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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by musky on March 29, 2006, at 0:18:15
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by pinkeetoz on March 28, 2006, at 16:38:54
>
hey pinkeei still dont understand why you dr. wants u to stay on the lexapro... the longer your body stays on it the more it changes it... like really try to get rid of the cause of the anxiety.. sounds to me like the lexapro only makes you worse for anxiety...
seems all these docs know is pills!!!!
try to talk to him/her about this issue.,
MuskyJules, I don't mind you asking. I'm taking the lexapro for depression and anxiety and the klonopin for anxiety as well. Although I think the klonopin may be causing more depression. Not able to tell if it's Remeron withdrawals are new side effects from the lexapro/klonopin combo. Upped my lexapro from 15mg to 20mg four days ago and the anxiety went way high. Would love to get off of this klonopin. Doc says that once I've been on lexapro for a while we'll start weaning, keep posting, glad to hear from you, pinkeetoz
Posted by musky on March 29, 2006, at 0:23:29
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates? » jules354, posted by johnnyj on March 28, 2006, at 21:11:52
>
Hang in there
yes, when I weaned my acupuncturist told me to ONLY go to the next dose when stable mood for a least 1month!
He said that it may take weeks, or even months( as it did in my case) to feel stable mood before i cut back..
hope this helps
i know what you mean by heavy headed, etc. I still get this foggy brain when i wean,, but the episodes are less often.. soo hard to work sometimes but i make myself as i think work is good thereapy in my casemusky
Thank you for the kind words. It was very needed today.
>
> It is so hard when you feel you are alone. I talk with my wife but sometimes if you haven't been on these types of meds it is hard to communicate what the problems are. I just want to be free of the numbness and be a good husband again.
>
> Yes, going down to 3.75 might make the depression worse. I really haven't stablized on the 7.5 mg. Today was terrible. I had to sit through presentations at a conference and it was brutal, but it may have been brutal without being on drugs ;) The heavy head stuff was very bad. I have started to get a heavy chest too. Kind of like anxiety but different. I know this is drug related. I do find some uplifting in my mood during the day and it is when the heavy head lessens some. When I feel down again the heaviness increases. Nausea too. Then followed by extreme hunger. I really need to wait about 3 weeks because I have something important but I don't know if I will be worse by then.
>
> I am glad you are med free. How long did the sleep problems persist after going off? Any anxiety?
>
> johnnyj
>
>
Posted by pinkeetoz on March 29, 2006, at 16:05:14
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by musky on March 29, 2006, at 0:23:29
I put a call in to my doc about the lexapro possibly causing more anxiety. It may be the cause of the itching too. Someone mentioned on another post that I should lessen whatever it is thats causing my anxiety. Well, I have three adhd kids!!!!!!!!!!!! Worry about them 24/7. I don't know how to not worry. It just consumes my every waking minute. They're always crying because they can't meet everyday tasks at school like other kids or they're being picked on, very sensitive children, very loving, but, very very sensitive. Finally, today I decided to enroll 2 at a Christian school where they will work at their own pace. I can't help but feel like my kids are being branded. Anyhow, thats why I've leaned so hard the med crutch. Please keep me in your prayers, having a really bad day, oh, and I think I will reduce the lexapro myself tommorrow morning if I have not heard anything from my doc. Thanks for letting me ramble, pinkeetoz
Posted by johnnyj on March 30, 2006, at 14:28:00
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates? » pinkeetoz, posted by johnnyj on March 28, 2006, at 21:21:17
I have been having terrible "sponge" head or heaviness that has actually made me more depressed and caused some anxiety. I took 200 mg of advil that last 2 nights and feel better. If my head hurts, everything else heads south. If you have this problem talk to your doc and see if advil can be used to help.
johnnyj
Posted by pinkeetoz on March 30, 2006, at 15:04:27
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by johnnyj on March 30, 2006, at 14:28:00
Two weeks ago today with no Remeron! Depression has not left, itching started probably about three or four days ago. As that when it started for you guys? About a week and a half into stopping? Trying to make sure it's not the Lexapro. I have taken Lexapro before and it didn't react this way. Still having a bit of anxiety from upping the Lexapro from 15mg to 20mg 6 days ago. Is this normal? Hope it slows down soon, hope you guys are doing ok., talk soon, pinkeetoz
Posted by jules354 on March 31, 2006, at 6:56:39
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates? » jules354, posted by johnnyj on March 28, 2006, at 21:11:52
Hey johnnyj,
it is very hard when you can't talk to anyone. my girlfriend has OCD and is very acquainted with meds and going off meds, but i'm in a new job and a new city where i don't yet feel comfortable telling people "sorry i can't go out for drinks after work but i went off my meds"...well, you can imagine how that sounds. :)
in answer to your question for the first 5 days i had just terrible sleep, then things gradually got better. for about 2 weeks i would wake up with my heart racing, but by the end of those 2 weeks it was only when i had to get up that i'd wake up at least. i still wake up with a bit of anxiety. it's been a little over a month. i've had some anxiety on and off during the day. oh and i took advil at night too-it helped. and i've had some periods of feeling almost manic, too.
how are you doing now? still heavy head?
take good care,
jules
Posted by jules354 on March 31, 2006, at 6:58:34
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by musky on March 28, 2006, at 23:44:47
thanks for the acupuncturist info - i'm gonna get me one of those. :)
god, it's hard to believe this could take a year.
-jules
Posted by jules354 on March 31, 2006, at 7:01:12
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by little mommy on March 28, 2006, at 14:02:00
like pinkeetoz, these are symptoms i also had. in my experience it does get better after about 1-2 weeks, hang in there and take good care of yourself, a little advil or nyquil (in moderation) can help too. -jules
Posted by SLS on March 31, 2006, at 9:11:55
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by jules354 on March 31, 2006, at 7:01:12
Hi folks.
I apologize that I can't read this entire thread. It is wonderfully long.
I'd like to get an idea of what are the withdrawal effects that the discontinuation of Remeron can produce. Can anyone provide a list of what they have experienced as the result of Remeron withdrawal?
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by yarn23 on March 31, 2006, at 9:54:05
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by pinkeetoz on March 30, 2006, at 15:04:27
The itching started about a week after going off for me, pinkeetoz.
I’m on my 23rd day without any Remeron. I do still itch. I was taking 2 to 3 Benadryl a day to control it, but now I only need 1 or 2 a day. So it is somewhat better.
The first two weeks off the med was the hardest for me. Sleep trouble, panic. After 23 days I can say I don't feel any worse than I did while on the med. In some ways better. I also have had very few suicide fantasies in the last couple weeks. Whereas, I used to have frequent ones that would last a while.
I still get anxious about a lot of things, I get upset easy-just very bad about dealing with stress. But so what? I’m OK.
I am still being cautious, but I’m quite sure now that I will not be going back on this (or any other) junk med.
Bye for now. Take care, yall. There is hope.
Posted by pinkeetoz on March 31, 2006, at 18:08:17
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by yarn23 on March 31, 2006, at 9:54:05
Hi all, noticed that when ever I waken (morning or from napping) I feel horribly panicky. The cloud of depression still looms. I was hoping that the Lexapro would have started to help by now (two weeks). I can't imagine staying like this. Please prayer for me, wish I had encouraging words for today, maybe tommorrow, pinkeetoz
Posted by pinkeetoz on March 31, 2006, at 18:42:24
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by pinkeetoz on March 31, 2006, at 18:08:17
I'm not sure if I've ever asked. What started you guys on Remeron? I have major depression and GAD. pinkeetoz
Posted by jules354 on March 31, 2006, at 22:09:59
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by pinkeetoz on March 31, 2006, at 18:08:17
pinkeetoz, hang in there. i'm sorry the panicky waking up is still so hard...i hope it gets better soon. i don't have any suggestions, but i'm thinking of you. jules
Posted by musky on April 1, 2006, at 17:18:03
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by SLS on March 31, 2006, at 9:11:55
>Sure scott Id be happy to provide some info on what my withdrawls have been so far:
Oh and I must add that these following symptoms were worse when I WASNT DOING ACUPUNCTURE and have been stabilized since.Here they are:
flu like symptoms(aching joints)usually happens within a few days after going to the next dosage, then subsides after about 1 week.
Headaches
nausea (agin starts within a few days after going tothe next dosage, then lasts for a couple of days)dizzyness
cloudy brain, derealization type feelings(lasts off and on during the whole time, but not as frequent now since being on the 2mg)itching(has started since going down to the lower doses)
mood swings, anxiety, depressed
tiredness
insomniaNow side effects that have DIMININISHED since I have been tapering are:
LESS vivid nightmares
LESS jerking(especially when trying to fall asleep)
LESS daytime agitation( although I am still bothered by it, especially the morning after I have taken my Remeron the night before).
WEIGHT LOSS (just by cutting back Remeron from 45mg to my current 2mg I have lost a total of 20lbs). Never had wt problem before... pre remeron wt was 107, post remeron wt = 145 lbs!!!
LESS frightining fantasies and daydreams ( again never ever had these thoughts in my life before Remeron).
Hope this helpsOh by the way.. why the survey??/ you a doc? or drug company person??
Musky
Hi folks.
>
> I apologize that I can't read this entire thread. It is wonderfully long.
>
> I'd like to get an idea of what are the withdrawal effects that the discontinuation of Remeron can produce. Can anyone provide a list of what they have experienced as the result of Remeron withdrawal?
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by musky on April 1, 2006, at 17:23:10
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by pinkeetoz on March 31, 2006, at 18:08:17
>Hey Pinkeetoz::
Keep hangin in... I really think that it may be the lexapro adding to this anxiety... try to cope other ways and wean off the lexapro slowly..Keep going...
I have had some depressed moods lately since being on just 2mg remeron and I think it can happen like this ...delayed reaction as body is trying to adjust w/o the higher dose or less remeron before... I just take acupuncture treatments when I need to , to lift my mood.Good luck
Musky
Hi all, noticed that when ever I waken (morning or from napping) I feel horribly panicky. The cloud of depression still looms. I was hoping that the Lexapro would have started to help by now (two weeks). I can't imagine staying like this. Please prayer for me, wish I had encouraging words for today, maybe tommorrow, pinkeetoz
Posted by musky on April 1, 2006, at 17:43:59
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by pinkeetoz on March 31, 2006, at 18:42:24
> Hey Pinkeetoz:
Ready for this?? my whole remeron story started when I had a stiff neck and was dizzy , unbalanced and ringing in the ears...
That led to a many tests looking for the cause .
The dr. started me on ativan, then vertigo meds, then serax, then he sent me to an ear specialist, which by this time I couldnt work and was so tired from not sleeping from the ringing in the ears so bad..
Needless to say the ear specialist found nothing wrong with the inner ear.. but yet prescribed amytriptylene at increasing doses to supposedly help with my neck muscles... ya right
this was my first experience with and antidepressant and it was not nice,, ALOT of jerking and then heart palpatations, and then feeling faint and out of breath..
Needless to say this med DID NOT stop the ringing or relax the neck,,
Meanwhile I had become severly anxious and depressed , which i find out later SERAX is very bad for this..
After suffering like this i ended up back to my family doc,, who of course, prescribed PAXIL , and told me i had a chemical imbalance.. ya right!! I was soooo drugged up.
48hrs after PAXIL i ended up in psyche ward with SEVERE agitation and such horrible thoughts going throught my head(wanting to get out of my body, and suicidal thoughts and strange fantasies, etc.). I really believed I was going INSANEThats where the Remeron comes in...when i ended up in emerge, a psychiatrist there pumped me chock full of ativan.. (probably to bring me down) and took me off the PAXIL.
Oh , forgot to mention I had weaned myself off the amytriptylene prior to the start of Paxil since the side effects were terrrible..ANyways,,, to summarize this
they said i had OCD which i never had this before
I have been an anxious type personality all my life and my anxiety hit the roof only AFTER all the meds.
I have NEVER BEEN DEPRESSED before ,, normal childhood, NEVER HAD sucidal thoughts before or fantasies etc.SO I believe that my problem started the day I took my first Pill!!
since then my neck problem had been finally helped after 3yrs .. by chiro, and deep tissue massage with active release.
the ringing in the ears was from muscle tension and jaw tension , which now is improved by my treatments .So I think I was totally misdiagnosed and treated like some one with a "disorder" or "imbalance" when ALL I WAS TRING TO DO WAS TO FIND OUT WHY I WAS DIZZY AND TO GET AT MY STIFF NECK!!
Sorry to ramble,,, there is all the details in between,,, but I needed to make a long story short..
This has been my experienceMy acupuncture says that all those drs were doing was putting bandaids on things and not healing my spirit , mind and body...
Its true Ijust hope all these meds havent permanently damaged me...
Im told probably not, but who knows,, I mean they cant get into your body and see every cell and its chemical reactions going on..but i have to stay positive
Acupuncture has helped me with my anxiety and also I did some cognitive thereapy with a great counsellor...just change the way you think
musky
I'm not sure if I've ever asked. What started you guys on Remeron? I have major depression and GAD. pinkeetoz
Posted by SLS on April 2, 2006, at 7:21:56
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by musky on April 1, 2006, at 17:18:03
Thanks, Musky
> Oh by the way.. why the survey??/ you a doc? or drug company person??Neither. Just a fellow soldier in the war against mental illness.
My main reason for asking is simply because I didn't know. Much has been written and published regarding the discontinuation withdrawal symptoms of SSRIs. Not enough attention has been paid to Remeron. Since I have not been on Remeron for an extended period of time, I have no direct experience with the drug.
- Scott
Posted by jules354 on April 2, 2006, at 13:08:27
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by pinkeetoz on March 31, 2006, at 18:42:24
for me it was major depression, and no other med worked after almost 2 yrs of trials.
pinkeetoz, how are you doing?
-jules
Posted by pinkeetoz on April 2, 2006, at 15:52:10
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates? » pinkeetoz, posted by jules354 on April 2, 2006, at 13:08:27
Thanks for the posts. Jules, what do you take now? Do you have anxiety as well as depression? Thanks, pinkeetoz
Posted by jules354 on April 2, 2006, at 18:18:20
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by pinkeetoz on April 2, 2006, at 15:52:10
I'm totally med-free now, and I don't have clinical anxiety, just some mild anxiety that accompanies my depression and the withdrawal from the Remeron. When I quit the Remeron I didn't start taking anything else. (my depression has gotten tons better in the last few yrs.)
-jules
Posted by johnnyj on April 2, 2006, at 22:11:09
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates? » johnnyj, posted by jules354 on March 31, 2006, at 6:56:39
The heavy head is not as bad since I am taking advil. The heavier my head, the worse I feel so I have some relief right now. Around the 21st of April I will lower my dose.
Since I am on 7.5 right now I am not sure what I will do. I am contemplating mixing the soltab in water and taking it that way. The pharmacist thought that was a good idea, but I called Organon and they were horrible on the phone. They didn't suggest breaking the soltabs or mixing them in water. Then, they said just do what the doctor says. They said they didn't know anything about how to withdrawal because in their drug studies people just quit cold turkey and there was no follow up.
Posted by johnnyj on April 2, 2006, at 22:13:17
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by yarn23 on March 31, 2006, at 9:54:05
Thank you for the update. It gives me hope that I just have to stay the course after my final dose (when the time comes).
Posted by johnnyj on April 2, 2006, at 22:14:48
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by pinkeetoz on March 31, 2006, at 18:42:24
For me, it was depression and anxiety and terrible insomnia. But, since I have cut my benzo I feel, and sleep better so I think that was a major cause of me not feeling well.
Posted by johnnyj on April 2, 2006, at 22:20:39
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by SLS on April 2, 2006, at 7:21:56
When I started remeron I had severe nausea, weird thoughts, terrible anxiety, but I finall SLEPT.
When I have lowered doses I get nausea, jerking when falling asleep, some anxiety, and I sleep much lighter and shorter. When I went off for a brief time I had HORRIBLE nausea, jerking, and kind of manic feeling. But, I felt better and much more alive.
I had to go on to sleep due to some life events. I will be weaning starting in a few weeks and hopefully off by end of summer or fall.
Posted by musky on April 2, 2006, at 22:59:50
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates? » jules354, posted by johnnyj on April 2, 2006, at 22:11:09
>
Glad you are managing johnnyAs for mixing the soltab in water, yes i have heard that..
I also read somehere on a site that you can do what they call the orange juice bit.. just dissolve the pill in orange juice(sweeter taste that way, lol) and only drink 9/10 of it.. then do this for a week or two.. then only drink 8/10 of it and so on... until you are done..
As for the drug company .. of course they would be horrible,,, they WANT you to stay on the drug and of course they would tell you to ask your dr. as they work together!!! Its all about money.
Sounds like the pharmacist is right on track with the disolving it..
and as for the drug company telling you that people go cold turkey,, they dont know for sure as they have never followed up on people and of course if you have withdrawls too severe then the dr. just puts you back ON IT and the terrible cycle begins again..keep us posted on your dissolving it trial
Musky
The heavy head is not as bad since I am taking advil. The heavier my head, the worse I feel so I have some relief right now. Around the 21st of April I will lower my dose.
>
> Since I am on 7.5 right now I am not sure what I will do. I am contemplating mixing the soltab in water and taking it that way. The pharmacist thought that was a good idea, but I called Organon and they were horrible on the phone. They didn't suggest breaking the soltabs or mixing them in water. Then, they said just do what the doctor says. They said they didn't know anything about how to withdrawal because in their drug studies people just quit cold turkey and there was no follow up.
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