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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Anxiety123 on January 1, 2009, at 13:44:34
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by AnitaDean on December 31, 2008, at 15:15:31
I think the scales are easier. I only do the water because I tapered off a benzo using water and that is what I got used to. That was before I knew about the scale method. With the water, you have to order alot of the equipment such as a small blender and measuring devices. Then you have to do all the math to make accurate cuts. With the scales, you can find them for pretty cheap on e-bay or amazon. There is alot of info posted on the paxil board about what kind of scales to use and how to use them, also how to calcuate the math. Depending on what AD you are weaning off of also can make a difference. Some of them such as paxil and lexapro come in a prescription liquid and that makes them easy to cut without any special equipment. If they are a capsule, you can't put them in water so the scales work well. I don't have all my info on the water taper at home. It is all on my computer at work and I am off on vacation until Jan 12. If you still want me to send it to you, I can when I get back to work. Just put a post out here or send me a private message to Anxiety123 on the paxil board with your e-mail so I can send it all to you.
Posted by Maritza on January 1, 2009, at 22:01:36
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates? » Maritza, posted by 49er on December 31, 2008, at 5:15:42
> > Hi, so I registered on Paxilprogress.com. My user name is the same as here, Maritza. I am currently in a waiting mode with them . My registration needs to undergo moderation before my forum is activated. I still don't get how to tirate doses down. It's not possible to cut the pill in 10% increments. What does water tapering mean. I think alot of people would appreciate this explanation.
> > Thanks
> > Maritza
>
> Hi,
>
> I am tapering Remeron by 10% and here are the steps. I don't use water titration as that is just too messy and confusing for me.
>
> 1, Buy a digital scale on EBay that can measure .001g. They range in price from $15 to $30.
>
> 2. Buy empty gelatin capsules. I bought a whole container of 1000 for $10 from vitacost.
>
> 3. Buy pill crusher
>
> 4. Count out the amount of Remeron you are currently using. For example, if it is a 15mg pill, crush it and then pour it into the emply capsule.
>
> 5. Weigh it on the digital scale and note the measurement.
>
> 6. Use that measurement to subtract the 10% amount from. For example, if the measurement is .215g, your new dose will be .194.
>
> Fire away with any questions.
>
> 49er
> Thanks, I appreciate this info. Only one question, does this effect the rate of absorbtion?
>
Posted by Maritza on January 1, 2009, at 22:03:12
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates? » Maritza, posted by 49er on December 31, 2008, at 5:15:42
> > Hi, so I registered on Paxilprogress.com. My user name is the same as here, Maritza. I am currently in a waiting mode with them . My registration needs to undergo moderation before my forum is activated. I still don't get how to tirate doses down. It's not possible to cut the pill in 10% increments. What does water tapering mean. I think alot of people would appreciate this explanation.
> > Thanks
> > Maritza
>
> Hi,
>
> I am tapering Remeron by 10% and here are the steps. I don't use water titration as that is just too messy and confusing for me.
>
> 1, Buy a digital scale on EBay that can measure .001g. They range in price from $15 to $30.
>
> 2. Buy empty gelatin capsules. I bought a whole container of 1000 for $10 from vitacost.
>
> 3. Buy pill crusher
>
> 4. Count out the amount of Remeron you are currently using. For example, if it is a 15mg pill, crush it and then pour it into the emply capsule.
>
> 5. Weigh it on the digital scale and note the measurement.
>
> 6. Use that measurement to subtract the 10% amount from. For example, if the measurement is .215g, your new dose will be .194.
>
> Fire away with any questions.
>
> 49er
> Thanks, I appreciate this info. Only one question, does this effect the rate of absorbtion?
>
Posted by AnitaDean on January 1, 2009, at 23:00:57
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by Anxiety123 on January 1, 2009, at 13:44:34
By the way, I am super sensitive too. How long do you go in between drops? I mean at the 10% level. I think I am FINALLY (after 12 days) starting to level off after my 25% drop!
Posted by AnitaDean on January 2, 2009, at 23:10:44
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by Maritza on January 1, 2009, at 22:03:12
Can anyone explain to me exactly what the remeron does to your adrenals? When you drop in dosage, does it actually shoot adrenaline into your system? Or is it that when you take it it suppresses the adrenals then when you remove it the suppressed adrenaline comes out? Also what does it do to your blood sugar?
thx
Posted by Maritza on January 3, 2009, at 0:00:09
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by AnitaDean on January 2, 2009, at 23:10:44
Hi I want share a very scary situation that happened to me this evening to hopefully prevent the same from happening to anyone else. I have an old prescription fo Tylenol #4 that I take once in a long while for back and neck pain. I had major surgery on my c-spine 2 years ago and was given this prescription. Recently I was given a prescription for Sporonox (Itraconazole) to treat a yeast infection. I beleive I have this yeast infection becuse Mirtazipine blocks stomach acid secretion, changing the ph of the stomach and intestines. So I began this new medication today. It slows the liver's abilityt o metabolize certain drugs, such as mertazipine, thereby increasing their clearance time. So tonight I took my dose of Mirtazipine (7.5mh). Then I had a cigarette. (Yes I smoke). Within minutes I developed severe, crushing mid-sternal chest pain and began panting for air. I felt extremely hot and began breaking a sweat. I also felt dizzy and light headed. This continued for about 10 minutes. i feel about normal now, but I debated on calling 911. Maybe I should have. What I think happened based on info I just read on Drugs.com, is that the Sporonox increased the concentration of Mirtazipine in my system and the Tlenol & Codeine mix resulted in CNS and respiratory depression. Add smoking to this-- and I'm lucky to be here sharing this. I feel like Mirtazipine is going to kill me somehow. My pharmacist and doctor know all of my prescriptions, yet, I really think that if i had taken the Tylenol/ codeine any closer to when I took the mirtazipine, I probably would be in the hospital right now (or God forbid worse). This is no joke. I took the Tylenol/codeine at 11:00 am and mirtazipine at 9:30 pm. Please check all of your prescriptions at Drugs.com or another PDR type resource. Benzos or narcotics and mirtazipine put you at a high risk for a heart attack from CNS/ respiratory depression.
Maritza
Posted by Anxiety123 on January 3, 2009, at 0:14:52
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by Maritza on January 3, 2009, at 0:00:09
I guess we all react differently to combos of drugs. I take a benzo every day with remeron and have never had any reaction. Been doing that for almost 5 years now. The same Dr. prescribes both. Also, 4 years ago I had surgery for breast cancer (4 surgeries in a period of 2 years) and after each surgery for my reconstruction I took tylenol/codeine (percocet) for several weeks after each surgery and never had any kind of reaction. My nighttime dose of percocet was taken with remeron and the benzo. That is pretty scary that that happened to you. I hope you are ok now. :)
Posted by Maritza on January 3, 2009, at 6:42:23
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by Anxiety123 on January 3, 2009, at 0:14:52
Thanks. I've been smoking for 20 years. Maybe the cigarette triggered it? Also the Itracanazole effects the liver, slowing down the clearance of the meds.
Posted by Anxiety123 on January 3, 2009, at 13:47:42
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by AnitaDean on January 1, 2009, at 23:00:57
I can't tell you how long between drops because I am also weaning klonopin and toprol and I rotate between the 3. Sorry. I am glad you are feeling better.
> By the way, I am super sensitive too. How long do you go in between drops? I mean at the 10% level. I think I am FINALLY (after 12 days) starting to level off after my 25% drop!
Posted by TimeLord on January 19, 2009, at 11:40:26
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by Anxiety123 on January 3, 2009, at 13:47:42
I was off of Remeron for six months and eventually hit a point where I could no longer sleep for periods longer than 30-40 minutes every few hours. This insomnia went on for 12 weeks, until I finally went back on the Remeron at a small dose...
I don't know how the hell to get off this stuff and I've been on it for ten years. I also got of Klonopin at the same time, which may have been problematic as well.
I stopped taking it again last night (I was back on 3.75mg for roughly four weeks) and am attempting to stop again... but I couldn't sleep at all last night and my mind is all weird. However, if I take it now, it doesn't always work. Such is the nature of the best, I suspect.
Posted by AnitaDean on January 19, 2009, at 12:09:41
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by TimeLord on January 19, 2009, at 11:40:26
Hi
Do you think it is harder to get off of Remeron the longer you have been on it? I have been on it since last July and started tapering down in August. But it was a lot easier to taper at the higher dose (15mg was my highest). Now I am taking like 5.625 mg and really want to get off of it by this summer at the LATEST. I have heard a bunch of other stories where people successfully got off of Remeron.
Posted by TimeLord on January 19, 2009, at 12:28:08
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by AnitaDean on January 19, 2009, at 12:09:41
There is really no evidence, apart from anecdotal, that medication may be harder to withdraw from based on length of time on it. At least from what I've read. With benzos this is certainly true, but Remeron is supposed to be easier to get off of - regardless of time on it.
I suspect because it acts on two neurotransmitters that is might be the reverse, but I don't really know.
Posted by AnitaDean on January 24, 2009, at 20:16:40
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by TimeLord on January 19, 2009, at 12:28:08
DOes anyone know how Remeron affects your blood sugar? I heard it practically makes people hypoglycemic b/c it totally messes with the blood sugar. Also if this is the case, do the symptoms get worse as your dose gets lower? I dropped from 7.5mg to 5.625 last month and I am noticing now that every day around 4:30-5:30 my blood sugar feels SO low and I have to keep eating and eating (which is fine with me b/c I am trying to gain weight. I have had anxiety related diarrhea for about 10 months now).
thanks
Anita
Posted by Maritza on January 25, 2009, at 20:50:53
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by AnitaDean on January 24, 2009, at 20:16:40
Not sure what the facts are, but I've also been getting hypoglycemic. I have to eat something every couple of hours or I start feeling foggy and my energy bottoms out. Almonds and oatmeal help, for those not trying to gain weight. I've been battling a Candida infection which I believe is related to Remeron. Because of its antihistamine effects, it blocks stomach acid secretion, making your digestive tract more habitable for yeast, bacteria and other parasites! I'm on 7.5mg, and from what I've been told, the antihistamine effects get stronger as you decrease the dose. Eat alot of yogurt and take alot of Vit C. I take digestive aids to help. Also because your not digesting your food properly, your immune system becomes weakened because you are not getting the nutrients you need. I hope this helps.
Posted by AnitaDean on January 25, 2009, at 22:21:09
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by Maritza on January 25, 2009, at 20:50:53
Wow, this Remeron is absolutely incredible in how harmful it is to the body! So is there any point where the antihistamine effects start to reduce? Or is that only when you get off of it? I am on about 5.5 mg. and am thinking about starting to taper down again soon. THanks for this info!
Posted by AnitaDean on January 25, 2009, at 22:22:03
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by Maritza on January 25, 2009, at 20:50:53
This will also explain why I got a parasite last summer!
Posted by Maritza on January 26, 2009, at 21:11:52
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by AnitaDean on January 25, 2009, at 22:22:03
I was wondering how you were measuring acurate 5.5 mg doses and what kind of tapering schedule you are on. I want to get off of this stuff, but I can't handle any withdrawl. I definately have anxiety and probably should be on something but I haven't heard about anything that doesn't make you spacy or have other harmful side-effects. You said you lost weight from an increase in anxiety with your last taper. How are you dealing with the anxiety. Are you having any trouble sleeping? Thanks.
Posted by HLR on February 12, 2009, at 1:33:37
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by Maritza on January 26, 2009, at 21:11:52
My wife has been on 30 mg for over 2 years and was told to go go cold turkey. She was put on wellbuteron to help before she was taken off. It has now been 1 month and she has no energy, nausea headaches, head pressure, blurred vision etc. Has anyone else done cold turkey and how long did it take? It is funny how the psychiatrist says this is not remeron side effects and he has never had anyone experience this.
Posted by AnitaDean on February 12, 2009, at 9:58:23
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by Maritza on January 26, 2009, at 21:11:52
Sorry about the delay. I use a digital scale. Get one on ebay!
Posted by Maritza on February 13, 2009, at 6:34:04
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by HLR on February 12, 2009, at 1:33:37
Wellbutrin is stimulating. If she was on Remeron for anxiety this may not be the best choice to switch to. Is she sleeping?
Posted by HLR on February 13, 2009, at 21:28:03
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by Maritza on February 13, 2009, at 6:34:04
She has no problem sleeping once she falls asleep and she is off the wellbutren.
Posted by AnitaDean on February 23, 2009, at 10:12:47
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by HLR on February 13, 2009, at 21:28:03
Hi so I decreased my Remeron by 5% only last nite and I am feeling the jitters today. Does it make more sense to just "rip the bandaid" and go down by an 1/8 (33%in this case) and suffer since going down by 5% makes me jumpy anyway? It seems like going slower just makes this brutal process last longer!
Posted by 49er on February 23, 2009, at 17:51:55
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by AnitaDean on February 23, 2009, at 10:12:47
> Hi so I decreased my Remeron by 5% only last nite and I am feeling the jitters today. Does it make more sense to just "rip the bandaid" and go down by an 1/8 (33%in this case) and suffer since going down by 5% makes me jumpy anyway? It seems like going slower just makes this brutal process last longer!
Anita Dean,
As one who ended my Remeron taper in January and did it slowly, do not speed it up unless you want to have more problems.
Even though I suffered severe insomnia, it would have been a million times worse if I had gone faster.
Anyway, symptoms usually last about a week to two weeks and then you should start feeling better. Of course, your mileage may vary.
Good luck.
49er
Posted by AnitaDean on February 23, 2009, at 18:52:57
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates? » AnitaDean, posted by 49er on February 23, 2009, at 17:51:55
Ok so if I go down 5% every 2 weeks which is my plan for now then I am not off until like 6 months! I want to be off WAY before that. And then if the symptoms last 2 weeks then that means I get no breaks right? B/c at the beginning of every 2nd week I have to go down again! HELP!
Posted by 49er on February 23, 2009, at 19:16:56
In reply to Re: mirtazapine/remeron updates?, posted by AnitaDean on February 23, 2009, at 18:52:57
> Ok so if I go down 5% every 2 weeks which is my plan for now then I am not off until like 6 months! I want to be off WAY before that. And then if the symptoms last 2 weeks then that means I get no breaks right? B/c at the beginning of every 2nd week I have to go down again! HELP!
Or you can taper every 4 weeks and have a two week reprieve.
Look, I understand your wish to get off the stuff. But if you taper too quickly, your problems will last alot longer than if you go slowly.
Forget the schedule and listen to your body.
49er
PS - You might want to read posts on the Paxil Progress Boards of people who wish they had heeded the advice to taper slowly
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]
Script revised: February 4, 2008
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