Mirtazipine withdrawal symptoms

[Bendaisy2]

Hi everyone,

I was struck down by severe depression in November 2016. I was prescribed 15mg of Mirtazipine which was increased to 30mg in January 2017. In May 2016 I was diagnosed with underactive thyroid too.

Since January 2017 I have made lots of lifestyle change through life coaching, meditation and basically re-training my brain which I have to say was a god send. I have since recovered from depression and my underactive thyroid is being effectively treated and I feel like a real human being again. I stopped Mirtazipine two weeks ago. I have read some horror stories about withdrawing from this medication. I'm prepared for them and I'm waiting for them but thankfully I haven't suffered from anything negative and I feel really well (very happy to have shed a few ponds).

I have also been practicing meditation, Tia-chi and making sure I eat a healthy diet and exercise daily even if it is just skipping in the garden for 5 mins.

Mirtzazipine served its purpose and got me to a better place to take a look in the mirror and make changes and I have done the rest of the healing myself. Yes I gained 1.5 stones in 6 months but I am happy to say that it is now coming off. I was dreading coming off them because of the potential withdrawal symptoms. Is there anybody else who has experience no withdrawal symptoms? I would hate to suffer from them, has anyone experience withdrawal symptoms after two weeks of coming off them?

Thank you in advance

[Saggyuk]

I'm no expert but I would imagine you already would have had at least some withdrawal symptoms after two weeks maybe. I know people who've had withdrawal quite quickly from just a simple dose decrease. I was put on ADs for six months after having a baby and I had no changes whatsoever after stopping them which prob means I didn't need them in the first place and was not the problem?? So you might not have any withdrawal if like me?

Maybe other here have had more experience in withdrawal starting a few weeks later?

[Bendaisy2 in reply to Saggyuk]

Thank you Saggyuk. I feel blessed but I have put a lot of work in to help myself. I'm wondering now if the depression was caused by underactive thyroid but I'm just so glad it is all in the past

[Kitten1978]

Perhaps you are lucky and you won't experience any withdrawal symptoms at all. Mirtazapine has a fairly long half-life so even after 2 weeks you still have some in your system. I experienced insomnia, nausea and vomitting after 1.5-2 weeks from stopping mirtazapine. I was on 15mg of mirtazapine for 4-6 weeks. Coming off wasn't pleasant but bearable. It's generally a better idea to reduce the dose first before stopping medication completely but there is no point doing it now as you've been without it for 2 weeks. Fingers crossed there will be no unpleasant symptoms at all. Take care

[Bendaisy2 in reply to Kitten1978]

Hi Kitten1978 thank you for your response. I wake up every day hoping that I feel the same as I did the day before. I feel quite blessed and happy that I haven't suffered and it is all in the past. I tapered down over 2 months, I cut the last part down 15mg every other night to one week due to feeling awful the day after I took a tablet. It's been a life changing journey and I am a better person for it

[Kitten1978 in reply to Bendaisy2]

Well done for reducing slowly. Mirtazapine is an awful drug - it made me worse, not better. Al the best x

[Inana]

From my experience, antidepressant withdrawal symptoms do not behave like other drugs, in that, they are not worse at the beginning and better at the end, so to speak. The first two weeks, are going to be great. The first month is going to be great actually. Then, about halfway through the second month, you might feel something a bit off. The third month you should start feeling the withdrawals and they should get progressively worse on month 4 and 5 and even 6.

Also: The longer you were on antidepressants, the worse the withdrawals, so if you were on them for less than a year, it shouldn't hit you hard. If you were on them for 6 months max, then it should be even easier. If you were on them for 3 months, I doubt you will have any significant withdrawals other than brain zaps.

Let's just say that antidepressant withdrawals need a wider time frame to observe them properly. The first year is hell. The second year is hellish but with moments of relief here and there. The third year you should be feeling better than both year one and two but not 100% better.

It is wise to be forewarned so that you do not get uncomfortable surprises. Also, it is wise to be aware of this so that you do not think that you are relapsing. The withdrawals are worse than the initial depression, in my opinion.

Good Luck.

[Bendaisy2 in reply to Inana]

Hi Inana, Thank you for your reply. I was on them for 6 months and weaned of them over 2 months. Aside from that I think the depression was due to an under treated thyroid problem which I was diagnosed with in May last year. My thyroid is being treated properly now.

I am prepared for whatever withdrawal symptom I may get. I have worked hard on making positive changes in my life which has helped a great deal. I'll just deal with anything I get but and hope that it passes me by quickly. I won't go back on them. That's for sure.

[TJc64]

Hi , I have been taking Mirtazapine 15mg for 2 years . I was on holiday and thought I did not need to take them any more . So I stopped cold turkey and was fine for a few days then had horrible rebound anxiety so had to start again . I am still on 7.5 mg but am gradually reducing by half every other night then hopefully I will be off them within a month . I did not put on any weight . In fact I lost it . I think if you were going to get any withdrawal symptoms you would have had them by now . So I think you will be ok . Everyone is different . Keep up the good work .

[Bendaisy2 in reply to TJc64]

Thank you for sharing TJc64. I'm still doing alright but am very self-aware and prepared for any withdrawal symptoms if they come.