Reducing Mirtazapine (Remeron) after 4 months

Hi all,

I posted on here last year after suffering severe anxiety and depression for the first time in my life. I spent the first month or two dipping in and out of the above problems. In the end I decided to start taking Mirtazapine to try and ease the symptoms. This was after trialling sertraline and going into severe panic after the first dose (although I know that drug is very effective for some people). I do have good words to say about Mirt since it put the weight back on and levelled out my symptoms to basically none at all.

Anyway after 4 months I've decided I want to start coming off the anti depressant (mirtazapine). I don't feel like being on it longer Is necessary and am worried about becoming more reliant on it if Im to take it for a year or more. I've been feeling great the past two months. Even almost forgetting to take my medication on a night!

So last night I took 7.5mg instead of my usual 15mg dose. I know drops like this are not recommended, and that 10% is more suitable. But I want to try it. I plan on adjusting this dose if it becomes too problematic. I'm aiming to spend 2 months reducing my dose.

DAY 1:
So obviously since I took half the dose my sleep was quite broken. Im not sure if it was from me focusing too much on how I feel. This morning I work up, feeling quite normal. Although I am noticing that all day I've had quite a steady feeling of anxiety. But its not untolerable. In terms of how my body feels. No brain zaps at the moment, appetite is quite low though.

I'll post any other reports on here. Would be good to know anyone on this medication or similar stories to mine. It's quite mind blowing how such a small pill can change your mental state!

How did you find coming off it?

I know dropping half my dosage isnt ideal. Part of me was curious how id react to less medication though.

DAY 2: slept better last night but was awake for 5.30am. Most of yesterday i felt pretty low, almost like a hangover. Anxiety feels slightly less today but its still there. Doctor is giving me a call this morning to discuss. I doubt they will be happy with the decision but we will see!

Thats pretty impressive!

update: Apparently I was sleepwalking last night which I have no recollection about. Was just mumbling some stuff then told to get back into bed by the gf. lol!

Hi Ox, (and welcome back! I've been following but haven't responded to your thread yet as Hibee had good advice from experience to share!)

This is great news...and may you continue to feel well! Great job on speaking up and advocating for yourself!

Some people respond well to what's considered the 'lower than the minimal therapeutic dose'...so you just have to go with what is working for YOU as an individual.

Keep up the great recovery work including practicing your coping skills and keep us updated so we can keep you in support!

Scaredy Cat

Hey OX,
Just like starting an antidepressant, going off medication has almost same effects on body. But as you have guessed it's most likely because you focus on how you are feeling. You are doing a fantastic job, keep it up <3

I know it's for Science! lol thanks for your concern and focusing on your symptoms to let others know about the medication, but I still suggest you focus on other things so that your mind doesn't get occupy with the side effects too much.

It's ok to drop around 50% of the dosage the first time. And everyone has different side effects with each medication. Sertraline is very well known for having flying-kick-to-your-face kind of increased anxiety effects for the first week or so, but that substance is one of the most effective things when it comes to healing panic/anxiety related issues (with less amount of effects on weight, appetite, etc on the market). For me it was worth getting the flying kick to my face, 3 times in 8 years.

I hope you feel well soon. Please keep on updating.

Hi all, thought I'd come back and update this since I promised a log of how im getting along on 7.5mg Mirtazapine (approx).

Had a great 3 weeks on the lower dose! I've not been noticing any difference in mood on the lower dose, and it's still putting me to sleep on a night. I've been back on track and been super productive with all aspects of my life.

However, I recently had some weird family troubles involving my father trying to get in contact with me again after 25 years, but what he said on my social account to me was vile. And it made me worry. I won't go into detail with this as it's simply not suitable for viewing on a forum.

Along with this I've also had a scare of another health problem. I've Noticed my nose bleeding more often, usually when touching the inside of the nostril lightly. Also noticed I feel very sore sometimes when i go to the toilet, occasionally seeing blood on the toilet paper.

I can definitely say that the recent bad news has triggered the anxiety again. I'm not sure if I'm still sensitive to triggers but this one seems to have set things off again.

Spent most of today riding waves of anxiety, I'll feel sudden panic then thoughts that i've gone mad flood in. I've pushed through the day by staying busy until the anxiety wears off. This is followed by fatigue then another bout of anxiety. Quite distressing!

So my current question I'm asking myself is... Am I still hyper sensitive to negative events in my life? And am I ready to be coming of AD's..

Anyway there you go! Hopefully things will level out a bit tomorrow. I'll be booking another doctors appointment to try and ease my health issue worry.

Ox,

I agree that the family conflict...and being contacted after 25 yrs, and in a disturbing/abusive manner no less...is more than the usual daily anxiety that one would normally face...

...and therefore the fact that it's challenging your management plan is to be expected...and not indicative that you are not ready to discontinue your meds...

...some things are just extra difficult...and result in situational anxiety that would happen to anyone.

Wishing you well in either resolving, or avoiding this conflict...and in your continued plan of management!

We are cheering you on!

S.C.

I think sometimes, as people who suffer anxiety issues...

...that we become so accustomed to trying to treat/manage it...that we forget that a certain amount of situational anxiety is actually normal!

I encourage myself and others to accept that when these stressful life events happen...that it's okay to feel anxious...and not to allow it to cause us to lose faith in our regimen...

...but rather know that feeling rattled is expected, and those the feelings, like the situation, will pass.

Again, I am sorry about the situation with your dad...you did not need that. Glad to hear that you are not going to engage, but practice good self care with setting your boundaries...well done!

With support,

S.C.