![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 4 to 28 of 54. Go back in thread:
Posted by JrBecker on May 2, 2003, at 15:03:43
In reply to Re: Period for Remeron's benefits to kick-in? » jrbecker, posted by charlie12 on May 1, 2003, at 17:53:15
Charlie-
good luck with the remeron. I have taken it consistently twice for a little less than a year. I add it to a minute amount of Lexapro and the two seem to go together well. I have had no problems with it whatsoever with it "pooping-out," though I have had this experience with some of the SSRIs. Yes, I would agree with you in the belief that bipolars might be more prone to poop-out on this than a unipolar sufferer.
My dx is atypical depression, which, if you're familiar with it, is debated whether it belongs in the unipolar or bipolar family. Since you're asking, I think Remeron is a great drug for both unipolars and bipolar II (as long as they can get over the sedation). It causes very little agitation, unlike the SSRIs. And in terms of it being effective for refractory-depression, I think it rates higher than Serzone. It's been shown to have a faster onset than SSRIs and has an immediate alleviating effect on overstimulation of the HPA (excess stress hormone output). If anybody can handle the sedation and get past the first few months, I think it's one of the best modern class drugs on the market for treating depressive symptoms. There are many drugs in the pipeline right now that will act similarly to Remeron, and hopefully with less side effects. Like yourself, I am also very sensitive to most meds, but Remeron is fairly tolerable net net. Have I sold you yet??!!
Good luck [and be patient] with it.>>When you say "long run", may I ask how long you yourself have been using Remeron? I assume that you are still using it and that it is helping you, yes?
>>I have been reading here about Remeron "pooping out", but it also seems from the posts here that the ones who experience quick poop-out have more than just straight depression, ie, they have bipolar disorder, etc.
>>Again, if I may ask, are you using Remeron for just depression and/or other conditions, and are you using Remeron with or without any other medications?
Posted by charlie12 on May 4, 2003, at 11:50:25
In reply to Re: Period for Remeron's benefits to kick-in?, posted by JrBecker on May 2, 2003, at 15:03:43
Hi JB!
Today is Sunday, and I have completely stopped the Remeron. I will be discusssing all of the below with my pdoc on Monday, but I thought I might try to get your input as well!
The Remeron at 30mg/nite (always using SolTabs) has been producing some unpleasant side effects for myself beyond just mere sedation, which is why I totally stopped it for now.
To recap, my entire use of Remeron has been as follows: 2 nites at 15mg/nite, followed by 3 nites at 30mg/nite, then I stopped it entirely (ie, I had none at all last nite.)
Here are the Remeron side effects that I have already encountered: sedation yes, but also more than just a pleasant sedation, more like an unpleasant mental disorientation & spaceyness. I have also been eating a lot of junk food because of the Remeron and I have been feeling uncomfortably oversexed because of the Remeron. I have also experienced extremely vivid dreams because of the Remeron (but not nightmares) that seem to interfere with my having a good sleep, and there was also dry mouth upon my wakening in the morning.
My own sense is that I have had too much Remeron medication in too short a period of time, remembering that I am generally very sensitive to and have a poor tolerance of most AD meds. Perhaps in retrospect I should have stayed at 15mg/nite for at least a week or two just to adjust to the new Remeron medication, even though I was sedated at that level, but pleasantly so. The unpleasant mental disorientation & spaceyness and the other side effects that I have described here came with my use of the Remeron at the higher 30mg/nite dose, which again was what my pdoc had instructed me to do, ie, immediately raise it from 15 to 30 to overcome the sedation, which is the conventional wisdom for overcoming Remeron sedation.
JB, does this sound to you like I have just jumped into Remeron too much too soon? I will be asking my pdoc if I should try to restart the Remeron at just 15mg/nite for at least a week or two, but it is very important that the junk food cravings and the excessive sex drive and the mental disorientation and the vivid dreams eventually subside.
JB, does any of this sound familiar to you based on your own experience with Remeron? Did you yourself experience any bad side effects (beyond pleasant sedation) like I have described here that eventually subsided for yourself with time? Does Remeron really require several months of enduring the kind of unpleasant side effects (beyond pleasant sedation) that I have described here?
Your input is very much appreciated!
PS: I should also mention that I am withdrawing from Paxil, but my use of Paxil was at very low doses averaging 5mg/nite.
regards,
Charlie
Posted by LyndaK on May 5, 2003, at 2:44:22
In reply to Re: Period for Remeron's benefits to kick-in? » JrBecker, posted by charlie12 on May 4, 2003, at 11:50:25
Charlie,
I know you're waiting for an answer from JB, but I couldn't help but respond. My doctor STARTED me at 30mgs and WARNED me to wait until the weekend to start it. I was TOTALLY sedated, slept most of the day, felt weak, was so dizzy I couldn't drive -- there was nothing comfortable about the start-up side-effects I was experiencing. It scared me. I almost quit just like you did. I called my doctor; he encouraged me to stick with it, but let me decide whether to continue or not. I came to this message board and looked up other's experiences with this drug -- sounded like the side-effects I was having were typical -- so I DID stick it out. The WORST of it (dizzyness; sleepiness) resolved within several days -- 1 to 2 weeks tops. The hunger took longer to resolve and the higher doses (45 mg to 60 mg) seem to help with that. In all honesty, I gained 20 lbs. on this drug which have not budged (no worse, no better). But for the first time in nearly 10 years I was able to answer the question, "Are you depressed?" with a "No." -- A "NO"!!!!!!! I have my life back!!!! Now, I realize not everyone has had this experience with this drug, but it has made a WORLD of difference for me . . . and I would've never found out if I had quit. I'm currently taking 60 mgs. per day (at bedtime) and have been on it nearly a year now. It was at about the 10 month point that I realized my depression was in remission. I sleep well, my anxiety is well controlled, I'm not avoiding life anymore.
I understand you quitting, but I hope you'll consider giving it another try.
Lynda
Posted by jrbecker on May 5, 2003, at 10:14:24
In reply to Re: Period for Remeron's benefits to kick-in? » charlie12, posted by LyndaK on May 5, 2003, at 2:44:22
Charlie-
I think Lynda's answer pretty much resonates with my own. It is a tough go for the first couple of days, but then the sedation, intense REM sleep and "brain fog" continue to decrease gradually over the next few weeks. The first 2-3 days are the toughest but once you get through it, you're coasting. Like Lynda mentioned, there are still some problems at higher doses, but they are drastically reduced. You'll just have to get up there to see for yourself. And you'll have to trust us in saying it works -- really well. Hang in there.
JB
Posted by CharlieL on May 5, 2003, at 10:41:01
In reply to Re: Period for Remeron's benefits to kick-in? » charlie12, posted by LyndaK on May 5, 2003, at 2:44:22
Hi Lynda!
First of all, let me thank you for your detailed & thoughtful reply!
It really helps a lot!
What is so good about this forum is that you get to seriously dialogue with people who have actually "walked the walk"!
<< I understand you quitting, but I hope you'll consider giving it another try. >>
Actually Lynda, I am just taking a "brief breather" from the Remeron (for just a few days); I think I may have taken too much Remeron too soon, what with my jumping up to 30mg/nite on only my third day (but what my pdoc had advised me to do.)
My current plan is to get back on the Remeron at the low 15mg/nite dosage soon, and ride it out for a week or two just holding at that low dosage. I will be discussing this strategy later today with my pdoc.
Lynda, do you consider yourself to be a sensitive person to AD meds in general or not?
I am asking you this because I am VERY sensitive to & intolerant of most AD meds in general; that is why I think I may need to ease into the Remeron "gently" rather than by brute force, especially since I went from just 2 days at 15mg/nite then up to 30mg/nite; I then did the 30mg/nite for three nites, and then I stopped the Remeron entirely because it seemed really excessive, ie, I experienced not just sedation, but disorientation, spaceyness, funny head feelings, etc., As well as EXTREMELY vivid dreams (movie-like!) that seemed to be interfering with my sleep.
<< My doctor STARTED me at 30mgs and WARNED me to wait until the weekend to start it. I was TOTALLY sedated, slept most of the day, felt weak, was so dizzy I couldn't drive >>
<< The WORST of it (dizzyness; sleepiness) resolved within several days -- 1 to 2 weeks tops. >>
Lynda, do I understand you correctly that your start-up experience with Remeron was at 30mg every night and you did NOT stop it or drop the dose down at all, but just toughed it out at 30mg/nite and then the worst of it diminished for you after 1 to 2 weeks?
Also, were you using the Remeron mouth-dissolving SolTabs or just the regular swallow tabs? (I think that the SolTabs version of Remeron may deliver more net potency than the regular Tabs at the same rated mg dosage; I am using the SolTabs version.)
<< I'm currently taking 60 mgs. per day (at bedtime) and have been on it nearly a year now. >>
I do understand now that that is the general goal for Remeron users, to get to and then sustain the use of Remeron at those higher doses. Lynda, may I ask at what point in your Remeron usage did you raise from 30 to 45, and then from 45 to 60?
<< It was at about the 10 month point that I realized my depression was in remission. I sleep well, my anxiety is well controlled, I'm not avoiding life anymore. >>
That is fantastic! Congratulations!
I actually think that in just my 5 days on Remeron so far, I have noticed "a bit" of improvement in my depression, which is not impossible considering that Remeron has a much quicker efficacy onset than the SSRI's.
Lynda, I see that you mentioned anxiety; did you have any mild OCD-type anxiety as well? I do.
Also, are you only using just the Remeron for your depression & anxiety?
PS: Lynda, I apologize for asking you so many questions! please feel free to answer my questions one a time if you like, whenever you can.
Again, thanks so much!
regards,
Charlie
Posted by CharlieL on May 5, 2003, at 11:18:39
In reply to Re: Period for Remeron's benefits to kick-in?, posted by jrbecker on May 5, 2003, at 10:14:24
Hi JB, thanks for getting back to me -I think that you and Lynda have given me the "pep talk" that I needed to hang in there with the Remeron -
My whole questioning about the Remeron comes from my having been "clobbered" by other AD meds that I have tried without success to tolerate & sustain.
My choice now is either to restart the Remeron at 15mg/nite or at 30mg/nite; maybe my doing a full week at just 15mg/nite may be best for me to restart with; I will discuss that today with my pdoc.
Oh, BTW, were you using the Remeron "SolTabs", or the regular swallow tabs? My own pdoc seems to have a preference for the SolTabs, which I think are more potent, ie, the Remeron SolTabs deliver more net medication into the bloodstream than the regular swallow tabs do.
Thanks again!
Charlie
Posted by jrbecker on May 5, 2003, at 12:31:35
In reply to Re: Period for Remeron's benefits to kick-in? » jrbecker, posted by CharlieL on May 5, 2003, at 11:18:39
using Soltabs. By the way, I am highly sensitive to most meds too, mostly the SSRIs. Can only handle very very low doses. this is not the case with remeron though. my suggestion would be to go up to 30mg right away and stick it out. no need to acclimate by staying with 15mg for an adjustment period. what you want is the adrenergic effect to start to cancel out the antihistamine effect and you can only really start to have this balance at 30mg. Then, the more you go up, the more balance in favor of the noradrenergic effect begins. Also, the antihistamine effect levels off by 1) tolerance and adaption -- in other words, waiting it out; and 2) by saturation of the histamine receptors, so it won't be getting worse the more you go up after 30mg.
here's my own experience:
7.5mg: good for sleep, no problem with sedation at all.
15mg: good for sleep, mild sedation throughout the day. very little AD effect.
30mg: great for sleep, mild to moderate sedation. Good AD effect. Good for anxiety
45mg: mild sedation. Great AD effect.
This is purely subjective though. It could be that you find your optimal range at 30mg or maybe even higher 60mg. You can also experiement by cutting the 15mg tabs in half (with the aid of a sharp razor) and experiment with 37.5 mg or 52.5mg. Remember, the higher you go the more dopaminergic, noradrenergic and serotonergic activty increases, but it seems that the antihistamine effect levels out. see more for details...Behavioral and memory improving
effects of mirtazapinehttp://biopsychiatry.com/mirtazmem.html
Mirtazapine substitution in
SSRI-induced sexual dysfunctionhttp://biopsychiatry.com/mirtazvssris.html
Mirtazapine enhances frontocortical dopaminergic and corticolimbic adrenergic, but not serotonergic, transmission by blockade of alpha2-adrenergic and serotonin2C receptors: a comparison with citalopram [only SSRI that slightly mimics this effect is Fluoxetine]
http://biopsychiatry.com/mirtazrecep.html
Effects of mirtazapine on reducing cortisol secretion
http://biopsychiatry.com/mirtazremeron.htm
Higher levels of drug do not produce higher histamine interaction
Posted by Jack Smith on May 5, 2003, at 12:54:25
In reply to Re: Period for Remeron's benefits to kick-in?, posted by jrbecker on May 5, 2003, at 12:31:35
JR--
Are you on Remeron now? I am surprised to see that it worked for you because I would think it would be no good in atypical cases because of its sedative effects. I am really tired on effexor (150mg) but will move up to 225 to see if noradrenic (sp?) effect will start to wake me up.
By the way, Remeron is not a reuptake inhibitor correct? So, it is an agonist? What is the difference?
JACK
Posted by jack smith on May 5, 2003, at 16:46:19
In reply to Re: Period for Remeron's benefits to kick-in? » charlie12, posted by LyndaK on May 5, 2003, at 2:44:22
>Now, I realize not everyone has had this experience with this drug, but it has made a WORLD of difference for me . . . and I would've never found out if I had quit. I'm currently taking 60 mgs. per day (at bedtime) and have been on it nearly a year now.
Lynda,
What other drugs had you tried? What are your symptoms of depression like? Do you feel sedated on Remeron? Were you sedated on any prior AD's??
JACK
Posted by JrBecker on May 5, 2003, at 23:58:07
In reply to Remeron for Atypical Dep » jrbecker, posted by Jack Smith on May 5, 2003, at 12:54:25
Jack,
yes, the sedation certainly does not help my atypical symptoms, however, Remeron can be quite stimulating at higher doses. With every drug there are side effects, and the big sacrifice with remeron is the sedation and a slight propensity toward weight gain. But the more you get up there in dosage the more these two effects diminish to a very low level. Both side effects are matter of degrees subject to dosage levels as well as an individual's ability to tolerate as well as adapt to it. OK, with the bad side out of the way, it's a great antidepressant. I mean this drug works like no other modern class antidepressant I've been on. It's sort of a jack-all-trades med: it antagonizes 5HT2(a&c), 5HT3 and noradrenergic alpha-2 receptors. To answer your question, it is not a reuptake inhibitor but causes a cascade of increased activity at dopaminergic and noradrengic sites because of its antagonism at those receptors. Also, it indirectly decreases cortisol output from the HPA. And don't discount the possible role that the antihistamine effect probably has as an AD. So, it's one dirty drug! And it works well. Are the side effects manageable? Yes. Will I still try other drugs as they come out (e.g., Duloxetine) to see if it has a better efficacy to side effect ratio? Sure. But right now it's working and that's the best I can hope for before having to think about trying out an MAOI.
Should you try it? Only doing a trial yourself will let you know if you can tolerate it. But I would definitely give yourself a period of at least 1-2 weeks where you know you wont have too many responsibilities for a while b/c it will zonk you out at first.
Sorry to hear the Effexor is working so-so. It's a rough ride. Perhaps when duloxetine comes out this summer, you can find a better match with an SNRI.
JB
Posted by LyndaK on May 6, 2003, at 14:14:54
In reply to Re: Period for Remeron's benefits to kick-in? » LyndaK, posted by CharlieL on May 5, 2003, at 10:41:01
Hi Charlie,
Yes, you ask alot of questions, but that's GOOD.:-)
>
> Lynda, do you consider yourself to be a sensitive person to AD meds in general or not?I don't think that I am overly sensitive to medications in general, I usually take the typical dose. But I am very sensitive to changes in my body and how I feel -- I notice EVERY little difference. I realized early on that I wasn't going to find the perfect drug that treated my severe depression AND didn't have any side-effects. It's definitely a trade-off, and I (you) had to decide if it's a GOOD trade-off or not. The drug I was on before this was Zoloft -- it did a great job with my depression, but the trade-off is that it messed with my memory. During the time that I was suicidal, this was an acceptable trade-off, but once I wasn't suicidal anymore, it wasn't an acceptable trade-off, and that's when my Doc and I started searching for a different med. -- thus Remeron.
>
> Lynda, do I understand you correctly that your start-up experience with Remeron was at 30mg every night and you did NOT stop it or drop the dose down at all, but just toughed it out at 30mg/nite and then the worst of it diminished for you after 1 to 2 weeks?Yes.
>
> Also, were you using the Remeron mouth-dissolving SolTabs or just the regular swallow tabs? (I think that the SolTabs version of Remeron may deliver more net potency than the regular Tabs at the same rated mg dosage; I am using the SolTabs version.)I've always used the SolTabs.
>
> I do understand now that that is the general goal for Remeron users, to get to and then sustain the use of Remeron at those higher doses. Lynda, may I ask at what point in your Remeron usage did you raise from 30 to 45, and then from 45 to 60?I went up to 45 at about the 4 to 6 week point and then stayed there for roughly 4 to 6 months. My anxiety started to return so we bumped it up to 60 and I've been good there ever since.
>
> Lynda, I see that you mentioned anxiety; did you have any mild OCD-type anxiety as well? I do.No one's ever added OCD to my diagnosis, but I do sometimes obsessively worry. My anxiety is more of a social phobia type thing, though never severe enough to turn me into a hermit.
>
> Also, are you only using just the Remeron for your depression & anxiety?Yes. It's great to be on only one medication.
>
> Again, thanks so much!
>
You're very welcome.
I'll be looking to see how you're doing.Best Wishes,
Lynda
Posted by LyndaK on May 6, 2003, at 14:28:45
In reply to Remeron » LyndaK, posted by jack smith on May 5, 2003, at 16:46:19
> >Now, I realize not everyone has had this experience with this drug, but it has made a WORLD of difference for me . . . and I would've never found out if I had quit. I'm currently taking 60 mgs. per day (at bedtime) and have been on it nearly a year now.
>
> Lynda,
>
> What other drugs had you tried? What are your symptoms of depression like? Do you feel sedated on Remeron? Were you sedated on any prior AD's??I've tried most of the SSRI's and Wellbutrin. Never been on a tricyclic or MAOI. My SSRI-of-choice was Zoloft -- worked the best for the anxiety component of my depression. The bad thing about it is that it really messed with my memory; that's why I eventually went off. I have/had a typical unipolar depression with anxiety. Most of the AD's I've been on have sedated me which is why I take them at night before bed. Remeron is probably the most sedating, but it is less so at higher doses. It still helps me sleep at night yet I can get up in the morning without the aide of a bulldozer shoving me out of bed (which is how I felt when I was first on it)! Wellbutrin didn't sedate me, it made me TOO awake; I couldn't sleep at night. It also made me VERY irritable.
Hope this helps. Good luck with your search.
Lynda
Posted by earthmamma on May 8, 2003, at 15:57:21
In reply to Re: Remeron » jack smith, posted by LyndaK on May 6, 2003, at 14:28:45
Posted by earthmamma on May 8, 2003, at 16:26:08
In reply to New here, been on Remeron 2 weeks (nm), posted by earthmamma on May 8, 2003, at 15:57:21
Grrrr!! I didn't know what the "message" button was for and assumed it meant it wouldn't post the message above mine, but it errased my message instead!
I'm not typing all that out again, what a piss off!
Ok, short and sweet...
I'm concerned about weight gain on this drug. I've worked really hard to get back into shape after the birth of our 2nd daughter a year ago. I run every other day for 50 minutes, and lift weights 3-4 days a week. I'm worried that all the hard work I've done will be ruined. I make healthy food choices most of the time (we all need some junk here and there...) and make fat free jello and puddings instead of binging on cakes and cookies etc. But I've read that some of these meds can change the body's metabolism and so no matter what you do you gain weight. I didn't gain weight on Paxil, so I'm hoping this will be the same.
Also, (maybe this won't be short and sweet) I'm down to 2.5 MG Paxil, (my original dose was 20 MG for PPD with my main symptoms being panic attacks and constant anxiety) and will be on that for about 2 weeks, then off. I'm on 30 MG Remeron, and have been for about 2 weeks. Is this a dose that many people stay with, or will my doc most likely up it in a month or so? I noticed the sedation initially, and it was pretty severe, but it has decreased significantly, and almost doesn't effect me anymore.
Did anyone notice as a side effect that their hearing and eyesight was sensative? If so, how long did that last? I'm hoping that it will be better also once I'm off the Paxil. I was weaning off the Paxil for this reason (ears ringing, head tightness, loss of libido etc) when all my symptoms came back after I mistakenly missed one dose of 2.5 MG. I never levelled back out tho after going back up to 5 MG, then 10 MG, and so my doc put me on Remeron. What a change!! It only took for a few days before I noticed some relief from my anxiety.
Thanks for any advice, this seems like a great forum. I guess I DID end up typing almost all of it out again LOL!
Cheers,
Earthmamma
Posted by McPac on May 8, 2003, at 20:58:25
In reply to Re: Remeron » jack smith, posted by LyndaK on May 6, 2003, at 14:28:45
Want to try Remeron again. My first time on it, my doc raised my dose from 7.5mg to 45mg---in ONE jump!!! Wayyyyyy too much norepinephrine effect (adrenaline)---I got sooo jittery/nervous/ w/racing heartbeat...couldn't stand that effect. I want to try it again only raising the dose GRADUALLY in small increments...probably not even going as high as 45 mg. Anybody else get that jittery/nervous effect? If so, how did you deal w/ that? Thanks!!!
Posted by jrbecker on May 9, 2003, at 15:01:25
In reply to Re: Period for Remeron's benefits to kick-in? » jrbecker, posted by CharlieL on May 5, 2003, at 11:18:39
wasn't this the thread where duloxetine's availability was being discussed? The thread has been mysteriously altered.
anyways. I thought I'd add this link to a press release from Lilly, saying that Duloxetine is still on for fourth quarter approval (different from what I heard, which was August). At least it's still this year.
Posted by Dr. Bob on May 9, 2003, at 22:07:51
In reply to Re: Duloxetine availability » CharlieL, posted by jrbecker on May 9, 2003, at 15:01:25
> The thread has been mysteriously altered.
I don't remember if it was on this thread, but I deleted some posts from someone who was supposed to be blocked. And responses to those posts. Sorry for any confusion.
Bob
PS: Follow-ups to this should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration, thanks.
Posted by LyndaK on May 10, 2003, at 2:42:34
In reply to Remeron jitters/nervousness, posted by McPac on May 8, 2003, at 20:58:25
What you describe is totally opposite of what I experience on this med -- at any dose.
> Want to try Remeron again. My first time on it, my doc raised my dose from 7.5mg to 45mg---in ONE jump!!! Wayyyyyy too much norepinephrine effect (adrenaline)---I got sooo jittery/nervous/ w/racing heartbeat...couldn't stand that effect. I want to try it again only raising the dose GRADUALLY in small increments...probably not even going as high as 45 mg. Anybody else get that jittery/nervous effect? If so, how did you deal w/ that? Thanks!!!
Posted by Earthmamma on May 13, 2003, at 17:00:05
In reply to Period for Remeron's benefits to kick-in?, posted by charlie12 on May 1, 2003, at 14:39:58
I posted above, but no one answered. I have noticed an increase in my appetite, and it seems also, that my brain isn't telling me the same thing that my body is. We went for dinner on Mother's Day to a Thai food place, and they were having this fantastic buffet. Well I ate myself silly (Sunday is my "cheat day" for the week) and only stopped b/c my stomach literally HURT, but I still felt hungry!! I felt like I did when I was about 3 months pregnant, and had to put stretchy clothing on when we got home. It's like my brain isn't making the connection that I'm full, and I still feel hungry when I shouldn't be. I am concerned, since I am very active, and have worked really hard to get back into shape after having two children. The hunger really only hits me hard at night. In the day I seem to be ok. Is this an effect that eventually fades or do I have to deal with this the whole time I'm on remeron?? I've been on it almost a month. I make healthy food choices, and I don't eat white flour products, or much sugar. I rarely eat bread, but if I do it's always whole grain. But I've also read that some of these meds alter the body's metabolism. While I'd rather have a few extra pounds than have to deal with my severe anxiety and panic attacks (PPD related), I'm still worried about it. I have heard that some people gain 50+ lbs on this drug! I am only 5'1" and I can't "hide" extra weight.
Any advice on this??Cheers,
Kyah :)
Mamma to 2 ^Angelic^ girls
~Annika June~ June 30th, 1999
*Lorien Moss* April 15th, 2002"It is never too late to be what you might have been"
~George Eliot~
Posted by Earthmamma on May 13, 2003, at 18:17:07
In reply to Period for Remeron's benefits to kick-in?, posted by charlie12 on May 1, 2003, at 14:39:58
I posted above, but no one answered. I have noticed an increase in my appetite, and it seems also, that my brain isn't telling me the same thing that my body is. We went for dinner on Mother's Day to a Thai food place, and they were having this fantastic buffet. Well I ate myself silly (Sunday is my "cheat day" for the week) and only stopped b/c my stomach literally HURT, but I still felt hungry!! I felt like I did when I was about 3 months pregnant, and had to put stretchy clothing on when we got home. It's like my brain isn't making the connection that I'm full, and I still feel hungry when I shouldn't be. I am concerned, since I am very active, and have worked really hard to get back into shape after having two children. The hunger really only hits me hard at night. In the day I seem to be ok. Is this an effect that eventually fades or do I have to deal with this the whole time I'm on remeron?? I've been on it almost a month. I make healthy food choices, and I don't eat white flour products, or much sugar. I rarely eat bread, but if I do it's always whole grain. But I've also read that some of these meds alter the body's metabolism. While I'd rather have a few extra pounds than have to deal with my severe anxiety and panic attacks (PPD related), I'm still worried about it. I have heard that some people gain 50+ lbs on this drug! I am only 5'1" and I can't "hide" extra weight.
Any advice on this??Cheers,
Kyah :)
Mamma to 2 ^Angelic^ girls
~Annika June~ June 30th, 1999
*Lorien Moss* April 15th, 2002"It is never too late to be what you might have been"
~George Eliot~
Posted by LyndaK on May 14, 2003, at 1:19:20
In reply to Remeron and increased appetite?? HELP!, posted by Earthmamma on May 13, 2003, at 18:17:07
Actually, if you look at some of the other threads about Remeron, you'll see some of the information that you're looking for.
I've been on Remeron nearly a year now; up to 60 mgs. per day and holding -- doing quite well on it. BUT . . .increased hunger is definitely a side effect early on. Yes, you will feel like you are starving even though you just ate a banquet, I remember that. You're going to have to use your better judgement on food quantity instead of your sense of hunger for awhile. The increased hunger subsided with time and increase in dose.
That being said, I still gained 20 lbs. on this drug even though I don't overeat, I eat healthy most of the time, and I exercise. The 20 lbs. has remained stable -- no worse, no better. It is my opinion that my metabolism HAS changed. Not everyone on this message board agrees on that issue. Although I would prefer not to have the extra weight, this medication has helped me SO MUCH that I accept the trade-off. Being "well" for the first time in nearly 10 years is definitely worth 20 lbs.
Good luck to you.
Lynda
Posted by kashusha on May 14, 2003, at 9:06:39
In reply to Remeron and increased appetite?? HELP!, posted by Earthmamma on May 13, 2003, at 17:00:05
> But I've also read that some of these meds alter the body's metabolism. While I'd rather have a few extra pounds than have to deal with my severe anxiety and panic attacks (PPD related), I'm still worried about it. I have heard that some people gain 50+ lbs on this drug! I am only 5'1" and I can't "hide" extra weight.
> Any advice on this??
My husband was on Remeron for about a year. Up to that point, it was the only thing that helped his insomnia. HOWEVER, my alway-slim husband gained almost 30lbs. He went from a 32" waist to a 36. Exercise didn't help. the only thing that worked is going off Remeron. I hope you can find a comparable med that doesn't put a "rim-around" you. Good luck!
Kashusha
>
>
Posted by Earthmamma on May 14, 2003, at 23:14:42
In reply to Re: Remeron and increased appetite?? HELP! » Earthmamma, posted by kashusha on May 14, 2003, at 9:06:39
> > But I've also read that some of these meds alter the body's metabolism. While I'd rather have a few extra pounds than have to deal with my severe anxiety and panic attacks (PPD related), I'm still worried about it. I have heard that some people gain 50+ lbs on this drug! I am only 5'1" and I can't "hide" extra weight.
> > Any advice on this??
>
>
> My husband was on Remeron for about a year. Up to that point, it was the only thing that helped his insomnia. HOWEVER, my alway-slim husband gained almost 30lbs. He went from a 32" waist to a 36. Exercise didn't help. the only thing that worked is going off Remeron. I hope you can find a comparable med that doesn't put a "rim-around" you. Good luck!
> Kashusha
Did he eat more or the same? I've heard some people have this appetite problem, but that it goes away after a while (I know everyone is different so it's hard to compare). When did the weight gain occur? Was it initial, or something that was stretched out over the entire year he was on it? I'm hoping that I'll at least be able to mantain my weight. I run about 4-5 miles every other day, and lift weights 3-4. Hopefully everything will be ok. I've been on it now about a month and I haven't noticed and gain, just my hunger increased.
Thanks,
Cheers,
Kyah :)
Mamma to 2 ^Angelic^ girls
~Annika June~ June 30th, 1999
*Lorien Moss* April 15th, 2002"It is never too late to be what you might have been"
~George Eliot~
Posted by johnj on May 18, 2003, at 10:40:50
In reply to Re: Remeron for Atypical Dep, posted by JrBecker on May 5, 2003, at 23:58:07
Hi jrbecker,
I have followed your posts and you seem to have a great grasp of things. I have some questions for you and hope you have some time to answer.
I am unipolar with anxiety. I take TCA(nortryptline) 50 mg, lithium 600 mg for AD boost, and 15 to 18.5 mg of a benzo (tranzene). I have tried remeron over a year ago, but stopped since I was so spacey. However, the spaciness could have been due to excercise. I have had big problems with sleep disturbance when I excercise and think it has something to do with my meds(just a guess).Well, due to stresses at work and feelings that have popped up (meaning of life, purpose, etc.) I did not sleep much from last Tues, Wed, and Thurs. I took some bendryl (50 mg)on Thursday with little effect. I couldn't take it anymore so I popped 30 mg of remeron. Great sleep that night with some naseau, and of course sedation the next day. Last night I took 30 mg more and still have the sedation and weak feelings.
My question is this: Have you ever experienced a staring habit while on remeron? It is like my eyes can't focus or go out of focus. I don't have much brain fog and I have realized I need the sleep to function. I have found I recently need something to function as best I can, not something to get me closer to what I was before the depression/anxiety. I feel so dependent and powerless to get better at times. It is so hard accepting I have no control. If I could sleep well, I could handle things, but alas the very thing I need evades me.
Do you have any idea what receptor of remeron could be responsible for the staring? I hope this diminishes since I don't think I have any other choices right now. At least until cymbalta comes out. That is what I was waiting for, but I don't have the time.
Also, how do you think a TCA and remeron act? Do they cancel out portions if they both act on the same receptor? I would like to get off the TCA, but need to make sure I have something else lined up like cymbalta. Any help or hints would be appreciated. Thank you for your time.
johnj
Posted by McPac on May 18, 2003, at 12:42:55
In reply to Re: Remeron for Atypical Dep » JrBecker, posted by johnj on May 18, 2003, at 10:40:50
I'm taking 15 mg's of Remeron right now...jitters, increased heart beat....might this go away? how long? thanks!
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