Coming off mirtazapine

I have been on this anti depressant for about 6 months now, and my prescription has ran out. I won't see a doctor till next week and have 2 pills left. The past week I have been taking 1 one night, and skipping it the next. Last 2 nights I have had to go without and I am really starting to feel it. I didn't realise how stopping taking these kinds of drugs could have a nasty effect on you. I feel slightly sick all of the time, am either too cold or too hot, I have a constant dull headache and have a hard time staying awake, and falling asleep.

The drug itself stopped working months ago, all it does is make me heavy at night and give me a hard time waking up. I will need to see if I can change them. This doctors appointment cannot come soon enough. anyone else been on this particular anti depressant? How did it affect you when you came off them? How did you come off them, if you have?

You know, call your damn doctor in the morning and see if he can phone in a prescription to your pharmacy so you have enough to tide you over until he sees you, then you can discuss coming off the medication with him. You have to ween yourself off, not just drastically stop.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kal El

You know, call your damn doctor in the morning and see if he can phone in a prescription to your pharmacy so you have enough to tide you over until he sees you, then you can discuss coming off the medication with him. You have to ween yourself off, not just drastically stop.

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This.

I keep seeing posts on this forum about people just letting their anti-depressant prescriptions run out. That is SUCH a bad idea.

I feel like absolute shit if I skip my anti-depressant for A SINGLE DAY. You CANNOT just stop taking them.

From personal experience, I can say that it might be better to not get on the anti-depressant in the first place if you're NOT planning on keeping your prescription up to date or if you think you will just suddenly stop taking them due to financial or logistic reasons. The crash from sudden withdrawal is usually worse than the original condition.

You CANNOT get off anti-depressants without physician supervision and instruction.

You CANNOT get off anti-depressants cold turkey.

You're only setting yourself up for disaster.

Why do people do this to themselves? I just don't get it...

They don't know any better. One of the common mis-conceptions about drugs is that the best way to stop is cold turkey.
This is only true for certain drugs.

^ Well don't take the above poster seriously. DO NOT stop suddenly if you feel that you do not need to take them.

Like I said before, if you intend to ween yourself off, first start by taking half tablets for a week. Then take a half tablet every other day.

If you are on an anti-depressant that is a capsule (fluoxetine caps, Cymbalta, Effexor XR) you're best bet is to discuss a weening off strategy with the prescribing physician, as capsules cannot be cut in half.

Needless to say, I am taking an anti-depressant, and I skipped a few days and I felt like shit. You seriously are best off seeking a prescriber's advice before attempting to stop.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sycld

You CANNOT just stop taking them.

You CANNOT get off anti-depressants without physician supervision and instruction.

You CANNOT get off anti-depressants cold turkey.

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wrong

if you mean "shouldn't" then i'd agree

Quote:

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This.

I keep seeing posts on this forum about people just letting their anti-depressant prescriptions run out. That is SUCH a bad idea.

I feel like absolute shit if I skip my anti-depressant for A SINGLE DAY. You CANNOT just stop taking them.

From personal experience, I can say that it might be better to not get on the anti-depressant in the first place if you're NOT planning on keeping your prescription up to date or if you think you will just suddenly stop taking them due to financial or logistic reasons. The crash from sudden withdrawal is usually worse than the original condition.

You CANNOT get off anti-depressants without physician supervision and instruction.

You CANNOT get off anti-depressants cold turkey.

You're only setting yourself up for disaster.

Why do people do this to themselves? I just don't get it...

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CCCCRAWWWWLLLING INNNN MY SKIIIIIIINNN

Lesson 101 in becoming an adult:

Call your fucking doctor and get a prescription for 2 weeks or however long until your appointment jesus fucking christ