nayeli: mirtazapine, stomach issues, chills all over

[nayeli]

Hello all,

 

I could use some help determining whats happening to me. Went to bed around 11pm and woke up around 2pm. Woke in panic around 6am to write an email, uncomfortable sleep (pain in ribs), headache, feeling like withdrawal but I haven't started tapering yet. Sorry for (TMI) but I had significant diarrhea earlier and havent had an appetite; slight ringing in my ears also. Can someone help with this? 

 

Thanks so much. 

[nayeli]

Hello all,

 

I need help immediately please. Feeling like **** and I havent tapered mirt. Sorry for replying on this thread but I could use some help determining whats happening to me.

 

Went to bed around 11pm and woke up around 2pm. Woke in panic around 6am to write an email, uncomfortable sleep (pain in ribs), headache, feeling like withdrawal but I haven't started tapering yet. Sorry for (TMI) but I had significant diarrhea earlier and havent had an appetite; slight ringing in my ears also. Can someone help with this? 

 

Please help.  Thanks so much. 

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, nayeli.

 

How long have you had these symptoms?  

 

Did you have withdrawal symptoms after the Sertraline CT?  After the Escitalopram CT?  After the Citalopram CT?  After the Concerta CT?  Have these symptom continued or gone away?

Edited September 26, 2020 by Gridley

[nayeli]

Hi Gridley,

 

For one day only! I am much better today. About 85% better. 
 

I hardly remember any withdrawal symptoms from Sertraline CT, Esitalopram CT, Citalopram CT, and Concerta CT. I used marijuana through out though. Drank occasionally as well. 

[Gridley]

I'm very glad you're so much better.  

 

We recommend non-drug methods to cope with life and symptoms. Take a look at the links in the following link and see which of them you think might be helpful to you.

 

Non-drug techniques to cope

 

 

[nayeli]

Hello All,

 

I’m in the process of tapering Mirtazapine. Currently on 15mg and would like to taper 10% per month. 
 

I have a couple of clarification questions about dosage 

 

1. If I use a 10ml syringe, does that mean 1mg of mirt = 1ml of water? To make liquid solution for 15mg of mirt I would need to measure 10ml of water +another 5ml and dissolve the pill in that and draw up the entire solution? 
 

2. Would you recommend getting both a 10ml and 1ml syringe for more accurate doses as I drop below 15? 
 

thank you so much 

[brassmonkey]

Yes, this would work, but you will get what is called a "suspension", which is tiny particles of the tablet floating in the water. So you will have to shake liquid very well before removing any to make up your dose.

[nayeli]

Began transitioning from pill to liquid. So far so good. Currently taking 15mg of mirtazapine; crushing pill on aluminum foil with back of a spoon. Pouring in 10ml water and 5ml oraPlus solution into a jar. Letting it sit for about an hour mix and take before bed. Not the best taste wise but gets the job done. So far I’ve been doing this for about a week. Plan to continue transitioning for 2-3 weeks more. And will begin tapering 5% every 2 weeks of course listening to my body to see how the cuts will go. 

[nayeli]

Quetiapine 400mgs, looking to taper but not sure if now is the right time

 

Hi all,

 

Im at a bit of a cross roads, in between a rock and a hard place. 

 

I absolutely hate the way this medicine (quetiapine) makes me feel. I wake up groggy no matter how much sleep I get. I got fired from my job due to incompetencies; I believe as a result of this medication and withdrawals from mirtazapine. I remember feeling very angry around 3 weeks of taking quetiapine and was quite aggressive.  

 

[I believe my withdrawal from mirtazapine is still happening as I jumped off at 6.5 accidentally, (read signature). I had a few sleepless nights, and it went downhill from there. I did not anticipate coming off at 6.5 but it happened as I was experiencing stress from work and life.]

 

I have no motivation to find employment, Im lethargic, and trying to stay on track. Feeling like I'm hanging on by a thread. Im a nicotine user and am trying to taper from that as well. I just know my eating habits will get out of control. My apologies for the rambling. 

 

Ive been on this medication for about 5/6 months now and wondering if it is still recommended to do a 5-10% taper. My mind feels locked up and Im having issue with anxiety because I need to find employment. 

 

Current symptoms: Sadness (on and off), anxiety (on and off), cravings, lack of energy. 

 

Before this medication I could think fully even though I experienced a bit of psychosis. I was witty, quick, and recognized a few hidden talents. My current "Dr. (Nurse practitioner who specializes in mental health)" is not supportive of the 10% taper and would rather treat me like a test subject. I told him about this site and the research I've done and he laughed in my face. He is not supportive at all and wanted to take me from 400mg to 300mg when I complained about the side affects. Currently trying to find a supportive Dr.; Because Im at such a high dose, Im not sure how to taper this medication. Ive read something like getting your dosage in increments of 50mg. Not sure I will find a Dr. to prescribe 400mg using 50mg tablets. Luckily I am not taking an XR form of the drug so liquid titration is possible. 

 

Im scared and feel alone in this process and many things feel like a herculean task. Trying to take it one day at a time. 

 

I guess my question is: should I still taper at 10% considering how long I've been on this medication and my history of psychosis? Would 400-300mg be too big of a drop? 

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Edited October 26, 2021 by ChessieCat
added topic title before merging with intro topic

[hayduke]

Hi @nayeli and welcome.

 

I can relate to these major tranquilisers making work and other such demands very difficult and sludgy.  Best to steer clear of unsupportive doctors, as you say.

 

While your body may still be catching up from previous drugs you were prescribed, it sounds like you may do better to taper down to a less immobilising dose to start with.  You could start planning therapy with regard to what you perceive as psychotic issues and self care to complete your taper from a more tolerable dosage.

 

There should be no harm in trying a 5-10% drop and seeing how you feel.  If you're happy with that you can repeat and consider adjusting your rate.  Going from 400 to 300 in one go is 25% which is likely to give you unnecessary problems.  I will post some links for you to read in a moment.

[hayduke]

I have moved your thread to the Intros section.

 

 

[nayeli]

Thanks for the quick response @hayduke; Ive read the threads posted above and nervous about how this medication is affecting my brain now and longterm. 

 

If I taper to 360mgs (10% drop): I will start this process by converting 400mg tablet to liquid for a few weeks to adjust and then taper to 360mgs. Will I need to add 400ml of water to the 400mg tablet to dissolve and draw up/take 400mg and repeat until Im ready to drop to 360ml/mg? Once at 360, I'll only need to draw up 360mgs correct?

 

Im also in my early 20s and wonder if that makes a difference anywhere. 

[ChessieCat]

1 hour ago, nayeli said:

I will start this process by converting 400mg tablet to liquid for a few weeks

 

When changing form of the drug it suggested to do a cross over.  Please see:

 

cross-over-changing-form-eg-tablet-to-liquid-of-drug-or-changing-brand-of-same-drug

 

And you are correct.  You only make one change at a time, so as you have said, stay on the same dose whilst changing to liquid.

 

[ChessieCat]

2 hours ago, hayduke said:

I have moved your thread to the Intros section.

 

@nayeli

 

I have merged the topic that hayduke moved with your original Introduction topic.

 

SA works differently to many other forums.  Each member has their own Introduction topic.  This is the best place to ask questions about your own situation and where you can journal your progress.  It keeps your history in one place and means that you do not need to repeat your story.  Staff regularly check the Introduction forum for new posts made by members.  Posts made elsewhere on the site may not be seen by staff and therefore might not be responded to in a timely manner.

[hayduke]

6 hours ago, nayeli said:

Thanks for the quick response @hayduke; Ive read the threads posted above and nervous about how this medication is affecting my brain now and longterm. 

 

If I taper to 360mgs (10% drop): I will start this process by converting 400mg tablet to liquid for a few weeks to adjust and then taper to 360mgs. Will I need to add 400ml of water to the 400mg tablet to dissolve and draw up/take 400mg and repeat until Im ready to drop to 360ml/mg? Once at 360, I'll only need to draw up 360mgs correct?

 

Im also in my early 20s and wonder if that makes a difference anywhere. 

 

Your maths looks pretty right.  If it were me though, I'd use 40 ml as the base volume and shift the decimal point.

 

Your age is typical for trauma to start emerging under increased strains of early adulthood.  You have more neuroplasticity than older people so it's a great time to use therapy to heal and get your brain clear of these drugs before you get too set in.  Cheers

[nayeli]

Thanks @hayduke. So 10% drops would look something like this (assuming that 10% isn't too large of a drop for me) -

starting dosage: 400mg > 40.0mg,

360mg >36.0mg,

324mg> 33.0mg (rounding up here)

291mg> 30mg (rounding up here and holding) 

 

I will add that I am probably going through withdrawals from jumping off at 6 of mirtazpaine/remeron. I wonder if the anxiety I feel on a day to day basis is amplified by this withdrawal or is a side effect of taking Quetiapine. 

[hayduke]

Looks like you've got the maths under control.  If a 10% cut feels too harsh, have a look at the Brass Monkey Slide Taper.

 

If you're feeling unsettled, best to hold until you feel better before making any more cuts.

[hayduke]

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/1112-non-drug-techniques-to-cope-with-emotional-symptoms/

[Carmie]

Hi Nayeli, 

 

How are you doing with your tapering? What percentage did you end up tapering by?

 

Sending hugs🤗