Remeron (Mirtazapine) is a tetracyclic antidepressant (TeCA) drug that works primarily by raising levels of norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain. It is generally used to treat major depressive disorder, but is also sometimes prescribed as an anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), antiemetic, hypnotic, and appetite stimulant medication. Off label uses for Remeron include: social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, PTSD, insomnia, and to increase appetite in those who are underweight or have eating disorders.
In regards to effectiveness as an antidepressant, a major meta-analysis study from 2009 found Remeron more effective than all SSRI’s, SNRI’s, and Bupropion (Wellbutrin). Despite the fact that its efficacy was considered superior to all other second-generation antidepressant medications, the degree to which it was superior was not statistically significant compared to Lexapro, Paxil, and Effexor. Other off-label uses for Remeron include: helping curb symptoms of drug withdrawal, treating the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, reducing Parkinson’s disease psychosis, and to treat anorexia in cats.
Although Remeron can work very well for pulling someone out of a deep depression, others find its side effects to be intolerable. Perhaps the most difficult side effect to cope with is the significant increase in appetite and cravings for carbohydrates (i.e. junk food). The major increase in appetite tends to result in significant antidepressant-induced weight gain among certain individuals.
Others who take this drug find it makes them feel too sleepy and/or it eventually “poops out” and stops working. If you have given this medication a shot, but no longer want to be on it, read below so that you have a general idea of what to expect during the withdrawal process.
Factors that influence Remeron withdrawal
When coming off of any antidepressant, there are going to be various factors that influence both the severity and duration of withdrawal symptoms. These factors include things like: the time span over which you took Remeron, your dosage, how quickly you tapered when discontinuing, as well as your individual physiology.
1. Time Span
Over how long did you take Remeron? In general, those who took it for an extended period of time may take longer to readjust to functioning without the drug. When you take an antidepressant every day for years, your body and brain become reliant on it for functioning. Those who took Remeron for shorter periods of time will likely have less severe withdrawal symptoms and shorter durations of withdrawal than long-term users.
2. Dosage (15 mg to 45 mg)
Most people start taking Remeron at a dose of 15 mg per day before going to sleep. Although there isn’t a relationship between dosage increase and effectiveness for treating major depression, some patients may benefit from increased dosages. A psychiatrist may have some people titrate up to a maximum dosage of 45 mg per day.
It is thought that individuals taking the minimum dose of 15 mg should have an easier time withdrawing than those taking higher doses (e.g. up to 45 mg). If you are on a higher dosage, you will likely need to conduct a gradual taper in order to minimize withdrawal symptoms.
3. Cold Turkey vs. Tapering
Quitting any antidepressant “cold turkey,” including Remeron is thought to yield more severe withdrawal symptoms than if you conduct a gradual taper. By tapering, you allow your body and brain to gradually adjust to changes in dosage. For long-term users, it is recommended to taper at a rate of 10% of your current dose per month. Therefore if you were at 45 mg, you would taper down to 40.5 mg to start, then after another month drop to 36.45.
When tapering you don’t have to necessarily be exact with your tapers, but if you round the dosage down, you may notice more severe withdrawal effects than you planned on. As you can see, a taper rate of 10% may take some individuals an extended period of time to successfully reach 0 mg. The whole idea is to taper slowly so that you don’t shock your nervous system by quitting cold turkey – which can result in severe discontinuation effects.
If you feel as though you can handle a quicker withdrawal rate than 10% per month, that’s your decision. Everyone will react differently to withdrawal and some people may not be as sensitive to the discontinuation effects as others.
4. Individual Physiology
Much of the withdrawal symptoms are based on individual circumstances. Since everyone is unique, each person tends to recover at a different rate and symptoms are subject to variation. One person may engage in mild exercise, eat healthy, get plenty of sleep, and stay hydrated which could facilitate a quicker recovery than someone who doesn’t exercise, get proper sleep, and dwells on their withdrawal symptoms.
During the withdrawal process it is important to avoid comparing your recovery to that of other people as each person usually recovers at a different rate. Additionally it should be noted that some individuals transition to a new antidepressant and/or are taking other drugs and may not experience as much of a withdrawal as a result of other medications.
Remeron Withdrawal Symptoms: List of Possibilities
Below are a list of symptoms that have been reported during discontinuation from Remeron. Keep in mind that you may not experience all of the symptoms listed below during your withdrawal. The withdrawal process is highly individualized in regards to what symptoms you will experience, their severity, as well as how long they last before you recover.
- Anxiety: Upon discontinuation, many people have reported major spikes in anxiety. The anxiety that you experience during withdrawal is likely linked to changes in the neurotransmission of serotonin and norepinephrine as a result of taking this drug. Many individuals report feeling anxious for an extended period of time after their last dose. Just know that the anxiety will eventually diminish as your brain reverts back to drug-free functioning.
- Appetite decrease: As was mentioned, this is a drug that can significantly boost your appetite. When you stop taking it, your appetite will likely return to what it was prior to taking this drug. It is this natural decrease in appetite that will lead you to lose most of the weight that you gained in relatively short order.
- Concentration problems: Many people report feeling spaced out and/or foggy thinking when initially quitting this medication. You may have trouble focusing on work-related tasks and/or schoolwork when coming off of this medication. As time passes, your concentration should come full circle and return to normal.
- Confusion: Some individuals become confused as to what they are experiencing during withdrawal. This confusion is generally a result of poor combination and cognitive function. The confusion and fog should eventually pass, but it may take some time.
- Crying spells: It is common to feel increasing depression when you withdraw from this medication. The increases in depression and other mood swings can lead to crying spells. During these spells many people feel completely hopeless about their situation. The reality is that they will eventually recover and these will subside.
- Depersonalization: This symptom involves feeling unlike your normal self, almost as if you have become a zombie and/or are panicking because you think you’ll never feel how you did prior to taking this drug. It can be very uncomfortable to feel depersonalized, but it’s generally a result of chemical changes that will change over time.
- Depression: Most people experience increases in depression when they withdraw from an antidepressant. In fact, the depression a person experiences in withdrawal is sometimes more severe than it was prior to their first dose of Remeron. This is due to the fact that when you withdraw from an antidepressant, a new chemical imbalance is created because your brain is now trying to function soberly after being fed a drug for weeks, months, or years. This new imbalance should correct itself, but it will require some time.
- Diarrhea: It is possible to experience diarrhea as a symptom when coming off of this drug. In order to minimize this particular symptom, a slow taper is recommended. Additionally consider taking some over-the-counter Imodium if it gets out of control.
- Dizziness: This is one of the most common symptoms that people experience during withdrawals. You may feel varying degrees of dizziness for weeks, or in some cases, months on end. The dizziness tends to be more extreme during the first few weeks of withdrawal. It can manifest as vertigo too in more extreme cases.
- Fatigue: It is common to feel lethargic and excessive tiredness when coming off of an antidepressant. The fatigue is usually due to the brain still not having fully rebounded back to normal after your last dose. The fatigue can last for quite some time, but your energy should return over time.
- Flu-like symptoms: Reports of flu-like symptoms and/or allergies upon discontinuation are fairly common. These symptoms tend to be intensified with “cold turkey” withdrawals and can be minimized if withdrawal is conducted gradually.
- Headaches: Having headaches is very common when a person first quits this medication. These headaches may last weeks, but affect some individuals for months after their last dose. Although these can be a nuisance, they usually subside once a person’s level of arousal and anxiety drops.
- Heart palpitations: Do you have sensations that your heart is pounding extra loudly or racing? These sensations are known as palpitations and are somewhat common during withdrawal. These can exacerbate anxiety and vice-versa so if you experience them, it is better to accept them as merely being a symptom rather than something to panic about.
- Hypomania: This is considered a lower-grade form of mania (i.e. mood elevation) exhibited by individuals with Type-2 Bipolar disorder. There have been cases of hypomania reported during withdrawals from Remeron.
- Insomnia: After quitting this drug, a lot of people struggle with falling asleep at night. A thing many people have found helpful is to take melatonin prior to bedtime. Additionally consider engaging in some sort of relaxation exercise such as deep breathing or meditation to mitigate insomnia.
- Irritability: When a person goes through withdrawal, they become highly sensitive and are prone to mood swings. A very common mood for a person to experience is that of irritability or the feeling that everything is a nuisance or bother. The person doesn’t want to feel this way, but due to their brain activity and neurotransmitter levels during withdrawal, it is an inevitable experience.
- Itching: One of the most common symptoms associated with Remeron withdrawal is that of itchiness. Many people report feeling very itchy and cannot contain the sensations to scratch their skin. This itchiness may be uncomfortable and persist for some time, but it will eventually go away as your nervous system adapts.
- Mania: During withdrawal from Remeron, individuals with bipolar disorder have been reported to experiencing a manic switch. In other words, if you have bipolar disorder, the withdrawal could make you transition to a state of mania. Although this will not occur in everyone with bipolar disorder, it is something to monitor during withdrawal.
- Mood swings: It is very common to experience changes in mood during withdrawal. Some days you may feel really depressed and angry, others you may feel hopeful and see the light at the end of the tunnel. Many people go through ups, downs, and changes in mood during the withdrawal process.
- Nausea: In some cases the nausea from withdrawal can become severe. If it becomes severe, the nausea can actually lead a person to vomit. To prevent severe nausea, make sure you follow a gradual tapering protocol. Some nausea upon discontinuation may be inevitable, but you will minimize it by slowly weaning.
- Panic attacks: During withdrawal from a potent drug that affects serotonin levels, it is possible to experience panic attacks. When you discontinue this medication, the levels of serotonin in your brain may be lower than average. This may lead you to feel increasingly anxious and make you prone to panic attacks. If you find yourself panicking, just know that these attacks will eventually go away as your neurotransmitters adjust.
- Racing thoughts: You may notice that your thoughts race when you initially come off of this medication. These racing thoughts are hypothesized to be what could potentially lead to mania or hypomania among susceptible individuals. In any regard, the racing thoughts can also be linked to anxiety, drops in serotonin, and heightened nervous system activity during withdrawal.
- Sleep changes: For many individuals, Remeron tends to improve their sleep. When coming off of the drug, you may notice that the quality of your sleep is reduced. You may have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting an adequate amount of sleep each night. Your sleep patterns may fluctuate during withdrawal, but they will eventually stabilize.
- Suicidal thoughts: Many people who take this drug for depression may experience a resurgence of depression and suicidal thinking when they quit taking it. In some cases, the suicidal thoughts a person experiences during discontinuation could be significantly worse than prior to taking the drug. When withdrawing, your neurotransmission will often be imbalanced as a result of the drug you had been taking and discontinued. This imbalance is what can make people feel suicidal until their brain readjusts to normal functioning.
- Sweats: A very common withdrawal symptom from antidepressant medications is that of sweating. You may wake up during the middle of the night soaked in heavy night sweats and/or notice that you are sweating intensely throughout the day. This is one way your nervous system is readjusting itself and is part of the detoxification process.
- Tiredness: Although many people report heightened anxiety and difficulty sleeping when they withdraw from Remeron, others report feeling very tired. Additionally even individuals who have difficulty sleeping may notice lower than average energy levels throughout the day.
- Tremors: In various cases, people tend to notice that they are having “shakes” or tremors. This is a more common symptom in the acute stages of withdrawal. You will stop shaking once your body readjusts without the drug.
- Vomiting: Some individuals actually get pretty sick when they quit taking Remeron. If you quit cold turkey, your chances of vomiting increase because you have suddenly quit from a dose that your nervous system was used to getting. In order to decrease your chances of experiencing this symptom, take the time to gradually withdraw.
- Weight loss: Since most people tend to have increases in appetite and/or cravings for food when they are on this drug, they tend to gain weight. When the drug is stopped, most people have no difficulties losing the weight that they put on while taking the drug.
Remeron Withdrawal Duration: How long does it last?
Most people have reported withdrawal symptoms lasting a few weeks before the majority cleared up. However this doesn’t mean that everyone is going to feel back to their normal selves within one month of their last dose. How quickly you recover from withdrawal symptoms and adjust back to normal functioning will likely be influenced by individual circumstances including: your sensitivity to withdrawals, how quickly you tapered, and whether you are taking other drugs.
As a general rule of thumb that I recommend is to wait three full months (90 days) to reevaluate symptoms. Three months is a lengthy period of time and will give your body and brain some time to transition back to sober functioning. It may take some time before your nervous system and neurotransmitter levels revert back to how they were prior to your first dose of Remeron. Keep in mind that some people have reported experiencing symptoms over 6 months after their last pill – these are obviously the more extreme cases, but show how debilitating the withdrawals can be for some people.
After the acute symptoms have passed during the first couple weeks of withdrawal, take the time to make sure that you are engaging in healthy activities as this may help repair your nervous system. Getting some light exercise, eating healthy foods, staying productive, socializing, resting, and learning some relaxation techniques can go a long way towards speeding up recovery. What you are experiencing may be very uncomfortable and may push your mental limits, but maintain faith that you will eventually recover and you eventually will.
If you have successfully withdrawn from Remeron and/or are going through withdrawals, feel free to share your experience in the comments section below. Sharing your experience may really help another person who is dealing with the same thing.
Hiya. I’m withdrawing from 15mg down to 7.5mg for a week then will try to stop altogether. I’m on my second day of withdrawals and already feel much better than the first day. I’m still experiencing palpitations, severe sweating, nausea, tiredness and dizziness but I am definitely improving. I have been on and off mirtazapine for at least 6 years.
Finally quit taking the crumbs of mirtazapine Aug 1. Didn’t feel any withdrawal for about 10 or so days. Then sleep disturbance (3-4 hours a night) mild nausea, gut pain. I notice though that if when I first get up I eat a bite of banana it helps the stomach and as the morning progresses I feel better. By evening I almost feel like a normal person. :) I will continue on.
I do still have withdrawal even weaning carefully for so long but the side effects are bearable. Saw the doc Thursday and she prescribed Zofran but Medicare balked at paying for that ($100) so I will continue on without it. Think I will be OK if I just persevere. Off 3 weeks and I am happy with that. Still grinding teeth. Weight loss has been a big problem. 93 lbs down from 110. Will be happy to gain my appetite again. Once in awhile I will feel hungry and try to eat something right away and take advantage of the hunger. Want my weight back. Have gone from a size 8 down to a 4 :(
Jan, I am with you on the weight issue. I went from 204 to 169. I have had to buy new clothes, and my skin looks loose. As a matter of fact, I am still losing. I have been 6 months off, but I quit cold turkey after 8 years. HUGE mistake. I, like you, would like my appetite and about 20 pounds of my weight back. I still have abdominal spasms / cramps that are painful at times, and a good day here and there.
I am one of those folks that you read about that are unfortunate and have withdrawals longer than usual. Yesterday was 6 months, and I don’t know how much longer it will be. Good luck to you. A little advice, grab your sleep when you can, short naps during the day adds up. I hope your trip down a road that for me has been hell is quick and as pain free as possible. David
After being on these tablets for 10 years. I decided two weeks ago to quit them there and then. Tired of doctors upping and lowering dosages. Never getting anywhere. Living with an constant fear of everything. Never looking forward to anything. Developing depression instead of treating my anxiety. Visiting counselling sessions, CBT, all that crap. So, two weeks have passed and I’ve never felt as good, hopeful, thankful, content, proud of the decision to quit mirtazipine. I was on 45mg too. Think I’ll always struggle a bit with sleep but other than that, best thing I’ve ever done.
I was only on Mirtazapine for a couple months, but I completely agree with your sentiments. I was fortunate in terms of the withdrawal and lack of symptoms. Best wishes. MAS
It has now been 5 months since I stopped cold turkey Feb 27th. I am still in misery. Abdominal cramps, GI issues, anxiety, depression, tremors, despair, weakness, fatigue, vertigo, and general sick feeling. It is not as bad as it has been, and I have had a few good days, and each of these symptoms comes and goes. I have been to the ER 3 times since stopping, because I just couldn’t believe that stopping that little pill would make me feel the worse that I ever have, and for this long.
The beginning of the site states that there have been people who have had symptoms as long as 6 months. If mine are all resolved at 6 months I will be happy. If you are withdrawing from this drug, just concentrate on making tomorrow become today, and let time do its job. Don’t compare your benchmarks with those of others. It will only make things worse, and give you one more thing to worry about.
I thought that it would be history by now. Speaking of history, I took 45mg for almost 8 years, tried a 45 – 30 – 15 – 0 temper from my doctor, which spread over a month. It didn’t work, and after a couple of weeks of hell, another doctor put me back on the Mirt, but only 7.5 mgs, which left me with a 37.5 mg shortage, which I didn’t think of at the time, so for the next 12 months I was miserable.
I finally went of the 7.5 cold turkey, 2/27/25, 5 months ago. I have never been one for crying, but this has caused quite a bit. I ask not for anyone’s pity, but would appreciate anyone’s prayers, as I have been sick, compliments of doctors and mirtazapine, for a long time. I am a 62 year old retired fire chief. I wish you well. David
Hello David. Good to hear from you although sad to hear that you are still struggling with withdrawal from Mirtazapine. I have posted my withdrawal journey on this blog. Although each withdrawal is unique there are many common symptoms which gives us all some comfort when hearing others similar experience. I do hope that your situation improves soon.
One aspect that I am struggling with is the guilt of not being able to contribute to and look after my family. Sometimes therapy helps although can enforce my feeling of hopelessness and worthlessness as I co to use to struggle with these ongoing physical and mental health symptoms. At end of week 8 with almost 4 weeks off Mirtazapine and withdrawal symptoms worsening with increasing fatigue and body aches along with nausea, constipation, diarrhea, low mood. When will this ever end? Love to you all.
David, I’m sorry for what you’ve been through. You definitely have my prayers. It’s unfortunate that doctors are so apparently ignorant about both the effects and withdrawal from these drugs. I’m afraid many people are suffering, as a result of this. Your post does contain a lot of wisdom…the kind that comes through profound suffering. I am not a year off, and most things have improved greatly for me. It all takes time, a lot more than any of us wants it to. But healing is possible and is happening, even when not obvious. Hang in there…you will heal too.
Judy, thank you. I am still suffering at 5 months and a week. I slept 1.5 hours last night, and have been sick with abdominal cramps all day. I had a few decent days here and there, and hope that it will be more often in the future. I appreciate the kind thoughts and prayers from you and others. God bless you all, and take care of yourselves. Cold turkey should only be on a plate.
What kind of diet are you able to eat David? Did you check out the low histamine chef that I recommended some time ago? Changing my diet was one of the main things that first helped. Insomnia got better almost right away…digestion improved too, though I am still dealing with some issues on that count. Are you able to tolerate any kind of supplements? That’s often a big issue for quite awhile. I tried a bunch of things, but it was 5 or 6 months before I could tolerate them. That part is highly individual too. Coming off these drugs could test the patience of Job.
Wow, thank you for this forum. I thought I was going crazy. Have been on long taper, stopped at 7.5, thought it was over. Only just beginning. Lost 30 pounds, had anxiety attacks…much worse than any other drug, and I have gone off many. The bad stuff didn’t even start for months, so was inexplicable. I now take 7.5 every 2 weeks or so… Just so I can relax, sleep, and eat normally. I was convinced that I was overdosing on thyroid meds, and have gone off those…but still get crazy anxiety and angry manic episodes. Thank you all for helping me see what has been happening. And good luck to all. Drugs aren’t evil. Some effects feel evil.
Hi I stopped taking mirtazapine 3 and a bit months ago. The worst thing for me has been the battering my nervous system has had and how it’s affected my sleep since withdrawing. I’m so sleep deprived that I’m mostly confused, exhausted, heart racing most of the time. It’s like I have to constantly help myself to unwind and relax and that is exhausting. Has anyone else had trouble with switching off?
I too will never again take antidepressants – I know they can work for some but should not be used as a cure all treatment in primary care for anxiey. It just exacerbated the initial anxiety I was feeling when my dads illness took a downward turn. Now I can see what happened and I’m left with this imprint of the drugs on my nervous system and brain chemicals.
Helen, I think the difficulty in relaxing is common. Antidepressants have profound effects on the autonomic nervous system–which is responsible for the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. That feeling that you’re going along with the foot on the gas pedal is part of what contributes to insomnia, as well as many of the other symptoms.
I’ve found some relief through things like guided imagery, qi gong, gentle exercise, spending time in nature, meditation. Even at 1 year off the drug, I still have some rounds of this…though it has lessened greatly in intensity and duration. It takes time for the nervous system to heal. I agree that these drugs should not be used as broadly as they are. There has been little study into long-term effects of taking them…and as most of us have said, doctors don’t know much about the effects of withdrawing from them.
Still taking crumbs of mirtazapine. Just afraid to drop this last little piece I am taking. I am taking 1/8 of a 15 mg tablet. The pills dont split very well so some days I am sure it is less than that. I am afraid if I stop these little crumbs that horrid nausea and chills will come back so just keep taking it. I have been taking this amount since sometime in June.
I am still losing weight that I can’t afford to lose. I have gone from 110 down to 93 lbs this morning. Just no appetite and when I do feel hungry fill up very fast. Hoping this will resolve itself as I look like I am wearing someone else’s clothes. Everything way to big. Still, if I can keep the nausea away I will eventually be rid of this horrid drug.
Hi Jan, You can purchase a scale on amazon and weigh the pills…or they can be mixed with water and taken that way. If you google “tips for tapering off Remeron”, you’ll find a site with more information. Have you tried ginger or ginger tea for nausea? In my case, the weight loss was welcome. But it sure sounds like you don’t need to lose any. I sometimes took Gravol at night and that helped with both nausea and the feeling of fullness. Take care.
I had just recently been taken off remeron a week ago. Just now starting to experience some withdrawal symptoms. Decrease in appetite, flu-like symptoms, tiredness, poor concentration, nausea is the #1 symptom for me right now. Feel like I’m running a fever, not sure if ibuprofen or something would alleviate the symptoms? I was on it for almost 4 months at a 15mg dosage, along with 40mg paxil, but my psychiatrist recently told me to stop taking it since it caused an excessive weight gain. I’m 19 years old and went from 140lbs to 162lbs, which is a bit excessive for my age (19) & height (5’7).
I have been tapering from Mitrazapine since October 2014. I was on 37.5mg down to 5mg. It has been an extremely difficult journey. I have experienced so many WD symptoms, that at times I questioned my own existence. I have experienced the following WD symptoms;
*Anxiety (Worsening)
*Panic Attacks
*Nightmares/Disturbing Dreams
*Sudden Adrenaline Surges/Rushes
*Night Sweats
*Racing Thoughts
*Nausea
*OCD
*Weight Gain
*Head Noise
*Intrusive Thoughts
*Derealization
*Burning /Pins and Needles in the head. (Especially front lobe /Back of head)
*Sensitivity to supplements /drugs
*Crying Spells
*Fleeting moments of Helplessness
A lot of the symptoms have improved over time. I hope this helps someone who is going through the WD. Hang in there. The WD can last for a lot longer than what you are told by your GP. Horrible drug, hope to get off it safely.
Your are having / have had weight gain with WD. Everyone else including myself have had problems with weight loss. Regards, David
I was on Remeron 45 mg for over 3 years. The weight gain and constant food hunger caused major problems for me. Over the past year and a half I’ve worked really hard to get the weight off. Only have about 8 lbs left to go so I’m almost back to my starting weight! For the past 6 months I have also been taking Wellbutrin 150mg. The doc and I decided to start weaning me off Remeron so we moved to 30 for 25 days, 15 mg for 23 days, and 7.5 for 20 days. I’ve only got 6 days left to go until I’m fully off Remeron.
So far only side affects are; I’m less hungry(good) super itchy all over (bad) tired (bad) seem to have a clearer mind (good) but keep in mind, I am still on Wellbutrin 150mg. Good luck! This drug did what I needed it to do when I was at my worst. I am no longer in that place and frankly I cannot wait to rid my body of it.
I had been taking 15mg of Mirtazapine for perhaps as long as seven years. Because the dose was so low, and I only took it at night to get to sleep I thought nothing of taking it. I knew nothing about this drug, and saw it as innocuous. Recently, after seeing a psychiatrist for changes in medication for mood disorder, I expressed to psych that I was concerned that new meds would make me gain weight.
She laughed and said Mirtazapine would do that ahead of the new drug because it increases the appetite. I told her that would explain my binge eating at night and my steady weight gain over the years. Ater looking Mirtazapine up, I decided to come off it, as it no longer kept me asleep. Often I would wake up after 3-4 hours sleep, and be really tired in the morning. I halved my dose of 15mg to 7.5 for two weeks, then stopped taking it. The withdrawals coming off this drug have been horrendous.
The anxiety was almost disabling. It is now 5 weeks since I stopped taking it and I the past two days I feel as though I might be coming good. After reducing and then stopping, my binge eating at night ceased and the weight is starting to come off – only because I am not hungry all the time. I take longer to fall asleep, but am not waking up at 2.00 – 3.00 am. While I don’t feel completely withdrawn yet, I can see and end to the anxiety. I would never take this drug ever again.
It’s been a week since my last tapered dose and I am struggling to stay positive and maintain perspective. I took mirtazapine for anxiety and repeated panic attacks at work, for about 18 months. It worked great, especially since I also am prone to depression and social anxiety. Since starting the meds, I found a better job and have been doing wonderfully, but I got sick of the lethargy and weight gain.
My healthcare provider is known for second-rate mental health programs, and this was obvious when one doctor directed me over the phone to go from 30mg to 15mg for 2 weeks, then 15mg every other night for two weeks, and stop. Another doctor then told me she would have had me do this differently, more slowly and with intermediate doses of 22.5 and 7.5mg. There’s no agreed-upon strategy for these drugs. These people are professionals and even they haven’t got the first clue about how these drugs work. It’s about as scientific as consulting a weed dealer to “prescribe” the best strain.
Anyway, this post has been helpful, especially the long list of withdrawal symptoms– I don’t feel so alone in this now. My symptoms so far, from the list, are: anxiety, appetite decrease, concentration problems, confusion (mostly gone now), depersonalization, hypomania (small bouts of), insomnia, mood swings, nausea, racing thoughts, and sleep changes. I wouldn’t say suicidal thoughts, but definitely some abstract thinking about how these feelings are never going to go away and I can imagine how some people think suicide would be only way to stop all the feelings.
It would be even nicer if this post had some real info about exactly how long withdrawal symptoms will last, like it says in the headline, but I know it’s different for everyone. For now I’m trying to remember this is only temporary. Will have to keep at it. Best wishes to all of you.
Hello. Was wondering how you are doing? There are lots of folk here that I can fully empathise having gone through a withdrawal from Mirtazapine and now in the depths of withdrawal. I tapered down 7.5 every week from 30mg which I had been on for 8 months for depression and nausea. Been off it for 6 days and feel awful with strong nausea although no other major symptoms (yet). Seems quite common to have withdrawal symptoms appear or intensify a week after stopping completely. This is scary as nobody can tell me when the symptoms are likely to ease and disappear. Find myself questioning whether my nausea is due to withdrawal or anxiety. Hope you are ok.
I was on this evil drug for 2 months. I will admit that once I got down to 7.5mg I cut the tablet into tiny pieces for a further 4 nights and then stopped. Well since then I have had the worst nausea ever, no appetite, gastrointestinal upset, vertigo, hot and cold sweats, uncontrollable shaking (which hit me after 3 days). The nausea and panic has kept me up all night and this is only 4 nights without mirt. I read about the withdrawal before starting it but decided to give it a try for the sake of my health and I’m regretting it so much now. Everyone is different so withdrawal may not be as bad for you.
Hello. It has been 4 months since taking my last Mirtazapine tablet, which was a cold turkey stop. I though for a while that it was a big mistake, but in the past 4 months, while reading a lot of posts, it seems that no matter how you stop, there is still a chance of significant withdrawal symptoms. This has been a really hard thing to do, one of the hardest in my life and is still ongoing. I have been to the Emergency Room 3 times since February 27th, the day that I stopped.
This is what is still hanging on: abdominal spasms, stomach cramps, both of which are painful, and almost unbearable at times, and was the reason for the last ER visit. The doctor, after a CT of the abdomen, abomenal x-rays, labwork (blood work), and a hands-on physical exam, told me that he had no idea why I was having the pain. I left there feeling worse than when I went. I waited until last to mention the mirtazapine withdrawal so that I would get a thorough exam.
I am also having anxiety, depression, fatigue, weakness, tremors, vertigo, nausea, churning bowels, diarrhea, constipation, lack of appetite, losing weight, feeling helpless and hopeless. Also allergy symptoms. Sleep is OK one night and bad the next. These symptoms are a little better at times, and I can deal with them better at times. I am fortunate that I have the support of my wife, who retired in June. This has been nothing short of horrible. I hate to say it, but the physical and emotional pain has been as bad as when my daughter died.
I have thought several times about going back on the Mirt for some relief, but my wife and I decided against it. She reminded me as to why I got off it in the beginning. I still have faith in God that this will improve, but if you have stopped, or are planning to stop this stuff, remember that your results will be unique to you, with regard to severity, length, type of symptoms, etc. For example, my hands/fingers are trembling as I type this. Good luck to anyone planning to do this. David
I had been taking Remeron (mirtazapine) for over 4 years at 45 mg daily, when my Consultant decided to reduce me to 30 mg last year, due to weight gain. I am age 69. I did not have severe problems with withdrawal symptoms at that time, although I felt rather depressed for about a month. This time my Consultant decided to reduce my dose to 15 mg, also due to substantial weight gain. I wanted to loose weight, so I stuck with this for just over 3 weeks, the main problems being nausea, diarrhea, sweats, feeling as if I was running a temperature, extreme tiredness and generally being too much to bear.
I spoke to my own GP and put my dose back up to 30 mg again, when I started feeling better. Nobody suggested that I broke my 30 mg and 15mg tablets in half to give 22.5 mg, but my psychiatric nurse suggested I do this – this being just a week after my increase to 30 mg daily. This has also been very difficult with nausea and diarrhea, cold sweats and extreme tiredness from about 8 pm. My eyes have also become almost closed up and my arthritis has become worse, which I think is the result of my decrease on the other drugs I take.
But I have lost 10 lbs in weight (22.5 kgs?), and having read the information on this website I intend to stick with the process this time. I do not believe that the option to reduce mirtazapine more slowly, is available to NHS patients in the UK, but I will make it my business to find out. Depending on how long the whole withdrawal process takes this time, I would be willing to reduce this drug further, as it has not made me feel badly depressed. Kate
Hi Kate, I was interested to read your comments as I am also in my 60’s and was on this rotten drug for 2 years, most of the time at 30mg. I tapered off over 4 months and have been totally off it for about 4 months. I am starting to have some good days, but most days are terrible. I too have found it has made my arthritis worse.
Along with nausea, sweating, itching, loss of appetite, just to name a few symptoms, my anxiety has returned big time, although I can control it to some degree now. Since your last post was almost a year ago, I am wondering how you are going now – much better I hope. I am determined to hang in there and get over this, but it is so damned hard. It seems like I have forgotten what it is like to feel really well.
Getting older is hard enough on its own without having to go through this.
I have been taking remeron since I was 7. I am now 17 and my grandmother just decided to quit giving me my medication. I had to move away from there because it was a bad environment so to get back at me she is making me have to go through these withdrawals. Every morning I wake up feeling like crap. I have a really really bad stomach ache and I can’t eat anything. I end up throwing up and all it is is stomach acid. I have a really had time sleeping as well as I can not eat anything.
I try to eat something and I just can’t. It makes me throw up just eating it. I have to drink protein shakes now for my food or eat soup because I can not eat a lot of food. I do not know what to do about this. I was on 15 mg for the first couple years then I got switched to 30 then like 3 months later 45. Most recent I have been on 15 and I have been off of them for like 3 weeks but the symptoms are actually getting worse. Please help.
I am so sorry you’re having to go through this, Matt. I feel really bad for you. Wish there was something I could do to help. If you read this site you’ll see that stopping cold turkey can be VERY dangerous. Please consider going back on it and then tapper down 1/10 every month – 6 weeks. I will be praying for you and your situation.
I was on mirtazapine for 18 months 30mgs I stopped taking them three weeks ago after tapering down to 15mg every other day. I have had nausea and insomnia but can now sleep! I had terrible itching but that seems to be going! Diarrhea the first couple of weeks and muscle cramps! The nausea has continued but this is helping me to lose some of the three stone I gained. I had a panic attack in the middle of the night on Saturday but I was having them even when I was taking mirt and in a way that has been good as I have stopped avoidance behavior! Sometimes when I read reviews of mirtazapine they scare me but my rational brain tells me a depressed person is writing them! Mirtazapine helped me to sleep and eat when I was at my lowest point and I had no choice but to take them if I hadn’t gained so much weight I would probably still be on them! Keep the faith the withdrawal will pass!
I’m going my 3rd week of WD. I got this med for lack of sleeping about 2 years ago and it felt like a miracle drug for that. After I’ve read comments, I’m very glad that I kept my dose below subscribed amount all the time. My normal dose was like 3.75 or 1.8 mg (subscribed 15 or 7.5). I think I’ve past most physical WD effects, but still definitely worst is the original problem, sleeping (4-5 h max/ night). Good luck for everyone!
The comments of every single person are immensely helpful. I came off 15mg Mirtz about three months ago. Initially felt terrific… Now diarrhea, stomach churning (anxiety). I am determined to not go back to it, as I also take Largactil (for sleep)and 120mg of Cymbalta for depression, which over the next few years I also want to very slowly taper off, as I have been on antidepressants since my husband died 27 years ago when my son was only 11 years old. Now I have few stresses and feel I want to get off all of these and rely on more natural substances. May God bless each and every one of you and do pray for Him to help you as I will pray for each and every one of you. God bless, Alaine.
Glad I found this article and the many helpful comments from fellow sufferers. I was prescribed Mirtazapine 9 months ago for moderate depression which I now know was actually withdrawal symptoms from Trazadone. Told the psychiatrist that I was not depressed and that I was having withdrawal symptoms from Trazadone but he ignored this and gladly prescribed Mirtazapine 15mg to increase up to 45mg as required. Looking back this a lazy and convenient diagnosis.
To be fair Mirtazapine instantly improved my mood and sleep and so I continued even increasing to 45mg briefly which introduced anxiety and panic which was/is new to me. My original issue was nausea which I had every day for almost 2 years and Mirtazapine has not helped this apart from increasing appetite for sugar and carbs. Anyway I decided last week to come off Mirtazapine 30mg after reading scary withdrawal stories on another site. I figured that best to come off now after 9 months rather than after years of use and the benefits were virtually non existent.
My original plan was to taper down 7.5mg every week over 4 weeks and I started this on 4th June. So far awful nausea, flu like symptoms and depressive mood. Feel hopeless and helpless but after reading through the experience of others I am more determined than ever to come off this evil medication which should be prescribed rarely and only where depression is deep and the patients life is in danger. Good luck and love to you all.
Well, I am into June and now down to an 1/8 of a tablet. I am going so slow. The piece of tablet is so small I feel silly taking it but I am afraid to stop totally. I am doing really well as far as side effects. I still have some nights that I don’t sleep as well – usually wake around 3 but can go back to sleep. Seems a 4 hour uninterrupted stretch is the norm. On and off loose stools/constipation – never know which it will be.
Still grind my teeth. I do find I tire easily but I am probably a good deal older than most of you (78). I just lie down (don’t sleep) and rest. As I said in a previous post, if I can keep the nausea away I will make it. I have not ever been troubled with the headaches that some of you have mentioned. I just looked back in my diary and see that I started weaning off 30 mg two years ago so this has been slow but steady.
I am hoping to be off these tiny remeron crumbs by the end of the month. The only thing that would get me to take any of it again would be nausea. I will keep you posted. I know I will make it getting off just not sure of June or…? In a couple of weeks will take 1/16 of a tablet. Then by month end hopefully nothing.
I have been on 15 mg of Mirt for 3 months for depression. In the last week, I have cut the pills in half. Seems OK, although I have quite a bit of diarrhea, some headaches and I am little foggy. Sleep was great on the 15 mg and still doing OK on 7.5 mg although perhaps not as good as before. Will try to stay at 7.5 mg for a couple more weeks.
Mas, I would be very careful about stopping at 7.5mg as your last dose. Even though you haven’t been taking it that long, don’t underestimate how potent a drug this is. I would suggest you follow this site’s recommendation of reducing down 1/10 per every 6-8 weeks, maybe even longer. Typically the WD starts a couple weeks AFTER your last dose. That’s when all traces are out of your systems (liver, etc.). Those two weeks you feel really good and then BOOM! I wish you luck and God Bless. -Res
Res – thank you for the advice. I appreciate it. What I don’t understand is how, if the 1/2 life is 20-40 hours, all these symptoms appear months late.
They are protracted withdrawal symptoms MAS. Your brain and nervous system are attempting to function, but are no longer receiving the drug and are having a difficult time counteracting all of the neurophysiological changes induced by taking the drug and adaptations resulting from withdrawal…
Your neurophysiology is likely scrambling in attempt to restore homeostasis, but it takes awhile… Sure the drug has been fully cleared from your body, but the changes take awhile to reverse. Hope this helps/makes sense.
Gloom – thank you for the reply. I appreciate it.
GLOOM, thank you very much. Your explanation helps with my peace of mind. I am at 4 months, the symptoms aren’t as bad, but are significant enough to cause me misery, and I expected to be a little further along at this point.
An update. I decided to stop the mirt altogether a week ago. So far, the main SE is waking a couple times a night, which had been my sleep pattern for a couple of years prior to taking mirt. Some headaches as well. I feel better than when I was on the drug, although it did help me through the darkest days. I am praying that I don’t get any more SEs in the coming weeks as my body clears itself of the drug.
Another update. Stopped 3 weeks ago @ 7.5 mg. (was on 15 mg. for depression for 3 months and 7.5 for a couple weeks). So far, not too bad. A little rebound depression and insomnia, some headaches, but mostly good to date. I feel better off the drug than on it, and will keep off it as long as thing don’t get any worse.
Perhaps a final update. Off for almost two months without too much difficulty. Some insomnia and rebound depression, but mild compared to what others have suffered. Perhaps since I wasn’t on it too long, I have been able to avoid some of the withdrawal symptoms. Best wishes to all.
Hi DLB, I have been reading and following your story. So sorry for what you’ve endured. I ended up going back on full dose (15 mg ) after 1.5 mos of acute suffering, worst of which was insomnia (NO sleep) due to constant heart palpitations at night. My ND tried everything to help get me sleep but the WD won. 2+ weeks after my last dose in April I got nearly every SE with the exception of GI issues.
If you know of a good ND I’d suggest seeing one (try Googling Bastyr University and you can then search for a provider in your area). They can give you natural remedies such as L-Glutamine to help heal your gut. I wish you luck DLB. Thank you for letting me know where you are in your WD. It helps me know that one can indeed get of this drug eventually because I fully intend to do this again, but next time I will be informed and armed. -Res
This thread has been so reassuring. I was put on Remeron 15mg to help me sleep after issues caused by surgery. I had no idea how strong of a drug this was. I only took it for 16 days 7.5 mg for most of that and it never really helped me sleep. It made me feel HORRIBLE! I quit cold turkey 10 days ago and the nausea set in about 4 days ago.
I’ve been taking melatonin to help with sleep (I’ve been getting about 5 interrupted hours every night since I quit which was about whet I was getting on it). I’be had crazy mood swings. Anyone have thoughts on how long this crap might last?! Any suggestions for more herbal type sleep aids? What have you all used for nausea?
Hello HH. Sorry you had to experience what this terrible drug does when you quit it/wean off. To answer your question on how long the SE last? Well, I think it’s different for each person and then of course factor in the dose and how long on this drug. Good news is you weren’t on it long so compared to someone like myself who was on it for 2 years, you certainly should have a shorter stretch. At least one would hope.
Everything you describe above is exactly what the majority of us have too, and much much more. And every day you withdraw is a different set of SE. You also cycle thru something one day, it goes away the next day only to return the day after. I wish more folks who have posted earlier would come back and tell us how things are mos later, it would help us folks who are still in the thick of it to know what to expect.
Res, I am 3 days into week 12. I was on 45mg for 7 years, and 7.5mg for a year. I tried a taper set up by the PCP Feb 2014 30mg 2wks, 15mg 2wks, stop. 4 days later I was in hell. My GI doc put me back on 7.5mg, and after a few days things got better. This past Feb, I quit cold turkey from the 7.5. Big mistake. I should have learned the first time that you should taper off this stuff.
Over 12 weeks later I am still having WD SE. Like you said, I am still having the day on/day off with some of the SE. However, they are much less severe than when I first got off the stuff. My main issue right now is abdominal cramps, gas, and frequent constipation. And, the considerable pain from this is keeping me from getting enough sleep and rest. I am retired, and if I’m lucky I get a nap during the day. If I could get a grip on the abdominal cramps, which would let me get more sleep, maybe the fatigue would get better, and I would be much happier.
During the 12 weeks, I have had every SE listed on this forum, and they were severe, including the crying spells, which I considered my lowest point. I felt useless, hopeless, and despair like I never knew existed. I visited the hospital ER twice. I hope that this has been at least a little helpful as to what you may expect. I extend empathy, sympathy, and God’s peace and tranquility to every unfortunate soul who reads this forum looking for a little hope at the end of their personal hell. Regards, -DLB
Sorry it’s been so rough for you. It’s really a miserable process coming off these drugs. Some people find 2 supplements helpful during withdrawal. One is magnesium citrate or glycinate and fish oil. Both can help the nervous system and reduce some of the symptoms. Not sure if would help abdominal symptoms or not. I’m unable to tolerate fish oil or mag supplements. Mag can be taken through the skin with epsom salts baths or as oil or lotion.
It is better absorbed than through the gut anyway, and for most people, will not produce side effects that way. Since constipation is an issue for you, the mag could be helpful…but start out with low dose of maybe 25 mg. to see how it affects you. One of the big things about wd from these drugs is that the nervous system becomes very sensitized to everything from food to drug to supplements. I had to eliminate all drugs (even advil) and can tolerate few supplements.
I mentioned this a few times on here, but a lot of people on AD end up with some issues regarding histamine, especially from Remeron. If you investigate histamine intolerance on the web, you’ll find some information on foods high in histamine. It could be by reducing some of the higher histamine foods and incorporating more antihistamine foods, you might get some relief.
Changing diet made a huge difference in reducing a lot of my symptoms–insomnia, digestive issues, physical pain, headaches. But it’s better not to eliminate the histamine foods, as the body can sometimes react with producing more of it…and you end up back where you started. The low histamine chef is a good resource to check out. It does get better…I’ve found taking a multidisciplinary approach is best for me.
But everyone is different. I do relaxation and spiritual practice at least once daily, mild exercise, spend time outdoors as much as I can, distract with video games at times, eat a very healthy diet, and try not to expect too much from myself. I have to let life unfold and not make too many plans. It’s 10 months since my last pill. It’s an up and down journey, but things are overall, much better than when I quit. My mood has been good the last few months, sleep mostly better than any time in my life, digestion is better, more energy…still dealing with some nagging pains though. Hang in there.
A friend of mine tapered off Remeron mirtazapine using a nail file to gradually filing down the pill over several months. Also included vitamin D3, multi B-vitamins, B12 injections, whole foods diet, nothing processed. Gluten free, no wheat, bread, Celtic sea salt only every day, throw away table salt which is acidic and does not provide all the minerals. Probiotics everyday which are very important. Lots of water everyday. Blue green algae and chlorella to help detoxify the liver, kidneys, and cells from the accumulation of the drug. Magnesium, folic acid and hot tubs saunas, and steam room helps restore sleep pattern. Of course, walking a good couple miles a day, bike riding, and meditation.
My advice, having experienced an attempt to wean off evil mirtazapine to only to have to go back on it: Follow the advice on this that states you should reduce only 1/10 (or less) of the dose every month. Go even slower if you have a sensitive body. And make sure to have a health care professional partnering with you that understands this drug and the weaning process where you both have put together a plan that includes if things go south. Also, have an additional person who is supportive and cares about you (friend, relative) that is also on-board with your plan and will be available to you at odd hours. Make yourself super healthy too in prep for the long road.
I took this drug for a year and a half and decided to come off it myself as I was concerned about long term usage. Tapering is hard for me, I don’t find it effective and too long term so I went cold turkey. Initial withdrawal was intense with some horrific headaches in different areas but mostly on top of my head toward the back. Dizziness, tiredness, disorientation, disrupted order of thinking, poor memory were all issues in the first 2-4 weeks.
Thankfully I’ve been doing daily meditation for more than a decade so I was able to stay grounded and not panic. Concentration and sleeping were a serious issue and still are 3 months later although the other symptoms have gone except the memory (that was a long running problem prior to taking this medication anyway along with sinusitis). Sleeping 3-5 hours a night for 3 months is getting rather old now.
I am considering going back onto this medication at some point as it does ease certain non-depressive symptoms (memory, concentration, etc). Thing is I’m very stubborn and want to regain my sleep patterns back naturally. I’m of the opinion that if I do this, then it lays the groundwork for coming off them again in the future should I choose to do so.
I am two days into week 10 since my last 7.5. Today I am reminded that part of recovery is the torture of the day to day changes. A slight improvement one day, and then from out of nowhere you are plunged right back into utter and complete despair, not knowing when you will be given another taste of the road to normalcy. How dare the dispensers of this awful drug make even a guess as to how long recovery will take, and what to expect it to be like. How on earth would they have a clue?
It would take time and research of the drug, and a listening ear for their patients when they tell them what it is like. And in today’s world of production medicine, that just isn’t going to happen anytime soon. As I have been typing this, I have had tremors in my fingers, a new gift from the makers of Remeron! I wish God’s healing power in the bodies of those who come to this site for knowledge, comfort, and reassurance that we are not alone in this, and that people do recover. You will get better information and empathy here than you will at a doctor’s office. I will now try to get my mind on something else, a mind that is struggling to heal itself. But how do you get your mind off something that has you in a bad way? -David
I am still weaning. I am down to 1.87 (1/2 of 1/4 tablet) for about a month. Next month will go this amount every other day. So far I am experiencing just a few side effects. No appetite and have lost about 15 lbs that I couldn’t afford to lose. Have some nights where I don’t sleep well, but am retired so can take a cat nap if necessary. A few issues with my bowels, but think that is a lot from not eating well due to loss of appetite. All in all I am not complaining as I tried going off this stuff faster and suffered all the horrid withdrawal symptoms that you talk about. Just need to keep the nausea away and I will be able to get off of it.
You’re doing really good, Jan. I am praying for you and all the folks here suffering while trying to get off Mirtazapine. Don’t know if you saw, but pharmacists can splice down mirtazapine to the dose increments you need to wean down, so there’s no guess work.
Also, if you’re experiencing a palpating heart at all, that would mean cortisol is being released into your system which depletes your potassium. To replenish potassium in your system, drink some coconut water, couple ounces a day. Keep up the good fight!
Jan, It is not a good idea to take the Remeron every other day. There is too much potential for seriously derailing your nervous system. Also, maximum of 10% reduction at a time, with a minimum of 4-6 weeks between reductions. Better to take longer stabilizing periods, if you are still experiencing withdrawal symptoms. If you google tips for tapering off Remeron, you will find more information. It is not a race. I wish I’d gone slower, as I think I could have avoided some of the suffering I’ve gone through.
I think the behavioral medical community at large is clueless when it comes to “withdrawal” of this nasty evil drug. Both Psychiatrists I spoke with told me to taper down in increments of half dose every 8 days. I even extended that and like everyone here, have horrific debilitating side effects. Their ineptness is borderline criminal. They only know how to prescribe it (sell it) and not how to manage getting off it. What is even worse is their reaction when you tell them what you’re experiencing and they respond “I’ve never heard of that happening”. You walk away thinking there’s something seriously wrong with your health.
I posted several times on here last year. I am now 9 months off Remeron. While I took 14 months coming off, I’ve learned that is considered too fast as a taper. Most of the emotional symptoms have improved; my mood is good for the most part. My sleep is primarily good – average about 7 hours of uninterrupted rest. Still struggling with fatigue, food sensitivities, allergies, digestive issues, and muscle pain.
Glad to see this post. The symptoms that you are still dealing with at 9 months, I am dealing with at 9 weeks, and am worried that it was too long. I went cold turkey of 7.5, had been on 45s for almost 8 years, dropped to 7.5 after an unsuccessful attempt at tapering last year under a doctor’s guidance. -David
Judy, have things improved? I am at 11 weeks, still having fatigue, nausea, abdominal cramps, feel generally sick, and sleeping problems. This is really stressful.
David, Yes, things have improved over time..but it has been a long process. I believe some of my symptoms are related to histamine issues….which is a direct result of the 10 years of taking Remeron, which is an antihistamine. Changing my diet made a big difference to a lot of the symptoms, but not all of them. I’m limited in what I can eat. I still suffer from symptoms I posted above. They aren’t present all the time, but pretty much every day, there is at least one of them.
There is for most of us, a window and wave pattern of recovery. Waves of physical, emotional, and/or mental symptoms…followed by times where symptoms lessen or even disappear. Windows might be only a few minutes or hours, but will gradually increase over time. It looks like you made a pretty rapid taper off the drug, considering how long you’d been on it…and you’d been at a higher dose.
Some people are able to come off that quickly, while others suffer much more from withdrawal. Most doctors have little idea of what withdrawal can entail or how to do it safely. There is better advice on the web from people who have been through it. I tried to post a recommended site on here, but that was edited out of my post. I would suggest continuing to search, as you’ll find some support that way. I’d search for tips for tapering off Remeron.
Protracted withdrawal from these medications is a very real thing…many, many people are posting their stories…and likely many more believe the doctors that it isn’t withdrawal and end up back on medications. Several prominent psychiatrists are also blowing the whistle on antidepressants and drug companies.
Hi All. I caved and went back on Mirt, 7.5mg (was orig on 15mg). I couldn’t take not sleeping at all. I tried to tough it out for 40 days, but it was affecting my health and potentially my job. I wanted to share something for the folks out there experiencing the constant relentless heart palpitations and insomnia at night. I saw a Naturalpath and she’s the one recommended I go back on Mirt where in the coming future she’ll help me slowly wean off (6 mos to a year).
She gave me Cortisol Calm which I took along with 7.5 mirt to get me sleeping again. It stopped the heart racing and allowed me to sleep. As I’m sure you folks must know, the heart palps are caused by cortisol released into your system. You can buy the Cortisol Calm on Amazon, but I would strongly advise you only take it under the supervision of your health care provider.
Also when I do wean next time around, she told me that the Pharmacist can splice Mirt into doses supporting a 6 mos – 1 year wean. I had no idea they had this available. Gives me hope that I can indeed get off this evil drug. Also, I had an EKG to ensure there is no heart damage, and it came back normal. Thank God. But my doc said my potassium was low. Thought that weird since I eat a banana every day. Then I read that cortisol depletes potassium in your body. Bingo. I hope this info helps someone. -RES
I’ve been taking mirtazapine for 2 years (15mg). I took it due to anxiety over several medical traumas during breast cancer treatments. It never really did much to help with anxiety. I wished I would have gotten off of it sooner. I decided it was time to wean off since the bad days were behind me. Spent the entire month of March 2015 weaning down slowly. My last pill was March 27th. Everything seem to go well, no side effects, or so I thought.
Then in mid-April the withdrawals started. The worst of which is insomnia, NO SLEEP. I also have uncontrolled itching, loss of appetite, anxiety (sleep related), non-stop heart palpitations at night and irritability. I thought something was seriously wrong with me because my provider told me weaning was all it took and I’d be done, guess he forgot to mention there is a withdrawal too. So I Google’d and here I am.
Today is 41 days post last pill. I have always eaten VERY healthy and exercise moderately every day. I have no idea how I’m going to get thru this. If I could sleep even a couple hours other symptoms would be better. Just wondering, does anyone else have a similar 2 year duration on 15mg Mirt, and experiencing server insomnia (NO SLEEP)? If so how is it going? Does sleep ever come back, even a couple hours?
I had my last mirtazapine two months ago I reduced from 15 mg to nothing in a week I feel awful have had every withdrawal symptom. I am finding it so hard, I don’t know what is going on I feel like an alien. Just praying it stops soon. I am taking thyroxine and serotonin supplements, eating fruit and veg, but still feel awful.
Tracey, I too have been off my last pill, 7.5 mg, 2 months ago. And like you, I am still miserable. I have had every symptom that I have read about, and mostly abdominal pain, nausea, headaches, severe fatigue. I can barely stand long enough to take a shower. I don’t mean to sound like I’m glad that you are going through this, but I was worried that I might have some other, more serious problem. Please keep in touch, as will I if you don’t mind. You are the only one who I have found close to the same time frame that I am in. I am in bed right now, depressed and down. I wish you well, David.
I wrote my story in March and I am about off of it. I am down to less than 1/4 tablet and all in all no side effects yet. I didn’t mention before but another problem I have had with mirtazapine is teeth grinding. Both at night and during the day. I am still doing that and still have days I don’t want to venture too far from the bathroom. My sleep is mostly OK. I have been decreasing for many months very slowly. I think I may be totally free of it come June. I might be OK now but don’t want to chance it so will continue the 1/4 tab one day crumbs the next etc. for another month or so then will stop totally. I think I will be OK. I’ll let you know when June rolls around.
Hi to all, after reading this thread I can honestly say that I feel for each and every one of you and admire the bravery you all have to keep going whilst having to live with some really nasty withdrawal symptoms. I cannot deny that the more I read about other people’s misery from mirtazapine, the more I feel anger and betrayal by the GPs who prescribe these drugs to people like sweets and what long- drawn out effects they are left to deal with. I have been on 30mg mirtaz for about 7 years after 2 months of 15mg.
I was prescribed these after seeing my GP for chronic insomnia which became impossible to live with, mentally and physically. When I started on 15mg, it was the best thing since sliced bread, slept like a baby every night feeling fully refreshed – only remember some brief encounters of panic attacks and some fluttery heart palputations as ‘wearing in’ effects. Two months down the line, my GP then decided to raise the dose to 30mg which I took to without any problems. I never understood why he did that as I was getting along nicely on 15mg – Guess I would later pay for that later down the line, eh!
As years have passed, I have noticed that for most of the spring/summer months, I am only averaging about 4/5 hours sleep per night and keep waking up in the early hours, head racing and unable to drift back off. This leaves me the aches, pains, fatigue, sore eyes etc of a typical night of being cheated out of sleep I experienced years previous to being subscibed. This brings me up to now where I believe that I’ve had my run with mirtazapine and now they aren’t doing what they were initially intended for anymore.
I’ve decided to bite the bullet and come of them in 1/4 reductions over the next month or two. As each person is different to the next, I know that I will face similar withdrawal symptoms to yours, but know that the insomnia will hit me the hardest as I am a 30 year old feller who does a manual job and enjoys regular, strenuous sport/exercise. I would feel a lot more at ease if there were more success stories told of those who have come out the end of that dark tunnel and are now thriving, or in another way of putting it, has had no permanent lasting damage from this drug and whose effects have been reversed naturally by their body.
To tell you the truth, I am petrified at what I’m about to attempt and have already made provisions with work and family with the forecoming months ahead. And although I’m surrounded by a lot of caring people, there will certainly be times I’ll feel completely isolated. My heart goes out to those who are going at it alone and I advise anyone who feels their arm twisted by their GP to start a course of mirtazapine to think again, always try another way regardless. The best of luck to everyone.
You are a brave man. You are wise to prepare yourself and those around you to expect the worse. I am in my 8th week and still am not over it. I am 61 years old, and was at times sitting in my bed in the middle of the night with my wife’s arms around me crying like a baby. Didn’t know why and couldn’t stop. I am a retired fire chief, and never thought I’d see the day that I would be in a mess like this. Be as tough as you can, and know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Godspeed to you!
I was taking 60MG every night for about half a year. My doctor switched me to a different medication abruptly and I have had terrible panic attacks since. They come on without warning and are miserable. I am never hungry and have a hard time falling asleep.
I stopped at 7.5, and am starting my 8th week since my last pill, and am still suffering the withdrawal symptoms. I have even had the visual disturbances. I would never try to influence someone about how best to medically care for themselves, but I do know that we are all better off if we can maintain a “sober” life, meaning that we don’t put our bodies in a position of depending on a foreign chemical that can have long term negative effects.
Mirtazapine withdrawal is another term for suffering. I have taken other antidepressants, and had no trouble coming off them. So I had no idea what I was getting into when the doctor said “let’s try Remeron”. I wish you luck, as you are in a position where there is no pleasant solution. Just choose what you think is best, and hang in there to see it through. By the way, how much weight have you lost? Losing weight has been one of the concerns that I have had, as I was afraid that feeling so bad and losing weight was a sign that something else was going on. I wish you well, David.
I was on mirtazapine 30mg after having my second son. I was suffering with constant anxiety and migraines. I decided to come off the meds as I was feeling far less anxious and wanted a third child. I dropped 7.5mg every two weeks. This was fine until I dropped the last 7.5mg. The withdrawal has been really tough. I have anxiety attacks everyday, it has been two months now and I’m wondering how much longer to wait before giving up on the third child and trying a different antidepressant.
My eyes seem to have a problem judging depth, sensitivity to light, patterns and headaches. I’m finding it very hard to drive and in social situations if someone is wearing a patterned top I feel very dizzy. It’s really affecting my quality of life. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? How long does it last? Since coming off the drugs my appetite has returned to normal. I’ve lost lots of weight. I feel more emotional but in a good way too. My sex drive has returned and I feel less numb to the world around me.
However life was much easier on the medication. I was calmer, didn’t care so much about life so life was more straightforward, slept really well (except with severe nightmares). I guess I want to know how much longer I should wait before trying another anti depressant. And whether the eye symptoms are normal or there is something wrong with my eyes! Curious to know if people who suffer from aura migraines found relief from taking mirtazapine? Thanks, Trevi
Have been on remeron 45mg since July 2009. (Started at 15mg and worked up to 45mg end of September 2009). I was also taking an ADHD med “Concerta 54mg”. Got tired of trekking to the Doctor every month for a Concerta Script (controlled substance in the USA), so when he retired, I quit the Concerta cold turkey. The side effects lasted about 2 weeks and then I was clear. In fact, I felt much better, and my focus was still good.
I then started reading about Remeron and all of its horrible side effects. For example, I have had a hard time controlling my weight and had a lot of bloating, always felt disconnected from people (while on the remeron), no real emotional range, lack of empathy, etc. So I decided to go cold turkey. Compared to the level of withdrawals some of the people who have posted in here…I am on vacation.
1. While not having diarrhea, have had to go to the bathroom for a poop 8 or 9 times a day. After 3 weeks my stools are normalizing and feeling a bit better on that front.
2. No problem going to sleep, but I am tired and want to go to bed earlier, and have been waking up after about 6-7 hours of sleep. I was sleeping 9 hours while on the Remeron.
3. Mind Racing and mild anxiety when I wake in the morning, meditating really helps this area.
4. Tired and Lack of Motivation. The lack of motivation is subsiding, but the tired persists and I have found it best to take a nap for 30 minutes mid day – this really helps.
5. I was having thoughts of suicide while on the Concerta and Remeron…but they actually went away after I quit taking the Concerta.
6. Headaches…Ibuprofin helps.
Positives:
1. The huge issue with bloating has subsided…and while my weight is still the same, my waist size decreased by 2 inches.
2. I feel more positive, and empathetic.
3. I’m drinking a lot more water…I never had the urge to drink much water during the day, but now I crave water and am drinking about 2 quarts a day as compared to a pint a day previously.
4. The cravings for “midnight/bedtime” snacks have pretty much gone away…and I am sure this will help me with loosing the extra 30 lbs I put on since starting the remeron.
If I had known what I know now about remeron, I would not have taken remeron. Lesson learned, always do your homework before putting any chemical into your body, and if you need an antidepressant, get a second consultation…and read up on the available alternatives, taking the pill with the least side effects. One last thing…it seems as if the side effects can seem to have cleared up, only to reappear later…the good news…each time they appear they are weaker. Hoping that all this stuff will be behind me in another couple weeks, we shall see. Not to be redundant, but meditation really helps as does riding my bike!!
Thank you for adding the fact that as you start to get better, you can have good days and not so good ones. I am going through that now and it was driving me nuts!
Was on Mirtaz for over a year. Slowly titrated over 2 months. Felt fantastic for about a month, then the withdrawal symptoms kicked in & have kicked my butt for 2 full weeks – zero sleep, horrible heart palpitations (like my heart is flipping in my chest, mostly at night), stomach upset, loose stools, no appetite. At first I thought it must be a sign I need to get back on meds but after reading all of this and another forum, realize this is withdrawal. Seeing a cardiologist next week to make sure my heart is OK. Have tried all kinds of sleep aids but nothing works. Everyone wants to know how long these side effects last but I haven’t read any responses! Does that mean they won’t ever go away? Can’t function on no sleep!
Just thought I’d pass it along. I am just starting to improve. I am still having vivid dreams, but at least I am sleeping better. Also, still weak, fatigue easily, abdominal cramps, and mild nausea. It has been 38 days since stopping abruptly from 7.5 mg. My appetite has improved also. Good luck.
Hi Lindsay. Your story sounds identical to mine. It’s now late May (21) and I’m wondering how you’re doing. Maybe post us how things are going?
After 6 weeks on 15mg and now suffering some evil side effects including a bloated stomach and shaking, anger, and lack of sleep, I’m now commencing my first day of cold turkey! Would like to say how much I appreciate being able to read of others experience of withdrawal so I know what to expect. Worst decision of my life to take Remeron, but I felt so down on myself that I felt I had no choice (as my citalopram had stopped working)! I’m epileptic too so already take a sedative type pill and am so pleased to be ridding my system of excess poison. Hope I can ride out the withdrawal.
Dee, you are in for probably several weeks of withdrawal misery. I went cold turkey off 7.5 mgs almost 5 weeks ago, and still feel rotten, mostly GI symptoms. Read the posted symptoms to get an idea as to what “might” happen. If you have a friend to help you through it, tell them what you are doing and why, and if they will be available at odd times. I am a Christian, and prayer and faith have, and is still helping me emotionally. I wish you well with first getting the devil’s brew out of your body, and afterward the way that your body is going to feel when it wants it back. Take Care.
I’ve been on 15mg for several years–maybe seven? Anyway, my doctor approved tapering down. I decided to do it slowly as I was unsuccessful in the past. I took 7.5mg for three months, then 3.75mg for three months. I had my last dose two weeks ago. I’ve had a few tolerable withdrawal symptoms such as a decrease in appetite, but my biggest issue is that I have not slept throughout the night since. I wake up at about 3am every single night.
I believe my other symptoms are directly related to my lack of sleep – anxiety about not sleeping well, lack of concentration because I’m mentally exhausted. Anyway, I was wondering if there were anybody else who has insomnia as their biggest withdrawal symptom, and, if so, how long did it take to begin sleeping normally again? I’m seriously considering going back on it but I’d like to stay strong if there is an actual light at the end of the dark remeron withdrawal tunnel. Thanks!
Josh, my PCP put me on Phenergan for nausea, and it has drowsiness as a side effect. I helps me with the nausea, and I slept 7 hours the first night that I took it. Different meds effect us in different ways, and this stuff has been a life saver for both symptoms for me. He also gave me Tylenol 3 with Codeine for abdominal pain, but I haven’t needed it with the Phenergan.
I was having awful stomach cramps earlier today, and after only 1/2 pill the cramps have subsided. I wish you well, and hope that this has helped someone. In three days it will have been 5 weeks since the last pill, and I am still pretty much miserable, although a little better than it has been. Good luck and well wishes to all. -David
ITCHY ITCHY ITCHY. I’m on my first week of going cold turkey and I’m going crazy! So itchy from head to toe. Insomnia is setting in. Feeling generally agitated and nauseous too. This sucks!
I had withdrawal symptoms for 26 months. Thought it was from drugs. Then I thought back to when I quit and I stopped the medication cold turkey following sobriety. I got on Cymbalta and things started to improve. Then last week I called my doctor and asked her to put me on Remeron again and I feel completely normal now in 3 days flat. I love this pill.
I am so glad that I found this site. I am 61, and after over 7 years on Mirtazapine, today makes four weeks off, cold turkey. I was originally put on 15 dissolving tabs, and then went straight to 45. I had no idea what I was getting into, and the doc who prescribed them moved out of town a year later, and my PCP said that he would continue the drug refills. Nothing else was mentioned about it until last year when I had been sick for quite a while, and we figured out that it was Mirtazapine side effects.
We decided to titrate me off of them, 30 mg x 2 weeks, 15 mg x 2 weeks, stop . That worked fine until about a week afterward, and I became quite ill. The first, worse symptom was digestive cramps. I called my GI doctor, who put me back on 7.5, which helped. That was a year ago. Four weeks ago I decided to try it again, and I figured since the first doctor stopped me at 15, then stopping at 7.5 wouldn’t be too bad. The wisdom of a fool.
Six days after the last pill, I started getting every symptom of withdrawal in the book. I am still sick, although the sleep has improved, I was in the bathroom with the dry heaves twice this morning. I took 1/2 Phenergan for nausea, and it helped. As stated by a previous post, going back on them to stage it out is not an option. I have made it too far.
Please do yourself a favor, and like previously advised, come off Mirtazapine at a snail’s pace if you can, and it helps. I have been to the ER twice in the last two weeks. I never thought that at 61 years old I would be sitting in my bed in the middle of the night, my wife’s arms around me, crying uncontrollably from prescription drug withdrawals. I am still quite ill, and it was an effort to write this. Thanks for all the previous posts.
So sorry to hear all your problems. I am also 61 but have only been on Mirtzaprine 30 mg for 10 days. I was prescribed it as I have recently gone through a very close family members death due to cancer. I was in a terrible state of distress as I watched him deteriorate and finally die for four months. Other antidepressants haven’t worked and also give me terrible side effects. This does too and I was wondering if any one else suffered as I did while taking it? – more anxious than usual, shaking and trembling, pounding heart, feeling very cold but also shocking hot flushes, no appetite, feelings of absolute desperation, crying and miserable, exhaustion. I have no life and used to be a very active happy and friendly person. My doctor says all these symptoms are due to anxiety but I feel it is the drug. Any one else have this happen to them?
Libby you are experiencing drug-induced side effects, not withdrawal symptoms. Yes it is very common to experience these side effects and/or adverse effects when starting a medication and/or throughout treatment. Some people actually feel worse on certain medications than they did prior to taking it. If you know it’s more than just anxiety, it probably is… listen to yourself. Good luck.
I was on remeron for 2 years and took 15mg a night at bedtime. I was weaned off it slowly and half been off for 3 weeks. I’ve had the palpitations, hyperventilating, panic attack, racing thoughts, tremors, and this dazed and confused feeling like I’m a zombie. The symptoms are starting to get better and go away. The amazing thing is the doctor tells me he’s never ever heard of a reaction like this in all his years. This obviously made me feel even worse thinking it wasn’t normal. What a low life, they give medical license to anyone. This page helped a lot. My tips for the hyperventilating is breath into a paper bag and take deep breaths, stay away from caffeine and alcohol, and keep yourself busy.
I have been on Rameron for approx. 4 years. I was on Lexapro prior to that for maybe 1 1/2 years. I initially took them for depression/anxiety. Recently I have felt that I am in a good place in my life and decided to come off them. I dropped from 30mg down to 15mg in November of last year unknowingly (due to an error in my prescription) and felt extremely unbalanced but didn’t know why. By January I could tell that something was severely wrong so I queried my pharmacist and found out I was on a half dosage.
Rather than go back up, I decided to stay on the 15mg. The next couple of months have not been fun on 15mg. I have experienced nearly all the withdrawal symptoms possibly listed. I reduced for 7.5mg for the past 2 weeks and as of last night am going cold turkey. I want to be in control of my own thoughts/body/mind and cant while being drugged by this chemical. It has not been easy by any means.
Hi all, around a year ago I was put on 15mg Remeron after being on Zoloft for a few years. The main reason was due to not sleeping very well, and boy did it help straight away. After about 2 days I was sleeping like a baby and my anxiety was somewhat diminished. Around a month later though, I started getting this weird sensation in my head where I felt as though I could black out, and so after putting up with it for another few months, I started to cut the dose (without doc).
Apart from the odd bit of insomnia & sore eyes, I was managing and had cut it down to around 1/5 of the tablet. Then out of nowhere it all hit me at once – I felt extremely sick, tired, zaps in my head & body and extreme agitation. I had obviously cut way too quickly, and was suffering these extreme withdrawal symptoms. Tried sticking them out for around a week, but the insomnia was unbearable & I couldn’t cope. Went back to the doc and was put on 30mg as a maintenance dose. I immediately felt better again, and things went back to normal, at least for a while.
I found that on the 30 I was sleeping well, a little too much maybe (12-13 hours some nights) I was also more anxious during the day & at work, with terrible hand/feet sweating, and a general feeling of panic. Anyway, after around 3-4 months of 30mg something distressing started happening – in certain social situations (on the bus, at work, mates poker game) I would get this terrible feeling of what I would describe as a “Tourette’s” type feeling in my head, almost as if there was too much noise going on inside my head and almost a manic feeling, like I was too excited.
After numerous attempts to come off this drug, hopefully this time will be the final one! I’d just like to also say that most doctors who prescribe these medications have NO idea how hard they can be to come off, and have a rather blaśe attitude when it comes to these mind-altering drugs… I recently went to my GP to explain my situation/history with this drug and he replied “Ok. Is there any other drug you had in mind that you wanted to try?” TRY?? These aren’t lollies for gods sake. I recommend everyone to actually see a specialist Psychiatrist who knows about these drugs, rather than a standard GP. Good luck!
I have tried multiple times to get off this drug. I decided to quit cold turkey 4 days ago. I am experiencing horrible horrible withdrawals. Sweating, dizzy, feels as if my blood is boiling inside me. Headaches…anxiety…panic attacks. This is the most horrible drug I have ever taken. I have a feeling of hopelessness but I refuse to cave in. Is there anyone out there that can offer advice on how to possibly ease the withdrawls? I do not want to go back on them.
I am 21 days off mirtazapine after being on it for about 15 months…I was on 15mg then 30mg for a few months along with 20mg Lexapro. I put on about 25lbs weight which was depressing in itself! I made a lot of life changes (left my job and did lots of counselling) and apart from the weight gain, I found the meds great but am ready to come off them. I went off Lexapro last June easily enough. I tried to get off Mirt in Aug but felt very insecure and paranoid so went back on them.
I tapered since Jan under Dr supervision and l have lost 9lbs so far but it is not easy! I don’t drink alcohol much at all and I keep very fit & eat well. By far the worst thing for me is the headaches over the past few weeks…they have been very debilitating. I tried not to take pain meds but had to cave in the past 3 days..just taken ibuprofen once a day but doesn’t really work. Anyone else have these headaches? They are almost scaring me they are so bad!
Headaches. YES! Debilitating headaches. I have been reading about remeron withdrawal for days looking for any help/answers for this headache. Simply walking/sitting around with this headache is unbearable. I feel nauseous.
Quitting cold turkey is never a good idea with any drug! Tapering and keeping busy is the way to go.
I am now on day 23 from a cold turkey stop from 7.5. I was able to sleep 6-7 hours the last 2 nights, but the nausea, fatigue, unsteady walking, headaches, and abdominal bloating are still here. Are any of you having heart palpitations (skipped beats)? Feeling like you are short of breath? Frequent yawning?
I have had the stomach bloating too!!!!
I have the shortness of breath and the frequent yawning. I also have severe insomnia, as in NO sleep whatsoever. I also have heart palps, but no skipped beats, just constant and only at night time while I’m laying there NOT sleeping. Sigh.
I have all of the side effects mentioned as sweating, dizziness, depression, anxiety (just to name a few) and as you I have skipped heartbeats. It is not dangerous and life threatening but boy it’s frightening. I had the same feeling once beign on Sarotena. But never had them on Effexor. But again I’m getting them in Mirt. I’m on day 21 off them and life is really challenging. But trust me those palpitations will pass.
David, Yes I have had heart palpitations, shakiness and anxiety. The shortness of breath and yawning — not so much. The palpitations are hard on your body since it signals distress to so many systems. Was only on Remeron for 6 weeks; however, because I tried a too-quick taper (2 weeks) from only 7.5 mg, I am having to start over. I will now have to spend as much time getting off of this drug and I did taking it. I cannot imagine doing this cold turkey. It’s a tough drug to eliminate.
I was given mirtazapine because my doc confused grief with depression. They helped me sleep so I took them for 2 years. I went from 30mg to 15mg to 7.5mg. I was going through very nasty withdrawal symptoms. I didn’t know what it was but finally figured it out. I joined the gym, and although feeling severe anxiety, fatigue, nausea, cold sweats, etc…
I forced myself to an hour of cardio every afternoon. Before I know it, the adrenaline takes over and at least temporarily withdrawals go away until the next day. It does get better every day. Pretty soon I won’t have any withdrawals and life will be great. Cardio helps your body create the happy hormone, which it needs to learn to create on its own.
I went on mirtazapine for a week due to general anxiety and depression-like symptoms. I had previously had citalopram for about six months. I had side effects from that of constant tiredness and reduced libido. I came off just in time. The withdrawal effects were bad but I got through them. I would take citalopram again, but only if my life depended on it. So I was offered mirtazapine as an alternative that I could come on and off in a relatively short period.
As before there was no mention by the doctor of side effects. I went on mirtazapine at 30mg. This was like taking 2 valium and a six pack of beer, it more or less knocked me out for a day. I went down to 15mg and it became more manageable. I was sleeping a lot but OK. I got all-body muscle ache and fatigue, feeling like I weighed a thousand pounds. And constantly, constantly overeating. But the good side was that I immediately felt OK. My feeling of distress disappeared very quickly. However after a few days I noticed that my behavior had worsened.
First of all my actual depressive-like behavior hadn’t changed. I was still moping around, sleeping, unable to do anything. It’s just that I didn’t feel distressed. But what was worse that lost my empathy for other people and for myself. I wonder if that’s how it works – stops you from caring about anything or anyone? I noticed myself behaving very harshly to my loved ones. I went back to the doctor (after one week) and asked to stop.
He said I should continue, but I could step down to 15 mg every 2 days, though this would disrupt my sleep pattern. I tried that for 2 days but I couldn’t face downing another mirtazapine tablet, knowing how it was affecting the people around me. Even discontinuing for 2 days I could already feel the real me coming back, leaving that zombie state. So I should have titrated down but I have gone cold turkey.
I am having side effects: all over ache, flu symptoms, dry mouth, headaches, confusion, brain fog, can’t concentrate, very tired. However most of these occurred when I was going on the drug, and most of them are less severe than going on the drug. I hope that it doesn’t last too long. My heart goes out to all of you who were on this drug for long periods of time and for whom the withdrawal process is so much more difficult.