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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 Swedengirl on November 20, 2001, at 9:57:55
Hi, what a great board!
I am using 40 mg of Celexa for panic and some depression. It has done wonders for my panic! Now, after 2 years it has “pooped out” a little, and I have some problems with insomnia. I think SSRI is the best AD for me (tried many, Celexa has worked *much* better for me than the others SSRI for panic), but I am thinking of adding some Remeron at night (7,5 mg?) to get some more sleep, and maybe having some more sex ;)
I hope I can get some answers to these questions:
1)How is Remeron working in the lower doses? Is it just antihistamine effect at this dosage?
2)I have a prescription for 30 mg tablets, is it possible to cut it to 7,5 mg?3)I am afraid of weight gain with Remeron, is it easier to avoid this in a combo with SSRI?
4)Is it true that the antihistamine effect makes you eat more, and therefore the weight gain? Do you gain weight on other sedating antihistamines in the same way too?
5)I am thinking of switching to Prozac because I think I need a more activating SSRI in a combo with Remeron, and maybe offset some weight gain?
6)Does Remeron helps with the initially worsening of anxiety with Prozac?7)How can I do the switch in the best way?
Sorry for all the weight stuff, but it is an important issue to me! BTW, the first snow is falling down here, and THAT is nice!
Have nice day!
Swedengirl
Posted by tensor on November 20, 2001, at 13:03:15
In reply to SSRI (Prozac) + Remeron......the perfect combo?, posted by Swedengirl on November 20, 2001, at 9:57:55
Hi Swedengirl, from Sweden? I resides in Sweden.
These are my experiences with Remeron and SSRI.
1)I currently take 15mg Remeron daily(at bedtime) against depression, and for me that is the lowest therapeutical dose, it helps me fall asleep but not as good as at 30mg. I hardly belive you will get any help against insomnia at 7.5mg.
2)Yes.
3)No, not for me anyway, I was on a Prozac-Remeron combo. You could try zantac or pepcid to decrease the amount of acid the stomach produces and thus lower your apetite. But I've have no problem with weight gain at 15mg.
4)Remeron increases the amount of acid the stomach produces.
5)Remeron is indeed a very activating med, and therefore I don't think you would need a more activating SSRI.
6)Remeron has pretty strong sedating effect that lasts maybe a few hour after intake. But as I said it is an activating med and my experience is that Remeron can cause anxiety especially if the dosage is little bit too high. That is, as with all ADs, individually.
7)Talk to your pdoc, how to switch meds.
/tensor
Posted by tensor on November 20, 2001, at 13:06:28
In reply to SSRI (Prozac) + Remeron......the perfect combo?, posted by Swedengirl on November 20, 2001, at 9:57:55
Posted by geno on November 20, 2001, at 17:09:16
In reply to There is no perfect combo ;) (nm), posted by tensor on November 20, 2001, at 13:06:28
Remeron is a multi use drug, for anxiety, sleep and depression. Adding effexor or serzone is the icing on the cake for depression. Remeron(30mg) along with welbtirn, reboxotine, works great for some.
geno
Posted by Daveman on November 21, 2001, at 0:30:34
In reply to SSRI (Prozac) + Remeron......the perfect combo?, posted by Swedengirl on November 20, 2001, at 9:57:55
Hi Swedengirl:
40 mg. Celexa plus 15 mg. Remeron is my combo. Perfect, no; effective, yes. Here are my best answers to your questions.
>
>
> 1)How is Remeron working in the lower doses? Is it just antihistamine effect at this dosage?I don't know the chemical reasons, but Remeron at 15 mg. has worked well for me.
>
> 2)I have a prescription for 30 mg tablets, is it possible to cut it to 7,5 mg?I also have the 30 mg. tablets, which are scored down the middle. To get to 7.5, you'd have to use a pill cutter or sharp razor blade, but I'm sure it is possible.
>
> 3)I am afraid of weight gain with Remeron, is it easier to avoid this in a combo with SSRI?
>
Sorry, not in my experience. I've gained about 20 pounds in 9 months, which my doc tells me is about average for this combo. For me it was a fair trade, but I was well advised in advance of this possibility and took it into account in going on this combo. If your doc is as good as mine he/she will give you the straight answers in advance so there is no surprise later.> 4)Is it true that the antihistamine effect makes you eat more, and therefore the weight gain? Do you gain weight on other sedating antihistamines in the same way too?
I cannot answer the why's, sorry.
>
> 5)I am thinking of switching to Prozac because I think I need a more activating SSRI in a combo with Remeron, and maybe offset some weight gain?Can't answer this, but I found that after the first week or so I slowly adjusted to the sedation effect of the Remeron. Got to warn you, that first week is quite an experience! Prepare yourself for 10 hours sound sleep, don't plan anything for the day after you take it for the first time.
>
> 6)Does Remeron helps with the initially worsening of anxiety with Prozac?Never taken Prozac, can't answer this.
>
> 7)How can I do the switch in the best way?Can't help you there either.
>
> Sorry for all the weight stuff, but it is an important issue to me! BTW, the first snow is falling down here, and THAT is nice!
>
> Have nice day!
>
> Swedengirl
>
Sorry I can't give you the answers you want to hear on the weight thing, but better to know the consequences up front. Besides, maybe you won't gain weight, not everyone does. Good luck to you!Dave
This is the end of the thread.
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