Posted by Jill on March 12, 2002, at 16:13:28
In reply to Re: General Remeron Questions, posted by ItzaSecret on March 12, 2002, at 9:15:02
At 45mg (for depression/OCD), I have gained maybe 20 pounds over 5 years...and, honestly, most is not due to Remeron...it's due to exercising less and getting a bit older. I used to swim competitively, and up until recently, I continued to eat like I was still swimming (not the best for weight maintenance at 32!) I'm not a particularly tall woman (5' 5.5"), but am fairly muscular. I went from wearing a size 8 before Remeron (was wearing a 6 at times due to not eating due to depression...not healthy) to a size 10 now. Not a big deal for me...especially because I feel so great.
I've increased exercise and lost 5 pounds in the last few weeks...adding more fruits and veggies too--less sugary stuff and bread.
Weight gain is most pronounced under 30mg/day due to increased histamine (which makes you more hungry). Above 30 (or above 45 for me) the noradrenaline kicks in more and the appetite thing is not a big deal...plus sleepiness usually isn't a problem. No, it's not a company scam, it's the biochemistry. My pdoc bumped me from 15-45 over just a couple of weeks when I first started. Weight gain was minimal that way. Over the first year, I went back to my normal weight (had been underweight due to not eating/nausea due to depression and other meds I tried). I only gained 4 pounds.
My sister's taking 45mg/day too. At 45mg, we both feel happy, have plenty of energy, sleep well, have no sexual side effects (at least I know I don't) and weight gain has been minimal.
This is really a good drug for many people. I am sad that most doctors think they should prescribe less Remeron if weight gain is a problem...going lower with the dosage actual increases appetite and tiredness.
I need to take 45 mg to not feel sleepy and out of it and not to be depressed and crying. If I would have given up at 15mg -30mg, I would never have felt so great at 45! However, I know every body is different. This drug has really changed my life (and my sister's...she was suffering from bad postpartum depression/OCD/anxiety stuff).
A last note, some docs prescribe Zantac-type drugs to lower the histamine in the stomach. This seems to help curb appetite in some people. I've found that just eating better foods (more fruits, veggies, and fiber, and drinking lots of water) and eating a small amount every 3 hours or so really helped curb my appetite...this works for many whether they are taking Remeron or not.
Good luck.
Jill
poster:Jill
thread:1924
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020307/msgs/97656.html