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Posted by LyndaK on February 9, 2004, at 13:24:10
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain??, posted by marfaith on February 5, 2004, at 10:34:11
>
> I will let you know how I do, thanks. One thing I have learned from taking Remeron is how frustrating people feel when they do have a slow metabolism and they have to watch everything they eat. You sound like you are doing quite a bit with the exercise. Mary
>
>Thankyou for your support, Mary. I am to the point now where I'm taking a good, HARD look at WHAT I eat as well as how much.
Lynda
Posted by LyndaK on February 9, 2004, at 13:50:55
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain??, posted by stay at home mom on February 6, 2004, at 14:46:35
> Dear Tony and Lynda, I never made it to my doctors appt yesterday. I was such a mess that my mom and husband came to my rescue and took me to the ER. I've been put on Lexapro until I see a new doc next thursday. I'm just resting at home now until I can get back into the swing of things.
> stay at home mom
> p.s. and I'm still fat.:(Oh! It's scarey when things go that bad. I'm so glad you have a family that's looking out for you! Glad you have an opportunity to rest. I could totally relate to the "psycho-mom" thing. It's SO hard to meet the demands of parenting when your own emotional wellbeing is so off-kilter. I hope your family continues to provide you with a lot of support so you can really focus on what you need to do for yourself. In my opinion (and my experience) weekly therapy (talk-therapy, not just a med-check) is the other HALF of the equation for getting well. Meds alone or therapy alone doesn't yield as good results as doing both together. Of course right now you're trying to find a good pdoc who will help you find the right med. for you!
Rest.
Lynda
Posted by LyndaK on February 9, 2004, at 13:54:20
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain??, posted by PoohBear on February 6, 2004, at 15:15:37
<<You're not FAT, just dimensionally CHALLENGED.
Tony,
You are So funny!! LOL
I have to remember that one! ;-)
Lynda
Posted by LyndaK on February 9, 2004, at 14:04:48
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain??, posted by Clayton on February 8, 2004, at 14:12:27
> Am I the only one? I've LOST 30 pounds since starting Remarom 6 months ago. I've sure the virurous daily cardio workouts had contrinbuted to that result. I don't think it's the Remaron that caused the weight loss.
Clayton,
My pdoc says that not EVERYONE gains weight on Remeron. He does actually have clients who don't. Of the ones who don't, they are more typically men, and he has an older woman who is "skinny-as-a-rail" and hasn't gained an ounce. You're the first I've heard who has actually LOST weight on Remeron, though. Consider yourself one of the lucky ones (unless 30 pounds was TOO much weight to lose).
Lynda
Posted by justamom on February 10, 2004, at 10:15:04
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain?? » Clayton, posted by LyndaK on February 9, 2004, at 14:04:48
I have written before, as has my daughter, Kim, her pdoc gave her Remeron about a month ago...she hasn't as yet tried it due to a heavy workload at school, but will do so during Spring Break. She is afraid of the sleepiness/dizziness that Remeron causes, and I don't believe I have been of much help either. I'm afraid of how she is going to handle this med, especially since she suffers from Anxiety Disorder, and has a fear of ALL meds. I don't know how to help her through this because we've been dealing with this disorder for almost ten years, and since I am her only support system, there are times when I feel totally overwhelmed and helpless!!! She isn't concerned with the weight gain since she is very thin...in fact she sees it as a plus, but is nevertheless afraid of the med. I know she needs to try some sort of med to finally feel normal again, which is also a fear for her since she hasn't felt "normal" in years. I suppose, in a way, I'm also afraid of the unknown, and how I'm going to handle her anxiety when the time comes to finally put this med in her mouth! I also feel that at times I can be a hindrance instead of a help because I know I will have to be the one that has to deal with her fear, and sometimes that can be so overwhelming. I'm not sure if this message is one that can be answered, but I do so appreciate the fact that there are people, like yourselves, who are there to listen...and for that I am grateful!!! Thanks to you ALL
Posted by marfaith on February 10, 2004, at 12:07:09
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by justamom on February 10, 2004, at 10:15:04
> I have written before, as has my daughter, Kim, her pdoc gave her Remeron about a month ago...she hasn't as yet tried it due to a heavy workload at school, but will do so during Spring Break. She is afraid of the sleepiness/dizziness that Remeron causes, and I don't believe I have been of much help either. I'm afraid of how she is going to handle this med, especially since she suffers from Anxiety Disorder, and has a fear of ALL meds. I don't know how to help her through this because we've been dealing with this disorder for almost ten years, and since I am her only support system, there are times when I feel totally overwhelmed and helpless!!! She isn't concerned with the weight gain since she is very thin...in fact she sees it as a plus, but is nevertheless afraid of the med. I know she needs to try some sort of med to finally feel normal again, which is also a fear for her since she hasn't felt "normal" in years. I suppose, in a way, I'm also afraid of the unknown, and how I'm going to handle her anxiety when the time comes to finally put this med in her mouth! I also feel that at times I can be a hindrance instead of a help because I know I will have to be the one that has to deal with her fear, and sometimes that can be so overwhelming. I'm not sure if this message is one that can be answered, but I do so appreciate the fact that there are people, like yourselves, who are there to listen...and for that I am grateful!!! Thanks to you ALL
Hi. I did not experience the dizziness/sleepiness that some have on Remeron. I slept great and now that I have been off it for almost two weeks, I know that it did help with my anxiety. I too am one of those that are afraid of trying new meds. The reason why I quit was because I gained 32 lbs in three months. I never had a weight problem in my life and if anything needed to gain weight. If it weren't for the weight gain I would have stayed on it. Hope your daughter gives it a try. Good luck to you both. Mary
Posted by shadows721 on February 10, 2004, at 19:13:46
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by marfaith on February 10, 2004, at 12:07:09
My doc said that the higher dosage of Remeron will by pass the histamine action. It should not have the weight gain effect. She said you will be like a zombie for 2 weeks. Anyone tried the higher dosage?
Posted by justamom on February 10, 2004, at 20:36:53
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by marfaith on February 10, 2004, at 12:07:09
> Hi. I did not experience the dizziness/sleepiness that some have on Remeron. I slept great and now that I have been off it for almost two weeks, I know that it did help with my anxiety. I too am one of those that are afraid of trying new meds. The reason why I quit was because I gained 32 lbs in three months. I never had a weight problem in my life and if anything needed to gain weight. If it weren't for the weight gain I would have stayed on it. Hope your daughter gives it a try. Good luck to you both. Mary
Thank you Mary for your response. It is good to know that it did help your anxiety. Were you on the 30 or 45?
Posted by PoohBear on February 10, 2004, at 22:48:52
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by justamom on February 10, 2004, at 20:36:53
I was on 60mg and gained weight like crazy. I don't know if I would have leveled off or not, and wasn't will to take the chance. We thought that 60mg would mitigate the weight gain, but at least for my body, no luck.
Tony
Posted by marfaith on February 11, 2004, at 8:04:59
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by justamom on February 10, 2004, at 20:36:53
> > Hi. I did not experience the dizziness/sleepiness that some have on Remeron. I slept great and now that I have been off it for almost two weeks, I know that it did help with my anxiety. I too am one of those that are afraid of trying new meds. The reason why I quit was because I gained 32 lbs in three months. I never had a weight problem in my life and if anything needed to gain weight. If it weren't for the weight gain I would have stayed on it. Hope your daughter gives it a try. Good luck to you both. Mary
>
> Thank you Mary for your response. It is good to know that it did help your anxiety. Were you on the 30 or 45?I started at 15 and then went to 30. I was going to go to 45 because I have read that with more is less with the symptoms, but with the weight gain I didn't want to chance it.
>
>
Posted by Lisalashes on February 11, 2004, at 12:00:05
In reply to Re: Remeron and higher dosage, posted by shadows721 on February 10, 2004, at 19:13:46
> My doc said that the higher dosage of Remeron will by pass the histamine action. It should not have the weight gain effect. She said you will be like a zombie for 2 weeks. Anyone tried the higher dosage?
I have just come off Remeron, wasn't on it for very long, couldn't hack the side effects!
At 30 mg taken at night, I was a zombie, at 15mg, I was better, but still very sluggish.Appetite same either dose.....HUGE!!!!!And food tasted deeeeelicious!
Put on 7lbs in a fortnight!I craved fatty, tasty foods in a similar way you do when you've been drinking the night before, that also sums up how I felt on the med, like I had a constant bad hangover that wouldn't go away!
Good Luck
Posted by sadmom on February 11, 2004, at 13:19:37
In reply to Re: Remeron and higher dosage, posted by Lisalashes on February 11, 2004, at 12:00:05
Hi. I've been on Remeron for 4 months. At first I didn't gain weight. Then after 2 months my stomach started acting up and I was hungry all the time. So I tried upping the dose from 30mg to 45mg. That only seemed to make it worse. I also started taking Xantac because of the acid/heartburn. I decided to go off Remeron because of the weight gain, and was tapering off, when the stomach acid/hunger problem stopped when I was at 22.5mg. So now I'm on 22.5mg for the past 2 weeks.
Posted by Lisalashes on February 11, 2004, at 14:08:59
In reply to Re: Remeron and higher dosage, posted by sadmom on February 11, 2004, at 13:19:37
> Hi. I've been on Remeron for 4 months. At first I didn't gain weight. Then after 2 months my stomach started acting up and I was hungry all the time. So I tried upping the dose from 30mg to 45mg. That only seemed to make it worse. I also started taking Xantac because of the acid/heartburn. I decided to go off Remeron because of the weight gain, and was tapering off, when the stomach acid/hunger problem stopped when I was at 22.5mg. So now I'm on 22.5mg for the past 2 weeks.
Well done for sticking it out, how do you find it as an anti-depressant? Did you experience lots of unpleasant side effects at first?
I'm back on Prozac, my first drug of choice! I was experimenting with Remeron to see if it would suit me better, but as I couldn't hack the side effects I decided to go back on the Prozac - better the devil you know and all that!!Best of luck to you
Posted by Flipsactown on February 13, 2004, at 23:47:39
In reply to Re: Remeron and higher dosage, posted by shadows721 on February 10, 2004, at 19:13:46
I have been on 90mg remeron for over 3 months. My pdoc and I are aware of the 60mg recommended max dose. I have gained over 30 pounds even at the highest dose. However, I am also on prozac, lamictal and lithium. I want to stop remeron when I find another AD that will not make me gain weight but will relieve my unipolar depression.
Flipsactown
> My doc said that the higher dosage of Remeron will by pass the histamine action. It should not have the weight gain effect. She said you will be like a zombie for 2 weeks. Anyone tried the higher dosage?
Posted by Kaybee on March 11, 2004, at 19:45:43
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by PoohBear on February 10, 2004, at 22:48:52
I was diagnosed with bipolar II about 9 months ago. Even with depakote I still go through manic episodes and can't sleep for sometimes up to 3 days.
My doctor prescribed me 30mg of remeron at nighttime to sleep. I've only taken it once--it made me sleep for 14 hours! I think I might decrease the dosage.
Anyway, I was wondering--is remeron making people gain weight b/c their appetite is increased, or are their eating habits the same and the weight is still gained? Do you think if i take it only at nightime I will still see side effects of weight gain? I am not willing to "experiment" and find out.
Posted by Flipsactown on March 11, 2004, at 21:15:08
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by Kaybee on March 11, 2004, at 19:45:43
Most definitely. I am on a high dose of 90mg and still have increased appetite. I watch what I eat and exercise daily. I am in the process of switching ADs and Remeron has got to go. It's either that or become blimp.
Flipsactown
> I was diagnosed with bipolar II about 9 months ago. Even with depakote I still go through manic episodes and can't sleep for sometimes up to 3 days.
>
> My doctor prescribed me 30mg of remeron at nighttime to sleep. I've only taken it once--it made me sleep for 14 hours! I think I might decrease the dosage.
>
> Anyway, I was wondering--is remeron making people gain weight b/c their appetite is increased, or are their eating habits the same and the weight is still gained? Do you think if i take it only at nightime I will still see side effects of weight gain? I am not willing to "experiment" and find out.
Posted by Sad Panda on March 12, 2004, at 0:23:48
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by Kaybee on March 11, 2004, at 19:45:43
> I was diagnosed with bipolar II about 9 months ago. Even with depakote I still go through manic episodes and can't sleep for sometimes up to 3 days.
>
> My doctor prescribed me 30mg of remeron at nighttime to sleep. I've only taken it once--it made me sleep for 14 hours! I think I might decrease the dosage.
>
> Anyway, I was wondering--is remeron making people gain weight b/c their appetite is increased, or are their eating habits the same and the weight is still gained? Do you think if i take it only at nightime I will still see side effects of weight gain? I am not willing to "experiment" and find out.
>
>Hi Kaybee,
I would drop to 15mg if all you want it for is sleep. I find that taking more makes me sleep longer. Weight gain is due to increased appetite & sleeping longer.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by LyndaK on March 12, 2004, at 1:10:21
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by Kaybee on March 11, 2004, at 19:45:43
I agree that if sleep is all you want, 15 mgs. is a good place to start to see if that does it, chances are it will. It's generally a once-a-day medication and I think most people take it at night because of the sleepy side-effect.
I don't agree that weight-gain is caused only by increased appetite. I think it actually slows the metabolism. I gained weight initially and have stayed at that weight. I have not continued to gain and gain and gain. But the weight that I gained doesn't want to come off either.
In short, it's great for sleep but bad for weight-gain.
I hope you find something that works for you. Being up for 3 days straight sounds exhausting!
Lynda
Posted by tjej on March 29, 2004, at 15:19:21
In reply to Re: Remeron » Kaybee, posted by LyndaK on March 12, 2004, at 1:10:21
Lynda, I could not agree more! There is no doubt that the metabolism is slowed down and I do not care what the doctors say. I have always been able to eat anything I want with negligible weight gain, I have gained 11 kilos(24.2 pounds)or for brits 1.7 stone. Not only that but my body feels different, in the past when I put on a little weight, which was a very rare occurence, it went straight to my thighs, now I have love handles! First time in my life and even worse, and enough to counteract the anti-depressant effects, I have a belly roll right above the pubic area, like a big overhang of fat! So I am convinced that it does alter us from within!
Rebecca
Posted by marfaith on March 29, 2004, at 15:34:27
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by tjej on March 29, 2004, at 15:19:21
I agree with Remeron slowing down your metabolism. I have never had a weight problem in my life. I took Remeron and gained 32 lbs in three months. I had the belly roll too. I quit taking it the 31st of January and as of today I have lost 17 lbs. I lost eight of it the first six days I stopped taking Remeron. I don't know why I am having trouble with the last 15. I really don't have much of a appetite. It could be age, I am 43. I plan on walking more now that the nice weather is here and hopefull will shed another ten.
Posted by LyndaK on March 30, 2004, at 2:34:19
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by tjej on March 29, 2004, at 15:19:21
Rebecca,
Thanks for responding. I'm glad someone else agrees with me. It's interesting what you said about HOW / WHERE you put on the extra pounds, because I too put it all on my middle -- basically lost my waistline, which is so untypical of how I gained weight before (though I never gained this much (20 lbs) before. Any weight-gain was very evenly distributed before. It's a tough dilemma because this drug has totally turned my life around -- given me a normal life back really -- and I tried a LONG list of drugs before this that didn't work as successfully as this one. But I've been doing so well for so long now that I REALLY HATE THIS FAT!! My husband doesn't care much for it either!
Thanks for listening.
Lynda> Lynda, I could not agree more! There is no doubt that the metabolism is slowed down and I do not care what the doctors say. I have always been able to eat anything I want with negligible weight gain, I have gained 11 kilos(24.2 pounds)or for brits 1.7 stone. Not only that but my body feels different, in the past when I put on a little weight, which was a very rare occurence, it went straight to my thighs, now I have love handles! First time in my life and even worse, and enough to counteract the anti-depressant effects, I have a belly roll right above the pubic area, like a big overhang of fat! So I am convinced that it does alter us from within!
>
> Rebecca
Posted by tjej on March 30, 2004, at 5:31:07
In reply to Re: Remeron » tjej, posted by LyndaK on March 30, 2004, at 2:34:19
Hi Marfaith and Lynda,
I am so glad to know that both of you also seem to have experienced the weight in the middle. Like you it is also unlike me to gain weight, and I have always had a flat stomach, the few times I have gained weight it was on my thighs/hips, but I have never seen anything like this. I am also torn, like you Lynda, it has turned my life around, and I have also been on the whole list of available drugs. But I am getting depressed about the fat, particularly with summer coming, so I am not sure what I can do. I am so thin normally that I would not really have minded a bit of weight on my thighs/hips but it just looks ugly and unbecoming where it has accumulated with love handles and a belly roll on an otherwise quite fit body. I look about three months pregnant after a meal.
Posted by marfaith on March 30, 2004, at 10:56:48
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by tjej on March 30, 2004, at 5:31:07
> Hi Marfaith and Lynda,
>
> I am so glad to know that both of you also seem to have experienced the weight in the middle. Like you it is also unlike me to gain weight, and I have always had a flat stomach, the few times I have gained weight it was on my thighs/hips, but I have never seen anything like this. I am also torn, like you Lynda, it has turned my life around, and I have also been on the whole list of available drugs. But I am getting depressed about the fat, particularly with summer coming, so I am not sure what I can do. I am so thin normally that I would not really have minded a bit of weight on my thighs/hips but it just looks ugly and unbecoming where it has accumulated with love handles and a belly roll on an otherwise quite fit body. I look about three months pregnant after a meal.I know how you feel. It didn't hurt me to put some weight on, but 32 lbs was a bit much. I switched to Lexapro. It has been about five weeks and I will have to say that it has helped with my depression. At first it made me more anxious, but when needed I take Xanax. The Remeron was great, because I slept so deep, I miss that. I think it not only slowed down my metabolism, but it also made me constantly hungry. I have heard that when you increase the mg. the side effects are less. Have you heard that? Marfaith
Posted by PoohBear on March 30, 2004, at 10:57:48
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by tjej on March 30, 2004, at 5:31:07
> Hi Marfaith and Lynda,
>
> I am so glad to know that both of you also seem to have experienced the weight in the middle. Like you it is also unlike me to gain weight, and I have always had a flat stomach, the few times I have gained weight it was on my thighs/hips, but I have never seen anything like this. I am also torn, like you Lynda, it has turned my life around, and I have also been on the whole list of available drugs. But I am getting depressed about the fat, particularly with summer coming, so I am not sure what I can do. I am so thin normally that I would not really have minded a bit of weight on my thighs/hips but it just looks ugly and unbecoming where it has accumulated with love handles and a belly roll on an otherwise quite fit body. I look about three months pregnant after a meal.
Gang:I think that the weight gain on Remeron (an other AD's for that matter) may be more water retention than anything else. I say this because as a male, I tend to put weight on around my middle, but also noticed that my extremities seemed swollen (edema?) and felt sluggish in general.
A drug in and of itself could NOT cause an increase in fat. That can ONLY come through eating calories in excess of what the body needs. Of course, what the body *needs* can be a moving target as metabolism slows or speeds up.
What do you guys think?
Tony
Posted by tjej on March 30, 2004, at 11:33:01
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by PoohBear on March 30, 2004, at 10:57:48
Marfaith, that is my biggie, the sleep is so good it is like being a baby again! My other problem is that I can't stand xanax, I feel sedated when on it, benzos do not generally agree with me. I also heard that the side effects lessen with higher dosages, but, I have not experienced that despite having gone from 15 to 45.
PB thanks for the male point of view, perhaps it does work differently on men than women, it would not be the first med. BUT, water retention is this not! I know water retention and what I have is weight gain! But as said, men tend to hold less water so you may be experiencing this. As for your theory on pills not putting on weight, of course no pill causes fat, but I can assure you I eat less than half the junk I ate pre- remeron and have gained so much weight. I think it does change your metabolism as well as the distribution of fat.
I tend to be curious about the amount of women who, like me, are getting fat around the middle. I know there are disorders which tend to do that, if I recall both liver troubles and some other disorders are associated with fat in this area, I wonder if there could be changes systemically in our bodies?
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