Posted by Ritch on September 29, 2002, at 9:52:41
In reply to Re: Zoloft +Neurontin to Remeron+Neurontin-HELP!!, posted by Justherself on September 28, 2002, at 22:22:58
> > > 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.
> > >
> > > 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.
> > >
> > > 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.
> >
> > What's your diagnosis?? That's very important.
> >
> >
>
> depression and anxiety. I have been treated for this for 20 years. I have had long periods of times where I have not had to be on medication, however, this has been the longest and most devastating episode.
>
Well, if the Neurontin is making you super forgetful, you could see about getting the dose reduced. 800mg a pop sure is a whopper for Neurontin. See if your pdoc will drop the individual doses to 400mg. I couldn't stand more than 400mg 3x daily, or I would just stare at my computer screen at work for minutes at a time wondering what to do. It isn't nowhere near as notorious for weight gain as Remeron, so maybe it could be a keeper (but at a lower dosage). Will your doctor write for a benzodiazepine like Xanax, Ativan, or Klonopin? Cheap and effective without a lot of the sfx you don't want. Have you heard of Topamax? It is used (off-label) for PTSD, and can be quite good at calming agitation, and tends to cause weight loss for most people. What "flavor" of anxiety tends to dominate? Is it obsessiveness, worry, panic, agoraphobic stuff? Lamictal is another med you might talk to your doc about. It is commonly used for bipolar (like Topamax), and I think they are trying to get approval by the FDA for bipolar depression. I know you didn't say you were bipolar, but lots of anxiety mixed with the depression that cycles over years coupled with treatment resistance to antidepressants sounds suggestive of it.
poster:Ritch
thread:1924
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020922/msgs/121496.html