July 27Jul 27 Author @The Dust I get painful cramping in that area if I don’t eat regular meals. It’s bad this afternoon but I know as soon as I eat a bit of dinner it will feel easier. 3 weeks Paxil around 2002 I think can’t really remember. CT no issues except for a few head zaps.1 day Citalopram Dec 201710/07/25 - Mirtazapine 7.5mg19/07 - 15mg, 01/08 7.5mg, 15/08 dissolving orodispersible tablets for easier measuring 6mg, 22/08 5mg, 04/09 4mg, 18/09 3mg, 02/10 2.5mg, 16/10 2mg, 30/10 1.5mg, 13/11 1.2mg taper paused due to WD symptoms, had a window 17th March continuous improvement until early June when I went back into a moderate but manageable wave after overdoing things until early July when taking omeprazole for gastritis pushed me into another bad wave. Still waiting to stabilise before proceeding with taper.Supplements - 100mg magnesium glycinate daily.Other meds - Omeprazole 20mg a day when gastritis flares - realised after taking this for 8 days end of June ‘26 I was experiencing some WD symptoms again and researched to find PPIs block the liver enzymes used to metabolise a lot of antidepressants artificially raising blood levels. Stopped omeprazole and 2 weeks later back into a bad wave as my body has reacted as if I’ve updosed and then dropped again.Post menopausal GP has prescribed HRT but have not started as don’t want to confuse my system while tapering.
July 27Jul 27 10 minutes ago, Emsy said:@The Dust I get painful cramping in that area if I don’t eat regular meals. It’s bad this afternoon but I know as soon as I eat a bit of dinner it will feel easier.Thanks, really. Probably that's it and you are talking about the same thing, because this cramping in my case becomes worse even when I lay down on my back... I see the things similarly to you - a bit of food makes everything better... 2009-2010: Sertraline (50 mg) 2011: Escitalopram (10 mg) 2009-2011: tried Olanzapine (5/2.5mg), Quetiapine (50/25mg) and Aripriprazole (low dosage) CT Escitalopram, being free for several moths 2012-2016: Fluoxetine (60 mg) 2016-2017: Venlafaxine (75 mg) 2016: just tried Duloxetine and Maprotiline 2017-2018: Mirtazapine (30/45mg) 2012-2018: Bupropion (300 mg) 2014-2018: Lamotrigine (50/100/150 mg) CT Bupropion, tapering Lamitrogine and Mirtazapine (practically CT, fast tapering)
July 27Jul 27 Author @The Dust ohhh yes I can’t lay on my back or my right side. Laying on your left side is best. 3 weeks Paxil around 2002 I think can’t really remember. CT no issues except for a few head zaps.1 day Citalopram Dec 201710/07/25 - Mirtazapine 7.5mg19/07 - 15mg, 01/08 7.5mg, 15/08 dissolving orodispersible tablets for easier measuring 6mg, 22/08 5mg, 04/09 4mg, 18/09 3mg, 02/10 2.5mg, 16/10 2mg, 30/10 1.5mg, 13/11 1.2mg taper paused due to WD symptoms, had a window 17th March continuous improvement until early June when I went back into a moderate but manageable wave after overdoing things until early July when taking omeprazole for gastritis pushed me into another bad wave. Still waiting to stabilise before proceeding with taper.Supplements - 100mg magnesium glycinate daily.Other meds - Omeprazole 20mg a day when gastritis flares - realised after taking this for 8 days end of June ‘26 I was experiencing some WD symptoms again and researched to find PPIs block the liver enzymes used to metabolise a lot of antidepressants artificially raising blood levels. Stopped omeprazole and 2 weeks later back into a bad wave as my body has reacted as if I’ve updosed and then dropped again.Post menopausal GP has prescribed HRT but have not started as don’t want to confuse my system while tapering.
August 9Aug 9 Author Hey folks, Well it’s now 5 weeks since I stopped the omeprazole which destabilised me and this wave is hanging on really tightly and my 10 week window feels a lifetime ago.Still housebound, still unable to go for walks but some days managed 10 minutes if I can. Don’t feel well enough for friends to visit so I’m feeling very alone and isolated again.I just don’t seem to be getting any windows. Been holding 1.2mg for 9 months now and I’m starting to wonder if I’m ever going to stabilise again on this dose and need to restart my taper and just get off this slowly but the thought of having to taper through feeling so unwell for potentially a couple of years is terrifying.Feeling so stuck and scared.Sending hugs to everyone x 3 weeks Paxil around 2002 I think can’t really remember. CT no issues except for a few head zaps.1 day Citalopram Dec 201710/07/25 - Mirtazapine 7.5mg19/07 - 15mg, 01/08 7.5mg, 15/08 dissolving orodispersible tablets for easier measuring 6mg, 22/08 5mg, 04/09 4mg, 18/09 3mg, 02/10 2.5mg, 16/10 2mg, 30/10 1.5mg, 13/11 1.2mg taper paused due to WD symptoms, had a window 17th March continuous improvement until early June when I went back into a moderate but manageable wave after overdoing things until early July when taking omeprazole for gastritis pushed me into another bad wave. Still waiting to stabilise before proceeding with taper.Supplements - 100mg magnesium glycinate daily.Other meds - Omeprazole 20mg a day when gastritis flares - realised after taking this for 8 days end of June ‘26 I was experiencing some WD symptoms again and researched to find PPIs block the liver enzymes used to metabolise a lot of antidepressants artificially raising blood levels. Stopped omeprazole and 2 weeks later back into a bad wave as my body has reacted as if I’ve updosed and then dropped again.Post menopausal GP has prescribed HRT but have not started as don’t want to confuse my system while tapering.
August 9Aug 9 53 minutes ago, Emsy said:Hey folks,Well it’s now 5 weeks since I stopped the omeprazole which destabilised me and this wave is hanging on really tightly and my 10 week window feels a lifetime ago.Still housebound, still unable to go for walks but some days managed 10 minutes if I can. Don’t feel well enough for friends to visit so I’m feeling very alone and isolated again.I just don’t seem to be getting any windows.Been holding 1.2mg for 9 months now and I’m starting to wonder if I’m ever going to stabilise again on this dose and need to restart my taper and just get off this slowly but the thought of having to taper through feeling so unwell for potentially a couple of years is terrifying.Feeling so stuck and scared.Sending hugs to everyone xHey @Emsy I am so sorry to read you are still in the trenches. Your body stablised eventually before, and it can do it again! :)I agree, I think it wise to not taper whilst not stable.Better days coming. xxxx I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys. If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.ukFor US members details here.
August 9Aug 9 3 hours ago, Emsy said:Still housebound, still unable to go for walks but some days managed 10 minutes if I can. Don’t feel well enough for friends to visit so I’m feeling very alone and isolated again.I just don’t seem to be getting any windows.Been holding 1.2mg for 9 months now and I’m starting to wonder if I’m ever going to stabilise again on this dose and need to restart my taper and just get off this slowly but the thought of having to taper through feeling so unwell for potentially a couple of years is terrifying.Feeling so stuck and scared.I’m sorry @Emsy, I know how scary and frustrating these long waves can be. I’m with Chippy, I think definitely best to wait until you’re stable before tapering. Your body knows what to do even if it’s taking a little while. Thinking of you 💜. I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I am new to this journey and my thoughts are based only on my personal experience with psychiatric drugs. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys. Current regimen:Cymbalta - 90 mg/daySeroquel - 12.5 mg/day*holding to stabilize as of Apr 2026 History:Seroquel - up to 50 mg as needed for sleep (generally 6.25-12.5 mg a few times a week, though sometimes more) - 2009 (ish) to presentCymbalta - 60 mg/day, periodically down to 30 mg/day - May 2014 to May 2025Clonazepam - up to 1 mg/day as needed - March to May 2025, quick taper offZoloft - 150 mg/day - May 2025 to Aug 2025 (quick cross-taper from Cymbalta)Pristiq - 50 mg/day from Aug 2025 to mid-Oct 2025 (quick cross-taper from Zoloft); 100 mg/day from Oct 2025 to Dec 2025; back down to 50 mg/day from Dec 2025 to Jan 2026Lyrica - 200 mg/day - Nov 2025 to Jan 2026 (quick taper off from mid-Jan to early Feb 2026 due to severe depressive symptoms)Cymbalta - 60 mg/day - Jan - March 2026; up to 90 mg/day from March to present
August 15Aug 15 Author Hey lovely folks, I’m still in it.Wave is getting progressively worse.6 weeks now since I stopped the omeprazole. If I wasn’t kindled before I definitely am now!At least my first wave several months ago I got the odd window here and there but this wave is just relentless and I’m not even getting the slight improvement in terror by the evening anymore. Just 24/7 severe anxiety and exhaustion along with the nausea and loss of appetite.Anyway, feeling very isolated as I live alone and been housebound over 6 weeks now and just needed to share.What I would’ve give for a good few hours sleep and a calmer morning just to get some strength back.Sending hugs to everyone 🤗 Edited August 15Aug 15 by Emsy 3 weeks Paxil around 2002 I think can’t really remember. CT no issues except for a few head zaps.1 day Citalopram Dec 201710/07/25 - Mirtazapine 7.5mg19/07 - 15mg, 01/08 7.5mg, 15/08 dissolving orodispersible tablets for easier measuring 6mg, 22/08 5mg, 04/09 4mg, 18/09 3mg, 02/10 2.5mg, 16/10 2mg, 30/10 1.5mg, 13/11 1.2mg taper paused due to WD symptoms, had a window 17th March continuous improvement until early June when I went back into a moderate but manageable wave after overdoing things until early July when taking omeprazole for gastritis pushed me into another bad wave. Still waiting to stabilise before proceeding with taper.Supplements - 100mg magnesium glycinate daily.Other meds - Omeprazole 20mg a day when gastritis flares - realised after taking this for 8 days end of June ‘26 I was experiencing some WD symptoms again and researched to find PPIs block the liver enzymes used to metabolise a lot of antidepressants artificially raising blood levels. Stopped omeprazole and 2 weeks later back into a bad wave as my body has reacted as if I’ve updosed and then dropped again.Post menopausal GP has prescribed HRT but have not started as don’t want to confuse my system while tapering.
August 15Aug 15 And how your post-omeprazol digestion looks like now? 2009-2010: Sertraline (50 mg) 2011: Escitalopram (10 mg) 2009-2011: tried Olanzapine (5/2.5mg), Quetiapine (50/25mg) and Aripriprazole (low dosage) CT Escitalopram, being free for several moths 2012-2016: Fluoxetine (60 mg) 2016-2017: Venlafaxine (75 mg) 2016: just tried Duloxetine and Maprotiline 2017-2018: Mirtazapine (30/45mg) 2012-2018: Bupropion (300 mg) 2014-2018: Lamotrigine (50/100/150 mg) CT Bupropion, tapering Lamitrogine and Mirtazapine (practically CT, fast tapering)
August 15Aug 15 21 minutes ago, Emsy said:Hey lovely folks, I’m still in it.Wave is getting progressively worse.6 weeks now since I stopped the omeprazole. If I wasn’t kindled before I definitely am now!At least my first wave several months ago I got the odd window here and there but this wave is just relentless and I’m not even getting the slight improvement in terror by the evening anymore. Just 24/7 severe anxiety and exhaustion along with the nausea and loss of appetite.Anyway, feeling very isolated as I live alone and been housebound over 6 weeks now and just needed to share.What I would’ve give for a good few hours sleep and a calmer morning just to get some strength back.Sending hugs to everyone 🤗So sorry to hear it @Emsy. Things are often darkest before the dawn I think. You have stabilized before and had a great window, and it will come again no matter how hopeless things feel right now. I hope you have some supportive friends or family around, but regardless please come share here as much as you need! We are always here for you 💜. I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I am new to this journey and my thoughts are based only on my personal experience with psychiatric drugs. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys. Current regimen:Cymbalta - 90 mg/daySeroquel - 12.5 mg/day*holding to stabilize as of Apr 2026 History:Seroquel - up to 50 mg as needed for sleep (generally 6.25-12.5 mg a few times a week, though sometimes more) - 2009 (ish) to presentCymbalta - 60 mg/day, periodically down to 30 mg/day - May 2014 to May 2025Clonazepam - up to 1 mg/day as needed - March to May 2025, quick taper offZoloft - 150 mg/day - May 2025 to Aug 2025 (quick cross-taper from Cymbalta)Pristiq - 50 mg/day from Aug 2025 to mid-Oct 2025 (quick cross-taper from Zoloft); 100 mg/day from Oct 2025 to Dec 2025; back down to 50 mg/day from Dec 2025 to Jan 2026Lyrica - 200 mg/day - Nov 2025 to Jan 2026 (quick taper off from mid-Jan to early Feb 2026 due to severe depressive symptoms)Cymbalta - 60 mg/day - Jan - March 2026; up to 90 mg/day from March to present
August 16Aug 16 16 hours ago, Emsy said:Hey lovely folks, I’m still in it.Wave is getting progressively worse.6 weeks now since I stopped the omeprazole. If I wasn’t kindled before I definitely am now!At least my first wave several months ago I got the odd window here and there but this wave is just relentless and I’m not even getting the slight improvement in terror by the evening anymore. Just 24/7 severe anxiety and exhaustion along with the nausea and loss of appetite.Anyway, feeling very isolated as I live alone and been housebound over 6 weeks now and just needed to share.What I would’ve give for a good few hours sleep and a calmer morning just to get some strength back.Sending hugs to everyone 🤗Hey @Emsy I am sorry to hear my friend. Sending some hugs back to you, you sound like you could really do with them. Wish I could give you a real one! WD has a terrible way of making waves feel worse than before at times, it truly is evil wd I think sometimes. I know things will get better for you given enough time. I am wishing for a big window for your very soon, you most certainly deserve it. xxxxx I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys. If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.ukFor US members details here.
August 16Aug 16 Author Lovely @Chippy thank you so much for the hug, you are so so kind 🤗 Virtual hugs are just as appreciated. I’m definitely a hugger, miss them in real life while I’m stuck at home, wish I could just hug everyone struggling on here.An in group cuddle puddle 😂 obviously respecting the personal space of those who would rather not 🥰We all deserve a freaking break from this withdrawal nonsense.Hope you’re coping my friend xxx 3 weeks Paxil around 2002 I think can’t really remember. CT no issues except for a few head zaps.1 day Citalopram Dec 201710/07/25 - Mirtazapine 7.5mg19/07 - 15mg, 01/08 7.5mg, 15/08 dissolving orodispersible tablets for easier measuring 6mg, 22/08 5mg, 04/09 4mg, 18/09 3mg, 02/10 2.5mg, 16/10 2mg, 30/10 1.5mg, 13/11 1.2mg taper paused due to WD symptoms, had a window 17th March continuous improvement until early June when I went back into a moderate but manageable wave after overdoing things until early July when taking omeprazole for gastritis pushed me into another bad wave. Still waiting to stabilise before proceeding with taper.Supplements - 100mg magnesium glycinate daily.Other meds - Omeprazole 20mg a day when gastritis flares - realised after taking this for 8 days end of June ‘26 I was experiencing some WD symptoms again and researched to find PPIs block the liver enzymes used to metabolise a lot of antidepressants artificially raising blood levels. Stopped omeprazole and 2 weeks later back into a bad wave as my body has reacted as if I’ve updosed and then dropped again.Post menopausal GP has prescribed HRT but have not started as don’t want to confuse my system while tapering.
August 16Aug 16 Author Thank you @SarahMc I know you’re right. Thank you for reminding me and leaving such a kind message.I hope you are managing your symptoms 🤗 x 3 weeks Paxil around 2002 I think can’t really remember. CT no issues except for a few head zaps.1 day Citalopram Dec 201710/07/25 - Mirtazapine 7.5mg19/07 - 15mg, 01/08 7.5mg, 15/08 dissolving orodispersible tablets for easier measuring 6mg, 22/08 5mg, 04/09 4mg, 18/09 3mg, 02/10 2.5mg, 16/10 2mg, 30/10 1.5mg, 13/11 1.2mg taper paused due to WD symptoms, had a window 17th March continuous improvement until early June when I went back into a moderate but manageable wave after overdoing things until early July when taking omeprazole for gastritis pushed me into another bad wave. Still waiting to stabilise before proceeding with taper.Supplements - 100mg magnesium glycinate daily.Other meds - Omeprazole 20mg a day when gastritis flares - realised after taking this for 8 days end of June ‘26 I was experiencing some WD symptoms again and researched to find PPIs block the liver enzymes used to metabolise a lot of antidepressants artificially raising blood levels. Stopped omeprazole and 2 weeks later back into a bad wave as my body has reacted as if I’ve updosed and then dropped again.Post menopausal GP has prescribed HRT but have not started as don’t want to confuse my system while tapering.
August 16Aug 16 46 minutes ago, Emsy said:I hope you are managing your symptoms 🤗 xThanks @Emsy, I’m in a wave myself these days but lucky to be relatively functional. 49 minutes ago, Emsy said:An in group cuddle puddle 😂 obviously respecting the personal space of those who would rather not 🥰We all deserve a freaking break from this withdrawal nonsense.Omg yes please to a forum wide cuddle puddle 🥰😂 I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I am new to this journey and my thoughts are based only on my personal experience with psychiatric drugs. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys. Current regimen:Cymbalta - 90 mg/daySeroquel - 12.5 mg/day*holding to stabilize as of Apr 2026 History:Seroquel - up to 50 mg as needed for sleep (generally 6.25-12.5 mg a few times a week, though sometimes more) - 2009 (ish) to presentCymbalta - 60 mg/day, periodically down to 30 mg/day - May 2014 to May 2025Clonazepam - up to 1 mg/day as needed - March to May 2025, quick taper offZoloft - 150 mg/day - May 2025 to Aug 2025 (quick cross-taper from Cymbalta)Pristiq - 50 mg/day from Aug 2025 to mid-Oct 2025 (quick cross-taper from Zoloft); 100 mg/day from Oct 2025 to Dec 2025; back down to 50 mg/day from Dec 2025 to Jan 2026Lyrica - 200 mg/day - Nov 2025 to Jan 2026 (quick taper off from mid-Jan to early Feb 2026 due to severe depressive symptoms)Cymbalta - 60 mg/day - Jan - March 2026; up to 90 mg/day from March to present
Friday at 06:50 PM5 days Thinking of you, Emsy 🩷 For US members: Please report med to FDA Med Watch2017 (May) - Ativan .5 mg (3 x Daily) 2018 (Feb) - Mirtazapine 7.5 mg 2018 (May) - Ativan to Valium - Switch - Can’t Remember how long it took -tapered to 3 mg of Valium2024 (May) - Valium Tolerance2024 (2 Nov) - Completed taper off Valium 2024 (2 Nov) - Mirtazapine increased to 15 mg2025 (Feb) - Ativan 0.25 mg (3 x Daily) - Became Paradoxical - Started weaning got to 0.11mg2025 (Mar) - Ativan 0mg - CT In detox2025 (April) Started Depakote 1500mg - In detox2025 (April) - Depakote 500mg (2 x Daily) once home2025 (Aug) - Completed taper off Depakote2025 (Aug) - Akathisia surges throughout the day with calming in between2025 (Sept) - Gabapentin (Micro Dose) - Was calming at first and then became paradoxical so stop2025 (Oct) - Depakote - RI – (Two days of small dose) Became scared and stopped with WD & aka2025 (Oct) - Seroquel 50 mg XR – 1 Week - more and more activating and increased aka2025 (Oct) - Psychiatrist told me to stop it. But I took a few days of a smaller dose of IR then stopped - Not activating2025 (Nov) - Hydroxyzine 2.5mg - it was paradoxical so stopped2025 (1 Dec) - Mirtazapine 22.5mg - (2 Days) Was incredibly overstimulating started reducing to previous2025 (3 Dec) - Mirtazapine 18.75mg2025 (10 Dec) - Mirtazapine 16.87mg2025 (22 Dec) - Mirtazapine 15mg2026 (23Jan) - Mirtazapine 14.7mg2026 (23 Jan) - Mirtazapine 1mg Panic dose2026 (24 Jan) - Mirtazapine 15mg2026 (25 Feb) – Mirtazapine 14.7mg (-2%)2026 (18 Mar) - propranolol 2.5 mg one time2026 (21 Mar)- Mirtazapine- 15 mg accidentally in sleepy state2026 (22 Mar) - Mirtazapine 14.79 mg (more accurate scales) 2026 (29 April) Mirtazapine 14.7 mg/.1020 g (on suggestion of Horowitz) immediate intense symptoms2026 (30 April) Mirtazapine 14.79 mg (.1026 g)2026 (23 May) propranolol 2.5 mg one time2026 (01 June) Mirtazapine 14.79 mgdose was 5 hours late2026 (22 July) Mirtazapine 14.76 mgIntense electric activation, muscle tightness, autonomic surges, terror followed 2026 (23 July) Mirtazapine 14.79 mg return
Sunday at 06:49 AM3 days On 8/28/2026 at 7:50 PM, Finni said:Thinking of you, Emsy 🩷Joining in @Emsy xxx I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys. If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.ukFor US members details here.
Sunday at 11:03 AM3 days Author Thank you so much dear @Finni you are so often in my thoughts and sending so much love to your beautiful brave heart xxxxAnd @Chippy the rock to so many of us on here 🙏 thank you for your kind thoughts and unwavering support xxxI’m still in the thick of it, 8 weeks since I stopped the omeprazole and things gradually worsened.Still waking early every morning after little sleep with awful terror that is debilitating me the whole day.Managing to just about feed myself and if I’m lucky a short 10 minute walk some days.Starting to believe this will never end and I’ll never heal until I’m fully of mirtazapine but can’t see how I could restart my taper this destabilised.Been holding 1.2mg since last November now!Sending hugs to all 🫂 3 weeks Paxil around 2002 I think can’t really remember. CT no issues except for a few head zaps.1 day Citalopram Dec 201710/07/25 - Mirtazapine 7.5mg19/07 - 15mg, 01/08 7.5mg, 15/08 dissolving orodispersible tablets for easier measuring 6mg, 22/08 5mg, 04/09 4mg, 18/09 3mg, 02/10 2.5mg, 16/10 2mg, 30/10 1.5mg, 13/11 1.2mg taper paused due to WD symptoms, had a window 17th March continuous improvement until early June when I went back into a moderate but manageable wave after overdoing things until early July when taking omeprazole for gastritis pushed me into another bad wave. Still waiting to stabilise before proceeding with taper.Supplements - 100mg magnesium glycinate daily.Other meds - Omeprazole 20mg a day when gastritis flares - realised after taking this for 8 days end of June ‘26 I was experiencing some WD symptoms again and researched to find PPIs block the liver enzymes used to metabolise a lot of antidepressants artificially raising blood levels. Stopped omeprazole and 2 weeks later back into a bad wave as my body has reacted as if I’ve updosed and then dropped again.Post menopausal GP has prescribed HRT but have not started as don’t want to confuse my system while tapering.
Sunday at 12:35 PM3 days @Emsy Can please put a few word about your quitting omeprazole? What actually changed? 2009-2010: Sertraline (50 mg) 2011: Escitalopram (10 mg) 2009-2011: tried Olanzapine (5/2.5mg), Quetiapine (50/25mg) and Aripriprazole (low dosage) CT Escitalopram, being free for several moths 2012-2016: Fluoxetine (60 mg) 2016-2017: Venlafaxine (75 mg) 2016: just tried Duloxetine and Maprotiline 2017-2018: Mirtazapine (30/45mg) 2012-2018: Bupropion (300 mg) 2014-2018: Lamotrigine (50/100/150 mg) CT Bupropion, tapering Lamitrogine and Mirtazapine (practically CT, fast tapering)
Sunday at 12:41 PM3 days Author @The Dust hi I’ve put this in my signature now. 3 weeks Paxil around 2002 I think can’t really remember. CT no issues except for a few head zaps.1 day Citalopram Dec 201710/07/25 - Mirtazapine 7.5mg19/07 - 15mg, 01/08 7.5mg, 15/08 dissolving orodispersible tablets for easier measuring 6mg, 22/08 5mg, 04/09 4mg, 18/09 3mg, 02/10 2.5mg, 16/10 2mg, 30/10 1.5mg, 13/11 1.2mg taper paused due to WD symptoms, had a window 17th March continuous improvement until early June when I went back into a moderate but manageable wave after overdoing things until early July when taking omeprazole for gastritis pushed me into another bad wave. Still waiting to stabilise before proceeding with taper.Supplements - 100mg magnesium glycinate daily.Other meds - Omeprazole 20mg a day when gastritis flares - realised after taking this for 8 days end of June ‘26 I was experiencing some WD symptoms again and researched to find PPIs block the liver enzymes used to metabolise a lot of antidepressants artificially raising blood levels. Stopped omeprazole and 2 weeks later back into a bad wave as my body has reacted as if I’ve updosed and then dropped again.Post menopausal GP has prescribed HRT but have not started as don’t want to confuse my system while tapering.
Sunday at 01:13 PM3 days @Emsy Thank you Hang in there!You stabilized beautifully before 🩷🩷 For US members: Please report med to FDA Med Watch2017 (May) - Ativan .5 mg (3 x Daily) 2018 (Feb) - Mirtazapine 7.5 mg 2018 (May) - Ativan to Valium - Switch - Can’t Remember how long it took -tapered to 3 mg of Valium2024 (May) - Valium Tolerance2024 (2 Nov) - Completed taper off Valium 2024 (2 Nov) - Mirtazapine increased to 15 mg2025 (Feb) - Ativan 0.25 mg (3 x Daily) - Became Paradoxical - Started weaning got to 0.11mg2025 (Mar) - Ativan 0mg - CT In detox2025 (April) Started Depakote 1500mg - In detox2025 (April) - Depakote 500mg (2 x Daily) once home2025 (Aug) - Completed taper off Depakote2025 (Aug) - Akathisia surges throughout the day with calming in between2025 (Sept) - Gabapentin (Micro Dose) - Was calming at first and then became paradoxical so stop2025 (Oct) - Depakote - RI – (Two days of small dose) Became scared and stopped with WD & aka2025 (Oct) - Seroquel 50 mg XR – 1 Week - more and more activating and increased aka2025 (Oct) - Psychiatrist told me to stop it. But I took a few days of a smaller dose of IR then stopped - Not activating2025 (Nov) - Hydroxyzine 2.5mg - it was paradoxical so stopped2025 (1 Dec) - Mirtazapine 22.5mg - (2 Days) Was incredibly overstimulating started reducing to previous2025 (3 Dec) - Mirtazapine 18.75mg2025 (10 Dec) - Mirtazapine 16.87mg2025 (22 Dec) - Mirtazapine 15mg2026 (23Jan) - Mirtazapine 14.7mg2026 (23 Jan) - Mirtazapine 1mg Panic dose2026 (24 Jan) - Mirtazapine 15mg2026 (25 Feb) – Mirtazapine 14.7mg (-2%)2026 (18 Mar) - propranolol 2.5 mg one time2026 (21 Mar)- Mirtazapine- 15 mg accidentally in sleepy state2026 (22 Mar) - Mirtazapine 14.79 mg (more accurate scales) 2026 (29 April) Mirtazapine 14.7 mg/.1020 g (on suggestion of Horowitz) immediate intense symptoms2026 (30 April) Mirtazapine 14.79 mg (.1026 g)2026 (23 May) propranolol 2.5 mg one time2026 (01 June) Mirtazapine 14.79 mgdose was 5 hours late2026 (22 July) Mirtazapine 14.76 mgIntense electric activation, muscle tightness, autonomic surges, terror followed 2026 (23 July) Mirtazapine 14.79 mg return
Monday at 07:58 AM2 days 20 hours ago, Emsy said:Thank you so much dear @Finni you are so often in my thoughts and sending so much love to your beautiful brave heart xxxxAnd @Chippy the rock to so many of us on here 🙏 thank you for your kind thoughts and unwavering support xxxI’m still in the thick of it, 8 weeks since I stopped the omeprazole and things gradually worsened.Still waking early every morning after little sleep with awful terror that is debilitating me the whole day.Managing to just about feed myself and if I’m lucky a short 10 minute walk some days.Starting to believe this will never end and I’ll never heal until I’m fully of mirtazapine but can’t see how I could restart my taper this destabilised.Been holding 1.2mg since last November now!Sending hugs to all 🫂Hey Emsy, I am so very sorry. I can understand why you would feel this way, we all do when things are tough, you stablised before you will again. We know the nervous system can be slow at adapting and healing, but adapt and heal it does. Hang in there, this won't always be this way. xxxxx I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys. If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.ukFor US members details here.
Monday at 12:22 PM2 days On 8/30/2026 at 8:03 AM, Emsy said:I’m still in the thick of it, 8 weeks since I stopped the omeprazole and things gradually worsened.Still waking early every morning after little sleep with awful terror that is debilitating me the whole day.Managing to just about feed myself and if I’m lucky a short 10 minute walk some days.Starting to believe this will never end and I’ll never heal until I’m fully of mirtazapine but can’t see how I could restart my taper this destabilised.Been holding 1.2mg since last November now! I'm sorry you're still in the depths @Emsy. Some of these long holds can be brutal, but you know your body is capable of stabilizing on mirtazapine and you will absolutely get there again. Stay in the fight, we're here for you 💜. I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I am new to this journey and my thoughts are based only on my personal experience with psychiatric drugs. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys. Current regimen:Cymbalta - 90 mg/daySeroquel - 12.5 mg/day*holding to stabilize as of Apr 2026 History:Seroquel - up to 50 mg as needed for sleep (generally 6.25-12.5 mg a few times a week, though sometimes more) - 2009 (ish) to presentCymbalta - 60 mg/day, periodically down to 30 mg/day - May 2014 to May 2025Clonazepam - up to 1 mg/day as needed - March to May 2025, quick taper offZoloft - 150 mg/day - May 2025 to Aug 2025 (quick cross-taper from Cymbalta)Pristiq - 50 mg/day from Aug 2025 to mid-Oct 2025 (quick cross-taper from Zoloft); 100 mg/day from Oct 2025 to Dec 2025; back down to 50 mg/day from Dec 2025 to Jan 2026Lyrica - 200 mg/day - Nov 2025 to Jan 2026 (quick taper off from mid-Jan to early Feb 2026 due to severe depressive symptoms)Cymbalta - 60 mg/day - Jan - March 2026; up to 90 mg/day from March to present
Yesterday at 03:32 PM1 day Author I’ve just had a call with my GP, he wants to fast taper off the rest of the mirtazapine as he doesn’t think I’ll stabilise again now as I’ve been holding for so long ( nearly 10 months).He said I feel awful on 1.2mg so I may as well feel awful on nothing and take the complication of the drug out of the equation and hopefully have a few months of feeling bad but then it would be over. I did explain to him that although I feel awful I’m also aware I could feel a hell of a lot worse and that it could actually be a few years not a few months.I’m in tears here I feel so stuck and damned if I do and damned if I don’t.This bad wave has lasted 2 months now and I’m not getting windows anymore and I actually think he has a point.How much longer do I stay stuck on this dose before I admit defeat?It all feels so hopeless. 3 weeks Paxil around 2002 I think can’t really remember. CT no issues except for a few head zaps.1 day Citalopram Dec 201710/07/25 - Mirtazapine 7.5mg19/07 - 15mg, 01/08 7.5mg, 15/08 dissolving orodispersible tablets for easier measuring 6mg, 22/08 5mg, 04/09 4mg, 18/09 3mg, 02/10 2.5mg, 16/10 2mg, 30/10 1.5mg, 13/11 1.2mg taper paused due to WD symptoms, had a window 17th March continuous improvement until early June when I went back into a moderate but manageable wave after overdoing things until early July when taking omeprazole for gastritis pushed me into another bad wave. Still waiting to stabilise before proceeding with taper.Supplements - 100mg magnesium glycinate daily.Other meds - Omeprazole 20mg a day when gastritis flares - realised after taking this for 8 days end of June ‘26 I was experiencing some WD symptoms again and researched to find PPIs block the liver enzymes used to metabolise a lot of antidepressants artificially raising blood levels. Stopped omeprazole and 2 weeks later back into a bad wave as my body has reacted as if I’ve updosed and then dropped again.Post menopausal GP has prescribed HRT but have not started as don’t want to confuse my system while tapering.
12 hours ago12 hr Hey @Emsy I am sorry and I can hear your frustration.Don't forget you have not been stuck on this dose for 10 months without changes, during this time you attempted to switch to a different formulation had issues, switched back, stablised a good bit from memory and then tried a PPI which destablised you again. It has only been a few weeks since then.My advice is to continue to hold, making no changes or adding in any additional drugs or substances until you hit a sensible baseline. Stopping CT could make all this an awful lot worse.Dr's don't understand this stuff unfortunately and he will likley see your dose as 'low' and not be too worried about you stopping it. I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys. If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.ukFor US members details here.
11 hours ago11 hr Author Thanks @Chippy I did stabilise from the middle of March until the end of May then went into another wave but was managing it by reducing work and activities and resting a bit more. When symptoms ramped up in July it could have been the natural progression of the wave but it did coincide with omeprazole (although id done the same thing back in December 2 weeks after I’d dropped to 1.2mg and was none the wiser at that time so don’t know if it affected me then or not).So the wave has in effect lasted 3 months now with symptoms worsening shortly after stopping omeprazole so 8 weeks of worsening symptoms.It’s so hard to know what to do but I definitely know a CT or fast taper is not the way.I do wonder now if the low dose has caused tolerance or is aggravating my nervous system and I’m probably kindled so I’m not going to stabilise.If this is the case I’ll need to restart a slow taper while I’m in withdrawal which is terrifying.With no support and living alone, losing what little basic functionality I have (able to feed, wash and sleep a few hours with a short walk some days) would be catastrophic.I know the idea of adding in a benzo can be a recipe for disaster and is not recommended here but I know of a couple of people who did this to mitigate antidepressant withdrawal symptoms and then had a fairly smooth ride off the benzo.It just feels my options are stay on 1.2mg and continue to decline or restart the taper and get worse.Needless to say the stress of this has massively spiked my symptoms today and the waking terror is just awful.Just to add the GP said he’d supported someone going through similar to me who was feeling unwell on a slow taper and in the end got fed up and jumped off and improved within a few weeks.One persons experience is not evidence of it working though and when I mentioned the peer support sites do have many people who jump off low doses and are still in withdrawal 2 years later he said ‘is there scientific evidence for that?’. He’s been so supportive to date and I really thought I had him on side but I think his concern is the longer this goes on for me the more my own stress and anxiety will be affected making things worse. Edited 11 hours ago11 hr by Emsy 3 weeks Paxil around 2002 I think can’t really remember. CT no issues except for a few head zaps.1 day Citalopram Dec 201710/07/25 - Mirtazapine 7.5mg19/07 - 15mg, 01/08 7.5mg, 15/08 dissolving orodispersible tablets for easier measuring 6mg, 22/08 5mg, 04/09 4mg, 18/09 3mg, 02/10 2.5mg, 16/10 2mg, 30/10 1.5mg, 13/11 1.2mg taper paused due to WD symptoms, had a window 17th March continuous improvement until early June when I went back into a moderate but manageable wave after overdoing things until early July when taking omeprazole for gastritis pushed me into another bad wave. Still waiting to stabilise before proceeding with taper.Supplements - 100mg magnesium glycinate daily.Other meds - Omeprazole 20mg a day when gastritis flares - realised after taking this for 8 days end of June ‘26 I was experiencing some WD symptoms again and researched to find PPIs block the liver enzymes used to metabolise a lot of antidepressants artificially raising blood levels. Stopped omeprazole and 2 weeks later back into a bad wave as my body has reacted as if I’ve updosed and then dropped again.Post menopausal GP has prescribed HRT but have not started as don’t want to confuse my system while tapering.
11 hours ago11 hr 4 minutes ago, Emsy said:When symptoms ramped up in July it could have been the natural progression of the wave but it did coincide with omeprazole (although id done the same thing back in December 2 weeks after I’d dropped to 1.2mg and was none the wiser at that time so don’t know if it affected me then or not).So the wave has in effect lasted 3 months now with symptoms worsening shortly after stopping omeprazole so 8 weeks of worsening symptoms.It’s so hard to know what to do but I definitely know a CT or fast taper is not the way.I would be surprised if the PPI didn't cause some issues on both occasions personally.5 minutes ago, Emsy said:So the wave has in effect lasted 3 months now with symptoms worsening shortly after stopping omeprazole so 8 weeks of worsening symptoms.It’s so hard to know what to do but I definitely know a CT or fast taper is not the way.Sometimes folk need to hold for a very long time to find some stablity.5 minutes ago, Emsy said:I do wonder now if the low dose has caused tolerance or is aggravating my nervous system and I’m probably kindled so I’m not going to stabilise.I think this is a fear that sits with many, for most I don't think it's the case. You have no been on Mirt for years, I doubt this is you.6 minutes ago, Emsy said:I know the idea of adding in a benzo can be a recipe for disaster and is not recommended here but I know of a couple of people who did this to mitigate antidepressant withdrawal symptoms and then had a fairly smooth ride off the benzo.Some will have some benefit from adding in a brake like this to the mix, unfortunately it's a hell of a spin of the wheel imo and can worsen you. I think these drugs have caused all of this, the last thing you need is more of them.7 minutes ago, Emsy said:It just feels my options are stay on 1.2mg and continue to declineYou forgot to say the third option is stay on 1.2mg and stablise. I know it's hard to believe that will happen but in reality that is most likley from what the community sees.8 minutes ago, Emsy said:Needless to say the stress of this has massively spiked my symptoms today and the waking terror is just awful.I can imagine and I am very sorry Emsy, mindset is very key in WD as you know, gotta make a choice and be at peace with it. Anything you can do to keep the nervous system calm is a must. Wish there were easy answers. xxx I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys. If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.ukFor US members details here.
Create an account or sign in to comment