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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Determined on January 13, 2009, at 21:09:26
First of all I would like to say how much I have learned from reading all the posts on this site. I also no longer feel alone in my quest to get off of this drug. I have been taking Remeron for about 18 months (15 mg) for anxiety. I was in a very high stress job and my husband had quit his job and was not working for several months when I was in my car one day and had to call 911. I thought I was having a heart attack. It turned out to be a severe panic attack. I had already been suffering from anxiety for several years and had been on many different drugs at one time or another. Upon arriving at the ER that day, they sent the crisis nurse to see me and after hearing what all was going on in my life she looked at me and said. "Honey you are going to need to see a shrink." I work in health care myself so I thought her choice of words was rather interesting (and wrong). But I realized that if I was going to be able to function she was right. So I went and that is how I ended up on Remeron.
I am usually the person that researches everything about a drug before I decide if I am going to take it. At the time though I just wanted the panic attacks to stop so I started the 15 mg of Remeron and it worked. It also caused me to gain 40 lbs in the 18 months I have been taking it. As I have read in many of your posts, I too have attempted to stop this drug at least 2 times without success. Only to return to it again and then get depressed because I didn't stick it out. At first I tried to get off too quickly. I took a 7.5 mg dose for a week and then quit cold turkey. That was definately the WRONG thing to do. I ended up off work, doctor's orders, for two weeks. I could not function to do anything. My poor husband, I honestly don't know how he made it through it. I eventually had to take the Remeron again just to be able to go back to work and take care of my kids again. I have tried at least one other time to wean only to start again because I am afraid of having the same terrible experience I had before. But I am trying again. Have been on 7.5 mg. for 2 weeks and plan to say here for awhile. Withdrawal sucks though....chills, muscle aches, some anxiety (but not like before), headache, and not sleeping as well. Using Xanax as needed for the anxiety. I am encouraged by those of you who have made it and am determined to get off this drug eventually. I do believe that tapering slowly is the key. Thank you to all you who have posted on this site. I hope that we can support each other!
Determined
Posted by Phillipa on January 14, 2009, at 0:05:56
In reply to Weaning off Remeron, posted by Determined on January 13, 2009, at 21:09:26
I like your name very positive. Have you checked the withdrawal board? May be some remeron withdrawal theads there. Myself took 15 for a month and just stopped it. Was also on benzos for anxiety so maybe that's why no withdrawal. Sounds like your're having a very bad time. Phillipa
Posted by bleauberry on January 14, 2009, at 19:02:48
In reply to Weaning off Remeron, posted by Determined on January 13, 2009, at 21:09:26
Yeah, withdrawing from Remeron was a tough one for me. It was the third hardest, with xanax being second hardest, and zyprexa being the hardest.
I did it by slicing tiny crumbs off the pills. It took about 2 months. For example, 7.5mg to 7mg, then to 6.75mg to 6.5mg, and so on. Tiny crumbs, staying at each new dose about 4 days before cutting off another crumb.
Posted by theo on January 18, 2009, at 20:36:39
In reply to Weaning off Remeron, posted by Determined on January 13, 2009, at 21:09:26
If Remeron works for you, why are you stopping, weight gain?
Posted by 49er on January 19, 2009, at 5:56:31
In reply to Weaning off Remeron, posted by Determined on January 13, 2009, at 21:09:26
Determined,
As one who just got off Remeron, my advice would be to taper slowly. When I say slowly, I mean 10% of the current dose every 3 to 6 weeks.
If you are using it as a sleep med, you might want to go even more slowly when you get below 10mg.
How to do it?
1. Purchase a digital scale from E-Bay in .001g increments for around $30.00. Weigh dose of med you want to taper from. For example, if 15mg equals .161g, take 10% of .161 which will be your next dose.
Initially, I was weighing the dose but eventually, found it easier to crush the med and put it in an empty gelatin capsule to weigh
2. Ask your doctor to write a prescription for the right dose and take it a compound pharmacy who will make those odd doses you can't get at a local drug store. Can be expensive and not all insurance companies reimburse it.
I know this sounds like a pain in the neck. But I can tell you from personal experience, it is worth it.
In spite of suffering severe insomnia near the end of my taper (I didn't promise all your problems would be eliminated), things would have been alot worse if I had tapered too quickly.
49er
This is the end of the thread.
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