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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Roo on January 31, 2002, at 11:34:54
I am considering Remeron for depression. I now take
prozac and lamictal. I don't like the prozac b/c of
sexual side effects. I'm not sure if the lamictal is
effecting me in that way. I am in a new relationship
and would like to be more sexually sensitive than I
am on prozac. I have tried wellbutrin and serzone and
they don't work for me. I tend to respond best to the
ssri's. I have been reluctant to try Remeron b/c of
the notorious weight gain and appetite increase. Has
anyone out there, who has actually been on Remeron,
been able to not gain weight by eating healthy and exercising
alot, or does the weight still pack on despite those sort
of efforts? From what I've read here, EVERYONE gains
weight on it....but I guess this post is a last ditch
effort to hear from those who haven't...
Posted by Emme on January 31, 2002, at 13:35:42
In reply to Remeron, Diet, and Exercise, posted by Roo on January 31, 2002, at 11:34:54
Hi Roo,
Yes and yes. It did change my metabolism and I quickly gained weight without eating more. Wasn't an appetite increase for me, though I know many others have had appetite increases. Anyway, that was at the start. When I realized what was happening, I was able to keep the weight increase to an acceptable amount by eating less and exercising more. I wasn't overeating to start with, but I did start calorie counting while on Remeron. YMMV of course, and I may have been one of the lucky ones with regard to weight. I definitely liked it otherwise.Emme
> I am considering Remeron for depression. I now take
> prozac and lamictal. I don't like the prozac b/c of
> sexual side effects. I'm not sure if the lamictal is
> effecting me in that way. I am in a new relationship
> and would like to be more sexually sensitive than I
> am on prozac. I have tried wellbutrin and serzone and
> they don't work for me. I tend to respond best to the
> ssri's. I have been reluctant to try Remeron b/c of
> the notorious weight gain and appetite increase. Has
> anyone out there, who has actually been on Remeron,
> been able to not gain weight by eating healthy and exercising
> alot, or does the weight still pack on despite those sort
> of efforts? From what I've read here, EVERYONE gains
> weight on it....but I guess this post is a last ditch
> effort to hear from those who haven't...
Posted by Roo on January 31, 2002, at 13:57:11
In reply to Re: Remeron, Diet, and Exercise » Roo, posted by Emme on January 31, 2002, at 13:35:42
Emme--
I have some questions for ya, if you don't mind.
1. have you ever taken an ssri and if so, did you
have sexual side effects?2. Are you still taking Remeron?
3. Did you have sexual side effects with Remeron?
Thanks!
Ruth
Posted by Emme on January 31, 2002, at 16:13:40
In reply to Re: Remeron, Diet, and Exercise--Emme, posted by Roo on January 31, 2002, at 13:57:11
Hi Ruth,
> 1. have you ever taken an ssri and if so, did you
> have sexual side effects?Yeah, I've taken Paxil. As for sexual side effects, well, it's been a while, but as I recall it decreased my interest and it took lots longer to climax, though it didn't completely eliminate all sexual feelings or make it 100% impossible. OTOH, I wasn't dating much while on it anyway. Come to think of it, this whole nasty mood disorder has really cut down on my dating.
> 2. Are you still taking Remeron?
Nope. It pooped out and I'm taking a mix that includes Lamictal and neurontin, otherwise I'd probably still be on it. It did buy me several decent months.
> 3. Did you have sexual side effects with Remeron?
No. It's worth giving this drug some thought. The weight gain thing *is* an issue, but being aware, you might be able to keep it to a minimum. And you always have the option to stop if you see things happening that you don't like. I did gain, but as I noted earlier, it didn't get too bad. Being disciplined about eating was a drag, but the extra exercise did feel good. Good luck with your decision. I'm sure you'll have lots of input from the board to help you think about it.
Emme
Posted by Roo on January 31, 2002, at 16:23:43
In reply to Re: Remeron, Diet, and Exercise--Emme » Roo, posted by Emme on January 31, 2002, at 16:13:40
Emme--Thanks so much for responding...
A couple more questions...once you stopped the
Remeron, did the little weight you did gain come
off easily, or did you have to work like hell to
get it off?Are you you just taking lamictal and neurotin without
an antidepressant? If so, how is the combo working
for your depression? I was also considering just
dropping the prozac and trying to treat with just
the lamictal...
Posted by OldSchool on January 31, 2002, at 16:56:11
In reply to Remeron, Diet, and Exercise, posted by Roo on January 31, 2002, at 11:34:54
> I am considering Remeron for depression. I now take
> prozac and lamictal. I don't like the prozac b/c of
> sexual side effects. I'm not sure if the lamictal is
> effecting me in that way. I am in a new relationship
> and would like to be more sexually sensitive than I
> am on prozac. I have tried wellbutrin and serzone and
> they don't work for me. I tend to respond best to the
> ssri's. I have been reluctant to try Remeron b/c of
> the notorious weight gain and appetite increase. Has
> anyone out there, who has actually been on Remeron,
> been able to not gain weight by eating healthy and exercising
> alot, or does the weight still pack on despite those sort
> of efforts? From what I've read here, EVERYONE gains
> weight on it....but I guess this post is a last ditch
> effort to hear from those who haven't...If you go on Remeron most likely you will gain weight. You are correct Remeron tends to be one of the worst antidepressants for causing weight gain. It is however, an extremely effective antidepressant with no sexual side effects.
Have you considered adding some Wellbutrin to the Prozac? Or perhaps just entirely switching to Wellbutrin as your primary antidepressant. Wellbutrin has no sexual side effects like SSRIs have and Wellbutrin usually increases libido. It carries no weight gain side effects, in fact it might make you lose a little weight.
Old School
Posted by 3 Beer Effect on January 31, 2002, at 21:08:59
In reply to Remeron, Diet, and Exercise, posted by Roo on January 31, 2002, at 11:34:54
I was on Remeron 45 mg which was still somewhat sedating. I slept around 13 hours per day & gained about 20 pounds. I wouldn't take the 15 or 30 mg doses because they are too sedating for anyone except hosptalized patients- you won't be able to function as a normal person on those low doses.
I switched to 60 mg which for me was mildly stimulating and I slept about 9-10 hours per day. I didn't gain any weight on this dosage. At doses above 45 mg, the norepinephrine potentiating effect of Remeron cancels out the histamine blocking effect that is responsible for Remeron sleepiness/sedation. At 60 or 75 mg/day Remeron is kind of like an SSRI but with no side effects at all. I found it didn't have a good antidepressant response for me so that is why I stopped taking it, but most people respond well to it at higher doses.
Posted by Emme on February 1, 2002, at 12:16:56
In reply to Re: Remeron, Diet, and Exercise--Emme, posted by Roo on January 31, 2002, at 16:23:43
Hi Ruth,
Good idea Old School suggests about tyring Wellbutrin. Also, don't be scared off by what 3 Beer Effect said about no one being able to tolerate 30 mg of Remeron (sorry 3 Beer). I took 30 mg and although I needed slightly more sleep than normal, I wasn't sleeping 12 hours a day or anything. I didn't have daytime sleepiness and I wasn't a zombie. But some people are in fact too sedated at 30 mg. It's just an individual thing.
> A couple more questions...once you stopped the
> Remeron, did the little weight you did gain come
> off easily, or did you have to work like hell to
> get it off?I had wrestled a couple of pounds off before stopping. After I stopped, the rest just fell off. But then I didn't have too much to lose. I don't know if it is easy for most people to lose it or not.
> Are you you just taking lamictal and neurotin without
> an antidepressant? If so, how is the combo working
> for your depression? I was also considering just
> dropping the prozac and trying to treat with just
> the lamictal...Along with lamictal and neurontin (and klonopin), I'm taking 2 mg of Celexa. We tried a teeny dose because I'm so sensitive to meds. It's hard to tell if it's helping or not. The lamictal is having a big antidepressant effect. I'm also finding it very stimulating and it interferes with sleep. So, we're still tweaking the neurontin and klonopin to counteract it. I also don't know if the Celexa would help me simmer down and counteract anxiety at a higher dose. But overall, I'm really optimistic about the lamictal.
Emme
Posted by 3 Beer Effect on February 2, 2002, at 3:37:21
In reply to Re: Remeron, Diet, and Exercise--Emme » Roo, posted by Emme on February 1, 2002, at 12:16:56
>Women may be able to tolerate lower dosages of Remeron than men because the half life of Remeron in women is a much longer 37 hours versus 26 hours in males. But in general the lower the dose of Remeron the greater the somnolence/sedation/hypersomnia.
Hi Ruth,
>
> Also, don't be scared off by what 3 Beer Effect said about no one being able to tolerate 30 mg of Remeron (sorry 3 Beer). I took 30 mg and although I needed slightly more sleep than normal, I wasn't sleeping 12 hours a day or anything. I didn't have daytime sleepiness and I wasn't a zombie. But some people are in fact too sedated at 30 mg. It's just an individual thing.
>
Posted by medlib on February 4, 2002, at 23:02:05
In reply to Remeron, Diet, and Exercise, posted by Roo on January 31, 2002, at 11:34:54
Posted by kpo2002 on May 16, 2002, at 10:10:35
In reply to Remeron, Diet, and Exercise, posted by Roo on January 31, 2002, at 11:34:54
I have been on Remeron for 2 1/2 years. I started at 30 mg. then 60 mg.I gained 40 lbs. in 4 months. I noticed an increase in appetite the very next day. After I got to 60 mg. I ate like a pig. By the time I went up to 75 mg. I guess I hit my maximum weight gain. (Unusually high dose--I am on it for neuropathic pain control as well) I have only been able to knock off 5 lbs. I look at the benefits--pain relief and I can eat whatever I want and not have to worry about getting fat -- cause I already am fat! As for sexual side effects--none with Remeron or Effexor BUT the Paxil was TERRIBLE. Yes, I could achieve an orgasm, but it took a great amount of time and effort.
Posted by BarbaraCat on May 16, 2002, at 14:31:28
In reply to Try 60 mg- higher doses are more stimulating, posted by 3 Beer Effect on January 31, 2002, at 21:08:59
I second that about the higher dosages. I've been on Rem since Sept and gained 20 lbs within 2 months. It's had a great AD effect for me combined with Lithium so that I'm not too depressed to exercise at all (definitely need the lithium or it won't work). I've been able to somewhat control it with alot of exercise, but it's a constant struggle. Just recently started increasing so that I'm up to almost 60 mg from the previous 45 mg. Noticing more of an energizing effect for sure and I don't get the munchy crazies like before. It's a different drug at higher dosages, but time will tell whether or not the increase affects the weight gain. No sexual side effects at all.
> I was on Remeron 45 mg which was still somewhat sedating. I slept around 13 hours per day & gained about 20 pounds. I wouldn't take the 15 or 30 mg doses because they are too sedating for anyone except hosptalized patients- you won't be able to function as a normal person on those low doses.
>
> I switched to 60 mg which for me was mildly stimulating and I slept about 9-10 hours per day. I didn't gain any weight on this dosage. At doses above 45 mg, the norepinephrine potentiating effect of Remeron cancels out the histamine blocking effect that is responsible for Remeron sleepiness/sedation. At 60 or 75 mg/day Remeron is kind of like an SSRI but with no side effects at all. I found it didn't have a good antidepressant response for me so that is why I stopped taking it, but most people respond well to it at higher doses.
This is the end of the thread.
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