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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by j-lo on April 19, 2004, at 21:03:08
In reply to Re: Remeron » PoohBear, posted by j-lo on April 13, 2004, at 18:25:55
just to reiterate: remeron is an antagonist which fights/blocks histamine receptors. it increases norepinephrine in the brain which in turn increases heart rate and pressure, conversion of glycogen in glucose, and therefore increases the conversion of fats into fatty acids in adipose (fat) tissue. what this means to me is that the rate that the glucose is being converted is increased, which in turn means that your body would need to burn off the glycogen so many times faster than normal to keep up. so, because your body is using the glycogen so quickly and converting it before you can replenish...thus, the carbohydrate/sweet cravings...
Posted by ravenstorm on April 20, 2004, at 9:04:34
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by j-lo on April 19, 2004, at 21:03:08
two weeks in. Still no weight gain but my blood sugar is still being affected. It drops dramatically about two to three hours after I eat. At this rate I will have to eat about six small meals a day!
Posted by ravenstorm on April 20, 2004, at 20:43:33
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by ravenstorm on April 20, 2004, at 9:04:34
I've been on Remeron for about two weeks. I'm not seeing a bunch of improvement in anxiety...
Can it take four to six weeks for it to help?if you got help with anxiety< how long for you to see results?
thanks
Posted by j-lo on April 21, 2004, at 12:01:51
In reply to How long for Rem to help anxiety?, posted by ravenstorm on April 20, 2004, at 20:43:33
hi raven...
it was week three-four when the weight gain hit. and it hits very quickly and suddenly! i began to feel sluggish after that point...as far as treatment for anxiety? i actually found myself getting angry more often and had difficulty controlling my outbursts. i didn't notice any of my agitations/depression/anxiety improve over the seven weeks. i am almost finishing weaning off and this past week, i've not felt better than i do now in a long time. another friend of mine who is at the three week mark now, whom had previously said "well, if it works...what's the problem with gaining a bit of weight?", just called me yesterday to apologize. she told me that in a matter of days (the past three), she'd put on five pounds and was seriously concerned. it seems to gain around the middle/thighs and hip area, so it's very noticable. anyway, she also experienced some anger, though great sleeps. she has started to wean herself off...
i just don't know what to tell you. i'm disappointed in yet another ad...but this one was by far the worst (with the exception of those that decreased the ability to orgasm ;) today i actually went for a one hour walk with my dogs! and i'm thinking i may also mow the lawn...at least i have some motivation/energy now.
Posted by LyndaK on April 21, 2004, at 14:25:31
In reply to Re: How long for Rem to help anxiety?, posted by j-lo on April 21, 2004, at 12:01:51
In my opinion (I've been on Remeron for nearly 2 years now), this is a drug you HAVE to give some time to really know if it's going to work for you or not. The start-up side-effects are awful -- almost made me quit. The weight-gain is a real bummer. But it gave me my life back -- there's no denying that for me. It obviously isn't going to do that for everyone -- not everyone is the same. It turned out to be the right chemical whatever that my head needed to straighten out -- but I wouldn't have known that if I didn't give it plenty of time to work. I seem to remember being less inhibited at first too (getting angry and letting it show). I seem to remember a significant lessening of my anxiety within the first month or two, I really wasn't sure WHAT it was doing for me during the first couple of weeks, that just isn't enough time -- there's still alot of the start-up side-effects going on during that time.
Posted by ravenstorm on April 21, 2004, at 22:49:20
In reply to Re: How long for Rem to help anxiety?, posted by LyndaK on April 21, 2004, at 14:25:31
Thanks for the responses LyndaK and J-lo.
May I ask what dosages you are both on? (I'm sure it is in past posts--but you know how depression is--hard to concentrate on anything very long!)
I went to the pdoc today and he said I could either up my dosage to 30mg now (I've been on it almost two weeks) or wait another two to three weeks and see how the 15mg works out.
My day time energy is just fine on 15mg, but I do have extreme dry mouth (don't really care about that) and blood sugar problems (do care about this!)
He doesn't care what I do either way and really doesn't seem to be very knowledgeable about this drug.
Tomorrow I will try to read more old posts and decide what to do. I'm leaning towards just staying at 15mg for a full four to six weeks and then upping it to 30mg if I don't get good results. (But then I worry--what if the 30mgs is what I need and I "waste" those weeks waiting--ain't anxiety grand?!)
I am going to do my best to give the drug a good month or two to show me what it can do.
Any advice, input on remeron from veterans would be greatly appreciated.
J-Lo, I'm so sorry this hasn't worked for you. I know how frustrating it is. This is the third AD I've tried since December. Hang in there and thanks so much for posting.
Raven
Posted by ivy sperry on April 22, 2004, at 9:57:57
In reply to Re: How long for Rem to help anxiety?, posted by ravenstorm on April 21, 2004, at 22:49:20
I'm up to 60 mg, and have the lovely belly others are complaining of. pretty icky. recently added 10 mg of lexapro- anybody else tried this combination? Hate being on so many chemicals, but feeling a bit more energy. Anybody figured out how to lose the weight? I'm pretty active and don't know if I can keep taking it if this goes on...
Posted by Zena on April 22, 2004, at 10:11:49
In reply to Re: How long for Rem to help anxiety?, posted by ravenstorm on April 21, 2004, at 22:49:20
> Thanks for the responses LyndaK and J-lo.
>
> May I ask what dosages you are both on? (I'm sure it is in past posts--but you know how depression is--hard to concentrate on anything very long!)
>
> I went to the pdoc today and he said I could either up my dosage to 30mg now (I've been on it almost two weeks) or wait another two to three weeks and see how the 15mg works out.
>
> My day time energy is just fine on 15mg, but I do have extreme dry mouth (don't really care about that) and blood sugar problems (do care about this!)
>
> He doesn't care what I do either way and really doesn't seem to be very knowledgeable about this drug.
>
> Tomorrow I will try to read more old posts and decide what to do. I'm leaning towards just staying at 15mg for a full four to six weeks and then upping it to 30mg if I don't get good results. (But then I worry--what if the 30mgs is what I need and I "waste" those weeks waiting--ain't anxiety grand?!)
>
> I am going to do my best to give the drug a good month or two to show me what it can do.
>
> Any advice, input on remeron from veterans would be greatly appreciated.
>
> J-Lo, I'm so sorry this hasn't worked for you. I know how frustrating it is. This is the third AD I've tried since December. Hang in there and thanks so much for posting.
>
> RavenRaven,
I have been on 15mg. remeron for 2 yrs. I take it for anxiety & it worked pretty quick for me. But I also take 1 mg. klonopin a day with the remeron. I love it & have had very few side effects. The tire feeling does go away after your body gets used to it. My side effects were muscle weakness in my legs which seem to come & go & constipation. I tried 30mg. but my ankles & feet swelled & constipation was much worse. In Nov. the depression hit so the Dr. added lexapro to my mix & everything seems to be going fine now.I hope this information has helped you.
Zena
Posted by LyndaK on April 23, 2004, at 2:37:20
In reply to Re: How long for Rem to help anxiety?, posted by ravenstorm on April 21, 2004, at 22:49:20
I have been on 60 mgs. per day but recently moved down to 45 mgs. to see if I can get by on less now, or perhaps taper off altogether, but taking it slow and easy and seeing how I do. I needed to be at 60 mgs. to maintain the anxiety control; now I'm going to see if that's still true.
I think it's interesting what others have suggested about other meds in combination to increase the anxiety control. I didn't try that.
Good luck.
Lynda
Posted by ravenstorm on April 24, 2004, at 11:50:41
In reply to Re: How long for Rem to help anxiety?, posted by LyndaK on April 23, 2004, at 2:37:20
Thanks for the posts Lynda and Zena. Lynda it was good to hear that going up in dosage actually helped your anxiety, because I was under the mistaken impression that if I went higher it actually might make my anxiety worse.
I have two weeks in now and definitely have more day time energy am feeling less anxious in that I can go do more things in public now (but that may be bbecause I have more physical energy to get things done now!) but I still get the Physical signs of anxiety (like the explosions in my chest) that are not related to anything imparticular.
All of my mucous membranes are still really dried out and my hunger is through the roof but I just don't let myself eat when I'm hungry (but I don't know if I'm going to want to live like this indefinitely). In your experience, did your appetite lessen or increase as you went up in dose. Does dry mouth lessen when you go up?
Keep in touch about your titration downward. Hope all goes well for you. Did you notice any significant difference between 60mg and 45mg?
Raven
Posted by Zena on April 24, 2004, at 15:04:16
In reply to Re: How long for Rem to help anxiety?, posted by ravenstorm on April 24, 2004, at 11:50:41
> Thanks for the posts Lynda and Zena. Lynda it was good to hear that going up in dosage actually helped your anxiety, because I was under the mistaken impression that if I went higher it actually might make my anxiety worse.
>
> I have two weeks in now and definitely have more day time energy am feeling less anxious in that I can go do more things in public now (but that may be bbecause I have more physical energy to get things done now!) but I still get the Physical signs of anxiety (like the explosions in my chest) that are not related to anything imparticular.
>
> All of my mucous membranes are still really dried out and my hunger is through the roof but I just don't let myself eat when I'm hungry (but I don't know if I'm going to want to live like this indefinitely). In your experience, did your appetite lessen or increase as you went up in dose. Does dry mouth lessen when you go up?
>
> Keep in touch about your titration downward. Hope all goes well for you. Did you notice any significant difference between 60mg and 45mg?
>
> RavenRaven,
On remeron I had the hunger for several months so I chewed gum & drank lots of water. I haven't gained any weight. I was afraid when I added lex I would gain but so far I haven't. But I do have the belly-which I don't like.
Zena
Posted by ravenstorm on April 24, 2004, at 16:01:52
In reply to Re: How long for Rem to help anxiety?, posted by Zena on April 24, 2004, at 15:04:16
Yeah, the belly thing really sucks, doesn't it? My problem with the hunger is that I just don't feel more hungry, my blood sugar actually drops, so I feel really weak and dizzy and have to eat to feel better. Trying to eat healthy thing, though! Makes me feel better that it passed for you after a few months. Hope it does for me too, cause I don't think I could handle it long term.
I've actually heard of lexapro being fairly weight neutral, or people even losing weight on it (without trying). Good Luck!
Will decide in a couple of weeks whether to try 30mg or not. If I knew it would decrease the hunger I would do it tomorrow! Still no weight gain, but having to fight it hard (ie, I'm hungry almost all the time)
Posted by Sad Panda on April 25, 2004, at 1:07:54
In reply to Re: How long for Rem to help anxiety?, posted by ravenstorm on April 24, 2004, at 11:50:41
> Thanks for the posts Lynda and Zena. Lynda it was good to hear that going up in dosage actually helped your anxiety, because I was under the mistaken impression that if I went higher it actually might make my anxiety worse.
>
> I have two weeks in now and definitely have more day time energy am feeling less anxious in that I can go do more things in public now (but that may be bbecause I have more physical energy to get things done now!) but I still get the Physical signs of anxiety (like the explosions in my chest) that are not related to anything imparticular.
>
> All of my mucous membranes are still really dried out and my hunger is through the roof but I just don't let myself eat when I'm hungry (but I don't know if I'm going to want to live like this indefinitely). In your experience, did your appetite lessen or increase as you went up in dose. Does dry mouth lessen when you go up?
>
> Keep in touch about your titration downward. Hope all goes well for you. Did you notice any significant difference between 60mg and 45mg?
>
> Raven
>Hi Raven,
I would consider trying an SSRI again added to your Remeron as it counters SSRI's side effects brilliantly(Insomnia, Anorgasmia & Nausea). Lexapro seems like it is worth a try.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by LyndaK on April 25, 2004, at 3:10:41
In reply to Re: How long for Rem to help anxiety?, posted by ravenstorm on April 24, 2004, at 11:50:41
> Thanks for the posts Lynda and Zena. Lynda it was good to hear that going up in dosage actually helped your anxiety, because I was under the mistaken impression that if I went higher it actually might make my anxiety worse.
I have to tell you that some people DID get worse anxiety at higher doses, but that is not how it worked for me.
>
> I have two weeks in now and definitely have more day time energy am feeling less anxious in that I can go do more things in public nowI would take that as a sign that it probably IS helping your anxiety. One of the things that happened for me was, at my job, when I went to a meeting that ususally made me really nervous, not feeling very nervous at all, but being able to speak very clearly and calmly. I walked out of the meeting going "WOW!" That's when I was sold. But I probably had that experience 6 to 8 weeks into it.
< (but that may be bbecause I have more physical energy to get things done now!) but I still get the Physical signs of anxiety (like the explosions in my chest) that are not related to anything imparticular.
Stick with it a little longer and see if that gets better.
>
> All of my mucous membranes are still really dried out and my hunger is through the roof but I just don't let myself eat when I'm hungry (but I don't know if I'm going to want to live like this indefinitely). In your experience, did your appetite lessen or increase as you went up in dose. Does dry mouth lessen when you go up?I honestly don't remember having a dry mouth, though I may have and just don't remember now. I can tell you it definitely didn't stay that way. SSRI's gave me a worse dry mouth than this does. I remember the intense hunger -- just awful! Felt like I was literally STARVING even though I wasn't -- no matter how much I ate it never fully quenched the hunger. That definitely went away too, but I don't know if it was increased dose that did it or just length of time on the med. I seem to remember low-fat yogurt as something that worked well for those ravenous times in between meals.
>
> Keep in touch about your titration downward. Hope all goes well for you. Did you notice any significant difference between 60mg and 45mg?Thankyou. I seem to be a little more emotional, but not depressed. I had some increased fatigue, but that seems to be leveling off again. No significant increase in anxiety so far.
Hang in there.
Lynda
Posted by ravenstorm on April 25, 2004, at 9:41:01
In reply to Re: How long for Rem to help anxiety? » ravenstorm, posted by LyndaK on April 25, 2004, at 3:10:41
Thanks again everybody.
My "gut" tells me just to hang in at this dosage for another couple of weeks and see what happens.
I'm pretty sure the dry mouth,nose etc is from the histamine effect, so if it doesn't get better after four to six weeks I'll try upping to 30mg.
Not ready to add an SSRI again at this point, but it is a good suggestion for down the road if I'm still having problems.
Basically, I think its time to sit tight and see what happens. I am seeing some improvement already, so it is enough to keep me hanging in there.
Yes, Lynda, I feel like I am starving!! Never feel full. But no weight gain yet (but feel like I'm starving myself, even though I absolutely am not!!)
Again, all the posts from you "remeron veterans" are incredibly helpful.
Sad Panda--read a post somewhere from you that absolutely cracked me up--how you can have any mood stabilizer you want (because you live in Australia) as long as it is lithium.
Posted by j-lo on April 26, 2004, at 12:23:10
In reply to Re: How long for Rem to help anxiety?, posted by ravenstorm on April 25, 2004, at 9:41:01
hi all,
it probably seems like i'm "remeron bashing". it just didn't do anything for me. if it's working for you, that's great! i just couldn't stand the weight gain in the belly (15 lbs. around the middle:( in total...) but it's slowly coming off now and i feel so much more energetic now. i was feeling very sluggish...
lexapro was banned here in canada because it was found to have some detrimental effects to the liver...(sorry, not trying to "lexapro bash" :) , so i am curious why it's still available elsewhere in the world. anyway, good luck with it.
my doc is thinking of giving me a very small dose of a mood stabilizer...not lithium though. i'd be too scared to take that. my main concern is losing physical energy...especially now that it's close to summer. for now though, i'm just waiting for a bit to stabilize so that we know what to do next, if anything.
Posted by Chick on May 12, 2004, at 14:11:54
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain??, posted by northerngal on January 11, 2004, at 3:22:36
I just recently started taking Remeron for anxiety and insomnia. For those who keep talking about the weight problem and taking Zantac. Do you take the Zantac at the same time you take the Remeron or just anytime. Is it over the counter or do you have to have a prescription and how much Zantac do you take?
Posted by ravenstorm on May 13, 2004, at 10:25:09
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain??, posted by Chick on May 12, 2004, at 14:11:54
I would also like to know about zantac.
Posted by cubic_me on June 9, 2004, at 7:47:04
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain??, posted by Chick on May 12, 2004, at 14:11:54
I've read quite a few of the posts on this thread and the info has been really helpful. I usually go on the psycho/social boards but I started taking Remeron 6 weeks ago. I've gained 20 pounds and I'm normally pretty slim. I hate it. I can only get into two pairs of trousers and 3 bras that I own and the 'belly roll' I've developed got me so worried I took a pregnancy test! (it was negative!) I go to the gym and do hard excercise 3 times a week, go jogging and eat healthily but I'm still gaining weight. The only thing that remeron has done for me so far is make me even more sleepy - I sleep 11-12 hours a day, and feel like I'm in a little world of my own. I had to cancel my last pdoc appt and can't get another one for 3 months as I'm going away.
I'm going to come off remeron over the next few days - any suggestions (I'm on 30mg)? Also have you got any tips to how to get the weight off after remeron?
Thanks, cubic
Posted by marfaith on June 9, 2004, at 10:42:36
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain??, posted by cubic_me on June 9, 2004, at 7:47:04
> I've read quite a few of the posts on this thread and the info has been really helpful. I usually go on the psycho/social boards but I started taking Remeron 6 weeks ago. I've gained 20 pounds and I'm normally pretty slim. I hate it. I can only get into two pairs of trousers and 3 bras that I own and the 'belly roll' I've developed got me so worried I took a pregnancy test! (it was negative!) I go to the gym and do hard excercise 3 times a week, go jogging and eat healthily but I'm still gaining weight. The only thing that remeron has done for me so far is make me even more sleepy - I sleep 11-12 hours a day, and feel like I'm in a little world of my own. I had to cancel my last pdoc appt and can't get another one for 3 months as I'm going away.
>
> I'm going to come off remeron over the next few days - any suggestions (I'm on 30mg)? Also have you got any tips to how to get the weight off after remeron?
>
> Thanks, cubicHi. I was on Remeron last fall into winter. I have never had a weight problem in my life, if anything I needed to gain. I gained 33 lbs. When I quit, I lost eight lbs in the first week. I have now lost a total of 23 lbs and have not done a thing to lose it. It just dropped off. And I don't mind the ten lbs that I have kept. I think I look better with it on. My brother gained 40 lbs on it and when he quit the weight dropped off him also. Hope this helps you.
Good luck,
Mary
Posted by ravenstorm on June 9, 2004, at 11:11:54
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain??, posted by marfaith on June 9, 2004, at 10:42:36
Please keep us posted as to how the titration down goes for you. Are you going to try another AD? Good Luck!
Posted by cubic_me on June 10, 2004, at 4:04:22
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain??, posted by ravenstorm on June 9, 2004, at 11:11:54
I've been on effexor (150-225mg) for about a year now, remeron was an addition to it, so I'm going to stay on the effexor until I can get another pdoc appt.
So far the titration down is going ok. I feel a bit like I'm swimming in my head, but that's all (I went from 30 to 15mg), I'll keep you posted on how its going.
Posted by cubic_me on June 10, 2004, at 4:05:31
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain??, posted by marfaith on June 9, 2004, at 10:42:36
Thankyou for those encouraging words, I'm so glad it went well for you. I'll keep you updated on my progress.
Posted by joslynn on June 10, 2004, at 14:30:30
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain?? » marfaith, posted by cubic_me on June 10, 2004, at 4:05:31
I gained about 7 lbs on it to and then it came off naturally after I went off of it. I didn't have to do anything special to lose it. So you probably don't have to do any extra exercise/dieting when you go off it, just do your usual routine and just give it time.
But with anything, you should probably go off of it gradually.
Posted by ravenstorm on June 10, 2004, at 18:10:19
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain??, posted by joslynn on June 10, 2004, at 14:30:30
Joslyn-how long were you on it? Did you have any withdrawal symptoms going off?
Thanks
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