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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Storm on September 18, 2001, at 13:50:30
what are the most recent findings about remeron and weight gain? if I try to eat healthy and keep getting some exercise, will I continue to gain weight? also, I read that after a while your weight will probably go back down. it seems to already be lifting depression a little even at the fourth day of taking it; yet I can hardly button alot of my pants. some of it may be because it's that time of the month, but this is really really bad. I'm built very tiny, never thought I could ever have a weight problem, always ate what I wanted & stayed thin. I've tried tons of meds though and I'm really praying this will work. thanks.
Posted by Janelle on September 18, 2001, at 21:44:49
In reply to Remeron, posted by Storm on September 18, 2001, at 13:50:30
Well, if Remeron's weight gain (appetite stimulation) works anything like that of Zyprexa (even though they are different classes of meds), I can say that it has been my experience with Zyprexa that I've been eating healthy and getting some (though not much) exercise, I have NOT gained weight! And ... after awhile (I didn't keep track of how long; I'd say 6-8 weeks), the increased appetite went away! HOWEVER, I am also titrating up on Lamictal which supposedly decreases appetite, so maybe I'm getting a trade-off here. Then again, I have read that with Zyprexa (and perhaps Remeron) that the increased appetite/weight gain does stop after a few months for many people.
So, if Remeron is like Zyprexa in appetite stimulation, you should NOT continue to gain weight indefinitely - appetite should return to *normal* and weight would then go down or at least stay where it got to.
I'm encouraged to hear that you're getting some relief from depression with Remeron since that is one of a few a-d's I am considering trying after lack of success with quite a number of them.
How SEDATING is Remeron for you, when do you take it, how much do (dosage) do you take?
Posted by SallyR on September 19, 2001, at 10:22:53
In reply to Remeron, posted by Storm on September 18, 2001, at 13:50:30
> Storm,
I was on a diet when I started Remeron about six weeks ago. In spite of diet and exercise 5-6 times a week, I did not lose any more weight.
I upped my exercise so that I burned at least 350 calaries (the neat machines at my gym tell me how many calaries I am burning when I exercise).
Am now seeing some progress on the weight side.
Bottom line is that I really like the Remeron for my depression (Also taking Prozac). But I have had to wage a very strong battle to not gain any weight. By the way, I think that Remeron affects your metabolism in some way. It's not just the increase in apetite that causes the weight gain though that is certainly a factor.
I am hoping that I won't have to work so hard on my weight eventually.
sorry if this is discouraging.
Will keep you posted on how I progress.
Posted by Storm on September 19, 2001, at 12:24:52
In reply to REMERON, wt. gain and some questions here: » Storm, posted by Janelle on September 18, 2001, at 21:44:49
Janelle, I tried remeron about a month ago for two days; it practically knocked me out for 48 hrs straight. but I got desperate & needed something more about a week ago, and the dr again insisted I try it longer. so I did. and it wasn't nearly so sedating this time. but I was very very tired at first. today it finaly seems to be wearing off. I actually got up at 7 and had lots of energy (don't usually get up till 10:30 for classes). so hopefully all the tiredness will go away eventually. I'm on a fulltime college student which helps; I'm not able to take naps at times even if I want to. so I don't give into my laziness, etc. I take 30 mg every night at about 7. gives it enough time so that I can get stuff done that day, and be least tired when I wake up in the morning. it seems to have kicked in just a little so far, but it's supposed to takes a week or more. I've been on it like 5 days now. only discouraging thing is the weight gain. I'll mention it to my drs, kinda wait & see what happens I suppose. I know I need something this strong, finaly. all I've ever been given is just regular antidepressants along with lithium which didn't help much. I was afraid to try this when everyone said how sedating it would be. and for a little while it was, but I'm so glad I'm on it for now. good luck :) Christy
> Well, if Remeron's weight gain (appetite stimulation) works anything like that of Zyprexa (even though they are different classes of meds), I can say that it has been my experience with Zyprexa that I've been eating healthy and getting some (though not much) exercise, I have NOT gained weight! And ... after awhile (I didn't keep track of how long; I'd say 6-8 weeks), the increased appetite went away! HOWEVER, I am also titrating up on Lamictal which supposedly decreases appetite, so maybe I'm getting a trade-off here. Then again, I have read that with Zyprexa (and perhaps Remeron) that the increased appetite/weight gain does stop after a few months for many people.
>
> So, if Remeron is like Zyprexa in appetite stimulation, you should NOT continue to gain weight indefinitely - appetite should return to *normal* and weight would then go down or at least stay where it got to.
>
> I'm encouraged to hear that you're getting some relief from depression with Remeron since that is one of a few a-d's I am considering trying after lack of success with quite a number of them.
>
> How SEDATING is Remeron for you, when do you take it, how much do (dosage) do you take?
Posted by Janelle on September 19, 2001, at 12:32:05
In reply to Re: REMERON...some questions here Janelle, posted by Storm on September 19, 2001, at 12:24:52
Christy,
OMG (OhMyG-d), Remeron practically knocked you out for 48 hrs straight -- I've heard this about Serzone, but not Remeron. Well, at least its sedating effect seemed to wear off.
I'm also a college student, with a minimal work-study job so my schedule is not that rigourous right now, especially while my pdoc and I are fine-tuning my meds.
Sorry to hear of your weight gain - I experienced huge appetite increase with Zyprexa, but rode it out and it went away. I didn't gain any weight but it took incredible discipline not to give into the constant cravings for junky food!
I can understand your being afraid to try Remeron due to it being both SEDATING and causing WEIGHT GAIN. I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place because the basic SSRI a-d's I haven't yet tried are Remeron and Serzone, and BOTH scare me now with their strong sedating "power." I want a sedating one, but these both sound *too* sedating. I may wind up trying Luvox, which is an SRI a-d targeted to OCD and can be slightly sedating, and I do have obsessive and compulsive traits, though not full-blown OCD. Thanks for your input. -Janelle
Posted by cole on September 21, 2001, at 13:10:30
In reply to STORM - re Remeron: » Storm, posted by Janelle on September 19, 2001, at 12:32:05
Hi guys.
I've been on Remeron for almost 1 1/2 yrs now, and I will say that it definitely increases appetite, and for me this response does not taper off unless the med also becomes ineffective. I've gone through numerous crash and dosage increase cycles with the med, and I'm currently at 90mg. I've recently added Buspar to augment, since I was crashing again on the 90mg and couldn't take the Remeron any higher. I've seen suggestions that higher doses decrease the side effects, primarily the appetite/weight gain and the sedation. I've found that the side effects are pretty much constant from 45 to 90mg/night. I have gained weight on the med and I honestly believe it is because of increased caloric intake. I know that when I'm depressed I eat sporadically, but the Remeron increases my appetite to a ridiculous level. I eat a full meal and want to eat again within 20 minutes. My stomach just gives me that empty achy feeling. Sometimes I ignore it, but when I'm stressed I often give in. I was always thin, and even with the gain I am still within the normal range for my height, though I would prefer to lose about 10 lbs. The reason I've stuck with this med is because it works. I may need more sleep at night, but my waking hours are far more productive. I have motivation and focus, and feel less fatigued. I have recently been dx'd with fibromyalgia, and have been trying to figure out a decent plan for pain free exercise, but I go to the gym at least once a week. I suggest seriously watching your calories, I never was into cal counting, but it has really helped keep my weight moderate. I've also found that Ritalin SR clears the morning fog and supresses the appetite to a normal level. I say, if it works for the depression figure out a way to work around the side effects, especially if you are like me, and have poor or no response to most of the other AD's.
cole
Posted by FluteTheatrix on September 23, 2001, at 16:15:56
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by cole on September 21, 2001, at 13:10:30
I LOVE Remeron. I have panic attacks and anxiety disorder. I have tried Paxil... Zoloft..Prosac..etc. They were horrible. Kept me up all night... shaking... increased heart rate and nasuea. Remeron makes me very tired but I really don't mind it. Remeron has the least intolerable side effects of any med I have ever taken. I can deal with the drowisness. The weight gain... I have gained a couple but I would rather gain a few pounds then be miserably depressed again. I leave into the NAVY Oct.23rd so I'm sure to lose all the extra pounds =) Good Luck to you all... ~*Cynthia*~
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