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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by LyndaK on January 9, 2004, at 22:15:47
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain??, posted by Northerngal on January 8, 2004, at 14:50:10
Thanks for your post, Northerngal.
I take 60mg. of Remeron per day (nothing else) and I gained 20 lbs. that won't come off. What is Zantac and how does it help your metabolism?
It's interesting that you are on both Remeron and Effexor. I took Effexor before and lost so much weight I was worried about being too thin! Have you ever taken Effexor alone? If so, what effect did it have on your weight? I'm wondering if the weight-loss side-effect of one drug can counteract the weight-gain side-effect of another.
Lynda
> I have been on Remeron off and on (mostly on and currently at 75 mg/day with 225 mg of Effexor as well) for over two years and have had a horrible time with weight gain. I have always been skinny, skinny (5'3" 98-103 lbs.) but gained 40 lbs. in the first four months of taking Remeron, despite 20+ miles of running a week. Zantac has been a gift that has brought my body's metabolism back to some level of normalacy. I still have to watch what I eat and exercise a lot to maintain 130 lbs., but at least the weight gain is controllable and I'm not gaining 10 lbs. a month (and I'm alive!). The combination of Remeron and Effexor has been the magic bullet for my depression. If anyone wants to talk further about weight gain, please feel free to write me. I truly feel like an expert now!
Posted by northerngal on January 11, 2004, at 3:22:36
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain?? » Northerngal, posted by LyndaK on January 9, 2004, at 22:15:47
I read about the Zantac trick on this Board - a 2000 post, I think. One of the posts suggests Zantac merely reduces hunger, but I am convinced (for me, at least) that it affects my metabolism as well. To prove to myself that I was not experiencing the placebo effect, I stopped taking the Zantac for a few days (while keeping my eating and exercising the same) - I could feel the difference and I started to gain weight again. I told my p-doc about the Zantac and, although he had not heard of using it to counteract Remeron weight gain, said it chemically made sense. Something about the histimine receptors. Yes, I have been on Effexor alone and it 1) did not completely clear my depression and 2) gave me a crawling-out-of-my skin side effect. Regarding other medications counteracting weight gain, my p-doc put me on Topamax for a while. DON'T DO IT! It dramatically reduced my cognitive ability. My doctor admitted that at a conference the joke about Topamax was that it wasn't a chemical reaction that caused weight loss but the fact that once patients took it they couldn't figure out how to find the kitchen!
Posted by SandyWeb on January 11, 2004, at 8:02:55
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain??, posted by northerngal on January 11, 2004, at 3:22:36
I am interested in your use of Zantac to counter the weight gain from Remeron.
I see that both Zantac and Pepcid are H2 antagonists. I'm wondering how that relates to the weight issue.
What dose do you take? Does it control your appetite? Does it make you less hungry?
I'm always hungry on Remeron, and I'm beginning to grow out of all my clothes! Lol! I think Remeron is a wonderful medication....I just don't like the weight gain.
Thanks!!
Posted by metalflipflop on January 11, 2004, at 17:39:49
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain??, posted by SandyWeb on January 11, 2004, at 8:02:55
do you take the zantac at the same time as the remeron? for example, would it be the most effective, if i'm taking remeron at night for sleep, to pop a zantac at the same time? or does that matter, in everyone's experience?
thanks!
liz
Posted by sadmom on January 12, 2004, at 10:22:39
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain?? » Northerngal, posted by LyndaK on January 9, 2004, at 22:15:47
How does Zantac help control your weight? How much do you take. I just started gaining weight on Remeron, after my Strattera pooped-out. The Strattera had been suppressing my appetite.
Posted by justamom on January 12, 2004, at 18:20:34
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain??, posted by northerngal on January 11, 2004, at 3:22:36
My daughter has been suffering with Anxiety Disorder/Panic attacks for almost 14 yrs. After all sorts of therapy including acupuncture, she still has anxiety. Her pdoc has recommended Remeron SolTab 30, but she is afraid to take them after research and finding out that she may feel drowsy or dizzy. She is in fact terrified of these feelings, especially if things around her seem distorted and unreal. She now has second thoughts about taking the Remeron, but feels she cannot continue living with the anxiety. She can't travel long distances by car or plane, and we have not had a vacation since 1989. I'm not sure if I should encourage her to take the Remeron, or look for another alternative. Can anyone tell me if it was a help for anxiety/panic attacks? Thank you so much!
Posted by Jaynee on January 12, 2004, at 19:31:04
In reply to Re: Remeron - new user, posted by justamom on January 12, 2004, at 18:20:34
I've never taken Remeron, but I know how your daughter feels. I suffered for years without taking anything, I was absolutely freaked about taking any type of medication, my feeling was that I would feel worse on the drugs than off the drugs, which really wasn't possible. But I was terrified to take medications, I was also scarred the medication wouldn't work and I would be left with no choice but kill myself. I finally had a pdoc in emergency convince me to take an ativan while he sat on the side of the bed and talked to me after I had taken it, to reassure me and to make sure it worked, and my mom was there holding my hand. Needless to say, the ativan worked and I couldn't believe I was so frighten to take it. I've never looked back, and actually feel kind of stupid about it now, but it truly was terrifying for me.
She is going to need your support if she decides to be brave and take Remeron, but you know, you can show her what I've just said and I tell you life is to short to let crippling anxiety destroy it. It might take her a few times to find the right drug, but when she finds the one that works for her, she will wonder what the hell took her so long to get help and try medication.
Good luck.
Posted by 2001 on January 12, 2004, at 20:04:32
In reply to Re: Does anyone not gain weight on Remeron? » unsure, posted by Colin123 on September 16, 2003, at 13:50:32
I have not gained any weight and have not had the cravings. Not sure why I seem to be different. But coupled with a new low carb diet, I have lost a few pounds.
Remeron has helped greatly improving my sleep and lifting some anxiety/depression
Posted by LyndaK on January 13, 2004, at 2:45:36
In reply to Re: Remeron - new user, posted by justamom on January 12, 2004, at 18:20:34
Anxiety has been a big component of my depression, but I would say my anxiety was not at the level that your daughter's is. Remeron has been wonderful at controlling my anxiety, but the start-up side-effects can be very scarey. I started at 30mg also and for the first few days I slept alot and was very dizzy (did NOT drive). Although my pdoc warned me, it still scared me bad enough that I almost stopped taking it, but I'm glad now that I "stuck it out" because it has really given me a normal life back. I've been on it about 18 months now. Hope you can convince her to try it.
Lynda
Posted by justamom on January 13, 2004, at 11:26:04
In reply to Re: Remeron - new user » justamom, posted by LyndaK on January 13, 2004, at 2:45:36
> Anxiety has been a big component of my depression, but I would say my anxiety was not at the level that your daughter's is. Remeron has been wonderful at controlling my anxiety, but the start-up side-effects can be very scarey. I started at 30mg also and for the first few days I slept alot and was very dizzy (did NOT drive). Although my pdoc warned me, it still scared me bad enough that I almost stopped taking it, but I'm glad now that I "stuck it out" because it has really given me a normal life back. I've been on it about 18 months now. Hope you can convince her to try it.
>
> LyndaLynda,
Thank you so much for your reply. I appreciate your input and will speak to my daughter. Thank you again.
Posted by sadmom on January 13, 2004, at 14:10:36
In reply to Re: Remeron - new user, posted by justamom on January 13, 2004, at 11:26:04
I found an old posting on how much Zantac to take to control hunger. It said 150mg twice a day. I've been trying that and it hasn't helped the hunger, only the stomach acid.
Posted by Jeffrey on January 13, 2004, at 16:51:32
In reply to Re: Remeron - new user, posted by justamom on January 12, 2004, at 18:20:34
> My daughter has been suffering with Anxiety Disorder/Panic attacks for almost 14 yrs. After all sorts of therapy including acupuncture, she still has anxiety. Her pdoc has recommended Remeron SolTab 30, but she is afraid to take them after research and finding out that she may feel drowsy or dizzy. She is in fact terrified of these feelings, especially if things around her seem distorted and unreal. She now has second thoughts about taking the Remeron, but feels she cannot continue living with the anxiety. She can't travel long distances by car or plane, and we have not had a vacation since 1989. I'm not sure if I should encourage her to take the Remeron, or look for another alternative. Can anyone tell me if it was a help for anxiety/panic attacks? Thank you so much!
I am sympathhetic to your daughter as I have had anxiety and panic attacks. I have taken Remeron as well as other drugs like Zoloft, Effexor, Celexa and the benzos ie xanax and klonopin.I benefitted much more from each of the above drugs than I did from Remeron. I felt "out of it" and "spacy" on Remeron but it did provide me with very satisfying sleep and vivid dreams.
Everybody is different but let your daughter know there are many options other than Remeron that may help her. My prefernce would be to start with Lexapro or Celexa and combine it with a benzo until it proves effective.
Good luck and Best Wishes.
Posted by justamom on January 13, 2004, at 19:37:19
In reply to Re: Remeron - new user, posted by Jaynee on January 12, 2004, at 19:31:04
> I've never taken Remeron, but I know how your daughter feels. I suffered for years without taking anything, I was absolutely freaked about taking any type of medication, my feeling was that I would feel worse on the drugs than off the drugs, which really wasn't possible. But I was terrified to take medications, I was also scarred the medication wouldn't work and I would be left with no choice but kill myself. I finally had a pdoc in emergency convince me to take an ativan while he sat on the side of the bed and talked to me after I had taken it, to reassure me and to make sure it worked, and my mom was there holding my hand. Needless to say, the ativan worked and I couldn't believe I was so frighten to take it. I've never looked back, and actually feel kind of stupid about it now, but it truly was terrifying for me.
>
> She is going to need your support if she decides to be brave and take Remeron, but you know, you can show her what I've just said and I tell you life is to short to let crippling anxiety destroy it. It might take her a few times to find the right drug, but when she finds the one that works for her, she will wonder what the hell took her so long to get help and try medication.
>
> Good luck.This is to Jayne, Lynda & Jeffrey,
My mother informed me that she asked for advice regarding my anxiety disorder and the drug Remeron. I just wanted to say thank you for all the wonderful information and sharing your stories with me. It is so nice to know that there are individuals out there that are willing to take time out of their busy schedules for someone they never met. Thank you so much.Lynda, reading your response was very helpful and I am glad to hear that it is working for you. I was just wondering about how long it took, days or weeks, before the side effects began to disappear? Have you had anymore anxiety attacks since taking Remoron? This is hard to explain, but did you feel as if you were a normal person that never had an anxiety problem? Or are there still some lingering feelings of anxiety or fears?
My main problem dealing with daily life are the constant "what if" thoughts, and just worrying in general. I was just wondering if you had this same type of anxiety?
Thank you again, I really appreciate it!
Kim
Posted by LyndaK on January 14, 2004, at 2:58:03
In reply to Re: Remeron - new user, posted by justamom on January 13, 2004, at 19:37:19
Hi Kim. Glad to meet you.
The WORST of the start-up side-effects (feeling VERY sleepy and VERY dizzy) began to get better in 3 to 4 days. My doctor warned me, so I expected to be really "out of it" for a few days. I started it on a Friday night so I would have the weekend plus a day or two to get back on my feet again. I did NOT drive during that time. It then took several weeks and a gradual increase in dose for the daytime sleepiness to resolve (coffee helped, but I know coffee isn't a good mix with anxiety problems). Of course the other side-effect being mentioned here is . . . hunger and weight gain. This drug makes you hungry at first (watch your calories). With time and increased dose, my hunger eventually normalized again. I still gained 20 lbs. on this drug, but I have not continued to gain weight.
I still have periods of increased anxiety usually (appropriately) in response to stressful situations. I have not had any panic attacks for at least 9 months (probably longer). This drug helps me keep my anxiety down to a manageable level -- I am able to still think and problem-solve and still sleep at night. I can definitely identify with your description of "what if" and "worrying all the time" -- that was definitely me. To be realistic, those are still very strong "habits" that are easy to fall into, but at least the medication keeps me out of the "sheer panic" mode that clouds my thinking and prevents me from working through the problem(s). Therapy has helped too, but only after I got an effective medication working for me.
Hope I answered all your questions. Feel free to ask more.
Lynda
>
> Lynda, reading your response was very helpful and I am glad to hear that it is working for you. I was just wondering about how long it took, days or weeks, before the side effects began to disappear? Have you had anymore anxiety attacks since taking Remoron? This is hard to explain, but did you feel as if you were a normal person that never had an anxiety problem? Or are there still some lingering feelings of anxiety or fears?
> My main problem dealing with daily life are the constant "what if" thoughts, and just worrying in general. I was just wondering if you had this same type of anxiety?
> Thank you again, I really appreciate it!
> Kim
Posted by PoohBear on January 14, 2004, at 12:55:42
In reply to Re: Remeron - new user » justamom, posted by LyndaK on January 14, 2004, at 2:58:03
For what it's worth, my PDoc suggested that I start Remeron this last Friday after having a great deal of difficulty sleeping with Effexor plus Wellbutrin.
Similar to what Lynda described, she started me on a fast ramp-up, with 30mg Friday night, 45mg Saturday and Sunday nights, with 60mg following to minimize the side effects.
I haven't noticed that the Remeron has made it all that much easier to GO to sleep, though I have slept BETTER through much of the night and have been able to go BACK to sleep easier after getting up.
I haven't had the groginess and hung-over feeling that I had using Seroquel at night.
We've discontinued the Wellbutrin. I still take 75mg of Effexor XR in the morning. The two in combination seem to work well together. My depression is under control and I have little of no anxiety.
Good Luck!
TR
Posted by LyndaK on January 15, 2004, at 0:10:57
In reply to Re: Remeron - new user, posted by PoohBear on January 14, 2004, at 12:55:42
Wow! That WAS a fast ramp-up! Not sure I could've handled it quite that fast. I had a lot of the orthostatic hypotension (dizzy; feel like you're going to pass out when you stand up), so my doc had to take it a little slower with me.
Glad it's working for you. It really helps me a lot with sleep.
Lynda
> For what it's worth, my PDoc suggested that I start Remeron this last Friday after having a great deal of difficulty sleeping with Effexor plus Wellbutrin.
>
> Similar to what Lynda described, she started me on a fast ramp-up, with 30mg Friday night, 45mg Saturday and Sunday nights, with 60mg following to minimize the side effects.
>
> I haven't noticed that the Remeron has made it all that much easier to GO to sleep, though I have slept BETTER through much of the night and have been able to go BACK to sleep easier after getting up.
>
> I haven't had the groginess and hung-over feeling that I had using Seroquel at night.
>
> We've discontinued the Wellbutrin. I still take 75mg of Effexor XR in the morning. The two in combination seem to work well together. My depression is under control and I have little of no anxiety.
>
> Good Luck!
>
> TR
Posted by BLS on January 17, 2004, at 17:39:53
In reply to Re: Remeron - new user, posted by PoohBear on January 14, 2004, at 12:55:42
I've been using Remeron for 2 months and have had mostly positive effects so far. I take 30 mg before bed and haven't slept this good in 15 years!. I do have some wild/vivid dreams but I'd rather have that than not sleep at all. It also seems to be helping with my outlook on life and I occasionally get the quick humor I used to have. A few side effects:1) I have the munchies at night and in the afternoons, 2) I get mild headaches and have difficulties concetrating; mainly in the afternoons???, 3) I become very irritable maybe a bit paranoid at times and then it goes away just as suddenly as it came on. Anyone with these symptions? Should I incrase my dosage?
Thanks in advance,
BLS
Posted by SandyWeb on January 18, 2004, at 16:51:04
In reply to Re: Remeron - new user, posted by BLS on January 17, 2004, at 17:39:53
I've been on Remeron for one month, and I'm at 60mg now. I've had two side effects that are quite distracting for me, but since I really like how the med helps me emotionally, I'm willing to put up with them.
The first is exfoliating dermatitis. I get it on my face and neck, but it seems to be getting better now. I'm assuming that my body just needs to adjust to the norepinephrine.
The second is edema. My face is puffy, more so towards the end of the day. And my tummy is very puffy! I'm hoping this will resolve itself as my body adapts.
Otherwise, I really do like the Remeron. It helps with my anxiety, and just gives me a more positive feeling.
Posted by PoohBear on January 19, 2004, at 14:05:37
In reply to Re: Remeron - new user, posted by SandyWeb on January 18, 2004, at 16:51:04
I've been on Remeron for about 1 1/2 weeks now and can definitely say that the sleep is great but the weight gain is not, which is kinda sorta *DEPRESSING*, as I'm on maintainance with Weight Watchers after reaching goal and my weight has gone UP nearly 10 lbs in two weeks AAAARRRRGGG!
This week I'm trying to carefully watch my WW points: I don't want the medication to be a convenient excuse to eat more, etc. etc.
TR
Posted by thinkfast on January 20, 2004, at 8:33:05
In reply to Re: General Remeron Questions, posted by bonnie56j on September 17, 2003, at 14:28:42
Does Remeron give anyone muscle spasms, or is this some form of anxiety?
Posted by stay at home mom on January 20, 2004, at 10:26:25
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain??, posted by SandyWeb on January 11, 2004, at 8:02:55
Has anyone lost the weight they have gained on Remeron?
If so, any other tricks?
Posted by caroline on January 20, 2004, at 12:37:11
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain??, posted by stay at home mom on January 20, 2004, at 10:26:25
Hi,
I've been on remeron approx 4 years.
At first I gained a lot of weight due to a huge increase in my appetite. After 3 months I decided I had to do something about it, so I started power walking and eating a lot less (barely any fat/mainly carbs). I got over the constant hunger by filling my stomach with water the whole time. The weight came off, but took longer than I'd have expected (from previous diets) - maybe 6 months, or little more. The good news is that it has stayed off. I've easily maintained a UK size 6 dress size ever since, US size 2.
I don't know why this worked for me, but to everyone wanting to lose weight on remeron, don't assume you can't do it. You might not be able to, but you also might.
GOOD LUCK!
Best, Caroline
Posted by Flipsactown on January 20, 2004, at 18:04:07
In reply to Re: Remeron - new user » SandyWeb, posted by PoohBear on January 19, 2004, at 14:05:37
I have been on remeron for 5 months and I have gained at least 20 pounds, 20 pounds which I very much don't want or need as additional weight exacerbates my low back pain. I am tapering off remeron before I explode.
Flipsactown
Posted by Emme on January 20, 2004, at 18:20:41
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain??, posted by stay at home mom on January 20, 2004, at 10:05:13
> Has anyone lost the weight they have gained on Remeron?
> If so, any other tricks?Yes. it fell right off in a month. I didn't have to loose very much, so I guess the more you have to go, the longer it will probably take. But the loss was effortless. I didn't do anything special except eat more! I don't know if this will be the case for everyone - we're all different - but yes, it is possible to lose it.
Posted by Northerngal on January 20, 2004, at 22:15:45
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain??, posted by stay at home mom on January 20, 2004, at 10:05:13
I don't know if you are asking about losing weight while on Remeron or losing it after discontinuing Remeron. My experience has been that my metabolism went back to normal as soon as I discontinued the Remeron. The first time I took Remeron, I gained 40 pounds in about 6 months and, for this reason, discontinued taking it. (I hadn't been beyond 105 lbs. at 33 years old. Talk about a change in self image!) I lost all of the weight (and then some) very rapidly without changing my exercise and eating whatever I wanted (I ate more than when I was on Remeron). My second attempt at Remeron produced 40 pounds within 4 months. With a strict, medically-supervised diet of 800 calories a day, exercise, prescription diet pills and 150 mg. of Zantac per day, I was able to lose 15 pounds while still on Remeron. I have continued the Zantac and exercise, but could not maintain such low caloric intake. I still watch what I eat, but have gained back about half of the 15 pound loss. (I am on 75 mg. of Remeron a day.) Until this Remeron weight gain, my body has been almost impervious to all antidepressant side effects, so I guess I am lucky.
You may find the following article summary interesting:
ZANTAC REDUCES WEIGHT GAIN FROM ZYPREXA
This is an open-label study finding that the H1-blocker, ranitidine, reduced weight gain associated with olanzapine. There have been a number of similar reports, but so far no randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trials.The web address for the above is http://www.psychopharminfo.com/newsletter/Newsletter_20030804c.html#highlights and points to an abstract published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information.
FYI - Zyprexa (Olanzapine) is used for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar mania. Like Remeron, the prescribing information reads that Olanzapine is a potent antagonist of histamine (H1) receptors. From what I can gather (I am a CPA, not a scientist!) the histamine receptors play a role (directly or indirectly) in weight regulation. I was shocked at the level of Zantac (Ranitidine) needed to normalize weight gain in the study - 600 mg a day!!!
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