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RemeronHell: Remeron adverse reaction and fallout


RemeronHell

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Hello!   I was recently prescribed Remeron and Atarax for sleep. I’m a night shift worker and have been trying various things like melatonin, over the counter sleep aids (cold medicine etc) with mixed success. In Mid june 2021, my neurologist (who specialises in sleep) gave me Atarax and Mirt. I used Atarax on an almost nightly basis with mixed success. I then tried my first night of 15mg mirtazapine. It quickly kicked in making me feel drowsy and I got to sleep. The next day, I felt like a zombie and found my motivation levels to be very Low. Those side effects seemed to just last for 1 day, my neuro said that the sedation effects are better when taking the half dose of 7.5mg …I didn’t take any more of the drug until about two weeks later when I took 7.5mg on two consecutive nights. Few days after, I started to feel like I wanted to faint and my muscles were very stiff and locking up. I was told that’s likely from a panic attack when you start to hyper ventilate. Was taken to the ER where they gave me fluids IV and muscle relaxants. Within 1hour felt better and went home. Felt fine for a few days and was using melatonin and such for sleep but was still having trouble sleeping, so tried again two consecutive nights of 7.5mg Mirt. Another ER trip ensued. (I thought that I was having these fainting spells and muscle lockup and stiffness due to very bad sleep exhaustion , I didn’t suspect the drug at this point). Similar treatment received IV fluids and muscle relaxants and soon felt better. So I told myself I really needed to get some good sleep so took another 2 nights on 7.5mg Mirt. Following day, same fainting spells. That was my last time i took it.

 

Went to hospital to try conduct tests to figure out what’s going on. Brain MRI all fine. Blood tests generally fine though Troponin T levels were high (could indicate heart attack or heart muscle damage) but an andiogram and heart ultrasound both found no issues. (It’s possible that result showed up due to high intensity exercise prior weekend). It was then I googled the side effects of Remeron and saw a list that included: sensations of wanting to faint, stiff muscles , confusion , worsening anxiety , muscle weakening etc. All of which I could relate to. 

 

It didn’t help that I was admitted into hospital for 3 days for observation where I basically got 0 sleep. I had also started to develop worsening anxiety about my whole predicament. I'll try to summarize timeline of symptoms as follows:

1st week of August: Released from hospital. Had a lot of trouble sleeping first few nights, everytime i felt i was about to fall asleep I would just be suddenly jolted with a bout of quick anxiety (maybe because the feeling of falling asleep was akin to passing out which my brain was interpreting as something very dangerous and something I may not wake up from). Heart palpitations commonplace (3 day ECG test in hospital showed some palpitations also but cardiologist said was nothing to worry about). I also would get random chest tightness in the evenings & what i believe were mini panic attacks.  Daily pressure headaches that i haven't experienced before.  Tingling and numb sensations in my hands and feet (sometimes would wake me up in the middle of the night).   Random involuntary muscle jerks of the arms, legs, shoulders, neck, fingers, etc   especially when lying in bed.

 

2nd /3rd/4th week of August: Sleep patterns getting better as started taking melatonin and going to bed at regular time (no more night work!).  Getting maybe 5hrs avg per night.    Daily headaches /  peripheral tingling & numbing /   weaker muscles continued.   Sensitivity to loud sounds and also random stuff like walking under a large air conditioner making an erratic hissing noise in a shopping mall once triggered a panic attack.

 

1st week of Sep:  Daily headaches some days are not as bad (some days almost feel like im say 90% better there).  Started to develop tinnitus (mostly in left ear). Don't notice much during day, but do so at night. It's not too loud so doesnt impact falling asleep so far.   Went to draw blood for some tests and nurse was having some issues. I'd also not eaten that day, so started to feel dizzy which seemed to trigger a panic attack (vision went blurry, feel like going to faint, muscles in particular abdomen go tight and start shaking).

 

2nd week of Sep:  Headaches slightly worse but not as bad as initial phase. Went for a walk one day (hadn't eaten breakfast...which is very normal for me) and started to feel like a panic attack was nearby due to feeling hungry. So I now always eat breakfast and always try to focus on my breathing in those moments, trying not to hyper ventilate.     The peripheral tingling also seems to be much less present now.  The muscle jerking also happens much less.

 

3rd week of Sep (now):   Headaches (or some sort of pressure type feelings) still persist but can change through out the day. No panic attacks since as more careful with what i perceive to be triggers (feeling hungry etc.) but still sometimes get weird random feelings of being weirded out because my feet are touching the floor or when i type on  a keyboard etc (like its "not my body"....hard to describe.....but its been getting better over the last few weeks.).      Weaker muscles and tinnitus still persist.     Went to ear specialist for the tinnitus as it seemed to have slightly increased.....she did some tests and concluded the pressure in my left ear was below normal (the ear i think the tinnitus mostly comes from) whereas the right ear was fine.  Hearing in both was fine but left ear tiny worse.  Left nostril also somewhat more restricted. She gave me a nasal spray "Dymista" which has steroid and anti-histamine properties.  I didn't take this as im not sure if it will make things worse?!     Anyone have any experiences with this? 

 

I was also taking various supplements the whole time such as magnesium L-Threonate & Glycinate, fish oil , curcumin , ubiquinol, acetyl L Carnitine and alpha-lipoid acid, vitamin d3, vitamin k2 as mk7, and an overall men’s multi-vitamin. There are various Remeron Facebook groups where ive also noticed a lot of people seem to have histamine issues (Remeron has very strong anti-histamine properties as it binds well to the H1 histamine brain receptor).  Indeed a lot of the issues that folks who suffer from Histamine Intolerance type syndromes seem to have i think people going through anti-depressant withdrawal might relate to. https://healinghistamine.com/what-is-histamine/histamine-intolerance-symptoms/    I've found this website to be quite interesting and i am trying to follow a low histamine diet to aid my recovery. 

 

Thanks for reading!   Let me know if anyone else has had similar experiences.   I will try to periodically update as my journey progresses.

Edited by arbor

Remeron 15mg for 1 day in July '21,  then 7.5mg for 6days ending 30 July 21.   Immediate ADR. Went to ER several times, including ICU stay. Dealing with headaches, headpressure, tinnitus, hyperacusis, arm weakness, panic attack like feelings ever since.

No more drugs since, just vitamins Magnesium L-Threonate & Glycinate, fish oil , curcumin , ubiquinol, acetyl L Carnitine and alpha-lipoid acid, vitamin d3, vitamin k2 as mk7, and an overall men’s multi-vit.  Though I'm mainly just using magnesium since 2022. 

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  • arbor changed the title to RemeronHell: Remeron adverse reaction and fallout
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Hello @RemeronHell

Welcome to SA.

I'm sorry that you've had this rough experience with Remeron.  As you can see on this site, you're certainly not alone.  I encourage you to share the links here with your neuro and other doctors so that they can begin to be aware of the effects of the drugs they're prescribing.  They, in company with the pharmaceutical companies, have done no studies.

How to talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal?

What I have learnt from helping thousands of ... - PubMed

 

Thank you for listing your drug, dates and dosages.  Even though you weren't on Remeron a long time, taking it at all, let alone stopping it without a slow taper, is often enough to trigger withdrawal symptoms.  Again, I am very sorry you're having to experience this.  

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?  (The general philosophy of gradual tapering)

Tips for tapering off mirtazapine (Remeron)

 

On 9/24/2021 at 8:18 AM, RemeronHell said:

She gave me a nasal spray "Dymista" which has steroid and anti-histamine properties.  I didn't take this as im not sure if it will make things worse?!     Anyone have any experiences with this? 

I myself have not used steroids even though the doctors recommend them often.  We know that one of the withdrawal issues is high cortisol reactions especially in the mornings.  You may find these links useful:

High Cortisol and SSRIs - Events, actions, controversies

Bad reaction to steroid? - Symptoms and self-care

Drugs to avoid in withdrawal? - Symptoms and self-care

 

Thank you for sharing the article on Healing Histamine.  I'm not sure whether you feel that reinstating Remeron at a very low dose and tapering, perhaps, micro-tapering, would be advantageous or a cause for worse problems.  Here is a link that can give you more information.  Also feel free to ask questions.

About reinstating and stabilizing to stop withdrawal symptoms

 

In the meantime, I hope you can avoid stress, and continue to take good care of yourself.  Here is a link to the self care section. I recommend browsing through its topics as it includes a wealth of information and experience:

symptoms and self care

 

This is your Introduction site where you can ask questions and connect with other members.

I'm glad you've found us, and look forward to hearing your progress,

Arbor

 

 

Zoloft: 1995 - 2015

Prozac: 2015 - 2018 (tapered from 40mg x day on July 31 to 30mg on August 31 to 20mg on September 31 to 10mg October 31 to 0mg on  December 15, 2018

Gabapentin: 2016 to 2019  (tapered from 300mg x day to 150mg on August 31, 2019 to 75mg on September 15 to 50mg on September 31 to 25ishmg on October 15 to 0mg on December 1, 2019

Enalapril: 2010 - 2019

Lipitor: 2017 -2017

Metformin: 2000 - 2020

Liothyronine: 2007 - 2019

Levothyroxine: 2000 - 2022

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  • 1 month later...

I have not taken any Remeron since late July, so I don't want to get back on it now, especially given that I seemed to have an adverse reaction after taking just the 3rd tablet.  So in my case i am not sure if its simply a case of adverse reaction (and not withdrawal),  or that the time between the 1st tablet  and the 2nd and 3rd (which may have been around 10days) was enough for my body to get messed up and start "craving it more"....and resulted in the 1st ER visit. I recovered within 48hrs of that and felt totally fine, and then taking the 4th and 5th tablets about 7-10days later again triggered an ER visit and the final 6th and 7th tablet  (with no delay this time)   triggering the final ER visit.      So i am not sure if i have suffered withdrawal here....however all the symptoms im facing seem to be quite common for folks who are going through withdrawal. 

Remeron 15mg for 1 day in July '21,  then 7.5mg for 6days ending 30 July 21.   Immediate ADR. Went to ER several times, including ICU stay. Dealing with headaches, headpressure, tinnitus, hyperacusis, arm weakness, panic attack like feelings ever since.

No more drugs since, just vitamins Magnesium L-Threonate & Glycinate, fish oil , curcumin , ubiquinol, acetyl L Carnitine and alpha-lipoid acid, vitamin d3, vitamin k2 as mk7, and an overall men’s multi-vit.  Though I'm mainly just using magnesium since 2022. 

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Hello, @RemeronHell

 

It looks like you had an adverse reaction to mirtazapine and you should not take it any more. You took it for such a short amount of time, you don't have withdrawal symptoms. 

 

It appears you are among those people who have fairly immediate adverse reactions to antidepressants with withdrawal-like symptoms after you stop. If you don't upset your nervous system again, this will very slowly go away over months. See Adverse reactions to an antidepressant within a few doses -- how long for recovery?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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Thanks  @Altostrata

 

Here is an update on my situation a bit over 3months since I last took Remeron.

 

Things that seem to have gotten better:   

*Less muscle jerking (doesn't happen during the day, just sometimes in the morning when lying in bed)

*Less restlessness in the legs/feet,  feels like its largely gone now

*No more panic attacks. Have ensured to eat breakfast everyday (seemed that feeling of hunger as I rolled into early afternoon was a panic attack trigger a few times about 2mths ago). I've skipped breakfast a few days recently and seemed to deal OK with that.

*Tingling/numb sensation in hands & feet also rarely happens now

 

Issues that are on going:
*Daily headaches / head pressure type feeling.  This did seem to get better about 1month off, but has come back a bit. Still not as bad as the 1st month. Does vary day to day, but the pain is not intense or THAT bad, so it tends to be just really annoying most days.

*Tinnitus is still present. I don't notice it that much in the mornings and during the day (I guess due to various background noise). I do notice it when trying to sleep at night, but thankfully its not preventing sleep.  I did also develop a twitching of the inner ear muscles in my left year (which is called Tonic Tensor Tympani Syndrome).  So my left ear seems more sensitive to certain kinds of noises, and twitches frequently throughout the day.

*Generalized muscle weakness.   I have not been to the gym in a few months but still feel a bit weaker than pre Remeron. This doesn't bother me that much to be honest.

 

Overall i guess i am lucky that my sleep has generally been pretty decent (most nights 6-7 hours, usually no waking up) and i feel like i am getting on top of any underlying anxiety or depression.   If the daily head sensations would go away, i think that would be a big improvement and lift my spirits tremendously, so that's my main issue here. 

 

 

Remeron 15mg for 1 day in July '21,  then 7.5mg for 6days ending 30 July 21.   Immediate ADR. Went to ER several times, including ICU stay. Dealing with headaches, headpressure, tinnitus, hyperacusis, arm weakness, panic attack like feelings ever since.

No more drugs since, just vitamins Magnesium L-Threonate & Glycinate, fish oil , curcumin , ubiquinol, acetyl L Carnitine and alpha-lipoid acid, vitamin d3, vitamin k2 as mk7, and an overall men’s multi-vit.  Though I'm mainly just using magnesium since 2022. 

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There are many existing topics on SA.  SA likes to keep similar information in one place so that it is easier for members to find.  Before creating a new topic please do a search to see if a topic already exists.  You can use the site search function or use an internet search engine and add site:survivingantidepressants.org to the search term.

 

I have moved your new topic and merged it with an existing topic.

 

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tinnitus-what-does-all-that-noise-mean

 

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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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@RemeronHell, as noted earlier, your symptoms should very gradually go away over months. Cope with them as best you can, make your body healthy and strong (but don't overdo it). Be sure to get at least a half-hour of gentle exercise, such as walking, every day.

 

Many people find fish oil and magnesium supplements helpful, see

 

https://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/

 

https://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/15483-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

 

You might try a little bit of one at a time to see how it affects you. Please let us know how you’re doing.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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@Altostrata   Thanks - i already take those supplements as noted in my signature.

 

I have been what feels like a window the last 7-10 days with my head symptoms......no real headache,  just some slight head pressure sensations sometimes thru out the day.    I feel like ive seen decent progress here over the 4months and remain optimistic this can return to 100% improvement in the next 6-12 months.

 

I am not as confident on the tinnitus/hyperacusis/tonic tensor tympani syndrome.  The success stories ive found here also mainly seem to indicate that folks dont really properly recover from these   - it just becomes more "bearable" over time.    Have you heard of many (more complete) improvement  with hearing issues (like tinnitus, hyperacusis, etc)  ?    

 

Remeron 15mg for 1 day in July '21,  then 7.5mg for 6days ending 30 July 21.   Immediate ADR. Went to ER several times, including ICU stay. Dealing with headaches, headpressure, tinnitus, hyperacusis, arm weakness, panic attack like feelings ever since.

No more drugs since, just vitamins Magnesium L-Threonate & Glycinate, fish oil , curcumin , ubiquinol, acetyl L Carnitine and alpha-lipoid acid, vitamin d3, vitamin k2 as mk7, and an overall men’s multi-vit.  Though I'm mainly just using magnesium since 2022. 

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@RemeronHell

 

Hello, just wanted to introduce myself. I too had a severe adverse reaction, I'm 9 weeks in.

 

Have been watching your thread and you give me hope, well done, keep going! 

Lexapro 10mg - 30th august 2021 - Adverse reaction

Amitriptyline - 10mg - 7th September - 30th sep 4 weeks

Amitriptyline 5mg -28th sep - 5th oct 

0mg ever since the 5th oct

12th oct - 1 amoxcillin and 2

metronidazole

Makes it 5 weeks 0mg so far

 

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On 11/29/2021 at 11:24 AM, RemeronHell said:

@Altostrata   Thanks - i already take those supplements as noted in my signature.

 

I have been what feels like a window the last 7-10 days with my head symptoms......no real headache,  just some slight head pressure sensations sometimes thru out the day.    I feel like ive seen decent progress here over the 4months and remain optimistic this can return to 100% improvement in the next 6-12 months.

 

I am not as confident on the tinnitus/hyperacusis/tonic tensor tympani syndrome.  The success stories ive found here also mainly seem to indicate that folks dont really properly recover from these   - it just becomes more "bearable" over time.    Have you heard of many (more complete) improvement  with hearing issues (like tinnitus, hyperacusis, etc)  ?    

 

@RemeronHell
I had hyperacusis for a few weeks in the beginning of withdrawal and it resolved completely when I stopped tapering. I have started tapering again and it comes back once in a while now but then does go away. Fear not, it will resolve like everything else just we don't know how long it will take. Remember that most people who are done with withdrawal don't come back to write a success story as they don't want to ever remember this ordeal. You will heal! The hyperacusis is the brain's way of healing. 

"Nothing so small as a moment is insurmountable, and moments are all that we have. You have survived every trial and tribulation that life has thrown at you up until this very instant. When future troubles come—and they will come—a version of you will be born into that moment that can conquer them, too." - Kevin Koenig 

 

I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information and recommendations provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. 

 

In the next few weeks I do not have a lot of capacity to respond to questions. If you need a quick answer pls tag or ask other moderators who may want to be tagged. 

 

Aug  2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg,  xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months, trazodone prn 

Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn (rarely used)

Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up)

September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0

Feb 2019 0.25 xanax - 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd

March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week

Apr 1st citalopram 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week (off by 4/14/19- no tapering)

citalopram (liquid) 4/14/19 -1.8 mg, 5/8/19 - 1.6 mg,  7/27/19 -1.5 mg,  8/15/19 - 1.35, 2/21/21 - 1.1 (smaller drops in between), 6/20/21 - 1.03 mg, 8/7/21- 1.025, 8/11/21 - 1.02, 8/15/21 - 1.015, 9/3/21 - 0.925 (fingers crossed!), 10/8/21 - 0.9, 10/18/21 - 0.875, 12/31/21 - 0.85, 1/7/22 - 0.825, 1/14/22 - 0.8, 1/22/22 - 0.785, 8/18/22 - 0.59, 12/15/2022 - 0.48, 2/15/22 - 0.43, 25/07/23 - 0.25 (mistake), 6/08/23 - 0.33mg

 

Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate

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On 11/29/2021 at 3:24 AM, RemeronHell said:

Have you heard of many (more complete) improvement  with hearing issues (like tinnitus, hyperacusis, etc)  ?    

 

We don't know much about this, sorry.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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4 hours ago, Onmyway said:

@RemeronHell
I had hyperacusis for a few weeks in the beginning of withdrawal and it resolved completely when I stopped tapering. I have started tapering again and it comes back once in a while now but then does go away. Fear not, it will resolve like everything else just we don't know how long it will take. Remember that most people who are done with withdrawal don't come back to write a success story as they don't want to ever remember this ordeal. You will heal! The hyperacusis is the brain's way of healing. 

 

I hope you're right @Onmyway.    Thanks for your reply.

 

@Altostrata Do we have polls or other data gathered here to try and summarize overall healing/recovery times and paths etc?      Currently its a bit laborious to go through thread by thread. 

 

@Lilmizz21 Hey, hope you can have a speedy recovery!     I am 4months out now, the 1st month was def the worst. I took take hope from other peoples experiences, and it seems a realistic timeline for healing could be anything from 6months to a few years (based on what ive read here and on FB groups).  It can be tough day to day to just "exist" rather than "living" and enjoying life.  Hopefully there is a light at the end of the tunnel. 

Remeron 15mg for 1 day in July '21,  then 7.5mg for 6days ending 30 July 21.   Immediate ADR. Went to ER several times, including ICU stay. Dealing with headaches, headpressure, tinnitus, hyperacusis, arm weakness, panic attack like feelings ever since.

No more drugs since, just vitamins Magnesium L-Threonate & Glycinate, fish oil , curcumin , ubiquinol, acetyl L Carnitine and alpha-lipoid acid, vitamin d3, vitamin k2 as mk7, and an overall men’s multi-vit.  Though I'm mainly just using magnesium since 2022. 

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Hengartner, M. P., Schulthess, L., Sorensen, A., & Framer, A. (2020). Protracted withdrawal syndrome after stopping antidepressants: A descriptive quantitative analysis of consumer narratives from a large internet forum. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1177/2045125320980573

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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@RemeronHell yes I tend to look at it as I'm in it for the long haul.

 

Also as far as I'm aware people who dont heal for absolute years it isnt always the horrific symptoms, just lingering bits and Bob's.

 

Can I ask what head sensations you suffering with?

 

My brain is numb, swollen, intense pressure in the brain sometimes like my brain is being crushed in 😖 wonder if you had similar?

Lexapro 10mg - 30th august 2021 - Adverse reaction

Amitriptyline - 10mg - 7th September - 30th sep 4 weeks

Amitriptyline 5mg -28th sep - 5th oct 

0mg ever since the 5th oct

12th oct - 1 amoxcillin and 2

metronidazole

Makes it 5 weeks 0mg so far

 

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On 12/5/2021 at 12:41 AM, Lilmizz21 said:

Can I ask what head sensations you suffering with?

My brain is numb, swollen, intense pressure in the brain sometimes like my brain is being crushed in 😖 wonder if you had similar?

Hard to describe,  pressure type feeling (in various places, randomly alternates). Its not a numb or swollen feeling.   Just a "pressure" feeling. Its usually not THAT bad in intensity,  if its say medium intensity for a few hrs then sort of builds into a  general headache type feeling overall.   But i go through windows where most of the day it just feels like light pressure for a few days or a week. 

Remeron 15mg for 1 day in July '21,  then 7.5mg for 6days ending 30 July 21.   Immediate ADR. Went to ER several times, including ICU stay. Dealing with headaches, headpressure, tinnitus, hyperacusis, arm weakness, panic attack like feelings ever since.

No more drugs since, just vitamins Magnesium L-Threonate & Glycinate, fish oil , curcumin , ubiquinol, acetyl L Carnitine and alpha-lipoid acid, vitamin d3, vitamin k2 as mk7, and an overall men’s multi-vit.  Though I'm mainly just using magnesium since 2022. 

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Yeah this brain / head pain this is my worst symptom...For me it feels like my muscles on my head are just not relaxing and are not able to get time to recuperate and also mild paresthesia. mix in a little dizzy and sensitivity to movement 

I had a very couple weeks around thanksgiving with remission from a lot of the most difficult symptoms (down 50-90% depending on symptom). but over the last week everything is climbing steadily closer to where it was....

Discouraging but recovery has to be a possibility!

2021: Savella June-July 12.5 then to 23mg. Titrated off fast starting around July 10th-15th
2021 Remeron July 18-22 under guidance of psychiatrist...
2021 Savella reinstated at 6mg then quickly titrated down to nothing around Aug 10th

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BTW - i think all my ER visits i was displaying textbook serotonin syndrome traits,  such as:   body tremors, feeling like i was going to faint, heart palpitations.    None of the hospital staff or psychiatrists i;'ve seen during that ordeal and even post it mentioned anything about this,  but based on my online reading it seems to match very well. 

Remeron 15mg for 1 day in July '21,  then 7.5mg for 6days ending 30 July 21.   Immediate ADR. Went to ER several times, including ICU stay. Dealing with headaches, headpressure, tinnitus, hyperacusis, arm weakness, panic attack like feelings ever since.

No more drugs since, just vitamins Magnesium L-Threonate & Glycinate, fish oil , curcumin , ubiquinol, acetyl L Carnitine and alpha-lipoid acid, vitamin d3, vitamin k2 as mk7, and an overall men’s multi-vit.  Though I'm mainly just using magnesium since 2022. 

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It is unlikely anyone would get serotonin syndrome from 7.5mg mirtazapine, unless you were taking another serotonergic with it. Were you also taking MDMA, a triptan, or an SSRI?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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9 hours ago, Altostrata said:

It is unlikely anyone would get serotonin syndrome from 7.5mg mirtazapine, unless you were taking another serotonergic with it. Were you also taking MDMA, a triptan, or an SSRI?

 

No I was not.  I was taking Atarax on an almost daily basis 1month before Mirt, it's more of an anti-histamine and anti-anxiety. I was also taking some over the counter sleep aids which mostly had natural type ingredients (stuff like GABA, l theanine, etc).  No one officially diagnosed me with it but then again i'm not sure how often they would see something like that. My symptoms (which match Ser syndrome) developed within 12hours after taking the mirt (which i took before bed) on several occasions.   After the first ER visit (where I had mild body tremor, feeling like going to pass out and some heart palpitations) I did feel better after a few days. This is inline with what ive read online abotut mild SS needing a few days to recover from typically and that it usually doesnt have long lasting effects - hence there is no real "treatment" given for it unless your situation is very severe on presentation (im not sure what they would give you in such a case).  Alas, that happened to me in the same pattern 3 times. That seems to have been enough to have "shaken" my brain and CNS and now it seems like i am dealing with "withdrawal-like" symptoms.

 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11918514/

This was about an older person who had Serotonin syndrome from short term use of Mirt. I cant read the full article, so dosage wasn't clear. 

Remeron 15mg for 1 day in July '21,  then 7.5mg for 6days ending 30 July 21.   Immediate ADR. Went to ER several times, including ICU stay. Dealing with headaches, headpressure, tinnitus, hyperacusis, arm weakness, panic attack like feelings ever since.

No more drugs since, just vitamins Magnesium L-Threonate & Glycinate, fish oil , curcumin , ubiquinol, acetyl L Carnitine and alpha-lipoid acid, vitamin d3, vitamin k2 as mk7, and an overall men’s multi-vit.  Though I'm mainly just using magnesium since 2022. 

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It sounds like you had an immediate adverse reaction to mirtazapine. It is important to you to call it serotonin syndrome? At the dosage you took, that would be highly unusual.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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In so far as it might shed some light on potential recovery path only.   But i guess it does not really do that.

 

Another thing I did find going back over my notes was that I was given Xanax when i was in the hospital. I think i only took it for the first night and refused the following 2. I had taken 4x 7.5mg mirt in the 4 days prior to hospital admission. So i would have still had it in my system. When i check now for drug interactions on drugs.com,  it shows "moderate interaction" between mirt and xanax (a benzo).     It was requested of me to specify what meds i was on when admitted into ICU, but it seems the doctors did not even check or thought it was inconsequential that they give me xanax (plus a huge amount of blood thinners called clopidogrel 75mg x 9 tablets or so and 1 aspirin).    Mirt was already having such a bad affect on me, i think the xanax probably just amplified things (as i felt progressively worse during the hospital stay).    This was a private hospital regarded one of the best in the country.   More suffering at the hands of these 'medical specialists' !   

Remeron 15mg for 1 day in July '21,  then 7.5mg for 6days ending 30 July 21.   Immediate ADR. Went to ER several times, including ICU stay. Dealing with headaches, headpressure, tinnitus, hyperacusis, arm weakness, panic attack like feelings ever since.

No more drugs since, just vitamins Magnesium L-Threonate & Glycinate, fish oil , curcumin , ubiquinol, acetyl L Carnitine and alpha-lipoid acid, vitamin d3, vitamin k2 as mk7, and an overall men’s multi-vit.  Though I'm mainly just using magnesium since 2022. 

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I doubt the Xanax caused your adverse reaction. Over 4 days, the mirtazapine had ramped up in your bloodstream.

 

What are the current symptoms you have that you associate with the mirtazapine mishap?

 

FYI acetyl L Carnitine, vitamin d3, and ingredients in a multivitamin, particularly the B vitamins, can be activating.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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@Altostrata Current symptoms:   

1. Daily head pressure / sometimes headaches. Varies through out the day. Some days better than others. Have had some periods of going a few days with light (quite tolerable) symptoms here. 

2. Tinnitus and hyperacusis in the left ear.  Also what seems to be Tonic tensor tympani syndrome in the same ear (overactive / twitching of this tiny tympani muscle)

3. Generalize muscle weakness (probably more so in the arms and torso region).

 

I was not aware that those vitamins could be 'activating'. Do you mean it can cause flare up of typical WD symptoms?  Had seen quite a few ppl list them here or on FB groups. I did show a high value for B6 on a recent blood test, so i have stopped all B vitamins. I was a bit low in d3 so do some 5000 IU units per day a few times a week to boost. 

Remeron 15mg for 1 day in July '21,  then 7.5mg for 6days ending 30 July 21.   Immediate ADR. Went to ER several times, including ICU stay. Dealing with headaches, headpressure, tinnitus, hyperacusis, arm weakness, panic attack like feelings ever since.

No more drugs since, just vitamins Magnesium L-Threonate & Glycinate, fish oil , curcumin , ubiquinol, acetyl L Carnitine and alpha-lipoid acid, vitamin d3, vitamin k2 as mk7, and an overall men’s multi-vit.  Though I'm mainly just using magnesium since 2022. 

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  • 4 weeks later...

Just a thought as to potentially why I might have reacted so quickly to the meds.... I was experiencing "adrenaline rush" like feelings in my brain quite often when doing certain specific activities that seemed to really get me worked up (typically this was going running and listening to fast electronic music). I was able to somehow put my fight+flight (sympathetic) system into an "overdrive" type mode doing this I think. It had been like that for several years. I wonder if actually I already had larger amounts of serotonin and perhaps more specifically epinephrine and norephinephrine in my brain, and hence the Remeron boosting this even more caused certain damage.

 

Even when searching up this "adrenaline rush in brain" type symptoms before I took Remeron, i could not find much on the internet.   Just posting here in case anyone else may have had this.

Remeron 15mg for 1 day in July '21,  then 7.5mg for 6days ending 30 July 21.   Immediate ADR. Went to ER several times, including ICU stay. Dealing with headaches, headpressure, tinnitus, hyperacusis, arm weakness, panic attack like feelings ever since.

No more drugs since, just vitamins Magnesium L-Threonate & Glycinate, fish oil , curcumin , ubiquinol, acetyl L Carnitine and alpha-lipoid acid, vitamin d3, vitamin k2 as mk7, and an overall men’s multi-vit.  Though I'm mainly just using magnesium since 2022. 

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You may have to cope with the symptoms of an adverse reaction to mirtazapine until they go away. See 

Adverse reactions to an antidepressant within a few doses -- how long for recovery?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • 3 weeks later...

I have noticed a feeling of tightness in my jaw when trying to sleep start to develop over the last few weeks. I also feel it during the daytime this week. It might be bruxism from the drug - though i don't have any teeth grinding of clenching.  I'm going to see a dentist about it though i am not interested in botox or such things.   Anyone had any success in treating this symptom? 

 

 Otherwise i think i went into one of my longest windows so far, the headaches and pressure have just been more like very light head sensations most days over the last week or so. 

Remeron 15mg for 1 day in July '21,  then 7.5mg for 6days ending 30 July 21.   Immediate ADR. Went to ER several times, including ICU stay. Dealing with headaches, headpressure, tinnitus, hyperacusis, arm weakness, panic attack like feelings ever since.

No more drugs since, just vitamins Magnesium L-Threonate & Glycinate, fish oil , curcumin , ubiquinol, acetyl L Carnitine and alpha-lipoid acid, vitamin d3, vitamin k2 as mk7, and an overall men’s multi-vit.  Though I'm mainly just using magnesium since 2022. 

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@RemeronHell

 

Just weighing in on the jaw.

 

I clench my jaw and I do grind my teeth. I got a mouth guard from Walmart (I'm sure you could get it off Amazon). My dentist said she could make me one for $300 or buy this one for $20 temporarily while healing from the wd symptoms.

 

You might talk with your dentist though just to make sure everything is aligned and ok.

PREVIOUS medications and discontinuations: Have been on medications since 1996. 

 Valium, Gabapentin, Lamictal, Prilosec and Zantac from 2000 to 2015 with a fast taper by a psychiatrist.

 Liquid Lexapro Nov, 2016 to 31-March, 2019 Lexapro free!!! (total Lexapro taper was 4 years-started with pill form)

---CURRENT MEDICATIONS:Supplements:Milk Thistle, Metamucil, Magnesium Citrate, Vitamin D3, Levothyroxine 25mcg, Vitamin C, Krill oil.

Xanax 1mg 3x day June, 2000 to 19-September, 2020 Went from .150 grams (average weight of 1 Xanax) 3x day to .003 grams 3x day. April 1, 2021 went back on 1mg a day. Started tapering May 19, 2023. July 28, 2023-approximately .87mg. Dr. fast tapered me at the end and realized he messed up. Prescribe it again and I am doing "slower than a turtle" taper.

19-September, 2020 Xanax free!!! (total Xanax taper was 15-1/2 months-1-June, 2019-19-September, 2020)

I am not a medical professional.

The suggestions I make are based on personal experience.

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  • 1 month later...

I am now approaching the 8months anniversary of when this hell all began.   Update on symptoms below:

Headaches/headpressure -   Seems to have gotten a bit better the last month or so. Never have a day when "back to normal", but not as intense as it used to be,  so a bit of improvement there.

Tinnitus/hyperacusis -   tinnitus unchanged.  Hyperacusis which had been very persistent also for many months,   whilst it still remains ive noticed that some days are not as sensitive as it used to be

panic/anxiety attack  -    this seemed to be gone for quite a few months,  then re appeared in early Jan.   I still get these sensations every other day now, which is dissapointing as it had been mostly under control in late '21

body/muscle weakness -  this persists.  Possibly may have gotten worse over last few months as i notice it more easily

jaw tightness -    i got a custom mouth guard but havent used it much as feels a bit weird,    i still tend to experience some tightness mostly when trying to go to sleep,  but maybe some tiny improvement in last 1mth

dr/dp -  im not sure if this fits the definition,   but still sometimes have feelings like my hands are not connected to my body, and other random sensations (eg sometimes the feel of the ground on my feet makes me feel strange)

 

 

Remeron 15mg for 1 day in July '21,  then 7.5mg for 6days ending 30 July 21.   Immediate ADR. Went to ER several times, including ICU stay. Dealing with headaches, headpressure, tinnitus, hyperacusis, arm weakness, panic attack like feelings ever since.

No more drugs since, just vitamins Magnesium L-Threonate & Glycinate, fish oil , curcumin , ubiquinol, acetyl L Carnitine and alpha-lipoid acid, vitamin d3, vitamin k2 as mk7, and an overall men’s multi-vit.  Though I'm mainly just using magnesium since 2022. 

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  • Administrator

Good to hear you're seeing gradual improvement after severe adverse reaction to mirtazapine in July 2021.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • 1 month later...

Hi, @RemeronHell! I would like to know how your hyperacusis healing process went. Thank you! I'm passing through this. 

2021 Feb 25 - 15mg Mirtazapine and 5mg Aripiprazole

2021 March - 30mg Mirtazapine and 5mg Aripiprazole

2021 April - 30mg Mirtazapine and 10mg Aripirazole

2021 May - 45mg Mirtazapine and 10mg Aripripazole

2021 June - 45mg Mirtazapine and 10mg Aripripazole

2021 July - 30mg Mirtazapine and 0mg Aripiprazole

2021 July 20 - 15mg Mirtazapine  

2021 August - 0mg Mirtazapine

Supplements: I tried Zinc for a while, but it irritated my system and I always had headaches. I currently only take Omega 3.

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On 5/6/2022 at 12:03 PM, Warrior said:

Hi, @RemeronHell! I would like to know how your hyperacusis healing process went. Thank you! I'm passing through this. 

 

Hi there,    it seems to not be as sensitive as it had been over the last 4-5 mths. I still have it but seems that the frequency of sounds that trigger the "butterfly flap" type effect in my ear canal has become a bit more limited.

Remeron 15mg for 1 day in July '21,  then 7.5mg for 6days ending 30 July 21.   Immediate ADR. Went to ER several times, including ICU stay. Dealing with headaches, headpressure, tinnitus, hyperacusis, arm weakness, panic attack like feelings ever since.

No more drugs since, just vitamins Magnesium L-Threonate & Glycinate, fish oil , curcumin , ubiquinol, acetyl L Carnitine and alpha-lipoid acid, vitamin d3, vitamin k2 as mk7, and an overall men’s multi-vit.  Though I'm mainly just using magnesium since 2022. 

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Hi @RemeronHell! Thanks for answering me. Now I have a background ringing in my ear. I don't know if it cures. The hyperacusis improved significantly, but then there was this tinnitus.

2021 Feb 25 - 15mg Mirtazapine and 5mg Aripiprazole

2021 March - 30mg Mirtazapine and 5mg Aripiprazole

2021 April - 30mg Mirtazapine and 10mg Aripirazole

2021 May - 45mg Mirtazapine and 10mg Aripripazole

2021 June - 45mg Mirtazapine and 10mg Aripripazole

2021 July - 30mg Mirtazapine and 0mg Aripiprazole

2021 July 20 - 15mg Mirtazapine  

2021 August - 0mg Mirtazapine

Supplements: I tried Zinc for a while, but it irritated my system and I always had headaches. I currently only take Omega 3.

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Approaching 10month anniversary.   Last few nights have been waking up in middle of the night with a sense of panic (not being able to control racing mind) and feelings like i am almost "losing control of my mind". Had to really consciosuly follow breath exercises for about 15min to get back to sleep. 

Remeron 15mg for 1 day in July '21,  then 7.5mg for 6days ending 30 July 21.   Immediate ADR. Went to ER several times, including ICU stay. Dealing with headaches, headpressure, tinnitus, hyperacusis, arm weakness, panic attack like feelings ever since.

No more drugs since, just vitamins Magnesium L-Threonate & Glycinate, fish oil , curcumin , ubiquinol, acetyl L Carnitine and alpha-lipoid acid, vitamin d3, vitamin k2 as mk7, and an overall men’s multi-vit.  Though I'm mainly just using magnesium since 2022. 

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  • 5 months later...

15months post stopping now. Update on symptoms:

 

*Daily headaches/ head pressure type feelings are still there. The intensity of the headaches feels like its not as bad as say 6mths ago. Have to be consistent maintaining a low histamine diet, i noticed a few times after eating some cheese or drinking a craft beer that headache would get worse within just 1-2hrs. 

*Tinnitus remains the same as before, no improvement. Hyperacusis did seem to be doing better when i last posted back in May, however about 1.5 months ago it seemed to get worse again which was dissapointing.

*Panic attack like feelings don't occur as often anymore, but still sometimes get them

 

Based on a few other accounts i've read on here about folks who suffered from immediate ADR, i'm hoping i can have a greater degree of healing when i hit that 2yr mark....

Remeron 15mg for 1 day in July '21,  then 7.5mg for 6days ending 30 July 21.   Immediate ADR. Went to ER several times, including ICU stay. Dealing with headaches, headpressure, tinnitus, hyperacusis, arm weakness, panic attack like feelings ever since.

No more drugs since, just vitamins Magnesium L-Threonate & Glycinate, fish oil , curcumin , ubiquinol, acetyl L Carnitine and alpha-lipoid acid, vitamin d3, vitamin k2 as mk7, and an overall men’s multi-vit.  Though I'm mainly just using magnesium since 2022. 

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  • 1 month later...

Hello hope you’re doing good. I had an adverse reaction too 7 months ago.

 

is there a way to test HISTAMINE intolerance?

April 2022- Only 1 celxa pill 10mg

had an adverse reaction & never took anymore again 

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