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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by yesac on December 15, 2006, at 18:47:22
I haven't seen too many positive things about Remeron on here. I'm considering it as my next AD trial and I'm wondering if there's anyone out there who has liked the drug?
Posted by Maxime on December 15, 2006, at 19:28:56
In reply to Is there anyone who LIKES Remeron?, posted by yesac on December 15, 2006, at 18:47:22
> I haven't seen too many positive things about Remeron on here. I'm considering it as my next AD trial and I'm wondering if there's anyone out there who has liked the drug?
Most people can't get past the sedation and the weight gain. But if you can, it's a very effective AD for the people who can stick with it.Maxime
Posted by linkadge on December 15, 2006, at 19:48:50
In reply to Re: Is there anyone who LIKES Remeron? » yesac, posted by Maxime on December 15, 2006, at 19:28:56
There have been a few people on here who think highly of remeron. I think Crazy Hoarse did well on it.
I had no problems with remeron. Infact I found it was a very good drug. I didn't gain any weight with 1/2 year. It can work well when somebody has marked weight or sleep disturbances.
I am underweight, so any weight gain was welcomed.
Linkadge
Posted by yxibow on December 15, 2006, at 19:50:07
In reply to Is there anyone who LIKES Remeron?, posted by yesac on December 15, 2006, at 18:47:22
> I haven't seen too many positive things about Remeron on here. I'm considering it as my next AD trial and I'm wondering if there's anyone out there who has liked the drug?
Yes and no is my experience -- sedation, especially at the onset of usage -- generally a more night taking medication. It is actually a very good antidepressant for medication-resistant patients; its a tetracyclic with alpha adrenergic properties and a modest 5HT blockade, such as in atypical antipsychotics. I believe I received such a response from the 5HT although my doctor may debate the strength of that blockade.
Other interesting things that may happen are hypnagogic and hypnapompic hallucinations upon waking up which are harmless and make for quite fascinating vivid dreams near wakeup time.
Unfortunately it is a heavy weight gainer drug for a number but not all patients. Sometimes more so for those who were initially on the slender side.
If you give it a trial, be wary of extra hunger and watch what goes into your body in a given day compared to before -- you may have to cut your calorie intake a considerable amount even though the urge is very present. Also accompany it with some excercise like walking or a jog or if you use a gym.-- Jay
Posted by elanor roosevelt on December 15, 2006, at 22:25:16
In reply to Re: Is there anyone who LIKES Remeron? » yesac, posted by yxibow on December 15, 2006, at 19:50:07
my md gave me remeron to sleep
it gave me very structured, quest-like dreams in which i never succeeded
did not wake up refreshed
Posted by Declan on December 16, 2006, at 0:28:06
In reply to Re: Is there anyone who LIKES Remeron?, posted by elanor roosevelt on December 15, 2006, at 22:25:16
Good for depth of sleep and bad upon waking.
Posted by naughtypuppy on December 16, 2006, at 5:57:08
In reply to Re: Is there anyone who LIKES Remeron?, posted by Declan on December 16, 2006, at 0:28:06
It worked ok for about a year until it pooped out. Made my gums bleed a lot at about 30mg and above.
Posted by cubic_me on December 16, 2006, at 9:19:15
In reply to Re: Is there anyone who LIKES Remeron?, posted by naughtypuppy on December 16, 2006, at 5:57:08
For me so far it's been the only med that's worked in a long line (for double depression), however I went from normal weight to obese in 7 weeks, and at that weight I couldn't continue to earn money (no, I'm not a model or a prostitute!) so I came off it.
It seems that it works for lots of people, but the side effects for some can be intolerable. For me it's something to use as a last last result if things become unbearable until I find something that works for me.
Posted by Oppycat on December 16, 2006, at 15:42:11
In reply to Is there anyone who LIKES Remeron?, posted by yesac on December 15, 2006, at 18:47:22
> I haven't seen too many positive things about Remeron on here. I'm considering it as my next AD trial and I'm wondering if there's anyone out there who has liked the drug?
Having taken Remeron for about 6 months, I found it very effective in treating my depression. Stupidly, I abandoned it because it intensified my vices. The weight gain is a problem for most of us, because your hunger is ravenous. It takes either extreme willpower or a very vigorous exercise program to control ones weight at normal doses. The sedation is also overwhelming, at least for me at normal doses (45mg). I found these side effects very similar to amitryptlene, which I took for several years in the late 1970s. However, I didn't notice the dry mouth, constipation, or sweating that I experienced on the Tricyclics.
However, I didn't have much with either the appetite or the sedation at 15mg, despite its reputation. Unfortunately, 15mg didn't quite cut it for my depression. Why I didn't try taking 30mg for a while is a mystery to me.
Having said that, I'm going to try Remeron again as soon as I finish washing out from Parnate. Why we change antidepressants because of troublesome side effects when it's effectively treating our depression is beyond me, but I'm as guilty as anyone. In retrospect, I can see all the positive attributes of Remeron. Although it was extremely difficult to wake up completely on the drug, sleep was calm and it eliminates the need to take another drug for sleep. It also works quickly on my depression, showing benefits after several days. Finally, my sex drive was powerful, a real benefit after being on antidepressants for 30 years. A real benefit at age 58. So it's definitely worth another shot.
Sorry for the long, rambling reply. Sometimes it even helps when I put my experiences in writing so I can see the error of my ways. Good luck.
Michael
Posted by tecknohed on December 16, 2006, at 16:26:01
In reply to Re: Is there anyone who LIKES Remeron? » yesac, posted by Oppycat on December 16, 2006, at 15:42:11
I've tried it. Made me too tired.
But apparently, if you add Efexor (venlafaxine) to mirtazepine you (will likely) get a pretty strong noradrenergic boost. Not just something I've read, several docs have mentioned it to me. Read it on here too. It even has a name; 'Rocket Fuel', or something like that.
Now that certainly dont sound like 'too sedating' does it? Dont know bout weight gain but I'd imagine anything that increased energy would both increase metabolism & curb appitite (?).
Good luck anyhows.
Posted by cubic_me on December 17, 2006, at 4:21:11
In reply to Re: Is there anyone who LIKES Remeron? » Oppycat, posted by tecknohed on December 16, 2006, at 16:26:01
> I've tried it. Made me too tired.
>
> But apparently, if you add Efexor (venlafaxine) to mirtazepine you (will likely) get a pretty strong noradrenergic boost. Not just something I've read, several docs have mentioned it to me. Read it on here too. It even has a name; 'Rocket Fuel', or something like that.
>
> Now that certainly dont sound like 'too sedating' does it? Dont know bout weight gain but I'd imagine anything that increased energy would both increase metabolism & curb appitite (?).
I was on this combination. I didn't find the sedating effect a problem, but the weight gain was still massive, even when I 'watched what I ate' and going to the gym regularly.
Posted by philyra on December 17, 2006, at 18:02:14
In reply to Is there anyone who LIKES Remeron?, posted by yesac on December 15, 2006, at 18:47:22
I loved remeron, it was all that worked after about 11 other trials. I was on it for about 7 years (currently seeing if I can make it without an AD). I did gain about 30 lbs, but was underweight to begin with and the weight gain was very gradual for me. When it got to be a nuisance I combined Remeron with Adderall, Dexedrine over the years to help curb appetite. Also reduced my caloric intake and got into a habitual exercise regime, both of which helped with weight gain AND energy. It was definitely worth the side effects for me.
Also, the side effects are usually less at higher doses. For about 3 years I was on 90mg and really noticed a difference in sedation and appetite at higher doses.
philyra
Posted by yxibow on December 17, 2006, at 20:57:17
In reply to Re: Is there anyone who LIKES Remeron? » yesac, posted by philyra on December 17, 2006, at 18:02:14
> I loved remeron, it was all that worked after about 11 other trials. I was on it for about 7 years (currently seeing if I can make it without an AD). I did gain about 30 lbs, but was underweight to begin with and the weight gain was very gradual for me. When it got to be a nuisance I combined Remeron with Adderall, Dexedrine over the years to help curb appetite. Also reduced my caloric intake and got into a habitual exercise regime, both of which helped with weight gain AND energy. It was definitely worth the side effects for me.
>
> Also, the side effects are usually less at higher doses. For about 3 years I was on 90mg and really noticed a difference in sedation and appetite at higher doses.
>
> philyra90mg... holy cow.. I thought my foray into 52.5mg was going over the edge. Glad you tolerated it.
-- Jay
Posted by philyra on December 18, 2006, at 9:36:55
In reply to Re: Is there anyone who LIKES Remeron? » philyra, posted by yxibow on December 17, 2006, at 20:57:17
i know, it was kind of intense to be on 90mg. when i changed pdocs, the new one was *very* suspicious because he knew someone who had a psychotic break on that dose. i had to prove that i'd gotten that high really gradually. but i did really well on it.
philyra
Posted by Oppycat on December 18, 2006, at 11:18:37
In reply to Re: Is there anyone who LIKES Remeron? » yesac, posted by philyra on December 17, 2006, at 18:02:14
> I loved remeron, it was all that worked after about 11 other trials. I was on it for about 7 years (currently seeing if I can make it without an AD). I did gain about 30 lbs, but was underweight to begin with and the weight gain was very gradual for me. When it got to be a nuisance I combined Remeron with Adderall, Dexedrine over the years to help curb appetite. Also reduced my caloric intake and got into a habitual exercise regime, both of which helped with weight gain AND energy. It was definitely worth the side effects for me.
>
> Also, the side effects are usually less at higher doses. For about 3 years I was on 90mg and really noticed a difference in sedation and appetite at higher doses.
>
> philyra
That's really encouraging news about the Remeron. I'm ready to try it again. How are doing without any ADs?Michael
Posted by philyra on December 18, 2006, at 11:57:46
In reply to Re: Is there anyone who LIKES Remeron? » philyra, posted by Oppycat on December 18, 2006, at 11:18:37
> That's really encouraging news about the Remeron. I'm ready to try it again. How are doing without any ADs?
>
> Michael
>
>hi Michael,
so far i'm okay. it's been about 10 mos. i take ativan occasionally for anxiety, and my mood has been down a few times, but not to the point where i want to try meds again. that might change, in which case i'd want to go back on remeron. i hope it works out for you!
take care,
philyra
Posted by joslynn on December 18, 2006, at 13:13:45
In reply to Is there anyone who LIKES Remeron?, posted by yesac on December 15, 2006, at 18:47:22
I have never been on Remeron alone, but I have been on both Lexapro and Remeron for a few years. Some of those years, I went off Remeron, but ended up going back on during mini-episodes.
Unless it's just a placebo effect (and who really knows?), it appears that adding Remeron to the mix can quickly prevent me from sliding down into a full-blown depression. When I get very depressed or anxious, I can't eat or sleep, and Remeron regulates both of those things for me--does it ever!
Regarding the weight gain...I gained about 10 lbs on it. I am not technically overweight, but right at the top of the healthy level for my height. The holidays didn't help either. The weight gain did level off for me though. For some people, it does not, and they have to stop it. I find that cutting out almost all sugar and white flour helps with the cravings, which can be intense.
Another problem is, I find it hard to wake up in the mornings before work. I cut down from 15 mg to 7.5 mg to see if it would help, but I don't notice a difference. Maybe I will go back to 15 and just go to bed earlier. Even with 8 hrs of sleep, I feel groggy in the a.m. on Remeron. I am ok once I take a shower and get going.
I also think maybe I should stick with Remeron because supposedly it can help with the sexual side effects caused by SSRIs, though there seem to be mixed reviews about this. I am not sexually active now, so, it's not an issue one way or the other, but I am thinking of the future.
My experiences have all been using it as a supplment to an SSRI, not on its own. But I think it's been helpful, as much as I can guess.
The thing is, how do we really know any AD is the thing that is making us well? What if time would have made me better anyway? With three episodes of depression under my belt, two of them very severe, I am not sure I want to go off meds and find out the hard way...unless I have children. Then the whole game changes. But one thing at a time.
Anyway, that's my story about Remeron.
Posted by mattye on December 20, 2006, at 13:21:34
In reply to Re: Is there anyone who LIKES Remeron? » yesac, posted by philyra on December 17, 2006, at 18:02:14
Remeron did next to nothing for me even at 90 mgs. It gives me the munchies right after I take it, but when I wake up in the morning I have no appetite. I did gain some weight, but it was in the form of muscle, since I work out a lot. I actually lost fat. I'm a hardgainer, so being able to eat the extra calories helped me gain the muscle. I am currently tapering off this drug because I found that lexapro/celexa is what really helps me.
Posted by Karen44 on December 22, 2006, at 10:54:41
In reply to Is there anyone who LIKES Remeron?, posted by yesac on December 15, 2006, at 18:47:22
Remeron did not work for me at even the lowest dose. I quickly developed slurred speech; memory problems; I went to a conference that day and was goofy as all get out; I also drove over a curve; and finally, I developed very, very strong sexual feelings. I lasted about three days on it and had to get off of it. It was one of many AD's U have tried.
Karen44
> I haven't seen too many positive things about Remeron on here. I'm considering it as my next AD trial and I'm wondering if there's anyone out there who has liked the drug?
Posted by speed on December 23, 2006, at 1:52:44
In reply to Re: Is there anyone who LIKES Remeron? » tecknohed, posted by cubic_me on December 17, 2006, at 4:21:11
It works great on me. I cut a 15mg in half. I sleep like a baby and it helps with depression. I have been on it 2 years and believe me , I have tried them all.
Posted by Iansf on December 26, 2006, at 23:36:10
In reply to Re: Is there anyone who LIKES Remeron?, posted by speed on December 23, 2006, at 1:52:44
> It works great on me. I cut a 15mg in half. I sleep like a baby and it helps with depression. I have been on it 2 years and believe me , I have tried them all.
What about the notorious hunger side effect - do you get ravenously hungry even at 7.5 mg? Is 7.5 mg sufficient to deal with depression? Does it have any other significant benefits for you? Does it have any other significant side effects? Thanks.
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