Mirtazapine Side Effects

[Trent_J]

I've been on Mirtazapine 30mg for the past 5 months or so after being hastily prescribed this medication by my doctor for mild anxiety from a heavy university workload ( Computer Science major ).
The medication seemed to work quite well up until a month ago where I started to develop some nasty side effects. I've developed a constant ringing in my ears, vivid dreams / nightmares, depression, forgetfulness and just a general feeling of being disconnected.

I decided to see another doctor who was appalled that I was so hastily prescribed this medication with absolutely no mental health plan and decided to cut my dose to 15mg at night to help me sleep but things have only gotten worse.
My nightmares have become absolutely heinous, so bad that I'm afraid to go to sleep. I often wake up in a panic with intense fear / paranoia but these feelings seem to fade after a couple of hours.

I've made the decision to completely stop my medication, cold turkey. I honestly believe the withdrawals ( nausea, body aches / pains, feelings of hopelessness / impending doom ) will be bearable in comparison to these nightmares. I've made an appointment to see my physician again next week so hopefully he will be able to provide a solution.

Has anybody else been through this? Any advice would be very much appreciated.

- Trent

[alankay]

Trent, I'd hold at 15 mg until you can see the new doc and follow his recommendation(s) on stopping. He might recommend a slower taper off the med. I think in general counseling as well as an ssri med would be the first choice of meds and therapy. Unless there's a reason(poor response to ssri's), ssri's are tried first. That's not a "bad" med but again sssri's are first line as they are very safe, as effective as TCA's and better tolerated.
He might switch you to an ssri(zoloft, celexa) or just get you off remeron. He might also give you some meds like serax, clorazepate, valium or other long acting benzo just to help get you through the worst part of coming off the remeron but maybe not. Depends on how bad you feel I think. Also make sure you take no the drugs or the docs knows all else going on so he can best guide you. You should adjust in a week or two to being off the med. PM me any time. Alankay.

[dazzadoo123]

I've been on 30 mg mirtazapine for months would say its great
Med for helping you to sleep but It don't seem to lift my depression
But it's awesome for sleep I find haven't noticed any side affects really,
Regards
Dazza,,,