Posted by cole on March 30, 2001, at 15:40:50
I have a question regarding cyclical depression (w/o mania-- just normal to low) and remeron dosing. I have been taking remeron regularly since this September.
When I saw my pdoc last wed I asked why despite a seemingly effective treatment I keep sliding into a depression every few months, usually around the end of my quarters in school. She explained that my depression is cyclic, and this is why I fall into a depression every few months. These depressions are usually lighter than what I had pre-remeron, but they are still upsetting, as they cause me problems with focusing on studying and self-esteem.
From September to December I took 45 mg/ night. I began getting depressed again in early December, and by the first week in January I was completely depressed (suicidal, anxious etc), and wasn't experiencing any of the side effects from the remeron anymore. During the 2nd week of Jan. I upped my dose to 60 mg, and remained relatively depression-free until late February, when I began sliding into depression again. I had been feeling mildly depressed since then (particularly bad during finals)-- less motivation, feeling anxious, low self esteem etc. A few days ago I decided to see if upping my dose would bring me out of the depression again, and I've been taking 75 mg/ night. I'm feeling great again.
So here's my question. Should I stay at this high dose, or should I drop back down to 60 after a week or so of the higher dose? I really don't like this pattern of depression leading to increased dosing, because I will be reaching unhealthy levels if this continues every couple of months. My doctor said that the remeron just keeps my lows higher when I go into depressions, but I'm seeing a pattern with a need to increase my doses to maintain the same level of AD response. Any ideas?
Thank you so much,
cole
poster:cole
thread:58103
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010327/msgs/58103.html