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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Racer on May 7, 2004, at 19:15:11
Can anyone tell me anything good about it? I've heard that it's one of the worst for weight gain, but the doctor says not to worry. Can anyone ease my mind?
Thanks
Posted by Sad Panda on May 7, 2004, at 19:50:21
In reply to Does Remeron cause weight gain?, posted by Racer on May 7, 2004, at 19:15:11
> Can anyone tell me anything good about it? I've heard that it's one of the worst for weight gain, but the doctor says not to worry. Can anyone ease my mind?
>
> Thanks
>You and your doctor are both correct, it is one of the worst drugs for weight gain & you shouldn't worry about it. :) Various studies show that weight gain is high initially compared to SSRI's, but levels out in the long run. The potential for weight gain comes from two sources. One is Remeron may or may not cause your appetite to increase and you also might or might not crave carbs & sugar. The second source is it causes you to sleep alot more in the early stages of thearpy & if you don't reduce your calorie intake to suit the extra sleep then you will gain weight. I don't think the weight gain is a serious problem in the long run & you shouldn't worry about it because that in itself could cause weight gain. I didn't worry about it & I didn't get any increase in appetite or carb cravings.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by harryp on May 7, 2004, at 21:51:40
In reply to Does Remeron cause weight gain?, posted by Racer on May 7, 2004, at 19:15:11
I don't know how much this will help, but I have a few suggestions on preventing weight gain.
1. Don't eat snacks of any kind. Unsweetened tea, coffee, or diet sodas can give you some flavor when you need it.
2. Don't drink non-diet sodas, or anything containing high-fructose corn syrup. Fructose appears to convert very readily to fat.
3. Eat well-balanced meals with lots of protein (fish, lean beef, etc.)
4. Do aerobic exercise nearly every day, preferably in the morning. I find that swimming, eliptical training, running, etc., are good for "losing yourself" even if your depression is getting to you. You are pretty much guaranteed to feel better afterwards! You might like something more social and involved, like an aerobics or spinning class.
Good luck to everyone! Remember not to blame yourself if you gain weight. Health is more important than weight, and the key to that is regular exercise and a good diet. (NOT dieting!) :-)
Posted by chemist on May 8, 2004, at 1:45:55
In reply to Re: Does Remeron cause weight gain? » Racer, posted by Sad Panda on May 7, 2004, at 19:50:21
> > Can anyone tell me anything good about it? I've heard that it's one of the worst for weight gain, but the doctor says not to worry. Can anyone ease my mind?
> >
> > Thanks
> >
>
> You and your doctor are both correct, it is one of the worst drugs for weight gain & you shouldn't worry about it. :) Various studies show that weight gain is high initially compared to SSRI's, but levels out in the long run. The potential for weight gain comes from two sources. One is Remeron may or may not cause your appetite to increase and you also might or might not crave carbs & sugar. The second source is it causes you to sleep alot more in the early stages of thearpy & if you don't reduce your calorie intake to suit the extra sleep then you will gain weight. I don't think the weight gain is a serious problem in the long run & you shouldn't worry about it because that in itself could cause weight gain. I didn't worry about it & I didn't get any increase in appetite or carb cravings.
>
> Cheers,
> Panda.
>
>
hey Panda, have your triglyceride levels gone up on remeron? i am in the dark on this one, but i read something related to hyperglycemia....grazie mille, chemist
>
Posted by Racer on May 8, 2004, at 8:14:23
In reply to Re: Does Remeron cause weight gain? » Racer, posted by Sad Panda on May 7, 2004, at 19:50:21
You know, this is really part of the depression itself. I would rather die than get fat from the drugs again, and hear again how it's my own fault for eating so much. Been there, done that. It's not worth it to go through it again.
Thank for putting in the answers.
Posted by almondjoy on May 8, 2004, at 12:03:58
In reply to Re: Does Remeron cause weight gain?, posted by Racer on May 8, 2004, at 8:14:23
> You know, this is really part of the depression itself. I would rather die than get fat from the drugs again, and hear again how it's my own fault for eating so much. Been there, done that. It's not worth it to go through it again.
>
> Thank for putting in the answers.Racer, sorry you didn't get good news about Remeron. and i don't have any either...i gained sixty pounds on remeron in about four months; it was early in my treatment and it was like i just exploded
if weight is your #1 concern for ad's remeron might be a really bad idea
d
Posted by Racer on May 8, 2004, at 12:16:32
In reply to Re: Does Remeron cause weight gain?, posted by almondjoy on May 8, 2004, at 12:03:58
Were you aware of changes in your eating/behavior during that time? Did it help your depression?
I've posted about this before, but the problem isn't just drugs -- it's got a lot to do with lack of support, both in life in general and from the doctor. He doesn't seem to want to listen -- hell, I don't think he knows how to listen. Poor guy, maybe I should be feeling sorry for him. Anyway, I don't think he's heard any part of my concern about weight gain, how it would impact my life, the parts about how I would literally rather die than get so fat again from meds, or how it feels as if my life is being stripped away from me with nothing to replace the lost parts. Why keep going through this hell? And, if I don't respond to this, he's already told me the next step is something I consider much worse. So, I'm totally damned here: if it works, I'm fat as a damn house -- and don't think I won't hear about it from everyone around me -- if it doesn't work, I can't feel confident telling the doctor about it.
Let me tell you, the two people you do not want to be today are me or my husband. I'm not a nice person today.
Posted by allisonm on May 8, 2004, at 16:00:10
In reply to Does Remeron cause weight gain?, posted by Racer on May 7, 2004, at 19:15:11
Yes, I gained weight when I took it. Adding lithium made it worse. When Li was dripped and Wellbutrin was added, the weight came off. I also made an effort to swim three times a day, which also helped my sanity.
While I was not happy with the weight gain, the drugs helped me out of the hole I was in. Weight gain was not as bad as the depression... At least I was finally able to sleep and think clearly.
Posted by Sad Panda on May 9, 2004, at 5:32:47
In reply to Re: Does Remeron cause weight gain? » Sad Panda, posted by chemist on May 8, 2004, at 1:45:55
> hey Panda, have your triglyceride levels gone up on remeron? i am in the dark on this one, but i read something related to hyperglycemia....grazie mille, chemist
> >
>Hi Chemist,
I recently had blood test done including GTT & T3/T4. My triglyceride, cholestrol & glucose handling are all normal, my TSH is high but my T3/T4 are in the midlle of the range.
mille mercis,
Panda.
Posted by Sad Panda on May 9, 2004, at 7:43:41
In reply to Re: Does Remeron cause weight gain?, posted by Racer on May 8, 2004, at 8:14:23
> You know, this is really part of the depression itself. I would rather die than get fat from the drugs again, and hear again how it's my own fault for eating so much. Been there, done that. It's not worth it to go through it again.
>
> Thank for putting in the answers.It's unfortunate the weight gain is a possible side effect from so many of these drugs, but I stress that it's only possible & not everyone gets this effect.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by chemist on May 9, 2004, at 17:27:27
In reply to Re: Does Remeron cause weight gain? » chemist, posted by Sad Panda on May 9, 2004, at 5:32:47
> > hey Panda, have your triglyceride levels gone up on remeron? i am in the dark on this one, but i read something related to hyperglycemia....grazie mille, chemist
> > >
> >
>
> Hi Chemist,
>
> I recently had blood test done including GTT & T3/T4. My triglyceride, cholestrol & glucose handling are all normal, my TSH is high but my T3/T4 are in the midlle of the range.
>
> mille mercis,
> Panda.
>
good to know....i was on the fence about this, from what i've read in the literature....thought i'd take a listen from someone who's actually taking the stuff...thanks for the heads-up! all the best, chemist
Posted by almondjoy on May 9, 2004, at 19:30:13
In reply to That's about what I'd heard... » almondjoy, posted by Racer on May 8, 2004, at 12:16:32
> Were you aware of changes in your eating/behavior during that time? Did it help your depression?
Actually, I was on Remeron during and after I got ECTs and I was REALLY out of it for a few months. One day I just realized that I couldnt zip up my jeans anymore and then later noticed I was stuffing my face all day. So I might be somewhat avoidable because you're aware of the possibility; and I can't recall ever being told about weight gain. Even if i was told i was a total zombie and dont remember much from the months right before and especially after that treatment. Unfortunately, it didn't help...my depression got alot worse over the year following that.
>
> I've posted about this before, but the problem isn't just drugs -- it's got a lot to do with lack of support, both in life in general and from the doctor. He doesn't seem to want to listen -- hell, I don't think he knows how to listen. Poor guy, maybe I should be feeling sorry for him. Anyway, I don't think he's heard any part of my concern about weight gain, how it would impact my life, the parts about how I would literally rather die than get so fat again from meds, or how it feels as if my life is being stripped away from me with nothing to replace the lost parts.I've told my current pdoc about what happened on Remeron, though I left out the part about starving myself for the next year to get the weight off because I was soooo miserable and self-conscious. So he's been working with me to try medications that aren't associated with weight gain...I was on Neurontin for a while and now Lexapro...if we completely run out, he'd probably suggest it. But maybe you should find a doc that can listen to you and your needs, ESPECIALLY before you consider any "worse" treatment options.
Though some side effects might be worth suffering for the benefits of the medication, that's not necessarily true. I'm totally with you on the weight thing, I couldn't stand myself EVEN MORE when i was fat
good luck
d
Posted by ravenstorm on May 10, 2004, at 9:27:27
In reply to Re: That's about what I'd heard... » Racer, posted by almondjoy on May 9, 2004, at 19:30:13
I have been on Remeron for four weeks at 15mg and have not gained any weight. I went through a two week period where my blood sugar was affected and so I was ravenously hungry all the time> IF I would have eaten as often as I was hungry during that period I would have gained at a minimum 10lbs. It was a very uncomfortable experience--I felt like I was starving to death despite eating normally, but it passed after two weeks.
To repeat: I have gained no weight on Remeron thus far.
This is the end of the thread.
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