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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by torachan on November 14, 2007, at 19:50:23
Is this medication truly good for anxiety, specifically chronic anxiety, and is it a good replacement for a benzo long term? I'm skeptical, because I've read it's a noradrenergic agonist; doesn't that increase adrenaline which I'd assume is not good for anxiety.
Also, any chemistry experts know if this drug has similar neurochemical activity to doxepin or effexor?
Posted by Phillipa on November 14, 2007, at 20:32:33
In reply to Remeron?, posted by torachan on November 14, 2007, at 19:50:23
l5mg didn't do anything good or bad for me but I'm strange meds are not my answer I don't think. But good luck to you if you take remeron. Phillipa
Posted by oldschool305 on November 14, 2007, at 21:48:10
In reply to Remeron?, posted by torachan on November 14, 2007, at 19:50:23
I took Remeron for years before bedtime. I have anxiety and panic disorder. The only thing that takes away my anxiety is SLEEP! So whenever I had an attack, I would take a tiny tiny tiny tiny microscopic piece of remeron (i am talking .05 out of a 30mg tab) and it would take my anxiety away immediately. It was the miracle drug... but it also put me right to sleep. Over the years, i gained tremendous amounts of weight, remeron really packed on the lbs. for me. And it makes you extremely tired the next day!! But after a few cups of coffee, you are fine. That is the only complaint i have about remeron, otherwise it is a MIRACLE for anxiety attacks (IMHO)!!!
Posted by oldschool305 on November 14, 2007, at 21:51:37
In reply to Re: Remeron?, posted by oldschool305 on November 14, 2007, at 21:48:10
and entire 30mg tab of Remeron was just exxessive, it wasn't necessary. If you get the dissolvable tabs (they taste a bit like orange)... you could basically crumble the tab and dip your finger into it and lick it. it disolves on your toungue and you are basically sleeping within 15-20 minutes. You will have really vivid dreams on this stuff, but I actually liked that side effect hehe. i had the most amazing dreams you could possibly imagine on this stuff and i wrote many of them down, i could write a book with the stuff i have dreamed of. but yah... if you have severe anxiety disorder, remeron might save you!!! just beware of weight gain and sleepiness in the morning. good luck. i would love to hear about your experience after trying it.
Posted by torachan on November 14, 2007, at 22:45:11
In reply to Re: Remeron?, posted by oldschool305 on November 14, 2007, at 21:51:37
Just started about five days ago. I gotta tell you that when it's not the time for me to sleep ie; not my usual bedtime, too anxious, not tired, etc, everything I've tried to induce sleep overriding all factors such as sleep meds(trazodone/zopiclone) or just taking about 4 times my usual clonazepam dose, nothing would work.
First night of Rem, once strange feeling kicked in, felt kinda panicky like I was losing control, spent the next 10 or 15 minutes trying to sort things out, then laid my head down and was gone! Out like a light. Woke up a few times during the night but disappeared soon after.
I'm currently trying 15mgs each night. Were you ever treated with benzos? I ask because I want to know if this stuff will suffice for what was severe anxiety/panic. I say was, because Ive been on clonazepam daily since the panic began in 1994 and haven't had a panic attack since but I certainly can feel anxiety below the surface. Occasional spells of depression/suicidality which is to be expected.
Anyways, I tried the SSRI/NRI deal trying to kick the benzo at many doctors' insistences, with the most success on Effexor--got as low as .125 mg/day clonazepam, but didn't feel comfortable enough to quit.
Well, I hope this works. I've read mixed reviews with Rem and chronic anxiety. And the weight gain I'll watch for; Effexor is known for this too and I only put on 10-15lbs.
John
Posted by yxibow on November 15, 2007, at 0:32:53
In reply to Re: Remeron?oldschool305, posted by torachan on November 14, 2007, at 22:45:11
It doesn't touch my receptors now in the same way, 15mg was a poor antidepressant and made sleep very difficult, 22.5 the same. But in the past I would agree, besides the weight issue, it is a fantastic antidepressant, around 30mg it switches to a serotonergic agent and dreams are tripping the light fantastic.
Posted by ClearSkies on November 15, 2007, at 7:07:09
In reply to Re: Remeron?oldschool305, posted by torachan on November 14, 2007, at 22:45:11
I'm taking 30mg per night as an antidepressant and do find it helps my anxiety a lot, although at the moment I'm going through some situational stuff that it doesn't touch.
I do like how Remeron allows me to get to sleep quickly, but I wake up in a bear of a mood and have to ease myself into the day. Of all the AD's I've tried, this is BY FAR the most benign as far as side effects go. The weight gain stabilized after 8 weeks at the 30mg dosage, and I've been schnibbling away at getting that back down.
Overall, a very good fit for my depression and anxiety.
ClearSkies
p.s. Sorry no chemistry notes from me as I have zero knowledge - just my personal experience.
Posted by oldschool305 on November 16, 2007, at 19:17:50
In reply to Re: Remeron?oldschool305 » torachan, posted by ClearSkies on November 15, 2007, at 7:07:09
Oh yes, I've taken benzos for years but not daily. I took them as needed, whenever I had a horrible attack. I have taken Klonopin and xanax. I quit all that and switched to Remeron and it did it for me, it saved my life at one point when my attacks were sooooo horrible, I couldn't leave my house. Unfortunately, we all react differently but I sure hope that it helps you the way it helped me. I took it the night before last because I had a job interview early in the morning. I haven't slept so lovely in months. I felt so wonderful all day yesterday, no anxiety what-so-ever. One other thing I forgot to mention is that Remeron can cause irratibility!!!! Sometimes I wake up in the most crabby mood, but that sure is better than an anxiety attack eh??
=)
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