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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 22 of 22. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by KaraS on February 10, 2005, at 14:45:02
I've read here that at the higher dosages, this medication might be less likely to cause weight gain. I'm wondering if there are any posters here who were able to maintain their weight on Remeron.
Posted by Phillipa on February 10, 2005, at 17:37:43
In reply to Anyone not gain weight on Remeron?, posted by KaraS on February 10, 2005, at 14:45:02
I've been on l5mg of remeron for about 2 1/2 wks and have lost wt. But I don't like the antihistamine effects. Have you been on low doses of it for some time, and has it helped with your problem? Fondly,Phillipa
Posted by KaraS on February 10, 2005, at 21:08:01
In reply to Re: Anyone not gain weight on Remeron?, posted by Phillipa on February 10, 2005, at 17:37:43
> I've been on l5mg of remeron for about 2 1/2 wks and have lost wt. But I don't like the antihistamine effects. Have you been on low doses of it for some time, and has it helped with your problem? Fondly,Phillipa
I've never been on it. I'm just gathering information for possible future use.
Posted by Phillipa on February 10, 2005, at 22:03:12
In reply to Re: Anyone not gain weight on Remeron? » Phillipa, posted by KaraS on February 10, 2005, at 21:08:01
Have you heard good things about it? I don't know what to think. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by med_empowered on February 11, 2005, at 0:12:15
In reply to Re: Anyone not gain weight on Remeron? » KaraS, posted by Phillipa on February 10, 2005, at 22:03:12
hey everyone! I'm kinda curious about Remeron, too. On monday I see my new shrink, which is both nerve-wracking and kind of exciting. Anyway, I've been thinking about maybe asking about adding Remeron for sleep and to help with my remaining depression/anxiety (I take cymbalta, which helped with the hellish DEPRESSION, but I still feel a kind of low-grade depression that hasn't abated in months). I've read some places that, next to the tricyclics, its the antidepressant of last resort, at least in the US (in europe its used more). Any thoughts?
Posted by KaraS on February 11, 2005, at 3:02:28
In reply to Re: Anyone not gain weight on Remeron?, posted by med_empowered on February 11, 2005, at 0:12:15
I hadn't thought much about Remeron because of the grogginess and weight gain potential but then I read some good things about it on this board. From a couple of posts I've read recently it seems that it isn't as sedating in higher dosages so I thought I'd explore it further.
Posted by med_empowered on February 11, 2005, at 8:10:41
In reply to Re: Anyone not gain weight on Remeron?, posted by KaraS on February 11, 2005, at 3:02:28
hey kara! Yeah, remeron both interests and scares me. My current psychologist (I see new psychiatrist on Monday) is anti-sleeping pills, even Trazadone...maybe because my last shrink put me on so many, when I was relatively young? (I'm 20 now; I was 18 then and he went through 5 or 6 sedatives and literally a dozen or so other meds while we worked together). Soo, my thinking is Remeron=much needed SLEEP+depression relief. Have you heard (or anyone reading this) about how it works in combo with other drugs? I'm hesitant to trade out my Cymbalta, given how severe my last depressive episode was, so if I get an RX for Remeron, it would be added to adderall+cymbalta+buspar, rather than taking the place of anything. As for higher doses being less sedating...I think I posted that I've heard that, too. Most shrinks apparently start out at 7.5-15mgs...since 15mgs is the smallest tablet size (that I know of, anyway) a lot of docs will keep you there unless necessary to do otherwise, so it seems moving up the dosage ladder is a process.
Posted by KaraS on February 11, 2005, at 16:16:25
In reply to Re: Anyone not gain weight on Remeron?, posted by med_empowered on February 11, 2005, at 8:10:41
> hey kara! Yeah, remeron both interests and scares me. My current psychologist (I see new psychiatrist on Monday) is anti-sleeping pills, even Trazadone...maybe because my last shrink put me on so many, when I was relatively young? (I'm 20 now; I was 18 then and he went through 5 or 6 sedatives and literally a dozen or so other meds while we worked together). Soo, my thinking is Remeron=much needed SLEEP+depression relief. Have you heard (or anyone reading this) about how it works in combo with other drugs? I'm hesitant to trade out my Cymbalta, given how severe my last depressive episode was, so if I get an RX for Remeron, it would be added to adderall+cymbalta+buspar, rather than taking the place of anything. As for higher doses being less sedating...I think I posted that I've heard that, too. Most shrinks apparently start out at 7.5-15mgs...since 15mgs is the smallest tablet size (that I know of, anyway) a lot of docs will keep you there unless necessary to do otherwise, so it seems moving up the dosage ladder is a process.
That's usually the way it works with most meds - you titrate up slowly. At least that's what I always do. I'm too meds sensitive to try large amounts at once. It sounds like Remeron might be a good addition for you. Keep us posted if you try it.Take care,
Kara
Posted by Phillipa on February 11, 2005, at 17:26:02
In reply to Re: Anyone not gain weight on Remeron?, posted by med_empowered on February 11, 2005, at 8:10:41
The l5mg of remeron I'm taking at bedtime, in combo with .5xanax, and .5klonopin, plus the now added back 5cc-l0cc of chloral hydrate allowed me to sleep from about l2:30 til 5am. Then I took lmg of xanax and 5ccCH and slept til 9:30. You see, I worked 3-ll shifts for l5yrs, and my circadium rhythm is on this I also cut the zoloft down to 25mg and this seems to be helping my twitching etc. We'll see what the new pdoc says on Monday. We both go the same day! Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by alienatari on February 11, 2005, at 23:06:14
In reply to Re: Anyone not gain weight on Remeron?, posted by med_empowered on February 11, 2005, at 0:12:15
Id say that the MAOI's would be the med of last resort over Mirtazapine or the Tricyclics.
Posted by Sarah T. on February 13, 2005, at 22:40:51
In reply to Anyone not gain weight on Remeron?, posted by KaraS on February 10, 2005, at 14:45:02
I've heard of only a couple of people who have NOT gained weight on Remeron. As for the theory that higher doses prevent weight gain, well, I think it's just that: a theory.
Posted by dove on February 14, 2005, at 10:03:36
In reply to Re: Anyone not gain weight on Remeron? » KaraS, posted by Sarah T. on February 13, 2005, at 22:40:51
I have taken both TCAs and Remeron (mirtazapine) with success. I take Remeron in combo with Effexor, Prozac, and Adderall. Of note, I am prescribed Klonopin with these but do not need it due to the anti-anxiety effects of Effexor combined with Remeron.
Regarding weight gain with Remeron, it is more of a problem at 15 mgs than at 45 mgs. This med feels like a completely different chemical at varying dosages. However, no matter what dosage I take I still take it before bed.
At higher doses it is more weight neutral. The weight gain I have had while on it is definitely due to increased appetite, which can be managed or controlled. I found the increased appetite almost comical, as it is silly for me to still be hungry and needing bread, cookies, and did I say multi-grain french bread ;-) After a full meal.
I have also experienced some severe restless legs problems at night when I was on 45 mgs Remeron combined with 40 mgs Prozac and 225 of Effexor, which lessened when I reduced both the Remeron and the Prozac. Just a heads-up should you experience this side-effect, hate to have people not know what could be causing some aggravating side-effect.
dove
Posted by KaraS on February 14, 2005, at 21:14:40
In reply to Re: Anyone not gain weight on Remeron? » KaraS, posted by Sarah T. on February 13, 2005, at 22:40:51
> I've heard of only a couple of people who have NOT gained weight on Remeron. As for the theory that higher doses prevent weight gain, well, I think it's just that: a theory.
You're probably right. It did sound too good to be true.K
Posted by KaraS on February 14, 2005, at 21:18:28
In reply to Re: Anyone not gain weight on Remeron?, posted by dove on February 14, 2005, at 10:03:36
> I have taken both TCAs and Remeron (mirtazapine) with success. I take Remeron in combo with Effexor, Prozac, and Adderall. Of note, I am prescribed Klonopin with these but do not need it due to the anti-anxiety effects of Effexor combined with Remeron.
>
> Regarding weight gain with Remeron, it is more of a problem at 15 mgs than at 45 mgs. This med feels like a completely different chemical at varying dosages. However, no matter what dosage I take I still take it before bed.
>
> At higher doses it is more weight neutral. The weight gain I have had while on it is definitely due to increased appetite, which can be managed or controlled. I found the increased appetite almost comical, as it is silly for me to still be hungry and needing bread, cookies, and did I say multi-grain french bread ;-) After a full meal.
>
> I have also experienced some severe restless legs problems at night when I was on 45 mgs Remeron combined with 40 mgs Prozac and 225 of Effexor, which lessened when I reduced both the Remeron and the Prozac. Just a heads-up should you experience this side-effect, hate to have people not know what could be causing some aggravating side-effect.
>
> dove
So you're saying that the weight gain (increased appetite) is still there but less of a problem at higher doses of Remeron?Thanks for the heads-up on the RLS. I was getting RLS from Effexor at 150 mg. (when I wasn't taking anything else) so that might have had something to do with your problem as well.
K
Posted by dove on February 15, 2005, at 8:32:31
In reply to Re: Anyone not gain weight on Remeron? » dove, posted by KaraS on February 14, 2005, at 21:18:28
>
> So you're saying that the weight gain (increased appetite) is still there but less of a problem at higher doses of Remeron?
>Yes, exactly :-) It is less of a problem at 45 mgs than at 15 mgs. I would even say it is almost weight neutral at the 45 mgs dosage.
dove
Posted by Phillipa on February 15, 2005, at 16:47:06
In reply to Re: Anyone not gain weight on Remeron?, posted by KaraS on February 11, 2005, at 16:16:25
Does that mean that higher doses you take it in the am because it's no longer sedating? If it is less sedating, then you would be more active on higher doses and consequently burn more calories. I don't want to lose the sleepiness of the drug, so I guess I can't go up on the drug can I? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by dove on February 16, 2005, at 8:41:24
In reply to Re: Anyone not gain weight on Remeron?, posted by Phillipa on February 15, 2005, at 16:47:06
> Does that mean that higher doses you take it in the am because it's no longer sedating?
>Nope, at 45 mgs it is still *very* sedating and I have to take it at night. If I took it in the morning, I would be found asleep on the kitchen floor or some other odd location.
The cravings for bread products are greatly reduced at the higher dosage however, at least for me. As always, your mileage may vary, but in all practicality, you have to try it to see how it works with your own chemistry.
dove
Posted by Phillipa on February 16, 2005, at 16:59:50
In reply to Re: Anyone not gain weight on Remeron?, posted by Phillipa on February 15, 2005, at 16:47:06
Thanks Dove; I was very confused on that point. It seemed that others were saying they were less "sleepy" on higher doses. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by CareBear04 on February 22, 2005, at 20:06:28
In reply to Re: Anyone not gain weight on Remeron? » Phillipa, posted by Phillipa on February 16, 2005, at 16:59:50
hi everyone--
my pdoc prescribed remeron 15mg to take for sleep because my other doctor has taken me off all sedatives and sedating drugs, and i'm agitated and have insomnia. i've taken remeron once since, and it did help me sleep well, though i had a drug hangover the next day. she says that feeling wears off with time.
here's some questions-- i've heard bad things about remeron at low doses. between 7.5mg and 15mg, is there a difference in sedation and weight gain? my pdoc told me that a medium dose is around 45mg--this is where pdocs used to keep people-- and that's where people run into trouble with nausea, weight gain, etc. people on this thread have said that 45mg is a "high dose" and avoids those effects. my pdoc referred to high-dose as 60-80mg. does anyone know what is true? i don't need remeron as an AD. i'm taking it simply for sleep. one person one this board said about a month ago that 15mg of remeron once in awhile was not going to affect my appetite, andd that reassured me. i absolutely hate the med-induced bingeing. i've been alternating nights of trazadone and remeron to avoid side effects of remeron. is this effective?
finally, the unpleasant subject of urinary retention. i think almost any really sedating med can cause it, especially those with anticholinergic properties. do either trazodone or remeron cause it?
i'm waiting and waiting for lunesta. until then...
thanks!
Posted by Phillipa on February 22, 2005, at 20:17:04
In reply to 15 mg a night, posted by CareBear04 on February 22, 2005, at 20:06:28
Good question! As I was showering I looked at my stomach and said to myself " I have a spare tire here". I excercise religiously, but have been on l5mg of remeron for sleep. " I wonder, could I be putting on wt from l5mg? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by CareBear04 on February 22, 2005, at 20:21:43
In reply to Re: 15 mg a night » CareBear04, posted by Phillipa on February 22, 2005, at 20:17:04
hey phillipa,
good to hear there's someone else who wants to know, and i'm sorry about the stomach growing thing. that sounds unpleasant, whatever the cause. has your appetite been bigger, or, if it is the remeron, do you think the action of the drug itself just slows you down, including digestion, excretion, etc.? i've gained weight on lots of psych meds, lost weight on others, and am still completely at a loss as to what the mechanism is. confusing stuff!
Posted by Phillipa on February 22, 2005, at 20:28:55
In reply to Re: 15 mg a night » Phillipa, posted by CareBear04 on February 22, 2005, at 20:21:43
I have no experience with wt gaining meds as I've never been able to tolerate AD's until now. I think the remeron is helping me sleep for longer periods of time. I hope I haven't gained wt! Fondly, Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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