Aussieblue: aka Michele G from FB site

[Aussieblue]

Hi Aussie Blue (Michele G) here from Lyrica Survivors.  Somewhat lost, confusion reigns hopefully will manage to navigate the site. Glad to be on SA away from the FB bots. Cheers all. 

[Aussieblue]

In a quandary - placed Lyrica taper on hold 11/21, still have the inner quivers, maybe aka I don't know and have to assume it's related to Lyrica.  Had intended taking 6/12 off in order to taper the Mirtazapine partially due to health issues.  Doing so will prolong my tapers for years as I'm following sage advice to wait 6/12 before tapering another medication.  Had a VERY brief read on the various medications causing akathisia and pregabalin is on the list, the treatment recommendations are Mirtazapine and a beta blocker.  My B/P will not tolerate a beta blocker, been there years ago for an entirely different reason, the BB lowered my B/P to dangerously low levels despite the low dose, hence the quandary.  So I guess it's back to the Pregab taper, still planning on waiting a couple of months just to see if these symptoms resolve.  

This ia a trial post just to see if I'm navigating SA correctly.  Feel free to comment.  Xx to my Fb cohorts.

[ChessieCat]

Hi Aussieblue and welcome to SA,

 

Yes, you have created your Introduction topic in the correct place.  If you need any assistance please ask.

 

Thank you for creating your drug signature.  Please remember to update it whenever you make a change so that it remains current.

 

This is your own Introduction topic which is the best place to ask questions specific to your own situation.  This keeps your history in one place and means that you do not have to repeat your story.

[ChessieCat]

Hi AB,

 

I found another Intro topic which you created that had not yet been responded to.  I have now merged the "old" one with your "newer" one so that is an extra post at the start of your topic.

[Lovetobefree]

10 hours ago, Aussieblue said:

In a quandary - placed Lyrica taper on hold 11/21, still have the inner quivers, maybe aka I don't know and have to assume it's related to Lyrica.  Had intended taking 6/12 off in order to taper the Mirtazapine partially due to health issues.  Doing so will prolong my tapers for years as I'm following sage advice to wait 6/12 before tapering another medication.  Had a VERY brief read on the various medications causing akathisia and pregabalin is on the list, the treatment recommendations are Mirtazapine and a beta blocker.  My B/P will not tolerate a beta blocker, been there years ago for an entirely different reason, the BB lowered my B/P to dangerously low levels despite the low dose, hence the quandary.  So I guess it's back to the Pregab taper, still planning on waiting a couple of months just to see if these symptoms resolve.  

This ia a trial post just to see if I'm navigating SA correctly.  Feel free to comment.  Xx to my Fb cohorts.

Hi Michele G,

From what I can see you have done this correctly.  Sorry you are still suffering akathisia. Nice to to see you here : - )  I'm missing our community feel. Take care xx

[OldDodgy]

Hi @Lovetobefree

In a perfect world you would not want to be on either pregabalin or mirtazipine  would you?  
However we know it is wise only to reduce on thing at a time if possible. 
We know Preg causes a lot of damage and I came off that before mirtazipine for that reason. 
The damage mirtazipine can cause can be reduced by preventing metabolic changes.  For me I had to keep my weight very steady and concentrate on keeping my lipids low til I tapered that.  I only had a few weeks between tapers because of complications with blood thinners but I would stilck to a longer gap if you can because coming off two quickly was a real shock to my anxiety levels.  
I do hope your confidence improves as thing go forward. 
Yours OldDodgy aka Dxxk 

[MerryJayneFriday]

Hey @Aussieblue

Good to see you!  I'm sorry you are still struggling. I know my whole pregabilin taper I felt like I had quivers inside. And some outside lol I had a lot of twitches. Now almost 2 years off and they are almost all gone.  Hang in there I hope you feel better soon XO 

MJF

[OldDodgy]

Hi @Aussieblue

i think I messed up replying to Lovetobefree, meaning to reply to your post. It’s an age thing-apologies. 
I hope you found it and it may help-(( 

Good to see you 

OD 

[Aussieblue]

Aussieblue

 

Hello everyone,  had an appointment with a doctor yesterday regarding tapering Mirtazapine. Despite appraising him of the guidelines was advised to drop my dose of 15mg by 25%. Have no intention of following this advice. My intent is to reduce to 7.5mg, a more tolerable dose for me. The taper will not take place for awhile. Am planning on asking my GP for a prescription for oral disintegrating as opposed to the tablet form I’m currently on. The brand will most probably be a different generic version. 

My question:  Would it be wise to change to the different form of the medication prior to commencing my taper to allow my body time to adjust?  

 

 

Edited March 1, 2022 by ChessieCat
added Intro topic title before merging with intro topic

[ChessieCat]

I've moved your new topic to your Introduction topic.  Each member has only ONE Introduction topic.  The reason for this is as follows:

 

On 2/20/2022 at 12:39 PM, ChessieCat said:

This is your own Introduction topic which is the best place to ask questions specific to your own situation.  This keeps your history in one place and means that you do not have to repeat your story.

 

 

7 minutes ago, Aussieblue said:

My question:  Would it be wise to change to the different form of the medication prior to commencing my taper to allow my body time to adjust?

 

See:

 

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

 

[OldDodgy]

@Aussieblue

i think it would be wise to go to the dispersing ones if they won’t do the liquid. As you will be making up a liquid I think the advice is to take it with a snack for even absorption. 
if it was me I would certainly get used to the generic switch before reducing. 
I was less tense on 7.5 and even better on 3.75. I took it down a bit quick to start but had a long hold. 
Try not to overthink it. 
all the best 

Are you holding the lyrica still? 

 

OD 

[Aussieblue]

Hi Old Dodgy, 

4 minutes ago, OldDodgy said:

@Aussieblue

i think it would be wise to go to the dispersing ones if they won’t do the liquid. As you will be making up a liquid I think the advice is to take it with a snack for even absorption. 
if it was me I would certainly get used to the generic switch before reducing. 
I was less tense on 7.5 and even better on 3.75. I took it down a bit quick to start but had a long hold. 
Try not to overthink it. 
all the best 

Are you holding the lyrica still? 

 

OD 

 

4 minutes ago, OldDodgy said:

@Aussieblue

i think it would be wise to go to the dispersing ones if they won’t do the liquid. As you will be making up a liquid I think the advice is to take it with a snack for even absorption. 
if it was me I would certainly get used to the generic switch before reducing. 
I was less tense on 7.5 and even better on 3.75. I took it down a bit quick to start but had a long hold. 
Try not to overthink it. 
all the best 

Are you holding the lyrica still? 

 

OD 

Hi OldDodgy - the liquid isn’t available here so am asking for an Rx of the OD. The game plan at present is to transition over to the OD, then when I’m ready to taper trial a liquid made with the OD & H2O for awhile, then reduce. TBH haven’t felt myself the entire time I’ve been on 15mg - actually have no motivation & feel devoid of any emotion. Wasn’t like this on 7.5mg. Saw this particular doc in a professional capacity, so he could write a letter to the GP as she will not listen to me regarding Mirt!!  He believes I’m not suited to ADs period.  Lyrica taper remains on hold. Am still playing around with LDN - yet to find the correct dose. Thank you for your advice, I shall follow it to the letter. Hope all is well with you.  Stay safe & take care xx

[OldDodgy]

@Aussieblue

Frankly I think is a very odd drug. I didn’t like it’s effect on my metabolism, guts or my heart. It gave me profound bradycardia.  

. I have one friend who finds it keeps him calm and if he reduces it it becomes irritable. 

I also agree with you that many of us don’t benefit from ADs. 
Yours 

OldDodgy 
 

[Aussieblue]

20 years ago after taking myself off to see a psychiatrist as I didn’t know how to grieve was briefly placed on Mirt dosage unknown. The compulsive eating along with elevated triglycerides warranted immediate cessation. This time around Lyrica brain is my excuse for taking the abysmal medication!!  At 7.5mg it’s tolerable and doesn’t cause any overt health issues, mind you I’ve refused to have my triglycerides checked since being on 15mg!!  Possibly playing with fire, statins are not an option.   
 

Rest well OD. 

[Aussieblue]

Aussieblue here again - hopefully this post is in the right place. 
 
Still experiencing inner aka, so it appears the only way to eliminate this symptom is to eradicate Lyrica entirely from my system via taper. If anyone has any tips pertaining to inner aka I’d love to hear from you. Cheers. 

[Aussieblue]

Aussieblue here aka Michele G from FB site

 

Hi All,

 

Somewhat perturbed....saw a post on another site yesterday and I believe it's related to benzodiazepines as opposed to gabapentinoids.  The person indicated if you place your taper on hold for an extended period of time withdrawal symptoms from Lyrica will be worse.  Am aware with benzos when decreasing your dose holding too long may well have adverse effects.  My Lyrica taper is on hold so I can do a partial taper off Mirtazapine from 15mg to 7.5mg as the AD is causing health issues.  I've developed a head bobble, worsening hand tremor along with other issues.  Am so not mentally prepared for a Lyrica taper again. Thanks in advance for your guidance.  And I hope I'm posting correctly so my medication history is visible

 

Edited March 16, 2022 by ChessieCat
added Intro topic title before merging with intro topic

[Aussieblue]

Aussieblue

 

Hello to all, wanted to know if anyone has done a micro taper from 15mg of Mirtazapine and if life was manageable. Have a slew of appointments requiring my physical presence & last year during a Lyrica taper became really unreliable, cancelling most appointments unless they were Tele Health. Am contemplating dropping by 2.5% every week for four weeks and then holding for two weeks.  Thank you in advance. 

 

Edited July 10, 2022 by ChessieCat
added topic title before merging with intro topic

[ChessieCat]

It looks like you are planning on doing the BrassMonkey taper slide.

 

What is good about this tapering method is that at any time during the reduction period you can hold for longer.

[Aussieblue]

Hi Chessie Cat, was browsing last night & read about the brass monkey taper. Am hoping for some feedback from others who’ve tapered Mirtazapine this way. Thank you. 

[Mirtazapine20mg]

33 minutes ago, Aussieblue said:

Am hoping for some feedback from others who’ve tapered Mirtazapine this way.

Hi Aussieblue, I have tried to micro taper mirtazapine, but sadly it doesn't work for me. For me it is as if you are in withdrawal non-stop and the accumulating stress gets from that gets to me. But take my experiences with a grain of salt. I have been on mirtazapine for 18 years, so my CNS is really used to mirtazapine and to get of  takes some serious ironing out. Now I cut very slowly, 5-10 percent every 2 month or something like that. 

[Aussieblue]

Mirtazapine20, thank you for replying. Was hoping a micro taper would fool my brain without having too many withdrawal symptoms. 
Can’t begin to imagine a continuous withdrawal scenario, must have been terrible for you. Great you’ve found a way to minimise the symptoms though. As long as you’re able to enjoy your life is critical to beating the medication.  Wishing you the best. 

 

[ChessieCat]

You could still try the BrassMonkey taper but make smaller reductions.

[Mirtazapine20mg]

Hi Aussie, I had exactly the same "fool my brain"-theory as you: Don't rock the boat, just very carefully move down the curve, but to no avail in my case. There is good news though: For me it doesn't matter if I cut 1% or 5% - the withdrawal has the same intensity (I think I can feel af difference between 5% and 10%). But I have read other people who taper in micro increments successfully. They are just not cutting every week as per the original brassmonkey method, but take longer between cuts.