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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by SalArmy4me on January 18, 2001, at 10:54:10
In reply to Re: Does anyone not gain weight on Remeron?, posted by JoeW on January 16, 2001, at 8:31:56
I don't have weight gain on Remeron. I did on MAOIs.
Posted by Greg A. on January 26, 2001, at 13:43:22
In reply to Re: Remeron vs. Trazadone, posted by Jackie on March 27, 2000, at 17:19:21
I'm currently taking 45 mg Remeron for depression and anxiety. My doc introduced this on top of the 40 mg Prozac and 300 mg Wellbutrin I was on previously. (The latter two drugs were definitely pooping out) I experienced immediate relief from much of my anxiety and now, three months later I can say that there is significant improvement in my mood. As with other patients, the initial dose of Remeron made me feel out of it the next day and I had difficulty getting going. This has largely disappeared with the higher dosage. I have gained 25 pounds which in part results from increased appetite, but having been treatment resistant for much of the past ten years, I regard this as a small price to pay. My doc says to start reducing the Wellbutrin and Prozac but I am reluctant to tamper with a good thing. I am also wondering about a higher dose of Remeron to increase the good results.
Remeron is currently not 'licensed' for use in Canada, but is available under special permit through your doc. Because of the few patients on it here, I have found the info on this site very valuable. Thanks to everyone for answering a lot of questions for me.
Posted by Jill on January 29, 2001, at 17:41:30
In reply to Re: Remeron - Higher Dosage?, posted by Greg A. on January 26, 2001, at 13:43:22
Hi...I just saw my pdoc and told him about the weight gain problem. He recommended taking Zantac with the Remeron. Have many others found that helps to reduce hunger? Also, my dentist says I've been grinding my teeth quite a bit. I guess, unfortunately, that's a common side effect of antidepressants. My pdoc recommended trying Busbar (antianxiety med, I think). He says it really helps with that side effect. However, I think I may have had head aches when I tried that med a long time ago. Could anyone share their experiences with Remeron +Zantac and/or Remeron +Busbar? Thanks a lot.
Posted by Bill L on January 30, 2001, at 7:38:31
In reply to Re: Remeron Weight Gain/Zantac/Teeth, posted by Jill on January 29, 2001, at 17:41:30
A Reuters article from 1/21/01 reports that Buspar relieves the symptoms of teeth grinding and headaches caused by SSRI's. This is according to Dr. John Bostwick of the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Their findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 1999;60:857-860.
Although Remeron is not an SSRI, I'm sure the principal is the same. It's believed that Buspar controls dopamine.
> Hi...I just saw my pdoc and told him about the weight gain problem. He recommended taking Zantac with the Remeron. Have many others found that helps to reduce hunger? Also, my dentist says I've been grinding my teeth quite a bit. I guess, unfortunately, that's a common side effect of antidepressants. My pdoc recommended trying Busbar (antianxiety med, I think). He says it really helps with that side effect. However, I think I may have had head aches when I tried that med a long time ago. Could anyone share their experiences with Remeron +Zantac and/or Remeron +Busbar? Thanks a lot.
Posted by ART on March 1, 2001, at 22:33:40
In reply to General Remeron Questions, posted by steve on December 31, 1998, at 2:08:58
I have severe deppression. Im already extremely over weight(5'2'' -246 lbs), struggling with that for over 10 years now. I've tried Prozac and Extendryl, the first worked okay for a while but the second made me extremely worse. The doc said this is the last try, Is it worth it ? I also already have a major sleeping problem, want to sleep all the time. Also aready with very bad realistic nightmares in which I canot wake myself. Any advise from anyone similar to me. I'm 33 yr old, female.
Posted by mmatur on March 2, 2001, at 11:04:15
In reply to Re: General Remeron Questions-Should I start This?, posted by ART on March 1, 2001, at 22:33:40
My advice for you would be to not take remeron. The weight gain is hard to control, and the drug makes you very tired during the day. But if this is your last hope than I will say that remeron does work. I wish you the best.
Posted by allisonm on March 2, 2001, at 20:35:24
In reply to Re: General Remeron Questions-Should I start This?, posted by ART on March 1, 2001, at 22:33:40
If you've only been on two ADs over the last 10 years, I would ask your pdoc why Remeron is the last chance. There are a lot of different ADs out there -- Effexor, Wellbutrin, Celexa, as well as the older ones. If Remeron is only the third, I don't think your pdoc is trying hard enough.
I was on Remeron for more than two years and it helped me. Unlike you, I have insomnia and welcomed the sleep at night. However the AD effect was not enough.
Good luck.
Posted by jimmygold70 on March 2, 2001, at 20:56:29
In reply to General Remeron Questions, posted by steve on December 31, 1998, at 2:08:58
It is sedating. Weight gain is promenient, unbearable to some people. I would suugest you to try Effexor insted, unstead you are suffering from either insomnia, nervousness or severe anxiety.
> Can anybody tell me of their experience on Remeron? Specificly, is it really as sedating as many say it is? What about weight gain? Thanks.
Posted by ART on March 3, 2001, at 15:01:58
In reply to Re: General Remeron Questions-Should I start This?, posted by ART on March 1, 2001, at 22:33:40
I ask for advise a couple days ago. But, I did take my first dose of 15mg remeron last night. I sure did not expect anything to happen with the first dose. I will not take another dose though. All night I was up and down to the bathroom, but I was so light headed and dizzy I could barely walk and definately not straight. I could'nt wake up to get my husband off to work this morn. It is now about 4pm the next day, I am still extremely tired feeling and dizzy. I would not recommend this medicine to anyone. Even if it helped my deppression theres no way I could function daily feeling like this. Thanks for your advice and for this site otherwise I would have just thought this was something else weird my body was doing.
Posted by allisonm on March 3, 2001, at 18:47:37
In reply to Re: General Remeron Questions-Should I start This?, posted by ART on March 3, 2001, at 15:01:58
I would consider taking Remeron for longer than one dose. The initial sedation is very common, but wears off. That is why my pdoc recommended starting it on a weekend. I think I slept most of the weekend.
I would suggest talking with your pdoc about discontinuing before you do it.
Posted by Jill on March 3, 2001, at 19:32:03
In reply to Re: General Remeron Questions-Should I start This?, posted by allisonm on March 3, 2001, at 18:47:37
> I would consider taking Remeron for longer than one dose. The initial sedation is very common, but wears off. That is why my pdoc recommended starting it on a weekend. I think I slept most of the weekend.
>
> I would suggest talking with your pdoc about discontinuing before you do it.Yes, I've taken Remeron successfully for over 3 1/2 years. My first night was tough, though. I made the mistake of having two drinks with dinner that evening. Well,I passed out the next morning. My doctor said "Jill, you can't do that!!!"(Needless to say, I don't advise drinking while depressed or on Remeron!). However, that was only the first day, and things got progressively better. Also, my pdoc increased the dosage from 15 to 30 to 45mg over just a couple of weeks, which really cut down on the drowsiness. Anyway,I agree that you need to give it some time AND talk to your doctor. This drug has helped me so much. My life is so much fuller and happier now that I'm not depressed or overwhelmed by OCD.
Good luck!
Posted by Jill on March 3, 2001, at 19:37:16
In reply to Re: Remeron Weight Gain/Zantac/Teeth, posted by Bill L on January 30, 2001, at 7:38:31
> A Reuters article from 1/21/01 reports that Buspar relieves the symptoms of teeth grinding and headaches caused by SSRI's. This is according to Dr. John Bostwick of the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Their findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 1999;60:857-860.
>
> Although Remeron is not an SSRI, I'm sure the principal is the same. It's believed that Buspar controls dopamine.
>
> > Hi...I just saw my pdoc and told him about the weight gain problem. He recommended taking Zantac with the Remeron. Have many others found that helps to reduce hunger? Also, my dentist says I've been grinding my teeth quite a bit. I guess, unfortunately, that's a common side effect of antidepressants. My pdoc recommended trying Busbar (antianxiety med, I think). He says it really helps with that side effect. However, I think I may have had head aches when I tried that med a long time ago. Could anyone share their experiences with Remeron +Zantac and/or Remeron +Busbar? Thanks a lot.I just started the Buspar today. Has anyone else taken both Remeron and Buspar? I don't really like taking another drug, but I've really ground down my teeth. I'm hoping this will help. I'd appreciate any info on Buspar experiences. Thanks!
Posted by Brenda Veltri on March 4, 2001, at 16:04:18
In reply to Re: General Remeron Questions, posted by juniper on March 2, 2000, at 22:56:26
Wondering if Remeron causes insomnia. I am on Effexor and am experiencing insomnia. Maybe I need to switch
Posted by allisonm on March 4, 2001, at 17:45:36
In reply to Re: Insomnia, posted by Brenda Veltri on March 4, 2001, at 16:04:18
Generally Remeron causes somnolence, which is why it often is prescribed to people with insomnia. However, in a few people it may cause insomnia.
Posted by Marsha on March 13, 2001, at 15:25:18
In reply to Re: General Remeron Questions » mmatur, posted by bissie66 on November 29, 2000, at 10:31:33
Yes, I had a bad experience with Remeron. I had nightmares, difficulty disguishing reality from dreams, being in a constant fog, tired, feeling unsafe driving, outbursts of anger, my eyes began to jerk and still do 10 days after stopping the med. I am having trouble with short term memory still. It was a terrible experience and I never want to take anti-depressents again. I feel so much better now that I am off them. My family says they are glad to have me "back again". If it were not for a concerned psychiatrist that learned I was put on these drugs, I would probably still be on them and going downhill. He invited me to his house to talk about what my doctor had put me on and talked some sense into my head about them. He continues to check on me regularly at church and we communicate via email during the week sometimes. I am convinced I have done the right thing to quit taking them and he is too. Now I have to face my doctor next week.....I know he will not be happy I quit and I have the job of convincing him I am better without them.
> I was on Remeron for a month and didn't like it, but i have read other people's positive experiences. from what i've read, you'll know if it works. i stuck with it about a month, but it just didn't relieve my depression. the only symptom that was relieved was my anxiety. but my other symptoms, including worry, excessive crying, lethargy, constant sadness, feelings of hopelessnes, all remained. i didn't gain weight (even though my dr. was hoping i would -- weight loss is another symptome of my depression). i didn't like the fact that remeron made it even harder for me to get up and face the day. low energy is already a big problem of mine. i switched to celexa, which is working fairly well, and i still take 7.5 mg. of remeron at night to help me sleep. the one great thing about remeron is didn't cause sexual dysfunction like all the SSRIs do with me. That's the reason i tried it in the first place. good luck
> >
> > Hi everyone,
> > I'm a 17 yr. old male and my doctor wants me to start remeron 30mg to treat my anxiety, sleep and light depression. I took my first dose last night and I slept great, but couldn't wake up the next morning. I have chronic fatigue syndrome so beeing tired during the day is something i'm used to, but the way I felt today was horrible. I'm guessing it's because of the remeron. I felt so out of it and like I was sleepwalking the whole day. And I was already more hungry than I usually am. Now I am asking for your help. I don't want to start remeron if this is how I will be everyday. Do the side effects get better? Will this medication help my anxiety? If you had a choice of going back in time and given a choice of remeron or something else would you still choose remeron after know what it really feels like? Please i need your help. This is a tough decision for me and I'd really appreciate your insight. Thank you! mmatur@hotmail.com
Posted by mmatur on March 14, 2001, at 10:09:25
In reply to Re: General Remeron Questions, posted by mmatur on December 5, 2000, at 10:27:08
My doctor just put me on wellbutrin sr along with remeron. Does anyone know anything about taking these two together, or has anyone taken them before?
Posted by allisonm on March 14, 2001, at 21:05:51
In reply to Re: General Remeron Questions, posted by mmatur on March 14, 2001, at 10:09:25
Yes. I took both together in varying amounts between June of 99 and October 00. Started with 30mg Rem and 100-150mg Wb working up to 200mg, and then went to 400mg WB with 15mg Rem. I found having the WB as the primary and the Rem as the augmentor worked better for me, but your mileage may vary. There are folders on Remeron and Wellbutrin if you follow the link at the top of this page to Psycho-babble Tips.
Good luck.
Posted by alti on March 16, 2001, at 16:28:40
In reply to Re: General Remeron Questions, posted by mmatur on March 14, 2001, at 10:09:25
I have been on Remeron [30mg] for about a month. I have experienced extremely dry mouth, drowsiness in the morning, weakness during the day, hunger all the time! Thanksfully most of the symptoms are gone, I recovered the weight I had lost due to anxiety, and it helps me sleep [I have NICE vivid dreams instead of nightmares =). Also, I am not hungry all the time anymore.
Remeron has helped me with the anxiety but not with the depression so my doc increased the dosis to 45mg today.
The only thing that has not gone away is a sore mouth & tongue. Has anyone experienced this??
Thanks in advance
Alti
Posted by Jill on March 16, 2001, at 18:16:41
In reply to Re: My experience with Remeron [sore mouth], posted by alti on March 16, 2001, at 16:28:40
I remember having problems with bleeding gums (and possibly sores...it's hard to remember) when I first started Remeron. I do sometimes still get sores in my mouth, but I think it's more of a cyclical PMS thing now...likely not due to Remeron.
I'd make sure I mentioned the soreness to your MD...want to make sure you're not having that, rare weird reaction (autoimmune problem???, I can't remember) to Remeron. However, I remember bringing up gum bleeding and mouth issues with my Dr. and worrying about it being that rare side effect and he said "you'd know if it was because you'd be having the worst sore throat of your life!" Still, though, check it out.
My mouth issues have resolved. You may find that yours do, too, with a little time. Also, at 45 mg I'm not drowsy at all during the day. If I take it early enough at night (8:30 or so), getting up isn't too tough. I do sometimes have to "throw" myself out of bed, but once I'm moving, I'm awake. I've gained a little weight, too, but not much. It's a small price to pay for feeling so good.
I've taken 45 mg/night for almost 4 years now for depression and OCD, and I'd have to say, this drug has changed my life. Good luck!
--Jill
Posted by Sunnely on March 16, 2001, at 19:54:10
In reply to Re: My experience with Remeron [sore mouth], posted by alti on March 16, 2001, at 16:28:40
> The only thing that has not gone away is a sore mouth & tongue. Has anyone experienced this??
> Thanks in advance
> Alti+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Hi Alti,
During clinical trials of Remeron, 3 patients developed marked drop in their white blood cell counts, 2 of them with associated signs and symptoms of infection and the third patient without any associated symptoms. I am not certain if this pertains to your problem but I thought I'd bring it up. If you haven't done so, you should notify your doctor immediately and have a CBC with differential count done.
FYI, physicians are advised to discuss the following issues with patients for whom they prescribe Remeron:
Agranulocytosis (critical drop in white blood cell count) - Patients who are on Remeron should be warned about the risk of developing agranulocytosis. Patients should be advised to contact their physician if they experience any indication of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, mucous membrane ulcerations (e.g., sores in mouth) or other possible signs of infection. Remeron should be stopped immediately if your white cell count are markedly low. Not trying to scare you but this condition can be fatal due to possible massive infection.
Posted by sweetmarie on April 5, 2001, at 16:11:24
In reply to Re: Does anyone not gain weight on Remeron?, posted by SalArmy4me on January 18, 2001, at 10:54:10
> I don't have weight gain on Remeron. I did on MAOIs.
I put on a stone when I went onto Lithium (one dress size more, basically). I then went onto Nardil (MAOI), and put another 2 stone on. This means that I have actually gone up 3 dress sizes in all.I`m due to start Remeron (Zispin in this country), which means coming off the Nardil and being `clean` for a week. I`m really concerned that I will not lose the weight I`ve already put on (something which totally does my head in - I have NEVER been this big in my whole life, it`s just not `me`, and I hate it), because of the weight gain that seems to follow with Zispin/Remeron. However, being very treatment resistant, I don`t feel that I can say no to this med. It would be silly.
What I`m hoping is that it`s merely an appetite stimulant, as that can be controlled (with difficulty, I don`t pretend otherwise). Also, this med will be used in conjunction with Venlafaxine, which actually cites weight loss as a side effect - I`ve been on this drug before, and I did lose weight (not loads, but some). Am I barking up the wrong tree to think that the two might cancel eack other out. It`s probably convaluted logic, I know. But ... maybe it`s possible.
Any thoughts, anyone?
Cheers,
Anna.
Posted by Jill on April 5, 2001, at 16:39:51
In reply to Re: Does anyone not gain weight on Remeron? » SalArmy4me, posted by sweetmarie on April 5, 2001, at 16:11:24
You could see if your doc thinks adding Zantac (which reduces histamine in the stomach...thus, theoretically reducing hunger pangs) might help.
My doc added that a while ago. However, I stopped because it didn't seem to curb my appetite much (if at all?) and I felt like I had kind of worse "rebound" heartburn. However, I did start taking it years after I started the Remeron. Maybe starting right away could have helped keep the 10 or so pounds off. Although, that 10 pounds may be due to getting older and having less time to exercise...
I still have quite a bit of Zantac left and may see if I feel like trying it later. Maybe I didn't give it long enough??? Anyway, for me, I feel like "less is more" when it comes to meds. Now, if only I could get rid of these PMS food cravings (nothing to do with Remeron) :)
Good luck. Remeron really has helped me a great deal.
Jill
Posted by bissie66 on April 7, 2001, at 11:42:48
In reply to Re: Does anyone not gain weight on Remeron? » SalArmy4me, posted by sweetmarie on April 5, 2001, at 16:11:24
> > I don't have weight gain on Remeron. I did on MAOIs.
>
>
> I put on a stone when I went onto Lithium (one dress size more, basically). I then went onto Nardil (MAOI), and put another 2 stone on. This means that I have actually gone up 3 dress sizes in all.
>
> I`m due to start Remeron (Zispin in this country), which means coming off the Nardil and being `clean` for a week. I`m really concerned that I will not lose the weight I`ve already put on (something which totally does my head in - I have NEVER been this big in my whole life, it`s just not `me`, and I hate it), because of the weight gain that seems to follow with Zispin/Remeron. However, being very treatment resistant, I don`t feel that I can say no to this med. It would be silly.
>
> What I`m hoping is that it`s merely an appetite stimulant, as that can be controlled (with difficulty, I don`t pretend otherwise). Also, this med will be used in conjunction with Venlafaxine, which actually cites weight loss as a side effect - I`ve been on this drug before, and I did lose weight (not loads, but some). Am I barking up the wrong tree to think that the two might cancel eack other out. It`s probably convaluted logic, I know. But ... maybe it`s possible.
>
> Any thoughts, anyone?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Anna.My experience with REmeron was that it *was* merely an appetite stimulant. it makes you very hungry and then you eat a lot. i took it right before bed so when it hit me i was so tired that i chose to go to sleep instead of to the fridge to pig out. i stopped taking it b.c. it didn't work on my depression but i did not gain weight.
Posted by run2jaz on April 8, 2001, at 21:22:16
In reply to Re: Does anyone not gain weight on Remeron? » SalArmy4me, posted by sweetmarie on April 5, 2001, at 16:11:24
Hey, are you involved with The Salvation Army?
If so, e-mail me at Breck_Kitts@uss.salvationarmy.org here in atlanta. I work at headquarters in in the states and was just curious...Breck
>
>
> I put on a stone when I went onto Lithium (one dress size more, basically). I then went onto Nardil (MAOI), and put another 2 stone on. This means that I have actually gone up 3 dress sizes in all.
>
> I`m due to start Remeron (Zispin in this country), which means coming off the Nardil and being `clean` for a week. I`m really concerned that I will not lose the weight I`ve already put on (something which totally does my head in - I have NEVER been this big in my whole life, it`s just not `me`, and I hate it), because of the weight gain that seems to follow with Zispin/Remeron. However, being very treatment resistant, I don`t feel that I can say no to this med. It would be silly.
>
> What I`m hoping is that it`s merely an appetite stimulant, as that can be controlled (with difficulty, I don`t pretend otherwise). Also, this med will be used in conjunction with Venlafaxine, which actually cites weight loss as a side effect - I`ve been on this drug before, and I did lose weight (not loads, but some). Am I barking up the wrong tree to think that the two might cancel eack other out. It`s probably convaluted logic, I know. But ... maybe it`s possible.
>
> Any thoughts, anyone?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Anna.
Posted by Hager on April 19, 2001, at 19:39:24
In reply to Re: Does anyone not gain weight on Remeron?, posted by Jill on April 5, 2001, at 16:39:51
Is someone out there who is a Dr. who could answer some of my questions about Remeron? I would be very willing to consider it a Phys. visit and pay for the consultation. I, like many, am afraid of depression meds and need answers from someone who can be frank about the various meds. E-mail hager@execpc.com. THANK YOU.
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