Posted by JJ1844 on March 17, 2001, at 4:54:31
In reply to Remeron causing major concentration problems?, posted by cole on March 16, 2001, at 20:09:17
> I looked through the archives and I didn't see any discussions on this topic. I've been on remeron for around 6 months this time. I started at 45 mg, and when it stopped working, took it up to 60 mgs and regained the anti-anxiety/ depression effects. 60 mg seems like the dose I need to take to be completely depression free, but I have been having some problems with school lately and I was hoping I could get your input before my pdoc appointment on wed.
> Ever since beginning remeron I have needed extra time on exams. I am currently studying science. I already have my BA in two of the humanities, and I never had trouble with time on exams before. My SAT scores were high, and as my mother reasoned, it's obvious I didn't require extra time in high school. So I'm wondering what is going on. Luckily the University I am currently attending is allowing me time and 1/2 on exams in a distraction-free environment on account of my depression. I just took my finals, and I honestly feel like I bombed my physics exam because the time & 1/2 wasn't sufficient (I ran out of time). I feel really slow, it takes me a long time to process things, and when I am in class and I professor asks me a question I go completely blank. This wouldn't be so much of a problem except I am planning on taking the MCAT in August, and to avoid having my scores flagged I am not requesting accomodations. This exam is very time dependent, and I am scared to death that I will not do well because of my AD making me an absolute slug. I have been taking ritalin to help me concentrate when I study and take exams (I haven't taken more than 5mg/4hr stretch), but I feel like it stopped working or something during finals because I was so slow and had such a difficult time following what I was doing. Does anyone have any idea of what is going on? I have been depressed since before high school, I took zoloft and trazodone during those years, but I think the zoloft made me aggressive/ more prone to self mutilation and eventually it completely stopped working.
> During finals I've also been adding 12.5 mg of trazodone to help me sleep after taking ritalin, but I seem to have this problem on days when I haven't taken the trazodone. This the only AD that has ever almost completely gotten rid of my depression and anxiety, but I need a game plan so that I will be able to do well on the MCAT. I'll be taking a test prep course this summer, but I was wondering if there is anything I can do med-wise. Would a stronger stimulant help? Thanks in advance,
> coleSeems like this might be related to cognitive probs. some people get on SSRIs. Have you tried Effexor or bupropion (Welbutrin)? These might be less prone to cognitive fx and sedation.
Some people think Remeron's notorious for sedation... Ritalin might improve the sedation but not the cognitive fx (can't think, can't find words, etc., stemming from serotonin overload).
My first suggestion might be to lower the dose of Remeron. (Might also be able to combine bupropion with lower-dose Remeron to balance turning down the serotonin with anitdepressant effect.)
Talk to your doc *especially* before combining anything.
poster:JJ1844
thread:56711
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010310/msgs/56734.html