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DC33: mirtazapine taper


DC33

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  • Moderator Emeritus
1 hour ago, DC33 said:

How long were your holds and what dosage did you jump to zero from?

 

It's important to listen to your body/symptoms and hold/reduce according to them.  Even though other members' experiences can give you an idea of what to expect, we are all different and what worked for them may not work for you.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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Hi DC33.   My final mirtazapine dosage was .09 mg.    I was at 0.18 for about 45 days before dropping to .09, then was on .09 for almost a month then dropped off completely.   I was dry cutting so the smallest increment reduction for me was about 0.1.     I've been actually been doing quite well before the final drop and after completing the taper.   (I still do have 2.54 of Lexapro to get off of!).    My path may not be the same as yours.   The wisdom here is to listen to your body.   If you need to wait longer between drops, wait longer!    Early on I had these goals  of "I'll finish this taper by June".      When I realized I needed to go slower I had to let go of these goals and just tell myself I'll finish when I finish.   It was important to me to be stable during the taper as i have a business to run and am the father of four teenagers.     I never would have dreamed it would take me 34 months to complete the mirt taper, but that's how long it took.    Overall, since I went slow, I didn't have too much trouble other than a few days here and there, which was my body telling me to slow down.   

 

You'll get there when you get there, I'm 100% certain of that for you.    Take care!

2010:  Escitalopram (Lexapro) 10 mg.   Mirtazapine (Remeron) 15 mg. 

2011:    Tapered Mirtazapine: 5 month successful taper.  Then tapered Lexapro:  4 month successful taper

May 2011 to August 2017:   No medications, full recovery

September 6, 2017:  started Mirtazapine (Remeron) 15 mg  - due to severe sudden insomnia (I believe caused by statin use)

November 16, 2017:   started Escitalopram (Lexapro) 10 mg

January 1, 2018 to October 30. 2020 -- 34 month taper off of Mirtazapine 15 mg to 0.00 mg

June 16, 2018:  Started slow taper of 10 mg Escitalopram (Lexapro)

Current (mgai):    0.23 mg  Escitalopram

Supplements:  Fish Oil, Curcumin, bio active B vitamins, zinc, magnesium glycinate, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, saffron, citrus bergamot, ashwagandha

 

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."  Matthew 6:34

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It has been a week since I did a 25% drop from 0.10 to 0.075 mg. The pattern of WD symptoms has been strange. I felt the drop the same night I did it (usually takes 4 days) and didn't sleep well at all. Then I was feeling more tired during the day, but generally well and sleeping deep and a lot more than normal at night for 3 days. I thought maybe this would be a smooth cut. Now for the last several days my stomach feels like it is in knots and is very unsettled. I'm not sleeping as good and my energy is below WD normal. My anxiety and blood pressure are higher than what is normal for me. If this is as bad as this cut will get, I consider it manageable but quite unpleasant. Just hoping it doesn't progress to one of those periods where I can barely eat or get out of bed for weeks.

Mirtazapine since 1/1/17. Started at 30 mg. Began tapering 10/27/17

End of 2017 at 22.5 mg | End of 2018 at 5.156 mg | End of 2019 at 0.35 mg

End of 2020 at 0.075 mg | Currently at ZERO (took final dose on 8/7/21)

Total Taper time: 3 years, 9+ months (1383 days)

Daily Supplements: Multivitamin, Fish Oil, D3, B Complex, Magnesium, Probiotic (Nexabiotic)

Other Meds: Nexium 40 mg every morning (to combat withdrawal-related reflux and gastritis)

 

Took and CT'd all of the below between 2012 and 2017

Prozac, Wellbutrin, Pristiq, Lexapro, Celexa, Buspar, Lamictal, Gabapentin, Trileptal

Xanax, Klonopin, Lorazepam, Ambien, Silenor, Adderall XR, Adderall IR, Vyvanse

 

 

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  • 4 weeks later...

It has been 5 weeks since my 25% drop to 0.075 mg and things are going moderately well. Digestive symptoms are now minor for the most part and I am sleeping through the night on most nights. I have had some moments of intense anxiety that were very difficult, but those pass in time. The worst symptom that I continue to deal with is fatigue. It seems if I have a day where I stay busy most of the day and also exercise, that the next day I am completely wiped out. Sometimes I am wiped out for several days and unable to do much. I am not a big drinker at all and I have seldom had any alcohol over the course of my taper, but some friends convinced me to have a glass of wine on NYE. I didn't even finish the glass and the next day I felt AWFUL. I don't know if it was all from the alcohol or partially from having such a busy day, but it was not a good decision. It seems the body is taxed enough during a taper and even though you may be feeling decent, asking the body to process any amount of alcohol is just too much. I will lay off alcohol altogether for the rest of my taper.

 

I am following the @brassmonkey Endgame Taper article for this last little bit. After this 6-week hold, I will drop 33% to 0.05 mg (coming up on Sunday night). I will hold there for 6 weeks and then drop 50% to 0.025 mg in late February. Then 6 weeks at that dose and drop to zero in early April. This will put my total taper time from 30 mg at right about 3.5 years. I am hoping the period of healing after that final drop moves quickly and by May or June I can start to have a normal life again. Of course, my timelines and plans have hit speed bumps before and I will listen to my body, be patient, and extend any holds if need be. If the drop to 0.025 mg is really difficult, I will add one more 50% drop to 0.0125 mg and a 6-week hold before jumping to zero.

Mirtazapine since 1/1/17. Started at 30 mg. Began tapering 10/27/17

End of 2017 at 22.5 mg | End of 2018 at 5.156 mg | End of 2019 at 0.35 mg

End of 2020 at 0.075 mg | Currently at ZERO (took final dose on 8/7/21)

Total Taper time: 3 years, 9+ months (1383 days)

Daily Supplements: Multivitamin, Fish Oil, D3, B Complex, Magnesium, Probiotic (Nexabiotic)

Other Meds: Nexium 40 mg every morning (to combat withdrawal-related reflux and gastritis)

 

Took and CT'd all of the below between 2012 and 2017

Prozac, Wellbutrin, Pristiq, Lexapro, Celexa, Buspar, Lamictal, Gabapentin, Trileptal

Xanax, Klonopin, Lorazepam, Ambien, Silenor, Adderall XR, Adderall IR, Vyvanse

 

 

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  • 4 weeks later...

It has now been 12 days since I dropped 33% from 0.075 to 0.05 mg. I am extremely fatigued. My body hurts all over...especially my chest and stomach. My brain is so foggy that it's hard to have a conversation. Sleep has been more difficult and fractured. I am pretty much useless right now. I am doing long holds (my last 3 have ranged from 6.5 to 8 weeks). Can anyone chime in about the last few cuts of an endgame taper? Is this normal? Are the last cuts going to be awful no matter how long I hold?

Mirtazapine since 1/1/17. Started at 30 mg. Began tapering 10/27/17

End of 2017 at 22.5 mg | End of 2018 at 5.156 mg | End of 2019 at 0.35 mg

End of 2020 at 0.075 mg | Currently at ZERO (took final dose on 8/7/21)

Total Taper time: 3 years, 9+ months (1383 days)

Daily Supplements: Multivitamin, Fish Oil, D3, B Complex, Magnesium, Probiotic (Nexabiotic)

Other Meds: Nexium 40 mg every morning (to combat withdrawal-related reflux and gastritis)

 

Took and CT'd all of the below between 2012 and 2017

Prozac, Wellbutrin, Pristiq, Lexapro, Celexa, Buspar, Lamictal, Gabapentin, Trileptal

Xanax, Klonopin, Lorazepam, Ambien, Silenor, Adderall XR, Adderall IR, Vyvanse

 

 

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I was feeling much better yesterday, so I stayed busy with errands and exercise and then met a friend for dinner. Today I am extremely fatigued again. I spent 13 hours in bed last night. I finally got up, showered, and ate something, but am just stuck on the couch feeling horrible. It seems like anytime I have a busy/active day, I am really hurting the next day and sometimes for many days after that.

 

I mentioned this post-exertion malaise to my doctor recently and he thinks I could have an autonomic disorder or chronic fatigue syndrome, so he has referred me to some specialists to see what they can determine. 

 

I am looking for some input here on whether this could all just be WD related or not. I have done 25% and 33% drops recently, which are huge percentage-wise, but I am doing long holds and only taking 0.05 mg. Could drops at this tiny dose really be affecting me this much? I am really suffering.

Mirtazapine since 1/1/17. Started at 30 mg. Began tapering 10/27/17

End of 2017 at 22.5 mg | End of 2018 at 5.156 mg | End of 2019 at 0.35 mg

End of 2020 at 0.075 mg | Currently at ZERO (took final dose on 8/7/21)

Total Taper time: 3 years, 9+ months (1383 days)

Daily Supplements: Multivitamin, Fish Oil, D3, B Complex, Magnesium, Probiotic (Nexabiotic)

Other Meds: Nexium 40 mg every morning (to combat withdrawal-related reflux and gastritis)

 

Took and CT'd all of the below between 2012 and 2017

Prozac, Wellbutrin, Pristiq, Lexapro, Celexa, Buspar, Lamictal, Gabapentin, Trileptal

Xanax, Klonopin, Lorazepam, Ambien, Silenor, Adderall XR, Adderall IR, Vyvanse

 

 

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Hi DC33. Yes these tiny drops can cause the withdrawal symptoms you are speaking of. Deep fatigue I would get at the tiny doses of trazodone when I was at the end with the tiny little bits. I really doubt you have chronic fatigue syndrome. Doctors don't understand withdrawal so they try to "find" something they can diagnose. Then comes the specialist saying you need to take this drug, it will help you. No thanks. Don't worry about these bouts of extreme fatigue. I've had bouts too and I just crawl into bed and nap or rest. Wnen you mentioned one day good, one day bad, I said to myself "yup been there, done that". These bouts of fatigue lessen with time. I would just hold for a while and see how you feel. Be well. Marie.

10/13--10/14 Ambien. Started tapering 1/14  Jumped 10/14.  Done.                                                                              

3/14        7.5 Remeron  still taking this.                              

2/14         75 Trazodone   -    Tapered by dry cutting all the way down.

1/16        4 mg Trazodone  -  Jumped. Bad mistake. Got hit with late withdrawal 6 weeks later. Reinstated.

4/16        Reinstated 1 mg, updose to 2 mg Trazodone

2/19        .04 Trazodone. Walked off.  Done.

10/3/19  Started 7.5 Mirtazapine taper cut to .073 gram weight, pill weighs .076

4/5/20    New Mirtazapine Taper - Compound Liquid 7.35 mg April '20, 7.25 mg May, 7.05 mg June, 6.99 mg June, 6.78 mg July, 6.57 mg Aug, Sept 6.35 mg, Sept 6.24 mg, Sept 6.21 mg, Oct 5.99 mg, Oct 5.90 mg, Oct 5.70 mg.

1/11/21 6.05 mg Messed up taper due to syringe change. Must remember the 1 ml syringe contains 1.5mg! 1/16/21 5.99 mg

2/21 5.75 mg, 3/21 5.6 mg, 4/7 5.45, 4/14 5.30, 5/12 5.15, 5/25/21 4.99 mg, 6/29 4.87 mg, 7/14/21 4.74 mg, 8/5 4.62 mg 8/17 4.5 mg, 8/30 4.38 mg,9/16 4.26 mg,10/9 4.14 mg, 10/23 4.05 mg, 11/6 3.96 mg,11/17 3.87mg.***Jan 22 Liquid was changed/couldn't tolerate***Changed back to pills. Feb 22/3.9 mg, 2/17/22 3.8 mg, 3/23 3.7 mg, 4/7 3.6 mg, 5/10 3.5mg,6/10/22 3.4 mg, 7/4 3.3 mg, 7/25 3.2 mg, 8/20/22 3.1 mg, 9/15 3 mg, 10/8/22 2.9 mg., 12/15 2.8 mg, 1/6/23 2.7 mg, 2/16/23 2.6 mg, 3/9 2.5 mg, 4/4 2.4 mg, 4/29/23 2.3 mg, 5/26 2.2 mg, 6/22/23 2.1 mg, 10/14 2 mg, 11/12 1.9 mg, 11/28 1.8 mg , 12/14/23 1.7, 12/31/23 1.6 mg, 1/20 1.5 mg, 2/6/24 1.4 mg, 2/12 updose 1.5 mg. Taking multi-vitamin, vit. D, cholestoff, psyllium husk, and fish oil.

 

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  • 3 weeks later...

Just checking in with an update. I have been feeling quite bad for the last 6 weeks straight. There have been a handful of days where I felt better and could function for the most part, but most days have been really bad and I can't even leave the house. Extreme fatigue, broken sleep, nausea, brain fog, chest/stomach pain, and tinnitus are the biggest issues. I have been following the Endgame Taper article to get from 0.10 mg to zero and I must say it's not really working for me. For those of you who have not read the article, it suggests doing 6-week holds for your last few drops which are bigger (25%, 33%, 50%, and finally 100%). My 25% drop to 0.075 mg was on 12/1/20 and and my 33% drop to 0.05 mg was on 1/17/21. If I were going to stay on schedule I'd do a 50% drop to 0.025 mg on 2/28 (2 weeks from now).

 

I'm not sure where to go from here. I know that conventional tapering wisdom is to hold until symptoms improve. That is likely what I will do, but this is getting old. I am almost 40 months into my taper and I just want to be done. Maybe holding at 0.05 mg for a few more months and then dropping to zero would be better than another cut or two? Does anybody really even know?

Mirtazapine since 1/1/17. Started at 30 mg. Began tapering 10/27/17

End of 2017 at 22.5 mg | End of 2018 at 5.156 mg | End of 2019 at 0.35 mg

End of 2020 at 0.075 mg | Currently at ZERO (took final dose on 8/7/21)

Total Taper time: 3 years, 9+ months (1383 days)

Daily Supplements: Multivitamin, Fish Oil, D3, B Complex, Magnesium, Probiotic (Nexabiotic)

Other Meds: Nexium 40 mg every morning (to combat withdrawal-related reflux and gastritis)

 

Took and CT'd all of the below between 2012 and 2017

Prozac, Wellbutrin, Pristiq, Lexapro, Celexa, Buspar, Lamictal, Gabapentin, Trileptal

Xanax, Klonopin, Lorazepam, Ambien, Silenor, Adderall XR, Adderall IR, Vyvanse

 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Yes, I'm over it too.  You are not the only one who is trying to work out what to do.  I recently posted my ramblings about how to finish my taper.  I suggest you pop over and have a read.  Some other members have commented there too.  It might help you to be more objective than emotional about it and seeing someone else's thought process might help you with your decision.  You might come to a different decision to what I have but I think it's good to try to consider as many possibilities as you can.  Writing my thoughts down in the posts actually ended up being helpful for me by getting it out of my brain and also getting other members' thoughts.

 

The brainstorming starts from this post:

 

chessiecat-so-im-not-the-only-one-pristiq-desvenlafaxine/page/21/

 

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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@ChessieCatThanks for your reply. I just read through the discussion on your intro. For what it's worth, I was able to do 10% drops every 2 weeks for a long period when I was at higher doses. I've found that longer holds have been essential as I have gotten down to the tiny doses, though. 10% every 4 weeks at your current dosage is the safest bet, I think.

 

I know a lot of people from other support groups that jumped from Mirtazapine at 0.05 mg or even 0.10 mg. I thought going to 0.025 mg would be even safer, but now I am having second thoughts about that and wondering if it's worth it. I'm just eager to be done so I can feel better, work full-time again, and live life. Oh well, I don't have to decide today.

Mirtazapine since 1/1/17. Started at 30 mg. Began tapering 10/27/17

End of 2017 at 22.5 mg | End of 2018 at 5.156 mg | End of 2019 at 0.35 mg

End of 2020 at 0.075 mg | Currently at ZERO (took final dose on 8/7/21)

Total Taper time: 3 years, 9+ months (1383 days)

Daily Supplements: Multivitamin, Fish Oil, D3, B Complex, Magnesium, Probiotic (Nexabiotic)

Other Meds: Nexium 40 mg every morning (to combat withdrawal-related reflux and gastritis)

 

Took and CT'd all of the below between 2012 and 2017

Prozac, Wellbutrin, Pristiq, Lexapro, Celexa, Buspar, Lamictal, Gabapentin, Trileptal

Xanax, Klonopin, Lorazepam, Ambien, Silenor, Adderall XR, Adderall IR, Vyvanse

 

 

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Way to go, DC33, you are almost there!   

 

It's been 3.5 months since I stopped my mirt taper at 0.09 and I have been doing really well.   I'm still tapering Lexapro and am going down about 3% every 10-12 days, which is working well for me.

 

All the best!  PH1

2010:  Escitalopram (Lexapro) 10 mg.   Mirtazapine (Remeron) 15 mg. 

2011:    Tapered Mirtazapine: 5 month successful taper.  Then tapered Lexapro:  4 month successful taper

May 2011 to August 2017:   No medications, full recovery

September 6, 2017:  started Mirtazapine (Remeron) 15 mg  - due to severe sudden insomnia (I believe caused by statin use)

November 16, 2017:   started Escitalopram (Lexapro) 10 mg

January 1, 2018 to October 30. 2020 -- 34 month taper off of Mirtazapine 15 mg to 0.00 mg

June 16, 2018:  Started slow taper of 10 mg Escitalopram (Lexapro)

Current (mgai):    0.23 mg  Escitalopram

Supplements:  Fish Oil, Curcumin, bio active B vitamins, zinc, magnesium glycinate, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, saffron, citrus bergamot, ashwagandha

 

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."  Matthew 6:34

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@PH1 I'm so glad you have been doing well since jumping to zero. That is very encouraging for me to hear. I hope your Lexapro taper continues to go smoothly.

Mirtazapine since 1/1/17. Started at 30 mg. Began tapering 10/27/17

End of 2017 at 22.5 mg | End of 2018 at 5.156 mg | End of 2019 at 0.35 mg

End of 2020 at 0.075 mg | Currently at ZERO (took final dose on 8/7/21)

Total Taper time: 3 years, 9+ months (1383 days)

Daily Supplements: Multivitamin, Fish Oil, D3, B Complex, Magnesium, Probiotic (Nexabiotic)

Other Meds: Nexium 40 mg every morning (to combat withdrawal-related reflux and gastritis)

 

Took and CT'd all of the below between 2012 and 2017

Prozac, Wellbutrin, Pristiq, Lexapro, Celexa, Buspar, Lamictal, Gabapentin, Trileptal

Xanax, Klonopin, Lorazepam, Ambien, Silenor, Adderall XR, Adderall IR, Vyvanse

 

 

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Thanks DC33!  I'm looking forward to celebrating with you on reaching zero!

2010:  Escitalopram (Lexapro) 10 mg.   Mirtazapine (Remeron) 15 mg. 

2011:    Tapered Mirtazapine: 5 month successful taper.  Then tapered Lexapro:  4 month successful taper

May 2011 to August 2017:   No medications, full recovery

September 6, 2017:  started Mirtazapine (Remeron) 15 mg  - due to severe sudden insomnia (I believe caused by statin use)

November 16, 2017:   started Escitalopram (Lexapro) 10 mg

January 1, 2018 to October 30. 2020 -- 34 month taper off of Mirtazapine 15 mg to 0.00 mg

June 16, 2018:  Started slow taper of 10 mg Escitalopram (Lexapro)

Current (mgai):    0.23 mg  Escitalopram

Supplements:  Fish Oil, Curcumin, bio active B vitamins, zinc, magnesium glycinate, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, saffron, citrus bergamot, ashwagandha

 

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."  Matthew 6:34

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  • 4 weeks later...

After more than 8 weeks at 0.05 mg, I dropped 25% to 0.0375 mg on Tuesday night. I feel no WD effects so far. It now looks like it will be at least July when I am ready to jump to zero and I am ok with that.

 

I saw a cardiologist this week who specializes in autonomic dysfunction. I was diagnosed with several conditions, most notably, POTS. This means that my blood pools in the lower part of my body with gravity and that my heart and brain are constantly deprived of blood flow, so my heart rate increases to try to get the blood where it needs to go. This stimulates the sympathetic (fight or flight) nervous system response and releases adrenaline on a regular basis which is hard on the body. POTS is the primary culprit for many difficult symptoms I have been dealing with for quite some time (fatigue, nausea, sleep difficulties, chest pain, lightheadedness, heat intolerance, acid reflux + more). WD has just magnified it all. I still have more testing to go through to really hone in on the best treatment options, but in the meantime I am increasing salt intake by 4-5x what I typically eat in order to get my body to hold more fluid and increase blood volume. I already received an IV at a hydration clinic which took me from feeling absolutely awful to feeling like a million bucks within minutes. Unfortunately, those effects only lasted about 5 hours, but encouraging nonetheless.

 

I am sharing this here because I knew there was something else at play making my withdrawal journey so difficult. In fact, the POTS symptoms were why I started taking Mirtazapine in the first place in January of 2017. Doctors are so quick to assume that antidepressants are the solution for every symptom. I have been seeing all sorts of doctors regularly since 2012 and 9 years later I am just now getting the correct diagnosis. My cardiologist said it was very obvious to him and that most doctors "cannot see the forest for the trees." He is absolutely right. If you feel there is something else going on with you besides WD, keep searching for the right diagnosis. It took me almost 9 years and apparently this type of timeline is common.

 

I will continue to taper at a slow pace, but my current priority is dealing with POTS as best I can. If I notice improvements on that front, I believe it will lessen the severity of WD from here on out.

Mirtazapine since 1/1/17. Started at 30 mg. Began tapering 10/27/17

End of 2017 at 22.5 mg | End of 2018 at 5.156 mg | End of 2019 at 0.35 mg

End of 2020 at 0.075 mg | Currently at ZERO (took final dose on 8/7/21)

Total Taper time: 3 years, 9+ months (1383 days)

Daily Supplements: Multivitamin, Fish Oil, D3, B Complex, Magnesium, Probiotic (Nexabiotic)

Other Meds: Nexium 40 mg every morning (to combat withdrawal-related reflux and gastritis)

 

Took and CT'd all of the below between 2012 and 2017

Prozac, Wellbutrin, Pristiq, Lexapro, Celexa, Buspar, Lamictal, Gabapentin, Trileptal

Xanax, Klonopin, Lorazepam, Ambien, Silenor, Adderall XR, Adderall IR, Vyvanse

 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

It's obviously not good news that you have POTS, but it is good news that you now know for sure what it is and can therefore get appropriate treatment.  I hope you start to feel much better soon.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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@ChessieCatThank you very much.

Mirtazapine since 1/1/17. Started at 30 mg. Began tapering 10/27/17

End of 2017 at 22.5 mg | End of 2018 at 5.156 mg | End of 2019 at 0.35 mg

End of 2020 at 0.075 mg | Currently at ZERO (took final dose on 8/7/21)

Total Taper time: 3 years, 9+ months (1383 days)

Daily Supplements: Multivitamin, Fish Oil, D3, B Complex, Magnesium, Probiotic (Nexabiotic)

Other Meds: Nexium 40 mg every morning (to combat withdrawal-related reflux and gastritis)

 

Took and CT'd all of the below between 2012 and 2017

Prozac, Wellbutrin, Pristiq, Lexapro, Celexa, Buspar, Lamictal, Gabapentin, Trileptal

Xanax, Klonopin, Lorazepam, Ambien, Silenor, Adderall XR, Adderall IR, Vyvanse

 

 

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  • 1 month later...

@DC33 glad you found a root cause of your symptoms.

 

I was also on mirtazapine from 2017 to 2019 and did a cold turkey in Feb 2019. Incidentally I was put on mirtazapine for disturbed sleep due to GI flare-ups at night. 

 

I have suspected autonomic dysfunction as as  a withdrawal side effect given that I had no other issues other than burping, bloating, and frequent BMs as my primary symptoms until I stopped smoking.

 

I have been on electrolytes and following most of the suggestions for dealing with pots, but I still find that drastic weather changes bring on a flare - vasomotor rhinitis, poor gastric motility, and temperature sensitivity. The most common pattern  is reflux/adrenaline rushes around 11-12pm at night and then waking up around 5-5:30 am with anxiety that last 90 min. Bowel movement and gas release almost always helps stabilize things. 

 

Don't know if you had this as well.. it does seem to me that most issues occur going into and coming out of rest/digest state. I have been practicing deep breathing which has really helped stay with the discomfort and into a restful state, but it looks like i have more recovery in my future.

 

Have you noticed any consistent improvements over time? In my case, it appears to be closely tied to seasonal and temperature changes.

 

 

Chronic IBS since 1990

Former smoker (1992- Jun 2017)

Prescribed mirtazapine for sleep in Aug 2017 after IBS flare-up following Nicotine cessation.

Mirtazapine 7.5mg 8/17 to 5/18

Mirtazapine 3.75mg 5/18 to 1/19

Off Mirtazapine since 2/19.

Vit B, Vit D+K2 and Magnesium Glycinate as needed.

On Ayurvedic herbs for GI issues - Guduchi since Jul 2020, Indukantham since Oct 2020

On Ashwagandha 1g since Nov 2020

 

 

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@tsrangaI have most of the symptoms you mentioned. The middle of the night "anxiety" in the case of POTS is usually just an increase in heart rate/adrenaline rush that wakes the body. It has less to do with a mental state and more to do with the automatic functions of the body not operating properly. I am also diagnosed with a circadian rhythm disorder (DSPD) that my doctor believes is caused by Dysautonomia, so getting quality sleep and maintaining a normal and consistent schedule is pretty much impossible for me. Reflux has been a big problem for me as well as all sorts of digestive problems, but my symptoms have improved greatly with Nexium, a probiotic, elevating the head of my bed, and avoiding large, heavy, or spicy meals.

 

I am quite sensitive to temperature. I don't like the cold at all, but the heat is what seems to trigger the most severe symptoms. Anything higher than 75F and I know I have to be careful. If it's above 80F I pretty much know that I am going to have problems. I avoid hot temps as much as I can.

 

As far as consistent improvements over time...I would say no, but I just received the POTS diagnosis in March and have several tests upcoming to help determine future avenues of treatment.

 

 

Mirtazapine since 1/1/17. Started at 30 mg. Began tapering 10/27/17

End of 2017 at 22.5 mg | End of 2018 at 5.156 mg | End of 2019 at 0.35 mg

End of 2020 at 0.075 mg | Currently at ZERO (took final dose on 8/7/21)

Total Taper time: 3 years, 9+ months (1383 days)

Daily Supplements: Multivitamin, Fish Oil, D3, B Complex, Magnesium, Probiotic (Nexabiotic)

Other Meds: Nexium 40 mg every morning (to combat withdrawal-related reflux and gastritis)

 

Took and CT'd all of the below between 2012 and 2017

Prozac, Wellbutrin, Pristiq, Lexapro, Celexa, Buspar, Lamictal, Gabapentin, Trileptal

Xanax, Klonopin, Lorazepam, Ambien, Silenor, Adderall XR, Adderall IR, Vyvanse

 

 

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On 5/9/2021 at 11:26 AM, DC33 said:

am quite sensitive to temperature. I don't like the cold at all, but the heat is what seems to trigger the most severe symptoms. Anything higher than 75F and I know I have to be careful. If it's above 80F I pretty much know that I am going to have problems. I avoid hot temps as much as I can.

 

Interesting...  Over the last 3-4 days we are in a heat wave, and we have had those hot spells even in Jan/Feb, but I discovered that the offshore drying winds and low humidity are brutal!!..   More than the actual temperature (cold or hot), I find that the main issue is the difficulty to adapt to the changes between hot and cold, especially if they are rapid, for example, from hot outdoors into airconditioning, or cold outdoors into indoor heating..  If I am outside, I rarely have issues dealing with the heat/cold.. but I can sense even a degree shift in indoor temperature, a draft or lack of air indoors.. and it's worse when I'm resting.. 

 

In my case, the symptoms are always changing with the weather, and any additional input (food intake, emotions etc.) can exacerbate the symptoms.   As long as the weather stays within a stable range, the body seems to stabilize.. and I am not sure, medications help with this.

 

What I have found works for me is to avoid food that triggers reflux, especially at night, increase humidity to 40% or more, avoid forced heating/cooling as much as possible, take time for diaphragmatic breathing lying down,  2 hours after food, as this helps get the gut moving..or/and working out until I break sweat, especially when I heat up.. this helps cool the internal heat down.. 

 

Hopefully, it will adapt over time..  I never had any of these issues except the gut (bloating and burping) before mirtazapine.

Chronic IBS since 1990

Former smoker (1992- Jun 2017)

Prescribed mirtazapine for sleep in Aug 2017 after IBS flare-up following Nicotine cessation.

Mirtazapine 7.5mg 8/17 to 5/18

Mirtazapine 3.75mg 5/18 to 1/19

Off Mirtazapine since 2/19.

Vit B, Vit D+K2 and Magnesium Glycinate as needed.

On Ayurvedic herbs for GI issues - Guduchi since Jul 2020, Indukantham since Oct 2020

On Ashwagandha 1g since Nov 2020

 

 

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  • 2 months later...

I am going to jump to zero from 0.0125 mg in a few days. That will be after 5 full weeks at this dose. I am not feeling well at all, but I was recently diagnosed with Dysautonomia (POTS) and I think that is the culprit for my unpleasant symptoms right now. Jumping at 0.0125 mg after an almost 4-year taper from 30 mg is a very safe dosage to jump from, right? I can use all the positive thoughts I can get as I prepare to make the leap.

Mirtazapine since 1/1/17. Started at 30 mg. Began tapering 10/27/17

End of 2017 at 22.5 mg | End of 2018 at 5.156 mg | End of 2019 at 0.35 mg

End of 2020 at 0.075 mg | Currently at ZERO (took final dose on 8/7/21)

Total Taper time: 3 years, 9+ months (1383 days)

Daily Supplements: Multivitamin, Fish Oil, D3, B Complex, Magnesium, Probiotic (Nexabiotic)

Other Meds: Nexium 40 mg every morning (to combat withdrawal-related reflux and gastritis)

 

Took and CT'd all of the below between 2012 and 2017

Prozac, Wellbutrin, Pristiq, Lexapro, Celexa, Buspar, Lamictal, Gabapentin, Trileptal

Xanax, Klonopin, Lorazepam, Ambien, Silenor, Adderall XR, Adderall IR, Vyvanse

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

I took my final 0.0125 mg dose of Mirtazapine on 8/7/21. It has been a full week since my last dose. Sleep has been difficult for the last 5 days and my stomach was very sick for a few days, but nothing as bad as what I experienced early on making cuts that were too large. Hoping things only get better from here.

Mirtazapine since 1/1/17. Started at 30 mg. Began tapering 10/27/17

End of 2017 at 22.5 mg | End of 2018 at 5.156 mg | End of 2019 at 0.35 mg

End of 2020 at 0.075 mg | Currently at ZERO (took final dose on 8/7/21)

Total Taper time: 3 years, 9+ months (1383 days)

Daily Supplements: Multivitamin, Fish Oil, D3, B Complex, Magnesium, Probiotic (Nexabiotic)

Other Meds: Nexium 40 mg every morning (to combat withdrawal-related reflux and gastritis)

 

Took and CT'd all of the below between 2012 and 2017

Prozac, Wellbutrin, Pristiq, Lexapro, Celexa, Buspar, Lamictal, Gabapentin, Trileptal

Xanax, Klonopin, Lorazepam, Ambien, Silenor, Adderall XR, Adderall IR, Vyvanse

 

 

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Congratulations @DC33!!

 

What an accomplishment. Please be kind to yourself and let us know how you are doing.

Experiences after jumping to 0 are so important for this forum. I hope sooner than

later, you will be ready to write your success story.

 

Greetings

 

Nomansland

2022 IMPORTANT WITHDRAWAL SURVEY, PLEASE PARTICIPATE: https://uelpsych.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0AR9IsQ61jsiXBk

 

non-native speaker of english

2020: 3-March -> started Mirtazapine 15mg;

3-March to 6-April -> approx. cutting to 0 mg; 6-April to 20-April -> ~ 7,5 mg; 21-April to 31-April -> 15 mg; 1-May to 13-May -> ~ 10 mg (approx.); 15-May to 19-July -> 15 mg (psychosomatic clinic) 19-July -> started taper (scale and file) 14 mg (-6,6%); 08-August -> 12 mg (-14,3 %); 27-August -> 10 mg (-16,6 %); 15-September -> 8 mg (-20 %, bad idea, heavy WD); 23-September -> 10.2 mg (+20 %, 102 mgpw)

2021: 12-April to 12-May -> crossover from solid pill to DIY liquid (water only), 10.2 mg, not stable; 10-September -> back to crushing and weighing, still 10.2 mg (102 mgpw)

2022: 13-March -> changed to DIY liquid with suspension vehicle, 10.2 mg

 

Supplements: 1 x ~125 mg magnesiumbiglycinate before bed, low histamine diet

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@NomanslandThank you. I will write my success story once things have fully stabilized. Best of luck with your taper.

Mirtazapine since 1/1/17. Started at 30 mg. Began tapering 10/27/17

End of 2017 at 22.5 mg | End of 2018 at 5.156 mg | End of 2019 at 0.35 mg

End of 2020 at 0.075 mg | Currently at ZERO (took final dose on 8/7/21)

Total Taper time: 3 years, 9+ months (1383 days)

Daily Supplements: Multivitamin, Fish Oil, D3, B Complex, Magnesium, Probiotic (Nexabiotic)

Other Meds: Nexium 40 mg every morning (to combat withdrawal-related reflux and gastritis)

 

Took and CT'd all of the below between 2012 and 2017

Prozac, Wellbutrin, Pristiq, Lexapro, Celexa, Buspar, Lamictal, Gabapentin, Trileptal

Xanax, Klonopin, Lorazepam, Ambien, Silenor, Adderall XR, Adderall IR, Vyvanse

 

 

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This is great news. I love to hear that people have finally reached "0". Check back when you can and let us know how you are. I hope it's relatively smooth sailing for you. Be well. Marie.

10/13--10/14 Ambien. Started tapering 1/14  Jumped 10/14.  Done.                                                                              

3/14        7.5 Remeron  still taking this.                              

2/14         75 Trazodone   -    Tapered by dry cutting all the way down.

1/16        4 mg Trazodone  -  Jumped. Bad mistake. Got hit with late withdrawal 6 weeks later. Reinstated.

4/16        Reinstated 1 mg, updose to 2 mg Trazodone

2/19        .04 Trazodone. Walked off.  Done.

10/3/19  Started 7.5 Mirtazapine taper cut to .073 gram weight, pill weighs .076

4/5/20    New Mirtazapine Taper - Compound Liquid 7.35 mg April '20, 7.25 mg May, 7.05 mg June, 6.99 mg June, 6.78 mg July, 6.57 mg Aug, Sept 6.35 mg, Sept 6.24 mg, Sept 6.21 mg, Oct 5.99 mg, Oct 5.90 mg, Oct 5.70 mg.

1/11/21 6.05 mg Messed up taper due to syringe change. Must remember the 1 ml syringe contains 1.5mg! 1/16/21 5.99 mg

2/21 5.75 mg, 3/21 5.6 mg, 4/7 5.45, 4/14 5.30, 5/12 5.15, 5/25/21 4.99 mg, 6/29 4.87 mg, 7/14/21 4.74 mg, 8/5 4.62 mg 8/17 4.5 mg, 8/30 4.38 mg,9/16 4.26 mg,10/9 4.14 mg, 10/23 4.05 mg, 11/6 3.96 mg,11/17 3.87mg.***Jan 22 Liquid was changed/couldn't tolerate***Changed back to pills. Feb 22/3.9 mg, 2/17/22 3.8 mg, 3/23 3.7 mg, 4/7 3.6 mg, 5/10 3.5mg,6/10/22 3.4 mg, 7/4 3.3 mg, 7/25 3.2 mg, 8/20/22 3.1 mg, 9/15 3 mg, 10/8/22 2.9 mg., 12/15 2.8 mg, 1/6/23 2.7 mg, 2/16/23 2.6 mg, 3/9 2.5 mg, 4/4 2.4 mg, 4/29/23 2.3 mg, 5/26 2.2 mg, 6/22/23 2.1 mg, 10/14 2 mg, 11/12 1.9 mg, 11/28 1.8 mg , 12/14/23 1.7, 12/31/23 1.6 mg, 1/20 1.5 mg, 2/6/24 1.4 mg, 2/12 updose 1.5 mg. Taking multi-vitamin, vit. D, cholestoff, psyllium husk, and fish oil.

 

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  • 9 months later...

How have you been ? 

2001-2019 Effexor XR 150mg Cross to Zoloft 100mg.

2003-2004 CT Effexor XR 150

09/18/2020 Zoloft 100mg CT Switch Paxil 20mg /Valium 10mg

2020 Paxil 20mg /Valium 10mg/Gabapentin 900mg.

2021 Paxil 20mg /Valium 6mg /Gabapentin 600mg.

Currently:

04/14/2022 Paxil 20mg to 15mg 25% reduction/Valium 3mg/Gabapentin 900mg/Fludrocortisone .01mg 

Paxil: Tablet/Liquid Switch 10% Monthly Drops

5/16 Paxil Liquid 7.4ml/ Valium 3mg/ Gabapentin 900mg, 6/1 Paxil Liquid 6.66ml/ Valium 3mg/ Gabapentin 900mg 6/18 "Switch back to tablets" paxil 10mg+1.66ml/Valium 3mg/Gabapentin 900mg

SupplementsFish Oil, Melatonin 1.5mg, Luracidin.

"Slow  Steady Stable" 💚

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