Posted by LyndaK on September 29, 2002, at 0:55:03
In reply to Re: Zoloft +Neurontin to Remeron+Neurontin-HELP!!, posted by Justherself on September 28, 2002, at 22:03:23
> I think I've been on every anti-dep, Prozak, Paxil, Celexa, Mannerix, Effexor with no luck due to side effects. I'm taking 200 mg. Zoloft in the morning along with 800 mg's of Neurontin 3X a day. I augmented Zoloft with Lithium but it did nothing except made my hands tremor terribly. The neurontin has relieved a lot of anxiety and some depression but has made me so forgetfull I can't stand it. I write notes to myself and then forget I've written them! I write notes all over my hand cause I can't lose it!! My pdoc has suggested I start tapering down the Zoloft and start Remeron as I have never tried it. I have severe anxiety and depression. Due to each trial of anti-depressants I have gained 60 pounds. I have never weighed so much in my whole entire life. Sex drive is non-existent. I look in the mirror and wonder who this bloated, shell of a woman is and where the vibrant, confident, sensual woman of one year ago went. I don't know if I can stand to gain any more weight. The weight gain has only contributed to my depression even more. I know Remeron can cause a lot of weight gain as can Neurontin.
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> I am considering ending my relationship with my partner because I just want to isolate myself from everything. He tried to reassure me to stop worrying about the weight however,I can't stand to be around myself so I don't see how he can.
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> I have never been on the older type of depressants and I'm wondering if I should be considering them. I'm at the end of my very frayed rope. Please anyone, any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I'm not a pdoc, but my first reaction was that seems like an awful lot of medication to be taking every day. It seems like if it were really working well you wouldn't need to take that much. So it's probably good that your doc is thinking of other options to try.I too have been on a long list of antidepressants. I know that some people swear by a "cocktail" of meds but I think it's difficult to differentiate all the different side-effects when you are on more than one. I know nothing about neurontin so I don't feel I can comment about that. I was on Zoloft before switching to Remeron. Zoloft alone tended to significantly impair my memory and concentration. Remeron has not done that. Remeron has worked beautifully to quiet my anxiety. The down side -- I felt drugged and dizzy the first 3 to 4 days after starting it -- could NOT drive during this time. But that resolved and I don't feel that way at all on it anymore. I also gained 20 pounds but that has stabilized -- I have not gained any more. You will feel VERY hungry when you start Remeron. You'll feel like you're STARVING -- just remind yourself that you're NOT. Snack on fresh veggies and you'll be o.k.(no dip).
There's something else you need to know -- most people feel withdrawal symptoms when coming off of Zoloft. The slower you come off the easier it will be, but I think it's important that you know that up front. Try not to make any major decisions for a while.
I hope you find some relief soon.
Best of Luck
Lynda
poster:LyndaK
thread:1924
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020922/msgs/121471.html