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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by reenie on March 12, 2001, at 15:30:29
I am just starting to take Remeron. My sister was diagnosed with colon cancer/mets to liver and months of waiting for treatment to start on her left me sad and anxious re my own health. Because of 2 frantic days of thinking I "had" something very bad wrong with me I asked my dr. for an antidepressant. He prescribed Paxil 10mg. at bedtime - I'd used Paxil before with no problem so I took it. That night I woke up with burning sensations on me and in a sweat - couldn't sleep the rest of that night and became anxious. The next 10 days were like this, no sleep and anxiety set in - I stopped Paxil after 10 days and after 7 days I started taking Zoloft 25 mg. for a week then 50 mg. for 3 weeks - this was horrible - same burning sensations, couldn't sleep and anxiety became so bad I almost couldn't leave the house and at work everytime someone came into my room I became panic striken. I went from being sad, but able to sleep, about my sister's condition to a mess after taking Paxil and Zoloft. Now I am taking Remeron, 3 nights @ 15 mg. and so far the past 3 nights @ 30 mg. Appetite hasn't been a problem so far - lost 20 lbs. on Zoloft but when will the fogginess or drug "hangover" feeling go away? I do sleep well with the Remeron but need to know more about the fogginess/drug "hangover" in the morning. Can anyone offer me any information - does this fogginess go away, I don't have anxiety now. Thanks for any and all info you can provide.
Posted by allisonm on March 12, 2001, at 19:57:28
In reply to Remeron, posted by reenie on March 12, 2001, at 15:30:29
Reenie,
Yes, the fogginess generally subsides. If it doesn't, you might try a little caffeine in the morning to clear the cobwebs. If you go to this site: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/psycho-babble-tips/links//Remeron_000963366608/
you will find many archived links on Remeron from Psycho-Babble, as well as information from the internet.
I'm very sorry to hear about your sister. Good luck.
Allison
Posted by reenie on March 12, 2001, at 20:02:59
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by allisonm on March 12, 2001, at 19:57:28
Thanks Allison. I was foggy today, maybe because I took the Remeron last evening at 11:40 p.m. and got up at 6 a.m. I think it's working on the anxiety but I don't like this groggy/in a fog feeling I had today. I had coffee today but still foggy.
Posted by Daveman on March 12, 2001, at 22:15:47
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by reenie on March 12, 2001, at 20:02:59
Hi Reenie:
For about a month now, I've been taking Remeron 15 mg. at bedtime as a sleep augmentation to Celexa 40 mg., also at bedtime. The Remeron was extremely sedating for about the first week- my experience in this regard is the same as some others who've posted here (first night, took it at midnight, next thing I knew it was 11:00 the following morning:)) At this point, however, Remeron merely helps me to sleep and has little carryover to the next day. Give it a little time- especially at higher doses, the sedation will lessen; Remeron is "paradoxic" in that it is less sedating at higher doses.
Good luck!
Dave
Posted by REENIE on March 12, 2001, at 23:29:35
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by Daveman on March 12, 2001, at 22:15:47
>Dave and Allison - thanks so much for your input. I don't really like being on any medications and this is my first experience again with the anti depressants since 94 when I was on Paxil for 3 months. Tonight will be my 4th night @ 30 mg. I hope the fog clears soon. Thanks again and if anyone can think of anything else to add, please post!
Posted by allisonm on March 13, 2001, at 6:39:45
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by REENIE on March 12, 2001, at 23:29:35
Reenie,
I seldom took Remeron later than 9 at night because of the fog in the morning. If it bothers you too much at first, you might consider cutting back to 15mg. I know some people find Remeron to be less sedating in larger doses, but I always found the opposite. 45 mg, for example, would make me unsteady on my feet quickly and I would HAVE to go to bed. I took Remeron for more than 2 years.
Good luck,
Allison
Posted by reenie on March 13, 2001, at 10:57:43
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by Daveman on March 12, 2001, at 22:15:47
Thanks folks - last night was my 4th night at 30mg. I found myself hungrier than usual, will have to watch that, but I'll see how it is after one week at 30mg. Thanks again - as usual, I'm interested in what everyone has to say. I find that I was a bit irritable last evening and kind of so this morning, has anyone else had irritability with this and did it go away, anxiety seems to be OK, how about depression? Feel free to post additional comment, I'm interested in hearing re these issues.
Posted by Marsha on March 13, 2001, at 15:28:26
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by reenie on March 13, 2001, at 10:57:43
Yes, I had a bad experience with Remeron. I had nightmares, difficulty disguishing reality from dreams, being in a constant fog, tired, feeling unsafe driving, outbursts of anger, my eyes began to jerk and still do 10 days after stopping the med. I am having trouble with short term memory still. It was a terrible experience and I never want to take anti-depressents again. I feel so much better now that I am off them. My family says they are glad to have me "back again". If it were not for a concerned psychiatrist that learned I was put on these drugs, I would probably still be on them and going downhill. He invited me to his house to talk about what my doctor had put me on and talked some sense into my head about them. He continues to check on me regularly at church and we communicate via email during the week sometimes. I am convinced I have done the right thing to quit taking them and he is too. Now I have to face my doctor next week.....I know he will not be happy I quit and I have the job of convincing him I am better without them.
> Thanks folks - last night was my 4th night at 30mg. I found myself hungrier than usual, will have to watch that, but I'll see how it is after one week at 30mg. Thanks again - as usual, I'm interested in what everyone has to say. I find that I was a bit irritable last evening and kind of so this morning, has anyone else had irritability with this and did it go away, anxiety seems to be OK, how about depression? Feel free to post additional comment, I'm interested in hearing re these issues.
Posted by reenie on March 13, 2001, at 15:43:04
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by Daveman on March 12, 2001, at 22:15:47
>Hi Daveman, so after a week you'd say that the feeling of being in a fog/dizzy cleared up? I guess that's my problem right now, I feel that way - it's been 3 nights @ 15 mg. and 4 nights @ 30 mg. Thanks for responding. Reenie.
Posted by Daveman on March 13, 2001, at 21:45:59
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by reenie on March 13, 2001, at 15:43:04
> >Hi Daveman, so after a week you'd say that the feeling of being in a fog/dizzy cleared up? I guess that's my problem right now, I feel that way - it's been 3 nights @ 15 mg. and 4 nights @ 30 mg. Thanks for responding. Reenie.
Reenie,
Yes, I'd estimate it was about a week. Also, as I previously stated, most people are less sedated at higher doses, so going up to 30 mg. will help (obviously not everyone, as you can see from the responses here, but that is the reaction most have). For me, the main reason I'm taking it is to help with sleep, thus I've stayed at the lower dose of 15 mg. Remeron reaches peak blood levels at about 2 hours, so if you move the dosing back to about an hour before bed, rather than right at bedtime, this may help the "morning fog" problem also.
Good luck, Dave
Posted by reenie on March 14, 2001, at 11:31:51
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by Daveman on March 13, 2001, at 21:45:59
Hi there Daveman. Well I saw my doc yesterday afternoon and she still thinks I need to be on the medication. She said I could try an experiment and go off of it for 4 days, it should be out of my system by then and see how I feel or I can stay with the 30 mg. for 2 more nights, that'd be a week at that dose and then go to 45 mg. I asked how one knows when they are ready to come off the medication and she says that a person can tell - well I guess I have to believe she knows what she's talking about, she's a psych. and has been doing this for some time. I know other people that go to her and they really like her and feel she knows what she's doing. I was wondering if taking this stuff can give you too much of the serotonin, norephinerine or dopamine or whatever it's increasing. Maybe it fills these receptors up and then the excess just gets spilled over? I know that this med works for sleep and anxiety but did it help your depression? I notice today that I took it last night at about 9 p.m. and went to bed at 10 and this morning I was tired but I don't appear to have as much fog as days past. I keep telling myself to just take the med and forget about it and see how it does but on the other hand I feel like I'm controlled by the med because at present in order to fall asleep I need to take it and that means taking it at 9 p.m. so I get tired about 10 and can't even watch the news. If I'm in bed later than 10 I'm foggy next day but as you say maybe the increase in meds can take care of this. Thanks so much.
Posted by Daveman on March 14, 2001, at 13:41:25
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by reenie on March 14, 2001, at 11:31:51
Hi Reenie:
In answer to your question, my main antidepressant has been Celexa. I started with Paxil, which did nothing for me and had bad side effects. After 4 weeks, I was switched to Celexa, first at 20 mg, then at 40 mg. Towards the end of the second week, the Celexa began to work on my depression. At about that time, since I was still having trouble sleeping, my doc suggested Remeron (I was using Xanax and then Klonopin to help with sleep, and he did not want me dependent on a benzo for sleep). The Remeron was effective for sleep, ans allowed me to taper off the Klonopin completely (none for 3 weeks now). I still have both on hand for emergencies (panic attacks)as needed, but have not needed them so far.
Has the Remeron helped with my depression? Well, I've been on this "cocktail" (40 mg. Celexa, 15 mg. Remeron) for a month now and I'm definitely better. Whether that's mainly from the Celexa, or the Remeron is helping, I don't really know, but the combo is working pretty well so I'm not about to fiddle with it at this point.
Take care and good luck, Dave
> Hi there Daveman. Well I saw my doc yesterday afternoon and she still thinks I need to be on the medication. She said I could try an experiment and go off of it for 4 days, it should be out of my system by then and see how I feel or I can stay with the 30 mg. for 2 more nights, that'd be a week at that dose and then go to 45 mg. I asked how one knows when they are ready to come off the medication and she says that a person can tell - well I guess I have to believe she knows what she's talking about, she's a psych. and has been doing this for some time. I know other people that go to her and they really like her and feel she knows what she's doing. I was wondering if taking this stuff can give you too much of the serotonin, norephinerine or dopamine or whatever it's increasing. Maybe it fills these receptors up and then the excess just gets spilled over? I know that this med works for sleep and anxiety but did it help your depression? I notice today that I took it last night at about 9 p.m. and went to bed at 10 and this morning I was tired but I don't appear to have as much fog as days past. I keep telling myself to just take the med and forget about it and see how it does but on the other hand I feel like I'm controlled by the med because at present in order to fall asleep I need to take it and that means taking it at 9 p.m. so I get tired about 10 and can't even watch the news. If I'm in bed later than 10 I'm foggy next day but as you say maybe the increase in meds can take care of this. Thanks so much.
Posted by reenie on March 14, 2001, at 15:03:18
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by Daveman on March 14, 2001, at 13:41:25
Thanks Daveman. I guess I should just keep taking the Remeron and see how it does. So far today it seems like the fog is breaking up. I've only been on the Remeron for 8 nights so far so I guess that's a little too early to tell as yet. It has worked on my anxiety and I am sleeping. Like I said I'll continue taking the 30mg. for another 2 nights - that will be 7 nights on 30mg. and then I'll go up to 45mg. I guess if the 45mg. doesn't feel any better than I can go downwards to the 30mg. I just don't like taking stuff and didn't have any anxiety til I took the Paxil/Zoloft. Oh well. Everyone says it gets better re the fogginess so I'll take all your words for it. Thanks.
Posted by MSM on March 14, 2001, at 19:32:55
In reply to Remeron, posted by reenie on March 12, 2001, at 15:30:29
I've been taking Remeron for 6 weeks now, My anxiety and depression are beginning to lift. I feel much better than I did just a month ago. In the beginning I experienced a number of side effects (somnolence, foggy headed mornings, increased appetite, intense dreams and a jumpiness similar to what I feel when taking antihistamines). The side effects have all faded as I have increased dosage and adjusted to the drug. I had initally tried Zoloft but stopped after 2 weeks. I experienced insomnolence, dizzynes, sexual dysfunction and was jittery while taking Zoloft. I felt that the lack of sleep was contributing to my anxiety. The early side effects of Remeron, while just as numerous, where much more tolerable than those of Zoloft, allowing me to get past the side effect stages that seem to come with most AD's. I am thankful for Remeron at this point. If my mood continues to improve I intend to keep taking Remeron for 8 to 12 months after my depression has abatted. I am tired of being depressed and not treating the illness.
Mark
Posted by reenie on March 14, 2001, at 19:41:31
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by MSM on March 14, 2001, at 19:32:55
Mark: what doseage are you on? How's your appetite? So the dizziness/drug "hangover" effect have gone now? About when did they go away? 2, 3 weeks - longer? You have described some of what I am having, the jumpiness at loud noises, today was much better on the "hangover" effect. I have received an e-mail from a Remeron user who said to stick with it - that I would be very happy that I did so I guess I will. I know what you mean about the Zoloft - it and the Paxil really messed me up - I was sad but "normal" in the depression/anxiety areas before I took them. I cannot believe that after the Paxil/Zoloft I almost couldn't go out of the house - I'm a real social type. Thanks to all.
Posted by MSM on March 15, 2001, at 21:49:56
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by reenie on March 14, 2001, at 19:41:31
> Mark: what doseage are you on? How's your appetite? So the dizziness/drug "hangover" effect have gone now? About when did they go away? 2, 3 weeks - longer? You have described some of what I am having, the jumpiness at loud noises, today was much better on the "hangover" effect. I have received an e-mail from a Remeron user who said to stick with it - that I would be very happy that I did so I guess I will. I know what you mean about the Zoloft - it and the Paxil really messed me up - I was sad but "normal" in the depression/anxiety areas before I took them. I cannot believe that after the Paxil/Zoloft I almost couldn't go out of the house - I'm a real social type. Thanks to all.
I am at 30mg now . Most of the side effects gradually faded in th 3rd to 5th week. The jumpiness has been the last to diminish but is nearly gone now in week 7. I'm sticking with it, I hope not to go to a higher dose though, or add another drug, but I guess I'll drive off that bridge when I come to it.
good luck,
Mark
Posted by reenie on March 16, 2001, at 19:22:14
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by MSM on March 15, 2001, at 21:49:56
thanks for the posts you folks, I sure do appreciate hearing from you. I am thru day 7 @ 30mg. so far I have the same amount of spaceyness "hangover" feeling that I did and that feeling of a lump or tighness in my throat is still with me on occasion. I noticed that it's been harder for me to get up in the mornings this past week. I might try the 30mg. for a few nights more til I see my doc on Tues. 3/20 and then maybe up to 45mg. See you all - have a good weekend.
Posted by reenie on March 21, 2001, at 12:38:17
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by reenie on March 16, 2001, at 19:22:14
Hi this message is for Mark, how is it going at the 30mg. I went to 45mg. last night. I don't know if I should have stayed with the 30mg. or not but today the first day following the 45mg. I don't have the "fog". I'll keep you posted. I was sleepy this morning but I took it at bedtime last night and it took me longer to fall asleep, I don't know if it was because I didn't know what would happen or what I was expecting to happen after taking it. I'll see how it is tonight, I plan to give this at least 7 days. See ya.
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