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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 355 to 379 of 479. Go back in thread:
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!!!
Posted by stay at home mom on January 21, 2004, at 0:26:36
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain??, posted by Northerngal on January 20, 2004, at 22:15:45
I can't beleive that Remeron has such a horrible side affect!
I have Zantac and will start taking it now to see what happens. I feel good on Remeron and have no sexual side effects (which is fabulous!) I just don't want to feel like a fat cow!
Lets all keep in touch and make weight gain a thing of the past. It will take a lot of work.
But we need to stick together on this and make it happen.
Feeling good mentally and being fat isn't what I'm looking
for.
Let's all help each other.
Love
Stay at home mom
P.S. I was just fitting into my skinny jeans!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by stay at home mom on January 21, 2004, at 0:35:44
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain??, posted by Northerngal on January 20, 2004, at 22:15:45
hey Doctor Bob, give us some adivise regarding weight gain.
Some of us don't like it.
What can you tell us? I know you have an opinon.
Can we get through it ? Or should we change to something else!?
I really want to know,
Stay at home mom
Posted by SandyWeb on January 21, 2004, at 7:10:06
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain??, posted by stay at home mom on January 21, 2004, at 0:35:44
Are you sure the weight gain isn't from edema? This can be a side effect from Remeron, and I am "lucky" enough to have it. Ugh. My belly seemed to change shape just over-night! Lol!
I've reduced back from 60mg to 15mg now, and I already don't feel as heavy. That extra water can really add on the poundage!
Good luck!
Posted by stay at home mom on January 21, 2004, at 9:44:44
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain??, posted by SandyWeb on January 21, 2004, at 7:10:06
It is my stomach! Your right , it could be water. I'll try taking B6 and see if that helps.
Thanks for the help!
Posted by PoohBear on January 21, 2004, at 9:59:11
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain??, posted by stay at home mom on January 21, 2004, at 9:44:44
I have been taking Remeron for two weeks now and have gained 10 pounds in that time period, eating about the same as before.
Despite the great sleep it's been giving me, no more Remeron for the next three nights to see if I can get my weight to drop.
I'm on maintainance at Weight Watchers and should be no more than 2 pounds plus or minus from my goal weight. This sudden gain has really hurt my self esteem and my self-talk has turned negative. If it weren't for the Effexor, I'd definitely be super depressed right now ;(
This really is a shame, as I have been greatly helped in the sleep department. I feel heavy and my new clothes are starting to get tight. If I can get the pounds back off, I may add a very small dose of the Remeron back in for sleep. I'm at 60mg per night now, and the higher doseage was SUPPOSED to counteract the weight-gain side effect. Oh well...
Yuk!
TR
Posted by LyndaK on January 21, 2004, at 11:23:17
In reply to Re: Remeron WEIGHT GAIN!!!, posted by PoohBear on January 21, 2004, at 9:59:11
I can tell you that a higher doseage does NOT counteract weight-gain. I've been at 60 mg. per day for over a year now and my weight has not dropped at all. The higher dose did seem to counteract the feeling of constant hunger, but I don't think the weight-gain is just a hunger thing; I think it's a metabolism thing.
. I'm at 60mg per night now, and the higher doseage was SUPPOSED to counteract the weight-gain side effect. Oh well...
>
> Yuk!
>
> TR
Posted by PoohBear on January 21, 2004, at 12:00:41
In reply to Re: Remeron WEIGHT GAIN!!!, posted by LyndaK on January 21, 2004, at 11:23:17
LyndaK:
Thanks for the input. I meet with my PDoc this afternoon for a meds review and I'm going to tell her that, unfortunately, I've absolutely GOT to drop the Remeron. I CANNOT take this added assault on my self-esteem, which was just beginning to recover at the end of the year with the Effexor.
Ahhhhh, 'tis a tangled, tangled web we weave...
Wish I had the money to go to the Amen Clinic to do some brain scans, but at $7K and insurance doesn't cover, not much chance. Taking the medication isn't the problem, and insurance covers most of the cost, it's just the feeling that I'm gropping around blind as far as my mind is concerned.
TR
Posted by stay at home mom on January 21, 2004, at 14:37:32
In reply to Re: Remeron WEIGHT GAIN!!! » LyndaK, posted by PoohBear on January 21, 2004, at 12:00:41
Pooh Bear, I've been on it for 2 weeks too. I'm interested to hear what your dr says today about the weight gain. My doc is out of town and I won't see her until the 27th.
I'm also on Effexor too. Just 37.5mgs now because it was giving me high blood pressure ( I take another med for that now too)
It's tough being on a roller coaster of meds. I've been riding this one since my 2nd child was born 10months ago.
I was just able to fit into my skinny girl jeans and now....
well, you know how that goes.
Stay at home Mom
Posted by PoohBear on January 21, 2004, at 15:24:57
In reply to Re: Remeron WEIGHT GAIN!!!, posted by stay at home mom on January 21, 2004, at 14:37:32
I'll let you know what she says...
It's really tough, having battled down over the course of a year from 260 to 200 and then, BAM!, 10 pounds in two weeks... I know part of it's old habits creeping up on me though. I can't honestly attest all of the gain to the Remeron, but I'm guessing at less 50-60% of it.
TR
Posted by LyndaK on January 26, 2004, at 2:28:03
In reply to Re: Remeron WEIGHT GAIN!!! » stay at home mom, posted by PoohBear on January 21, 2004, at 15:24:57
If it's any consolation, I've NEVER had weight problems until I took this drug.
Lynda
> I'll let you know what she says...
>
> It's really tough, having battled down over the course of a year from 260 to 200 and then, BAM!, 10 pounds in two weeks... I know part of it's old habits creeping up on me though. I can't honestly attest all of the gain to the Remeron, but I'm guessing at less 50-60% of it.
>
> TR
Posted by PoohBear on January 26, 2004, at 10:53:11
In reply to Re: Remeron WEIGHT GAIN!!! » PoohBear, posted by LyndaK on January 26, 2004, at 2:28:03
StayAtHomeMom and Lynda:
My PDpc was shocked that I'd gained so much weight. It ended up being 12 pounds by the time I saw her.
She pulled me off the Remeron and put me on Topomax. I've had just as good of sleep on the Topomax and it may help a little bit with the weight loss. It is also a mood stabilizer and good for bipolar, which it turns out I may also have in combo with depression and ADHD...
I'm grateful every day for these drugs and for the years of research that go into them. To me they're a miracle.
Tony
Posted by Northerngal on January 26, 2004, at 11:31:03
In reply to Re: Remeron WEIGHT GAIN!!! » LyndaK, posted by PoohBear on January 26, 2004, at 10:53:11
Why are they always so shocked? I know the insert says only 17% experience significant weight gain, but it seems like real-life experience has dramatically shown otherwise.
May I suggest a word of caution with the Topomax? Everyone is different, I know, but Topomax severely dulled my brain. (Cognitive dulling - you know it's bad when they have an official name for the side effect!) Read my post from a couple of weeks ago about how my doctor joked about it. Even on a "non-therapeutic dose" - my doctor used it to counteract weight gain - my brain had trouble grasping simple concepts and tasks to which I had once not given a second thought. It crept up on me, though, so I would suggest telling a close friend or family member to watch for any signs of cognitive dulling. Also, try to perform mental tasks (I was studying for the Graduate Management Admittance Test) that required your concentration before but were not overwhelming and determine if you feel a difference in your thought process. My regular doctor said she was not surprised that the effect was so dramatic because as an epilepsy medication it is designed, in layman's terms, to slow brain activity. I hope you don't take this suggestion as preachy; I just want other people to be aware of what I had to find out for myself.
Posted by PoohBear on January 26, 2004, at 12:01:43
In reply to Re: Remeron WEIGHT GAIN!!!, posted by Northerngal on January 26, 2004, at 11:31:03
> Why are they always so shocked? I know the insert says only 17% experience significant weight gain, but it seems like real-life experience has dramatically shown otherwise.
>
> May I suggest a word of caution with the Topomax? Everyone is different, I know, but Topomax severely dulled my brain. (Cognitive dulling - you know it's bad when they have an official name for the side effect!)>>Sorry to hear about your bad experience with Topomax. My PDoc did tell me to closely mointor side effects, in particular trouble formulating sentences, words out of sequence, etc., but so far, so good.
As for the Remeron, I never did see an insert, and knew nothing about weight gain until I read personal experiences on these boards.
It seems that these medications are definitely a two-edges sword: they cut both ways...
Tony
Posted by stay at home mom on January 26, 2004, at 14:57:27
In reply to Re: Remeron WEIGHT GAIN!!! » LyndaK, posted by PoohBear on January 26, 2004, at 10:53:11
I've gained about about the same. I see my pdoc tomorrow.
I don't like to even get on my own scale. I'll I know is that I can't button the jeans that I've worked so hard to fit into. It really seems to be around my stomach.
Does your new med have any sexual side effects?
Remeron has been great for me that way.
Stay at home mom
my poor husband I finally want sex and now I'm feeling fat!
I'll let you all know what my doc says tomorrow.
Posted by PoohBear on January 27, 2004, at 10:25:20
In reply to Re: Remeron WEIGHT GAIN!!!, posted by stay at home mom on January 26, 2004, at 14:57:27
> I've gained about about the same. I see my pdoc tomorrow.
> I don't like to even get on my own scale. I'll I know is that I can't button the jeans that I've worked so hard to fit into. It really seems to be around my stomach.
> Does your new med have any sexual side effects?
> Remeron has been great for me that way.
> Stay at home mom
> my poor husband I finally want sex and now I'm feeling fat!
> I'll let you all know what my doc says tomorrow.
>The Topamax doesn't seem to affect sexual function. I'm a guy, so it may do different things for gals.
The Effexor means soft erections and no climax so I take a small amount of Wellbutrin to counter the effects of the Effexor. It works well for me (no pun intended...) My wife had a hysterectomy for ovarian CA in Sept., and has been a little on the frigid side most of our marriage anyway, so a little less interest is a good thing on my end.
My titration schedule called for me to up my dose of Topamax to 50mg last night. Slept through the night. Very vivid, but not bad dreams. Me sleeping through the night without getting up two or three time to use the bathroom is a miracle.
Please don't worry about a few pounds. Your hubby won't mind the extra padding to play with :) If my my wife was in the mood I'd be thrilled, even if she is bald at the moment...
Take care,
Tony
Posted by LyndaK on January 29, 2004, at 1:11:40
In reply to Re: Remeron WEIGHT GAIN!!! » stay at home mom, posted by PoohBear on January 27, 2004, at 10:25:20
> > I've gained about about the same. I see my pdoc tomorrow.
> > I don't like to even get on my own scale. I'll I know is that I can't button the jeans that I've worked so hard to fit into. It really seems to be around my stomach.
> > Does your new med have any sexual side effects?
> > Remeron has been great for me that way.
> > Stay at home mom
> > my poor husband I finally want sex and now I'm feeling fat!
> > I'll let you all know what my doc says tomorrow.
> >
>
> The Topamax doesn't seem to affect sexual function. I'm a guy, so it may do different things for gals.
>
> The Effexor means soft erections and no climax so I take a small amount of Wellbutrin to counter the effects of the Effexor. It works well for me (no pun intended...) My wife had a hysterectomy for ovarian CA in Sept., and has been a little on the frigid side most of our marriage anyway, so a little less interest is a good thing on my end.
>
> My titration schedule called for me to up my dose of Topamax to 50mg last night. Slept through the night. Very vivid, but not bad dreams. Me sleeping through the night without getting up two or three time to use the bathroom is a miracle.
>
> Please don't worry about a few pounds. Your hubby won't mind the extra padding to play with :) If my my wife was in the mood I'd be thrilled, even if she is bald at the moment...
>
> Take care,
>
> TonyFirst of all, I can relate to what "stay-at-home-mom' is saying. Most of my weight went around my middle as well. I too am doing really well emotionally and am interested in some intimacy with my husband, but he is turned off by the fat around my middle. I'm not horribly obese, mind you, I'm 5'4" and 135 lbs, but I've always been slim and now I'm . . . not.
You have a really good attitude, Tony. So sorry to hear that you and your wife have had such major stress with the cancer and all. Best of luck to you as you sort out your meds.
Lynda
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