ugh. im not sure if ive ever posted in this forum or not, but ive had severe anxiety for about 14 years. i have panic attacks almost daily and even when i dont i just feel anxious constantly.

my doc put me on a med called remeron (or mirtazapine) about 5 years ago, in combination with the 3 other meds im on. it was mainly to help with insomnia. it is without a doubt the BEST sleep med ive been on ever. it makes me feel sleepy but not drugged, and has no hangover effect. unfortunately, i wasn't made aware until about a year ago that it causes MAJOR weight gain, to the point where they use it to help cancer patients and the elderly who can't keep weight on. up til then i was just confused about the fact that in 5 years id put on 70 lbs.

i recently decided to try to get off it again. i followed my doctors plan and felt pretty okay. I finally took my last dose about 4 days ago and 2 days ago the withdrawal started. AMAZINGLY, i am sleeping fine....but...i feel so nauseated, dizzy, confused... i have vertigo and pins and needles along with all sorts of sensory disturbances. i also just have a constant knot in my stomach.

BUT, in the 2 weeks since i started weaning (i was on a lower dose so it didnt take as long, i also learned that lower doses cause more weight gain, which seems counter intuitive) ive lost 6 lbs. up until now i was lucky to lose 1 lb/week b/c i was battling this med. it slows your metabolism SO hard. so while im thrilled w/ the weight loss, im miserable with the withdrawals. its been years since ive gone off a med and im just wondering how long this usually lasts? remeron is a tetracyclic AD, and not an SSRI. any info would be appreciated. im so tempted to just take it tonight but then the cycle will just start all over again and with the way this effects my weight, i cant stay on it forever!

thanks for reading my rant

I don't know how long the withdrawal will last, sorry you're going through that.

Just wanted to point out that remeron causes weight gain because it increases your appetite, not by slowing your metabolism. Regardless, it certainly causes weight gain in most people who take it.

ya know i used to think that, which is why i didnt think quitting it would affect my diet since im already keeping my appetite in check, but i talked to my dr and he said it slows metabolism considerably in some patients, and makes it very difficult to lose weight even if you are watching calories.

Hey there!
Having tried just about every med out there over the last 15 or so years, and having to come off them all in one way or another, I can definitely sympathise.

Don't take anymore - it will definitely put you back to square one. The really bad withdrawal won't last more than 3-5 days, and you'll start feeling human again!

Hang in there!

Im molly from england
wana loose about 200 lb lost 40 so far.
just sighted up today but seems like great sight.
wana join as mamy groups as pos need all the supout as poss.
I love to give suport to others to.
I dont get out much so on pc board.
Ive been depresed anxsouse and agrophopic 4 about 2 years steadaly getting worse.I put so much wieght on i stopped leaving the house as I lost a lille my huband got me out now and then .As i loose more i get out more but only with him. he is fantastic my rock. feel free to come chat to me. mollyxx

Are you feeling anxiety or just uncomfortable physical pains?
I was just going to say that if its not anxiety you will make it through, we are here for you