LuRu8: Mirtazapine Withdrawals

[LuRu8]

LuRu8

 

Hello everyone 🙂

 

After a very turbulent year of various medications, I have now been off Mirtazapine completely for about five/six weeks now.

 

The withdrawals started after I was advised to finish up by taking 7.5mg every other day, and I felt terrible from the first day ‘off’ which led me to believe I could stop and power through. Off the top of my head, I was itchy, I had headaches, almost constant nausea, insomnia, very dark thoughts and fatigue with low motivation.

 

After those initial few days, I experienced some okay ones, followed by some really bad ones again including two or three where I got absolutely no sleep at all.

 

However, moving past those days gave me twelve really good days, where I felt like an improved version of my old self. I mistakenly thought I had made it! Through subsequent reading, I know this is standard.

 

Another terrible few days followed where I was constantly nauseous, throwing up or dry heaving every morning, unable to relax or switch off, and feeling loads of adrenaline pretty much all day.

 

Then another twelve good days, albeit with sleeping issues, adrenaline and nausea, plus flu-like symptoms including a sore throat (possibly from acid reflux?) and throwing up.

 

But since Tuesday of this week, I woke up feeling really flat and disheartened, which then led to another spiral, another sleepless night, huge feelings of hopelessness and suicidal ideation, no appetite or desire to see anyone or do anything, and lots of negative ‘stories’ which I was telling myself. A lot of fear in the morning and apprehension about not getting to sleep, which obviously prevented me from sleep and became a self-fulfilling prophecy. On these days, I will tell myself I am “broken” and that I will never recover; that I have always been like this (until May last year, I had no history of mental health issues although other family members had) and that this is my life now, forever. This is where the suicidal ideation comes in, as it feels unbearable and like I’ve ruined  my life and taken my wife’s husband away from her, and my children’s father away from them (as I don’t feel same as how I used to, when it was all effortless just to be a satisfied me).

 

However, last night I managed seven hours of sleep with no Zopiclone (I forgot to put it in my signature - I have 3.5mg tablets and take a maximum of three per week, although I haven’t needed them all on any week so far) nor Magnolia Bark (more natural sedative, allegedly). I also have magnesium bisglycinate and CBD oil although I haven’t been using these much recently. Anyway, today feels a little easier than yesterday, although it is still very early.

 

To give a bit more background, I came off the Mirtazapine because I didn’t like certain side effects, and was never keen on medication anyway; I took the first one out of desperation and - what must be a familiar story on here - a startling lack of information provided by my GP. I have a wife and two children (both under five years old) and I am a counsellor working in private practise, but only for a few hours a week at the moment so as not to overwhelm myself. Also, due to lockdown, I spend most of my time in my house with my family.

 

Thank you for reading. I’d be interested to hear how this all compares to others, although I know that everyone is different. I read a lot and I’m currently on Claire Weekes’ books. I also have a therapist who I’ve been seeing since November. 

 

 

Edited May 22, 2020 by Gridley

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, LuRu8.

 

The damage is not permanent and you will heal.

 

You tapered very fast, causing the withdrawal symptoms you're now experiencing.  Alternate day tapering is never recommended, as it batters the nervous system.

 

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.  

 

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.   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 reinstated 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

 

If you're interested in reinstating, please let us know and I'll suggest a dosage.  Please don't reinstate without letting us suggest a dosage.

 

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 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.

 

These links are about helping improve your sleep.

 

Tips to help sleep - so many of us have that awful withdrawal insomnia

 

Relaxation exercises, guided meditations, calming videos, sleep hypnosis

 

Tricks and tips to fall asleep faster

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2017/02/16/tips-tricks-fall-asleep-faster.aspx?utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20170216Z1&et_cid=DM133787&et_rid=1889748952

 

This link contains helpful information, including insomnia and also non-drug coping skills.  

 

 Important topics about symptoms, including sleep problems

 

Some members have found Melatonin helpful with insomnia.   

See Melatonin for sleep   It's best to start at a very low dosage, such as .25mg, and gradually increase if needed to the lowest effective dose.  

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