Angel9058 Mirtazapine (Remeron) troubles

[Angel7366]

Yes I definitely think you are right and I so regret going on the 7.5mg in the first place. My fault.

 

I have just measured my blood pressure this evening and it is extremely high so I think I will have to make the cut. I am very worried now. Will this mean that I will be extending w/ds for a long time?

[Altostrata]

No, it won't make a difference. If you're having an adverse reaction, reduction is called for.

[Angel7366]

Ok Alto, thanks very much. Yes my blood pressure reading is off the charts.

 

How long should I stay at the 6.5mg for to see if it helps?

[Altostrata]

It takes about 4 days for the decrease to fully register in your bloodstream.

[Angel7366]

Ok thanks very much I will make the decrease tonight.

[Angel7366]

I'm sorry to ask another question but I just want to be clear. If no change in my blood pressure after a few days with the reduction, do you suggest I decrease again or give it longer? Or should I let you know how I am feeling.

 

Sorry to hassle you Alto. I am so grateful for your help.

[Altostrata]

Let us know how you do over the 4 days.

[Angel7366]

Ok thanks. Very ill here. Feel terrible and I just threw up. I thought it was normal w/ds but have been getting progressively worse.

 

I can't thank you enough for your advice.

[Angel7366]

I have now been at the lower dose of 6.5mg for 4 days . The severe burning and strong palpitations settled almost immediately and I felt so much better the day I reduced so I think it was a really good decision to drop.

 

Since yesterday the true w/ds have started to kick in in earnest: stomach cramps, diarreah, chills, flushes, feeling ill etc.

 

Obviously these are very uncomfortable and unpleasant but I will hang on until I stabilise then continue with the taper.

 

Would you agree?

 

Thanks.

[Altostrata]

Makes sense to me.

[Angel7366]

Thanks very much Alto and also for recommending the dosage drop.

[Jemima]

Please note that the posts regarding similarities between SSRI and benzo withdrawal and various questions regarding benzo withdrawal were moved to the Members Only Benzo Tapering Forum: Similarities In SSRI And Benzo Withdrawal

 

This thread is Angel's Introductory thread and is primarily for her use regarding her personal journey getting off of psychiatric drugs. The discussion noted above was getting this thread off topic.

[Angel7366]

Thank you Jemima

[Angel7366]

Day 5 on reduced dose of 6.5mg

 

My blood pressure is very high again and I am having the burning back. I don't think this drug is good for me on any level.

 

Has anyone else had these problems with Mirtazapine? I've just taken a beta blocker which is beginning to calm it a bit. My doctor did give me beta blockers to take daily so perhaps I should do so now?

 

Any advice?

 

Thank you so much

 

Angel

[Altostrata]

I agree with you, Angel. I might think about making .5mg decreases every 5 days until reaching 4.5mg.

[Angel7366]

Ok will try that.

 

Thanks Alto.

[Altostrata]

If you take a beta blocker consistently, plan on tapering off that, too.

[Angel7366]

Yes am aware of the problems - am really not taking them regularly, just thought today I should start to but will continue to take as needed, then taper off. Thanks.

[Angel7366]

I took the 6mg last night, slept well but woke up full of terror and anxiey.

 

We now have a huge family crisis and I don't think I can cope with any extra w/ds right now and as my blood pressure was fairly stable this morning, I decided to take the extra .5 mg first thing to make it up to 6.5 mg again for now.

[Angel7366]

I haven't had an appetite since my CT and reinstatement on first 7.5mg then 6.5mg. And I feel ill and unfunctionable. I have not stabilised on any dose. Is this normal?

 

I am worried to do the fast taper to 4.5 mg as we have a major family crisis even though I know the drug does not agree with me. I am worried about big w/ds on top of not feeling well.

 

The thought of an 18 month taper on a drug which clearly does not agree with me fills me with dread. I feel as if I am between a rock and a hard place with no way out. I so want the drug out my system and to be able to live a normal life.

 

Any advice please?

[Angel7366]

My blood pressure read normal today for the first time in ages so have decided to continue on the 6.5mg dose to give it a chance to stabilise.

[Altostrata]

That might be best -- stick with a stable dosage.

[Angel7366]

Thanka Alto.

 

By the way I am seeing Dr Lefever tomorrow although I don't think he will tell me anything in addition to your good advice and what I have learnt since embarking on this nightmare. Will report back.

 

Incidentally he is very expensive! I made the appointment and then he told me charges £400 an hour. Yikes !!

[Altostrata]

Double yikes!! Please do tell us what you hear.

[dalsaan]

For that kind of money I'd want magic, not just advice. I recommend you speak really fast

[Angel7366]

Dr Lefever was a top GP and head of various GP councils before he relinquished his right 4 years ago to prescribe as he says doctors do not take into account an individual's sensitivity. And medications can cause more harm than good. That we know.

 

He has founded a first-class treatment centre for addictions and eating disorders.

 

He could not help me with taper or medication questions but said he could help me with underlying issues of which I have many he says. I told him my main aim was to get off this drug and then I would consider further support.

 

At £400 a time this is something I would have to consider very carefully!

 

Was it worth seeing him? Maybe. But there is no magic pill to take away the pain of withdrawals. Am suffering very badly today and my main fear is that I may never stabilise. If I stabilised even once then I would be braver about facing the rest of the taper. But I have to believe I will survive this.

 

Angel

[Altostrata]

Angel, I was worried about that. See http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/988-recommended-doctors-therapists-or-clinics/page__view__findpost__p__23929

 

No doubt you have underlying issues -- who doesn't -- but they are not what's causing your withdrawal symptoms. It's up to you if you want to continue seeing him.

 

However, he does know prescribers to whom he may refer patients. If you want to work with a prescriber, you should ask Dr. Lefever for such a referral.

[Angel7366]

Alto

 

I am having such horrific withdrawals. Have you seen people in my position stabilise or am I doomed? Sorry to be melodramatic but this is the way I am feeling today - like no way out.

[Altostrata]

Yes, people do recover. Since you went off in early April, you are still in the early acute stage of withdrawal syndrome. You absolutely need to be patient, deal with symptoms minute by minute and hour by hour.

 

Please phone Dr. Lefever and ask for a referral to a prescriber who can help you with your medications. He at least owes you that much.

[Angel7366]

Thank you Alto. Just needed to hear that.

 

Re. Dr Lefever - he explained he was once an alcoholic and that friends of his did not suffer from a lot of drinking but he did as he had a sensitive disposition and he and I were alike as I was sensitive to medication and others are not etc etc. He kept saying he cannot give prescriptions or help with prescriptions and if that is why I was there, then he was not the right person for me. He could look after the other part of me which was not affected by the medication or something. It was all a bit difficult. Yes of course I have issues but, then again, I don't know what I wanted to hear really. I get more support here so I don't think he was the right person for me at this time.

 

Regarding medication - I guess I could ask him for a referral but he would probably only direct me to an expensive private doctor and expensive private medicine whereas my own GP prescribes on the National Health. Taper help is a matter of common sense I guess, listening to your body and doing the correct reductions.

 

I tell you who I have found helpful in the UK is the British and District Tranquiliser Project with their own helpline 0117 962 8874. The man who runs the helpline has been doing so for 30 years and says he has 100 new callers a week. I did ring them a while ago and it was a comfort to speak to him, if only for validation reasons. I think that is what we all want really isn't it and why I probably drive everyone mad with my periodical requests!

 

http://www.btpinfo.org.uk/

 

Best

Angel

[jojo49]

Hi Angel,

 

sorry things didn't work out for you today. we are all here for you

 

take care

 

jojo

[Narcissus]

Alto

 

I am having such horrific withdrawals. Have you seen people in my position stabilise or am I doomed? Sorry to be melodramatic but this is the way I am feeling today - like no way out.

 

Yes! It gets better, for everyone.

[Angel7366]

Thanks Narcissus

[Angel7366]

I'm terrified. 9 days into new dose of 6.5mg and horrendous withdrawals - mainly waves of panic and fear and nausea with some chest burning

[Angel7366]

I don't want to change dose but my neighbour who is a doctor is scaring me and indicating I am a lost cause and I may never recover. I am frantic.

 

The waves are brutal. Please tell me again I am going to okay or not.

[tezza]

Angel,

 

People stabilize differently, I'm sure you will get better. I know it's hard to believe when you see no light at the end of the tunnel. I've been there, I know.

 

Just keep holding on and it will get better.