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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by deniseuk on January 26, 2006, at 11:49:43
Hi,
Just after some advice, about three weeks ago Remeron was added to my Seroxat because the Seroxat just didn't seem to be working that well. I wasn't having any anxiety on the Seroxat at 40mg but was feeling pretty lacking in motivation, not looking forward to much etc.
Anyway, about a week ago my Remeron was upped to 30mg and I still feel the same but more devoid of any feelings, I have more energy but don't seem to feel any.thing at all, not good, not bad, humourless, emotionless really. Its like my body is walking around but I'm not really in it.
I see a psychiatrist next Wednesday and I'm not sure what to ask him to do, either stick on the 30mg or try upping it to 45mg or come off it altogether.
Does anyone else on the board have experience with Remeron at different doses(I have done a search by the way) I was hoping to find someone who had the numb feelings I currently have but then they got better.
I'd really appreciate a response as I'm uncertain as to what to do.
Thanks In advance......Denise
Posted by linkadge on January 26, 2006, at 14:27:14
In reply to Advice needed on Remeron, posted by deniseuk on January 26, 2006, at 11:49:43
What dose of paxil are you on ?
Are you taking folic acid ? Low levels of folic acid have been linked to poor responce to SSRIs.
Linkadge
Posted by Racer on January 26, 2006, at 18:31:38
In reply to Advice needed on Remeron, posted by deniseuk on January 26, 2006, at 11:49:43
I can't help with Remeron, but will offer this thought: Paxil had that effect on me. I couldn't feel much of anything -- in fact, I went off it when my friend's son committed suicide and I couldn't even feel that.
If Paxil works for your depression, but leaves you too blunted emotionally, you might try another SSRI. It might help more than switching entirely. Lexapro has a great reputation, and Prozac is generally pretty benign.
Good luck.
Posted by Phillipa on January 26, 2006, at 19:56:29
In reply to Re: Advice needed on Remeron » deniseuk, posted by Racer on January 26, 2006, at 18:31:38
I was on l5mg of remeron for sleep but didn't feel anything from it. So I stopped it. Fondly, Phillipa ps I don't have luck on AD's
Posted by deniseuk on January 27, 2006, at 4:23:46
In reply to Re: Advice needed on Remeron, posted by linkadge on January 26, 2006, at 14:27:14
Hi Linkadge,
I did try taking Folic Acid but didn't notice much of an affect but then as usual maybe I was too impatient and didn't give it long enough.
How long and at what dose should you give folic acid?
Thanks....Denise
Posted by deniseuk on January 27, 2006, at 4:24:51
In reply to Re: Advice needed on Remeron » Racer, posted by Phillipa on January 26, 2006, at 19:56:29
Hi Phillipa,
Thanks for getting back to me. I hope you at least have something that helps you through the really bad periods.
Denise
Posted by blueberry on January 27, 2006, at 4:24:55
In reply to Advice needed on Remeron, posted by deniseuk on January 26, 2006, at 11:49:43
40mg is pretty high. It would undoubtedly cause those numbed feelings in probably just about anyone, depressed or not.
You might consider lowering the dose to 20mg, and increase remeron to 45mg or higher. Or just increase remeron. Either way you'll get more norepinephrine effect, but it will be hard to override the strong serotonergic effect of 40mg.
Posted by linkadge on January 27, 2006, at 11:52:40
In reply to Re: To Linkadge, posted by deniseuk on January 27, 2006, at 4:23:46
Take 1000mcg = 1mg for about 3 weeks. I would say if you don't notice improvement in 3 weeks then it may not be benifitial.
Linkadge
Posted by ed_uk on January 27, 2006, at 15:31:58
In reply to Advice needed on Remeron, posted by deniseuk on January 26, 2006, at 11:49:43
Paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat) appears to be a very potent SSRI. I used to take 40mg paroxetine. I take 80mg citalopram (Celexa, Cipramil) now and it still seems 'milder' than 40mg paroxetine.
In the treatment of depression, 10-20mg paroxetine might be best. Higher doses are more suitable for OCD.
Ed
Posted by linkadge on January 27, 2006, at 16:33:22
In reply to Re: Advice needed on Remeron, posted by ed_uk on January 27, 2006, at 15:31:58
I agree with that. I found paxil extrordinarily strong.
Linkadge
Posted by deniseuk on January 30, 2006, at 12:33:53
In reply to Re: Advice needed on Remeron, posted by ed_uk on January 27, 2006, at 15:31:58
Hi,
Well years ago when I first took 20mg of Seroxat and it worked it seemed like a very strong drug to me too.
When I got depressed again (suicidally so this time) after being off medication for three years I was put back on 20mg of Seroxat and all it did was make me feel more detached, spaced out and very agitated.
Anyway two years down the line and the psychiatrist decided to start me on 40mg of Seroxat, after three days I felt a lift of the depression and anxiety although never as dramatic as when I first ever took it.
Now another almost three years later even at 40mg or 60mg it just doesn't seem to be working that well, I have tried adding buspar, tegretol and latest is mirtazapine (which is zonking me out without lifting my mood).
I see the Psychiatrist soon and he's already getting fed up with me not giving drugs lengthy trials and for pushing him into a corner to prescribe the drugs I have in mind.
I really don't know what to do next, I'll take anything regularly but not antipsychotics as I see them (Zyprexa) as being my safety net and don't want to abuse it and then get tolerant to it.
I'm thinking of Lamictal next or Lithium but can you explain what the mechanics of these drugs are and how they potentiate SSRIS and how long a trial I should give them.
It's not really down to me to decide I know it's the psych but I don't have a great deal of faith in him, he's seems more apathetic than I sometimes. Also, he tells me to ring him when I need to and then is never available so that sort of takes away any trust I have in him really giving a damn.
Anyway, if you have any suggestions for augmenting agents I'd really appreciate it. I'm worried that I'm going to start really hitting rock bottom again soon. I actually went on holiday just over Goa two years ago and partly enjoyed it. I want to be able to do that again this year. Just to actually enjoy a holiday would be so nice.I went to Vancouver last year to try rTMS but that did absolutely nothing for me.
Denise
Posted by linkadge on February 3, 2006, at 17:35:10
In reply to Re: To Ed and Linkadge, posted by deniseuk on January 30, 2006, at 12:33:53
Hey. Could you give a list of all the meds you've taken ?
If you haven't taken lithium it might be a good place to start. Also, have you taken TCA's ?
Linkadge
This is the end of the thread.
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