Posted by SLS on January 4, 2001, at 7:17:06
In reply to Remeron Poop-out?, posted by cole on January 4, 2001, at 0:09:50
> Hello All.
> I'm currently on my second round of depression tx with remeron, and it seems to have gradually stopped working over the past month or so. Remeron worked great over the summer. I went off it for about a month, then started the current trial at the end of September. I am presently fighting a serious resurgence of depression and anxiety-- even feeling suicidal at times. My pdoc and I discussed upping my dose-- I was at 45, will be trying 60 (it was what worked the 1st time). She wants me to also take 10mg of ritalin daily because I have found that it is the only thing that gives me motivation to study when I am this depressed. Here's the strange thing- the appetite problem from remeron has tapered off along with the positive effects. Has anyone had a similar experience? Did it get better? The ritalin will help keep me out of bed but it has no effect on my mood, and it forces me to take small amounts of trazodone(< 50mg) to get to sleep. Any ideas? Thanks!
> cole
Hey Cole.The appetite thing you experienced is supposed to be a trait of Remeron. At lower dosages, hunger is increased via H1 histamine receptor blockade. At higher dosages, it is thought that the effects of Remeron to block norepinephrine alpha-2 receptors becomes predominant and lowers appetite. This pattern also occurs with sedation, I believe.
A friendly suggestion: Once you find again a therapy that works, STICK with it. Your depression returned for one of two scenarios. Either you relapsed for not taking Remeron for long enough before discontinuing it, despite your not having a recurrent-type depression, or you have a recurrent-type depression and require continuous treatment indefinitely. It is far too common a story that someone arbitrarily discontinues an effective treatment, only to relapse and remain less responsive to the same medication.
At the very least, in my opinion, you should take an effective antidepressant for 12 - 14 months. If you relapse within the first 4 months after discontinuation, you might as well consider yourself a "lifer".
Good luck.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:50869
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001231/msgs/50877.html