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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by kreedi on February 14, 2002, at 10:25:20
The first is that I'm *very* sensitive to antihistamines. (In fact, used to use to a little bit of Benadryl to go to sleep when I had bad insomnia.) I suspect that the antihistamine sedative effect wouldn't go away even on 30mg, who knows about 45mg or higher, maybe the noradrenergic (stimulating) resonse wouldn't kick in even then. But, as someone noted here some time back, afraid of turning into Rip van Winkle; and I don't have a week or two I can take away from work to figure out/adjust/get used to right dosages while I'm sleeping 20 hrs a day.
The second reason is that I'm a fair to moderate social drinker; I enjoy a glass of wine after work, or a few martinis when I'm out at night. I'm assuming, given my antihistamine sensitivity, the Remeron will react pretty strongly with the alcohol.
Is my reasoning correct? I'd love to try Remeron (I'd especially like the weight-gain side-effect!) but it seems that perhaps it's simply not the drug of choice for someone sensitive to antihistamines and with a fondness for the relaxing drink in the evening.
Kreedi
Posted by colin wallace on February 14, 2002, at 11:30:44
In reply to Two reasons why I'm nervous about trying Remeron, posted by kreedi on February 14, 2002, at 10:25:20
Hi Kreedi,
Remeron and alcohol made me feel as though someone had (somehow) inserted an egg-whisk into my frontal lobe - a very unpleasant, erratic state that persisted for days. They really didn't mix. I personally couldn't form a coherant sentence the day after, let alone keep up appearances at work!Also, you'll be astounded as to how far the human stomach is capable of expanding when filled with 5 or 6 kilos of chocolate-that's if you can keep awake long enough to witness it.
Great for depression though....
Posted by JohnX2 on February 14, 2002, at 13:09:18
In reply to Two reasons why I'm nervous about trying Remeron, posted by kreedi on February 14, 2002, at 10:25:20
I was afraid it would wipe me out, but found
out the 1st day at 15 mg that it improved my
sleep and I was OK during the day. At the higher
doses things got better. I might say give it 1 or
2 days at 15 mg over the weekend and if you don't
like it, dump it. Maybe worth a shot if you have
exhausted many other paths, the medicine is generally
very tolerable besides the antihistamine effect.Good luck with your decision.
Regards,
John> The first is that I'm *very* sensitive to antihistamines. (In fact, used to use to a little bit of Benadryl to go to sleep when I had bad insomnia.) I suspect that the antihistamine sedative effect wouldn't go away even on 30mg, who knows about 45mg or higher, maybe the noradrenergic (stimulating) resonse wouldn't kick in even then. But, as someone noted here some time back, afraid of turning into Rip van Winkle; and I don't have a week or two I can take away from work to figure out/adjust/get used to right dosages while I'm sleeping 20 hrs a day.
>
> The second reason is that I'm a fair to moderate social drinker; I enjoy a glass of wine after work, or a few martinis when I'm out at night. I'm assuming, given my antihistamine sensitivity, the Remeron will react pretty strongly with the alcohol.
>
> Is my reasoning correct? I'd love to try Remeron (I'd especially like the weight-gain side-effect!) but it seems that perhaps it's simply not the drug of choice for someone sensitive to antihistamines and with a fondness for the relaxing drink in the evening.
>
> Kreedi
Posted by Panic_Attack on February 15, 2002, at 16:57:57
In reply to Re: Two reasons why I'm nervous about trying Remeron » kreedi, posted by JohnX2 on February 14, 2002, at 13:09:18
Remeron is the best drug in the world. It has worked wonders and it helps you sleep more than anything in the world. I love it
Posted by Frankie on February 15, 2002, at 18:42:39
In reply to Two reasons why I'm nervous about trying Remeron, posted by kreedi on February 14, 2002, at 10:25:20
> The first is that I'm *very* sensitive to antihistamines. (In fact, used to use to a little bit of Benadryl to go to sleep when I had bad insomnia.) I suspect that the antihistamine sedative effect wouldn't go away even on 30mg, who knows about 45mg or higher, maybe the noradrenergic (stimulating) resonse wouldn't kick in even then. But, as someone noted here some time back, afraid of turning into Rip van Winkle; and I don't have a week or two I can take away from work to figure out/adjust/get used to right dosages while I'm sleeping 20 hrs a day.
>
> The second reason is that I'm a fair to moderate social drinker; I enjoy a glass of wine after work, or a few martinis when I'm out at night. I'm assuming, given my antihistamine sensitivity, the Remeron will react pretty strongly with the alcohol.
>
> Is my reasoning correct? I'd love to try Remeron (I'd especially like the weight-gain side-effect!) but it seems that perhaps it's simply not the drug of choice for someone sensitive to antihistamines and with a fondness for the relaxing drink in the evening.
>
> Kreedi
Not a good option for you. My family doctor, who was once a pharmacist, said that it has powerful antihistamine effects. He knows his business! The drinking is not advised with any serotonin based med, but how many of us comply with that? If you have many anxiety problems, as I do, it wouldn't be likely to phase you in that respect. Prozac would be my choice if I were you. Most stimulating SSRI. But, anxiety is a very common side effect.Frankie.
Posted by Geezer on February 16, 2002, at 15:38:23
In reply to Re: Two reasons why I'm nervous about trying Remeron, posted by Frankie on February 15, 2002, at 18:42:39
Hi Panic_Attack,
I would have to go with Frankie on this one, based on my own experience only. I just started Remeron 2 nights ago at 15mg/night. It is a heavy drug with sedation but it is the first good nights sleep I have had in 9 months. I resisted it for the same reasons you mentioned (I don't drink) but couldn't hold out any longer - I've been "down the road" on the rest of them. I will be pushing Remeron higher but wouldn't recommend it to you for your first time out. I had a real good response to Prozac for the year 1998 - then it pooped out. I didn't know until 2001 that I was Bipolar II; that's important and you should get a DX if you don't have one (don't remember if you mentioned it).Wish you the best - keep us posted.
Geezer
Posted by michael on February 20, 2002, at 17:58:56
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by Geezer on February 16, 2002, at 15:38:23
A question regarding appetite stimulation & weight gain...
I understand these can be issues with remeron - I read in the tips section that one doctor said that these problems often fade/disappear after a month or so, especially as the dose is increased (or maybe the dose increase only referred to sedation - can't remember).
In any case, I know med responses can vary greatly from person to person... I'm just wondering what people have experienced in real life, regarding these items (both appetite/weight, and sedation). - Did you experience these, and did they persist, or subside? Thanks for any info/experiences. michael
Posted by michael on February 20, 2002, at 18:00:21
In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by Geezer on February 16, 2002, at 15:38:23
I'm also curious if anyone's used remeron in conjunction with wellbutrin. thanks. michael
Posted by MoBe on April 5, 2003, at 18:09:49
In reply to one more remeron ( wellbutrin) question, posted by michael on February 20, 2002, at 18:00:21
> I'm also curious if anyone's used remeron in conjunction with wellbutrin. thanks. michael
I am presently using wellbutrin 150 mg. once a day with 15 mg remeron at night. It works quite well for an excellent sleep and the wellbutrin gives a gentle lift in the morning. However, I feel much better when I take 150 mg wellbutrin TWICE a day rather than once. The only problem is that my family doctor will not prescribe this amount. He will only prescribe both together if each is in half dose. I haven't quite gotten out of him whether he actually thinks this is unsafe or he is just not experienced with that combination/amount. Anybody out there on that combo, and if so - who prescribed it - psychiatrist or general practitioner - and any dangers reported about it?
MoBe
Posted by michael on April 5, 2003, at 21:04:45
In reply to Re: one more remeron ( wellbutrin) question » michael, posted by MoBe on April 5, 2003, at 18:09:49
> > I'm also curious if anyone's used remeron in conjunction with wellbutrin. thanks. michael
>
> I am presently using wellbutrin 150 mg. once a day with 15 mg remeron at night. It works quite well for an excellent sleep and the wellbutrin gives a gentle lift in the morning. However, I feel much better when I take 150 mg wellbutrin TWICE a day rather than once. The only problem is that my family doctor will not prescribe this amount. He will only prescribe both together if each is in half dose. I haven't quite gotten out of him whether he actually thinks this is unsafe or he is just not experienced with that combination/amount. Anybody out there on that combo, and if so - who prescribed it - psychiatrist or general practitioner - and any dangers reported about it?
> MoBeMoBe,
Just thought I'd let you know that it's not dangerous... I've taken 45mg remeron concurrently with 400mg wellbutring sr (that's 200mg sr twice a day), for a number of months. Right now I'm just taking the remeron, but I I'm going to try adding the wellbutrin again in a couple weeks, at my next appt.
My pdoc was the prescriber (& will be again) - he had no qualms about the combo when I suggested/requested adding the remeron to try augmenting the wellbutrin that I was already taking (at least I think that's the order - actually, it may have been the other way around... sorry, I don't recall exactly).
I found the lower doses of remeron too sedating, and was/am hoping that the wellbutrin will help to counter that a bit. My recollection's a bit fuzzy but I think it helped w/that at least a little, when I was previously taking them together. I also want to try to stop smoking - again - which the wellbutrin helped greatly.
Appologies for the rambling - the main point I wanted to make was that there shouldn't be any reason for concern w/that combo. (esp w/the low doses you mentioned that you're currently taking - I generally end up toward the upper end of the dosing ranges for meds that I've tried).
At the risk of rambling on some more... If that combo gets you better results, -- in my opinion, & perhaps a bit crudely stated... -- it's stupid, not to mention wrong, etc., not to allow it. [Especially since there is nothing risky about the combo!].
Too many people (especially here at PB) are on a seemingly endless quest to find somethnig that works... If you've found what works for you, you're fortunate, and should most certainly take advantage of it.
If I were you, I'd do a little rsch (medline, pubmed, etc. -- check the PB tips section too, & depression central.com, etc.) before your next appt., and perhaps bring in a couple abstracts that discuss combination stratagies - and w/any luck you may very well find something that explicitly discusses combinations of those two meds.
Or... try a pdoc, who should (might) be more comfotable &/or experienced w/combo's such as this. It's definitely not dangerous or exotic - or even uncommon.
Or - maybe just a consultation (i.e. phone call) w/a pdoc will make him comfortable with with raising the doses...?
Again - sorry for the rant... but when you've got something that works for you (as you say this does), and it's not only Not dangerous, but is fairly common (i.e.: combining 2 meds) - it should be a crime (perhaps only a misdameanor...?) to withhold it.
Good luck, & I'm glad this is working for you.
[& don't settle for feeling less good just because your doc is inexperienced/uncomfortable/etc.]
... I know, rambling again...michael
Posted by MoBe on April 5, 2003, at 23:45:45
In reply to Re: one more remeron ( wellbutrin) question » MoBe, posted by michael on April 5, 2003, at 21:04:45
> > > I'm also curious if anyone's used remeron in conjunction with wellbutrin. thanks. michael
> >
> > I am presently using wellbutrin 150 mg. once a day with 15 mg remeron at night. It works quite well for an excellent sleep and the wellbutrin gives a gentle lift in the morning. However, I feel much better when I take 150 mg wellbutrin TWICE a day rather than once. The only problem is that my family doctor will not prescribe this amount. He will only prescribe both together if each is in half dose. I haven't quite gotten out of him whether he actually thinks this is unsafe or he is just not experienced with that combination/amount. Anybody out there on that combo, and if so - who prescribed it - psychiatrist or general practitioner - and any dangers reported about it?
> > MoBe
>
> MoBe,
>
> Just thought I'd let you know that it's not dangerous... I've taken 45mg remeron concurrently with 400mg wellbutring sr (that's 200mg sr twice a day), for a number of months. Right now I'm just taking the remeron, but I I'm going to try adding the wellbutrin again in a couple weeks, at my next appt.
>
> My pdoc was the prescriber (& will be again) - he had no qualms about the combo when I suggested/requested adding the remeron to try augmenting the wellbutrin that I was already taking (at least I think that's the order - actually, it may have been the other way around... sorry, I don't recall exactly).
>
> I found the lower doses of remeron too sedating, and was/am hoping that the wellbutrin will help to counter that a bit. My recollection's a bit fuzzy but I think it helped w/that at least a little, when I was previously taking them together. I also want to try to stop smoking - again - which the wellbutrin helped greatly.
>
> Appologies for the rambling - the main point I wanted to make was that there shouldn't be any reason for concern w/that combo. (esp w/the low doses you mentioned that you're currently taking - I generally end up toward the upper end of the dosing ranges for meds that I've tried).
>
> At the risk of rambling on some more... If that combo gets you better results, -- in my opinion, & perhaps a bit crudely stated... -- it's stupid, not to mention wrong, etc., not to allow it. [Especially since there is nothing risky about the combo!].
>
> Too many people (especially here at PB) are on a seemingly endless quest to find somethnig that works... If you've found what works for you, you're fortunate, and should most certainly take advantage of it.
>
> If I were you, I'd do a little rsch (medline, pubmed, etc. -- check the PB tips section too, & depression central.com, etc.) before your next appt., and perhaps bring in a couple abstracts that discuss combination stratagies - and w/any luck you may very well find something that explicitly discusses combinations of those two meds.
>
> Or... try a pdoc, who should (might) be more comfotable &/or experienced w/combo's such as this. It's definitely not dangerous or exotic - or even uncommon.
>
> Or - maybe just a consultation (i.e. phone call) w/a pdoc will make him comfortable with with raising the doses...?
>
> Again - sorry for the rant... but when you've got something that works for you (as you say this does), and it's not only Not dangerous, but is fairly common (i.e.: combining 2 meds) - it should be a crime (perhaps only a misdameanor...?) to withhold it.
>
> Good luck, & I'm glad this is working for you.
> [& don't settle for feeling less good just because your doc is inexperienced/uncomfortable/etc.]
> ... I know, rambling again...
>
> michaelThanks Michael - I'll make an appointment with my doc and try to convince him.
MoBe
This is the end of the thread.
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