Rcat: Story and question

[Rcat]

Rcat

 

Hey , new to the group.  visited Mayo Clinic for my executive physical May of 2019. My Dad passed away a few months before this, and I was having trouble sleeping as I grieved .  So was perscribed 15 mgs Mirtazapine May 2019. Slept great while on it but as I progressed I started to gain weight and felt disconnected, agitated..... fighting with spouse..etc. so , I started to taper Jan 2020, Breaking the pills down by about 10% each week until done in mid-March.  Been off since then.... been struggling .  Everything seems overwhelming.  Sleep sucks.  Normal stuff that I handle with no problem seem like huge problems now.  Been back  to Mayo Clinic (where I was prescribed the Mert), thinking im dying..... All seemed to check out ok.  

 

Been off completely now for 8 weeks. So, 9 months on 15mgs, 10 wk taper and 8 weeks off completely. 

 

Think I tapered too quick?

 

Thanks, 

 

 

Edited May 13, 2020 by Gridley

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, Rcat.

 

Yes, you tapered too quickly.  We recommend tapering by no more than 10% of current dose every four weeks.  You tapered at four times that rate and as a result you're now experiencing withdrawal symptoms.  

 

So that you have a better idea of what you're experiencing, here is some information on withdrawal and healing.

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

When we take psychiatric medications, the CNS (central nervous system) responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur.  

 

These explain the healing process really well:

 

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

Brain Remodelling 

 

Reinstatement of a very small dose of the original drug is the only known way to help alleviate withdrawal syndrome.  The only other alternative is to try and wait out the symptoms and manage as best you can until your central nervous system returns to homeostasis.  Unfortunately no one can give you an exact timeline as to when you will start feeling better and while some do recover relatively easily, for others it can take many months or longer.  

 

Reinstatement isn't a guarantee of diminished symptoms for everyone but it's the best tactic available.  You're still in the time period where reinstatement predictably works, up to 3 months after last dose.  It is best to reinstate as soon as possible after withdrawal symptoms occur. We usually suggest a much smaller reinstatement dose than your last dose.  These drugs are strong, your system has become sensitized and If you take too much it may be too much for your brain and can cause you become unstable.   Then, once you've stabilized on that dosage, which can take several months,  you can begin a 10% per month taper down to zero.   Please read:

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms. -- at least the first page of the topic

 

It takes about 4 days for a dose change to get to get to full state in the blood and a bit longer for it to register in the brain.

 

I recommend you reinstate 1mg Mirtazapine.  If 1mg is enough, it still may take some weeks or months for your nervous system to settle down. You probably will continue to have ups and downs, but symptoms won't be as intense. 

 

This link explains how to get the 1mg Mirtazapine you'll need for your reinstatement.

Tips for tapering off Remeron (mirtazapine)

 

We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium (glycinate is a good form) and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

Add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems.

 

This is your Introduction topic, where you can ask questions and connect with other members.  We're glad you found your way here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please let us know how you're doing.