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Rachel1963: Up and down symptoms


Rachel1963

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Thanks Hibari...it's actually not my patch I will be cutting back, I'm on the patch AND 1.25 mg of Premarin a day as well. That's what I'm cutting back on, the Premarin. The patch will likely be the last thing to go. The Premarin I have cut back on before and it was okay so I am keeping my fingers crossed. I'm going to go very slowly.

Alanon has been great for me too. I have made lots of friends there and it is helping me to undo a lot of the negative stuff that has plagued my mind forever.

Hoping for a swift recovery for you from this cut

I was on Mirtazapine 30 mg for 2.5 years because of severe debilitating menopause related depression and physical symptoms. I tapered down to zero in 2.5 months. Five weeks off on November 10, I started having severe withdrawal symptoms. Took small reinstatement and continued updosing until 30 mg Nov. 30, 2015 as nothing seemed to be getting better and I was impatient. Made a desperate mistake and tried two other ssri's for eight days, bad side effects and stopped. Went back to 30 mg of Mirtazapine and nothing else as of January 14, 2016. Slowly started getting better. After two months symptoms became manageable and continue to slowly fade.

I also take 1.25 mg Premarin/Climara patch for menopause symptoms and have to wean off that too.

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  • Rachel1963

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Oh, okay.  Now I understand.  I think going through menopause and wd is such a double whammy.   At times it's been so hard for me to figure out what is what-are the hot flashes from wd or menopause.  Until I'm off the meds, I won't be able to get that answer though I do think my adrenals are the root cause of much of it.

9/2013-4/2014:  After moms death, was prescribed a series of meds for short periods of time that didn't work. Zoloft, Lexapro,  Nortriptyline, Liquid Prozac, Cymbalta. 

1/2014-9/2014. Clonzapam: Given Lamictal, stopped Clonzapam at .125mgs  

1/2015-4 2017 Remeron: 41.25 -0.025mgs

7/2015-11/2018 Lamictal: 200mgs-0.05 mgs Had paradoxical reaction to Lamictal wd, broke my heart to take a benzo but wasn't sleeping. 

3/28/2019 -2/5/ 2021  Clonazapam: 0.625mgs-.00115 Med Free 

July 27th, 2022**Severe Setback due to surgery/ anesthesia. 

9/7/22-10/4/22 Trazadone 50-100mgs for sleep, 10/13/22-11/13/22 Trazadone 1 mg to stabilize

10/4/22-11/20/22 Remeron 7.5mgs (for sleep doesn't work) 11/20/22 7.3 - 12/31/22 6.3 

2023: 1/18/23 6.1 - 6/6/23 3.6  6/16 3.4  6/28 3.0 7/12 2.7  7/28 2.5 8/11 2.2 8/23 2.0  9/5 1.8  9/16 1.6  9/30 1.4  10/13 1.2  10/26 1.0  11/9 0.8  11/22 0.6  12/6 0.4  12/23 0.2.

2024 1/4/24  Remeron/Mirtazapine free 

Additional Support:  Armour Thyroid 75mgs, Magnesium Glycinate 300-500mgs,  L-theanine 

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  • 1 month later...

Hi Rachel,

 

I wanted to say hi and see how your are doing?  I continue to squeak down on the Remeron.  Been reading, not on this site, different people's experiences coming of of it.  They tend to share how tough a medication it is to come off of but that it is doable.  I find it validating to know that long time it's taken me to taper down is because how powerful the drug is.

 

Please let me know how you are when you get a chance.

 

H

9/2013-4/2014:  After moms death, was prescribed a series of meds for short periods of time that didn't work. Zoloft, Lexapro,  Nortriptyline, Liquid Prozac, Cymbalta. 

1/2014-9/2014. Clonzapam: Given Lamictal, stopped Clonzapam at .125mgs  

1/2015-4 2017 Remeron: 41.25 -0.025mgs

7/2015-11/2018 Lamictal: 200mgs-0.05 mgs Had paradoxical reaction to Lamictal wd, broke my heart to take a benzo but wasn't sleeping. 

3/28/2019 -2/5/ 2021  Clonazapam: 0.625mgs-.00115 Med Free 

July 27th, 2022**Severe Setback due to surgery/ anesthesia. 

9/7/22-10/4/22 Trazadone 50-100mgs for sleep, 10/13/22-11/13/22 Trazadone 1 mg to stabilize

10/4/22-11/20/22 Remeron 7.5mgs (for sleep doesn't work) 11/20/22 7.3 - 12/31/22 6.3 

2023: 1/18/23 6.1 - 6/6/23 3.6  6/16 3.4  6/28 3.0 7/12 2.7  7/28 2.5 8/11 2.2 8/23 2.0  9/5 1.8  9/16 1.6  9/30 1.4  10/13 1.2  10/26 1.0  11/9 0.8  11/22 0.6  12/6 0.4  12/23 0.2.

2024 1/4/24  Remeron/Mirtazapine free 

Additional Support:  Armour Thyroid 75mgs, Magnesium Glycinate 300-500mgs,  L-theanine 

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Hibari I can't believe you are almost finished! That is fantastic! I am feeling pretty normal again and have had little thoughts of cutting a tiny bit of Remeron off a pill! But I know I have to be completely sensible about this and be content to know that it will all come together. I know this menopause is a very complicated thing and I have to be very careful, especially since that new study of thousands of women showing that it can last more than ten years for some people. I have only been in it for four years so I have to go slowly and carefully. The symptoms that I felt when I was going through it without estrogen were very similar to withdrawal from this medication or even the benzo I tapered from. I felt so horrible I had no idea such a 'normal' thing could be so bad. I had terrible stinging and burning on my legs and body and inside my mouth that I nearly went insane, horrible dread feelings, and everything else, I can't even talk about it. Hot flashes were the least of my problems.

Anyhow, I'm starting my taper off the Premarin in a month. I'm pretty anxious about it. I hope I do okay. Thanks for checking in on me! I'm so happy you will soon be off! I hope this last part goes very smoothly for you!

I was on Mirtazapine 30 mg for 2.5 years because of severe debilitating menopause related depression and physical symptoms. I tapered down to zero in 2.5 months. Five weeks off on November 10, I started having severe withdrawal symptoms. Took small reinstatement and continued updosing until 30 mg Nov. 30, 2015 as nothing seemed to be getting better and I was impatient. Made a desperate mistake and tried two other ssri's for eight days, bad side effects and stopped. Went back to 30 mg of Mirtazapine and nothing else as of January 14, 2016. Slowly started getting better. After two months symptoms became manageable and continue to slowly fade.

I also take 1.25 mg Premarin/Climara patch for menopause symptoms and have to wean off that too.

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Hibari I can't believe you are almost finished! That is fantastic! I am feeling pretty normal again and have had little thoughts of cutting a tiny bit of Remeron off a pill! But I know I have to be completely sensible about this and be content to know that it will all come together. I know this menopause is a very complicated thing and I have to be very careful, especially since that new study of thousands of women showing that it can last more than ten years for some people. I have only been in it for four years so I have to go slowly and carefully. The symptoms that I felt when I was going through it without estrogen were very similar to withdrawal from this medication or even the benzo I tapered from. I felt so horrible I had no idea such a 'normal' thing could be so bad. I had terrible stinging and burning on my legs and body and inside my mouth that I nearly went insane, horrible dread feelings, and everything else, I can't even talk about it. Hot flashes were the least of my problems.

Anyhow, I'm starting my taper off the Premarin in a month. I'm pretty anxious about it. I hope I do okay. Thanks for checking in on me! I'm so happy you will soon be off! I hope this last part goes very smoothly for you!

I know and to tell the truth, I actually think my compounded Mirtazapine is not at full potency.  I don't want to order one more bottle but I may have to if I decide to micro taper any lower. 

Yes, menopause is very complicated for some women and I have been one of them.  I didn't have the stinging but everyone time I had a hot flash I felt sadness and dread.  I remember the first time some estrogen kicked in and my spirits raised-not enough to lift me out of depression but noticeable.  Once I am off meds I will start weaning my estrogen and then if necessary progesterone though I hear its actually beneficial. 

9/2013-4/2014:  After moms death, was prescribed a series of meds for short periods of time that didn't work. Zoloft, Lexapro,  Nortriptyline, Liquid Prozac, Cymbalta. 

1/2014-9/2014. Clonzapam: Given Lamictal, stopped Clonzapam at .125mgs  

1/2015-4 2017 Remeron: 41.25 -0.025mgs

7/2015-11/2018 Lamictal: 200mgs-0.05 mgs Had paradoxical reaction to Lamictal wd, broke my heart to take a benzo but wasn't sleeping. 

3/28/2019 -2/5/ 2021  Clonazapam: 0.625mgs-.00115 Med Free 

July 27th, 2022**Severe Setback due to surgery/ anesthesia. 

9/7/22-10/4/22 Trazadone 50-100mgs for sleep, 10/13/22-11/13/22 Trazadone 1 mg to stabilize

10/4/22-11/20/22 Remeron 7.5mgs (for sleep doesn't work) 11/20/22 7.3 - 12/31/22 6.3 

2023: 1/18/23 6.1 - 6/6/23 3.6  6/16 3.4  6/28 3.0 7/12 2.7  7/28 2.5 8/11 2.2 8/23 2.0  9/5 1.8  9/16 1.6  9/30 1.4  10/13 1.2  10/26 1.0  11/9 0.8  11/22 0.6  12/6 0.4  12/23 0.2.

2024 1/4/24  Remeron/Mirtazapine free 

Additional Support:  Armour Thyroid 75mgs, Magnesium Glycinate 300-500mgs,  L-theanine 

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  • 2 months later...

Just a little update. I continue to recover from my reinstatement back to Remeron. I have been back on 16 months and I still get a few not so great days a month and then a run of about a month of pretty normal days. I can't believe how slow this healing process is. Any adjustment to my estrogen patch causes my system to become upset. Sometimes I feel a little upset that I'm not 100% yet. I think I'm going to stabilize for another six months to a year before starting a very very slow taper.

I was on Mirtazapine 30 mg for 2.5 years because of severe debilitating menopause related depression and physical symptoms. I tapered down to zero in 2.5 months. Five weeks off on November 10, I started having severe withdrawal symptoms. Took small reinstatement and continued updosing until 30 mg Nov. 30, 2015 as nothing seemed to be getting better and I was impatient. Made a desperate mistake and tried two other ssri's for eight days, bad side effects and stopped. Went back to 30 mg of Mirtazapine and nothing else as of January 14, 2016. Slowly started getting better. After two months symptoms became manageable and continue to slowly fade.

I also take 1.25 mg Premarin/Climara patch for menopause symptoms and have to wean off that too.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Such patience Rachel!  So good to hear a person listening to their body...

2010  Fluoxetine 20mg.  2011  Escitalopram 20mg.  2013 Tapered badly and destabilised CNS.  Effexor 150mg. 

2015 Begin using info at SurvivingAntidepressants.  Cut 10% - bad w/d 2 months, held 1 month. 

Micro-tapering: four weekly 0.4% cuts, hold 4 weeks (struggling with symptoms).

8 month hold.

2017 Micro-tapering: four weekly 1% cuts, hold 4 weeks (symptoms almost non-existent).

2020 Still micro-tapering. Just over 2/3 of the way off effexor. Minimal symptoms, - and sleeping well.
Supplements: Fish oil, vitamin C, iron, oat-straw tea, nettle tea.

2023 Now on 7 micro-beads of Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops.

 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.'  Dr Gabor Mate.

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I agree with Karen. It's great that you feel good about your taper. It is slow but it's always going forward and that is all that matters in the long run. Stabilizing is always a good idea.

Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014

 

                                                  Psych Drug - free since May 2014
.
         

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  • 1 month later...

Hi all...

I may have a problem coming up.  The makers of the generic Mirtazapine I am on is backordered for at least three months.  The pharmacist and I called area drug stores and they are all the same.  The pharmacist said I can either take another generic brand or I can pay a bit more and take the brand name, Remeron.  I told her I would take the brand name.  I have been back on for 18 months now and most of my symptoms have resolved except for a tiny bit in the morning.  I'm very anxious about changing and feeling bad.  However, when I get on the brand med I plan on staying on them until I wean off so I don't have the different levels from the generic brands.

My question is...what can I expect from the change?  Should I be okay because I've had such a long stability or could I have an awful time but smooth out?  I'm a bit scared.  I would appreciate any input.  Thank you.

I was on Mirtazapine 30 mg for 2.5 years because of severe debilitating menopause related depression and physical symptoms. I tapered down to zero in 2.5 months. Five weeks off on November 10, I started having severe withdrawal symptoms. Took small reinstatement and continued updosing until 30 mg Nov. 30, 2015 as nothing seemed to be getting better and I was impatient. Made a desperate mistake and tried two other ssri's for eight days, bad side effects and stopped. Went back to 30 mg of Mirtazapine and nothing else as of January 14, 2016. Slowly started getting better. After two months symptoms became manageable and continue to slowly fade.

I also take 1.25 mg Premarin/Climara patch for menopause symptoms and have to wean off that too.

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  • ChessieCat changed the title to Rachel1963: Up and down symptoms
  • 3 months later...

 

I have finally decided to start tapering all my meds as I have been on them five years now and doctor would like to see me ease off them.  Because my estrogen dose is so high we decided I would start that first, then do a little Remeron, then a little more estrogen and so on.  I am down three of my Premarin pills and feeling it so waiting to stabilize.  I thought I would come here And use this space when I need to vent.  I am just going to creep along at a snail’s pace depending on my body to tell me when to go again.  I’m reducing my Remeron three times after going down four more Premarin pills.  That’s my plan for now.

I was on Mirtazapine 30 mg for 2.5 years because of severe debilitating menopause related depression and physical symptoms. I tapered down to zero in 2.5 months. Five weeks off on November 10, I started having severe withdrawal symptoms. Took small reinstatement and continued updosing until 30 mg Nov. 30, 2015 as nothing seemed to be getting better and I was impatient. Made a desperate mistake and tried two other ssri's for eight days, bad side effects and stopped. Went back to 30 mg of Mirtazapine and nothing else as of January 14, 2016. Slowly started getting better. After two months symptoms became manageable and continue to slowly fade.

I also take 1.25 mg Premarin/Climara patch for menopause symptoms and have to wean off that too.

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