Mirtazapine withdrawal after 2 weeks

[AndyKK]

This is my first post.

I was suffering anxiety about the Pandemic and consulted my GP three weeks ago. She prescribed Sertraline and I started with the introductory dose of half a tablet. I almost immediately suffered worse insomnia; GP gave me Zopiclone but even when I took 2x3.76 MG per night in addition to the Sertraline I was still only sleeping 4 hours. After 10 days I took myself off the Sertraline and the GP prescribed Mirtazapine 15mg per night which I initially took with Zopiclone but discontinued that after 5 days.

I've seen no improvement in my insomnia since starting Mirtazapine; I drop off within minutes of getting into bed but the most sleep I get is about 4 hours per night. I have now been on 15mg for 10 days; I've persisted in the hope that the sedative effect might increase, but that doesn't seem to be happening.

Ironically my original anxiety isn't troubling me all that much any more; sleep is my main concern.

Has anyone been in a similar situation and can advise me? Should I come off the the Mirtazapine now? If so, how should I taper it? I'm worried that if I stop the Mirtazapine I won't be able to get to sleep at all.

I now bitterly regret starting with medication at all.

[Pugglesworth]

Insomnia is a side-effect of most (if not all) SSRI/SNRI. I would talk to your GP about it.

Most (if not all) SSRI/SNRI take about three weeks to kick in (your mileage may vary).

Whenever I increase/decrease/ad/subtract a med I have about a week of insomnia.

It passes.

[dillydally1]

Hi AndyKK, I have been on mirtazapine 15mg for sometime now. They say the lower dose of mirtazapine is meant to be the most sedating. eg 7.5mg. Maybe your not sleeping as well yet because your body was also used to Zopiclone. I still don't sleep very well but haven't done for many years. I also take 20mg fluoxetine in the day and my mirtazapine ,15mg around 9pm. I would say it's the best combination I have had. It would be best to speak to your doctor on the way forward. Hope you get some sleep eventually, I suppose 4 hours is better than none at all. X

[Bettikins]

Hello Andy..Mirtazapine has really help me. I take a low dose before bedtime and a low dose of zopliclone. But the downside is weight gain. It took about 3 good months before I noticed any difference in my mood, but, worth it otherwise I would be down in the dumps. Everyone's experience is different but please hold hope every day. If your doctor feels your experence is 'situational' you will get better and lead a normal life again. Good luck to you.