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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by BrittPark on January 19, 2003, at 19:03:02
My psychiatrist and I are considering replacing the 30mg / day of remeron I take with Effexor. Is there any reason that switching should not overlap remeron discontinuation and Effexor starting?
I've been disthymic for over 6 months and my doctor and I have tried a lot of things, many of which have seemed to work for some period but within a few weeks didn't. At this point I'm getting impatient. I'm also taking imipramine 300mg (my old staple), lamictal 250mg (one of the ones that seemed to have some effect but later petered out), and Zyprexa 7.5mg as an AD augmentation.
TIA
Britt
Posted by lostsailor on January 19, 2003, at 20:04:21
In reply to Switching from Remeron to Effexor?, posted by BrittPark on January 19, 2003, at 19:03:02
Just a note: I’m bummed about lamictal pooping out on you. I hope the good feeling I have now will last. I hated remeron. Effexor does me wonders when in a deep funk but if I am on it too long I get manic. So we use it until the worst of the cycle ends and then back to a normal ssri , benzo, mood stab mix. Ill tell you, though, I've had to try all the "newer antis" and found remeron to have the worst side effects. For me it was weight gain, no biggie I’m athletic so I just worked a bit harder and watch what I ate more than usual. I also developed some acne, which, docs says happens more than his readings indicated and I began to have problems with visual perception.
But if all else is failing, I guess its worth a shot...ask doc though about liver tests and about changes in blood cell counts.
Hope this helps a bit,
~Tony
Posted by jay on January 19, 2003, at 22:19:07
In reply to Switching from Remeron to Effexor?, posted by BrittPark on January 19, 2003, at 19:03:02
Hi Britt...I have taken both (Effexor and Remeron) and there is a fair difference in the side-effect profile. Effexor can be a bit more stimulating at first, and it's best to start and go in low doses. Your other meds should help with any insomnia. I found it was important to also take it with a good meal, and give yourself some 'pampering' while you adjust to it.
If you go slow with it (I found), it sounds like it could really be beneficial to your situation. Most of the anxiety, and the temporary 'high' it can cause at first, eventually go away.I've been on a low dose of Effexor for years now, and have recently found imipramine to be an excellent combo with this. Just take your time with it...and please let us know how you make out.
Best wishes...
Jay
Posted by medlib on January 24, 2003, at 21:06:50
In reply to Switching from Remeron to Effexor?, posted by BrittPark on January 19, 2003, at 19:03:02
Hi BrittPark--
Sorry to be so belated with this post--hope it's still relevant/seen. Remeron and Effexor are frequently prescribed together; the combo is called the "California Cocktail" by many, the "big guns" by my pdoc. He had good success combining them; supposedly they have a synergistic effect together. So there's no reason that they can't overlap; but, have you considered taking them together?
Here follows a couple of tidbits that occurred to me while composing the above; my apologies if they're old news to you.
A note re Remeron: this is the only psych med (that I know of) where "less is more". Low dose Remeron has a higher incidence of side effects, especially weight gain and sedation, than higher doses. Many pdocs begin with 30 mg. and increase to 45 mg. 2 weeks later. Unfortunately, adding Remeron to my Effexor did not prove helpful for me.
A note re Effexor: If, for some reason, you decide to stay on E., it may be wise to keep E. below 225mg./day as long as you're taking it w. imipramine.
This is the end of the thread.
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