![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
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 9, 2004, at 11:15:27
I know, there's already a lot here, and I've read most of it. I just have some more questions, or I want to hear more experiences, or I just want my hand held -- but it *is* med related, so this is the appropriate board...
First of all, for those of you with major depression using Remeron for monotherapy, did it work for you? If it worked, which specific symptoms did it help with most? Does the sedation last, or is that a transient effect? Does it help with sleeping or anxiety? If you gained weight -- yes, a big issue for me -- how much weight did you gain, about? As a percentage of starting body weight is fine -- like, "well, I weighed 120 when I started, and gained 60 pounds, so that's 50% of my body weight..." (Don't think that's an exaggeration -- I gained more than 50% of my starting weight on Paxil. I really do not want to do that again.)
If it worked, how long did it take before you had an idea that it was helping? How high a dose were you on? How low a dose did you start at? How long did it take you to titrate up?
If it was partially successful, or if you had great success on it in combination with other drugs, please tell me that, too.
Thanks!
Posted by Sad Panda on May 9, 2004, at 12:48:20
In reply to Remeron experiences?, posted by Racer on May 9, 2004, at 11:15:27
> I know, there's already a lot here, and I've read most of it. I just have some more questions, or I want to hear more experiences, or I just want my hand held -- but it *is* med related, so this is the appropriate board...
>
> First of all, for those of you with major depression using Remeron for monotherapy, did it work for you? If it worked, which specific symptoms did it help with most? Does the sedation last, or is that a transient effect? Does it help with sleeping or anxiety? If you gained weight -- yes, a big issue for me -- how much weight did you gain, about? As a percentage of starting body weight is fine -- like, "well, I weighed 120 when I started, and gained 60 pounds, so that's 50% of my body weight..." (Don't think that's an exaggeration -- I gained more than 50% of my starting weight on Paxil. I really do not want to do that again.)
>
> If it worked, how long did it take before you had an idea that it was helping? How high a dose were you on? How low a dose did you start at? How long did it take you to titrate up?
>
> If it was partially successful, or if you had great success on it in combination with other drugs, please tell me that, too.
>
> Thanks!
>Hi Racer,
I am on Effexor & Remeron, I have not gained any weight & since I am happier I have started to improve my eating habits. Remeron is mostly a sleep aid that also counteracts SSRI side effects & I recommend it to all who have some kind of insomnia. It's antidepressant abilities are weak & it's anxiolytic abilities are mild, but on the positive side it is easy to give it up. It's best useage would be as an adjunct to Effexor or SSRI thearpy that it working but having side effects(insomnia, nausea & anorgasmia)
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by Emme on May 9, 2004, at 19:30:19
In reply to Remeron experiences?, posted by Racer on May 9, 2004, at 11:15:27
I personally found it to be a *very* effective antidepresant, with some clonazepam for leftover anxiety. I can't recall if I took 30 or 45 mg. I required more sleep on it, but the sedation wasn't too bad overall and I had enough energy to exercise. It took several weeks for it to kick in. I improved a lot just about when we were getting discouraged with it. (Of course that doesn't mean it would take that long for you.)
About the weight. Well, yes, I started to gain very rapidly at the beginning. The weight gain was not due just to an increased appetite (I was watching what I ate from the start). It really tweaked my metabolism. But I was able to halt the weight gain at 7 lbs. by reducing my calorie intake and exercising a lot. So, don't despair on that account. You may not gain weight, or you may be able to manage diet/exercise in a way to minimize it. When I stopped it, several pounds just plopped right back off again. So if you try it and weight gain becomes and issue, you might be able to lose it again.
Good luck with it.
Emme> I know, there's already a lot here, and I've read most of it. I just have some more questions, or I want to hear more experiences, or I just want my hand held -- but it *is* med related, so this is the appropriate board...
>
> First of all, for those of you with major depression using Remeron for monotherapy, did it work for you? If it worked, which specific symptoms did it help with most? Does the sedation last, or is that a transient effect? Does it help with sleeping or anxiety? If you gained weight -- yes, a big issue for me -- how much weight did you gain, about? As a percentage of starting body weight is fine -- like, "well, I weighed 120 when I started, and gained 60 pounds, so that's 50% of my body weight..." (Don't think that's an exaggeration -- I gained more than 50% of my starting weight on Paxil. I really do not want to do that again.)
>
> If it worked, how long did it take before you had an idea that it was helping? How high a dose were you on? How low a dose did you start at? How long did it take you to titrate up?
>
> If it was partially successful, or if you had great success on it in combination with other drugs, please tell me that, too.
>
> Thanks!
Posted by f l y on May 9, 2004, at 20:43:58
In reply to Remeron experiences?, posted by Racer on May 9, 2004, at 11:15:27
- it was the most effective ad iv'e taken
- sleep mood anxiety
- had to take 40mg dexedrine to combat sedation from the remeron
- went from 170 to 240 lbs.
- the good effects were felt almost immediately
- went up to 45mg remeron to combat sedation
- problem besides weight gain was inability to exert during workouts - making the weight problem even worse
- quit taking b/c of weight gain and inability to exercise
best to ya,
fly
Posted by ravenstorm on May 10, 2004, at 9:22:59
In reply to Re: Remeron experiences?, posted by f l y on May 9, 2004, at 20:43:58
Hi, I have been on remeron for a little over four weeks at 15mg. I saw some improvement with the drug almost immediately, but did not have really significant improvement until just this past weekend when I reached the four week mark.
I have not gained any weight but I went through a two week period where I was ravenously hungry and felt like I was starving to death even though I was eating normally. If I would have eaten according to my appetite during those two weeks I have no doubt that I would have gained at least ten pounds if not more.
I had severe anxiety and moderate depression.
Two very annoying side effects are still lingering: extremely dried out mucous membranes and I have a very distended/enlarged abdomen (despite absolutely no weight gain--I look like I'm about three months pregnant all of the time.) All of the the other side effects: dizzyness, sedation, blood sugar swings and increased appetite all passed within four weeks. For me the severe sedation passed within the first couple of days.
My only complaint about this drug is the fact that you usually get less side effects at a higher dosage because I am so small and med sensitive I usually only need a small dosage!
It has really helped me, I think it is definitely worth a six to eight week trial.
Posted by cherylann on May 10, 2004, at 9:49:07
In reply to Re: Remeron experiences?, posted by ravenstorm on May 10, 2004, at 9:22:59
I weighed about 120 when I started remeron. Within about 6 months, I went up to 145. I was taking 30 mgs.
Athough it was working for anxiety, it wasn't working as well for depression (I thought anyway). So, I started supplementing with fish oil. Right away I noticed a difference. So much so that I thought the fish oil might be the only med I needed and stopped the remeron.
I now realize that the remeron was working fine for my depression and will probably start it again.
The dry mouth went away over time and within a few days the extreme sleepiness abated. Yet, I still slept through the night just fine.
The only complaint I had with this drug was the weight gain and an occaisional night when I had, what I call, the twitchies. Almost like when you're too tired and can't sit still.
Best wishes
Posted by f l y on May 10, 2004, at 22:45:12
In reply to Re: Remeron experiences?, posted by ravenstorm on May 10, 2004, at 9:22:59
"increased appetite all passed within four weeks" might have decreased > will never pass. fluid retention will keep your weight up even if you decrease caloric intake.
best to ya,
fly
Posted by Sad Panda on May 10, 2004, at 23:34:37
In reply to Re: Remeron experiences?, posted by cherylann on May 10, 2004, at 9:49:07
> The only complaint I had with this drug was the weight gain and an occaisional night when I had, what I call, the twitchies. Almost like when you're too tired and can't sit still.
> Best wishesI have mild foot oedema & occasionally get restless foot syndrome that subsides as soon as I go to bed. I had some dry mouth & old man aches but they passed.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by ravenstorm on May 11, 2004, at 10:09:23
In reply to Re: Remeron experiences?, posted by ravenstorm on May 10, 2004, at 9:22:59
Except for the stomach swelling, I don't have edema and I still weigh the same old 115lbs as when I started. Knock wood.
Posted by Racer on May 11, 2004, at 13:16:16
In reply to Re: Remeron experiences?, posted by ravenstorm on May 11, 2004, at 10:09:23
Has your doctor said anything about the distended abdomen? That's started for me -- although I look as if I am about five months along -- and since the drug hasn't had any noticeable beneficial effects yet, it's a real problem. (Like, I can't fit into my clothes and now REALLY don't want to leave the house.) Have you found anything to help?
(Again, that's my biggest problem with this med: not being able to contact the doctor and get any help with things like this. Maybe if I trusted him to take seriously the distress things like this cause, or even just say something like, "uh... try this for it" I might not have quite so much stress over side effects. As it is, getting second hand advice here is the best I can do -- NOT a way to inspire hope or confidence in a patient.)
Thanks!
Posted by snapper on May 11, 2004, at 14:44:59
In reply to Re: Remeron experiences? » ravenstorm, posted by Racer on May 11, 2004, at 13:16:16
Hi, Sad Panda,
just wanted to know if you think 7.5mg of remeron would be more sedating than 15mg that I am currently taking and also would lower dose cause greater increase in appetite, dry mouth etc. I do not take it for AD purposes but just to help sleep-I took it for around 8-9 mos -30mg for depression and it made me feel mad , pissy, and just plain hostile-extra angry yes, I have bi-polar tendancies and I think Rem exacerbated them)
I know this is a strange med in re: to dosing and effects being different at diff. levels -anyhow I am going to experiment with lower dose but just wanted to get your opinion. Oh, and BTW I also beleive that this AD is pretty much useless by it self and am supprised that you said it reversed your anorgasmia while being on effexor.Though I have never had the Rem. and FXR combo together, I still found that FXR did not significantly reduce my libido or ability to orgasm. Anyhow who knows...we are all so very different-thanks in advance for reply
Snapper
Posted by ravenstorm on May 11, 2004, at 22:12:03
In reply to Re: Remeron experiences? » ravenstorm, posted by Racer on May 11, 2004, at 13:16:16
Yes, Racer, I had a couple of weeks where the abdomen was even larger than it is now. So it has decreased a bit but it definitely isn't going away. I am feeling soooooooo much better than I was four weeks ago, so I think I tend not to worry about it as much, although I am still not happy about it!
You really can't judge the effectiveness of the drug unless you try it for six to eight weeks. I didn't see significant improvement until week four (last week), which, I guess is pretty normal for AD's. I would hang in there and give the drug a real trial.
Posted by Sad Panda on May 12, 2004, at 7:17:02
In reply to Re: Remeron experiences?--? FOR PANDA, posted by snapper on May 11, 2004, at 14:44:59
> Hi, Sad Panda,
> just wanted to know if you think 7.5mg of remeron would be more sedating than 15mg that I am currently taking and also would lower dose cause greater increase in appetite, dry mouth etc. I do not take it for AD purposes but just to help sleep-I took it for around 8-9 mos -30mg for depression and it made me feel mad , pissy, and just plain hostile-extra angry yes, I have bi-polar tendancies and I think Rem exacerbated them)
> I know this is a strange med in re: to dosing and effects being different at diff. levels -anyhow I am going to experiment with lower dose but just wanted to get your opinion. Oh, and BTW I also beleive that this AD is pretty much useless by it self and am supprised that you said it reversed your anorgasmia while being on effexor.Though I have never had the Rem. and FXR combo together, I still found that FXR did not significantly reduce my libido or ability to orgasm. Anyhow who knows...we are all so very different-thanks in advance for reply
> Snapper
>
>Hi Snapper,
I would doubt that 7.5mg would be more sedating, but it wouldn't hurt to try the lower dose. Somewhere in the 7.5 - 15mg range most people would find the point where histamine-1 receptors are totally saturated. 30+mg doses brings Alpha-2 NE blockade in to play which would be the source of crankiness, anger, etc. It's usefullness as a stand alone AD is somewhat doubtfull, but there are some people who find it a godsend like serzone & trazodone, so it would be a shame to lose it. I do think it's a great add on to other drugs, I find it fabulous taken with Effexor & I like that it reversed my SSRI induced anorgasmia problem.
Cheers,
Panda.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.