because the Sackler family appears as such a clear villain. With antidepressants and other psychiatric drugs it isn't as satisfying a dramatic arc (if you know what I mean) as the history is so broad. Makes it that much more difficult to pursue legal action, too, I'd imagine. 

 

You went to the doctor looking for help with something specific, and it sounds like you didn't get what you came for. How are you feeling about that? Are you considering pursuing an alternative consultation at a different sort of practice?

 

Btw thanks to your eye mask tip from a while back I rounded one up and it's been helpful. <3

 

 

 

 

[Faure]

2 hours ago, Ariel said:

You went to the doctor looking for help with something specific, and it sounds like you didn't get what you came for. How are you feeling about that? Are you considering pursuing an alternative consultation at a different sort of practice

I actually feel fine, I didn’t want medication (this surprised the doctor too) I just wanted to know if I should consider HRT at some point for my future long term health. The answer was, it depends on my family history of dementia, osteoporosis,  heart disease and also if I want to.  
 

Given my experience thus far with doctors I think staying away from them is the safest option. 
 

Glad the eye mask was helpful ☺️

[Mirtazapine20mg]

On 4/29/2022 at 7:41 AM, Faure said:

I went down from 7.3 to 7.1 and what a difference!

hey @Faure. I'm a Mirt-buddy, I am not as long as you and pretty new here. I'm trying group of Mirtazapine-tapers that can follow and then I saw this little quote, and it just made me happy. See you around :-). 

[Faure]

Hi @Mirtazapine20mg thank you for your message. 6.5mg now. Life continues to gradually improve. Good luck with your own taper ☺️

[Faure]

Thought I’d reply in my own thread to keep it updated @Ariel! 
 

All well here thanks. I’ve got a week off work coming up together with week 2 of a hold (usually good) so things are good ☺️ Still gradually doing more - I can now manage 25 minutes of BodyBalance (yoga / tai chi class to music) and think I’m ready to add the next section soon!  I’m going to start walking further again too, before my taper I could do 5k, in the past year I have been back to going round the block. But I started going further last week at a local stately home with nice grounds and measured walks which I like so I now how far I went! 
 

I always have thoughts of tapering faster / dropping a hold week, and always manage to resist. It’s worked brilliantly so far, I should be glad for that and not take risks.