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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 Lucylooo on December 19, 2004, at 18:02:27
Hello,
I'm curious to hear of any experiences with Remeron - good, bad, indifferent. Side effects?
I have GAD and have always tried to deal with it holistically but this has been a very difficult year of chronic anxiety and it's getting worse and I'm beginning to feel desperate for some relief. Years ago, for depression during the time my brother was dying, I tried zoloft and effexor; neither affected my mood in a positive way and the side effects were intolerable. I gave up on meds until I had to go back for his funeral and had worse anxiety/panic than I'd ever experienced before. I was given Xanax, and it worked remarkably well. I used it daily for several months but when I wanted to stop I had a really difficult time and I was switched over to Paxil while I weaned off. Although Paxil didn't make me miserable (as did effexor or zoloft), I didn't feel good either, I was zonked out and sleepy all the time. I felt better when the dose was lowered, and much better when I stopped it entirely.
Now it is several years later and after another death in the family I am worn down again from grief and other stressful circumstances and the constant accompanying anxiety. Almost a year ago I talked to my MD who was only willing to give me a 2 week supply of ativan. It worked for me as well as the xanax had, but I have not been able to find a doctor yet who will prescribe benzodiazapines. I understand the potential danger of these drugs, but they HELP so much and it's extremely frustrating to not be able to get them.
I'm broke and don't have medical insurance, so yesterday I went to the city's drop-in mental health crisis center. I was given Remeron which I've never heard of, and clonazepam .5 mg - no refill. Directions say to take 1/2 pill twice a day and then 1/2 pill a day...if I do this they'll be gone in 13 days. When I had the ativan, I made my 14 pills stretch for 2 or 3 months, only using them on the worst days. I've never used clonazepam - could it be used in a similar way? As far as the Remeron, I'm really reluctant to take it...I have had such bad experiences with AD side effects before and though I am depressed, it is mild in comparison to what I've experienced at other times.
I am in the system to see a p-doc who can work with me on a regular ongoing basis, but it may be a month or 2 before that happens. I believe I could use a benzo responsibly long term but I kind of doubt that any p-doc I will get through this system is going to agree. I would appreciate any comments or feedback or suggestions for other meds to try that anyone cares to offer. Thanks.
Posted by Ritch on December 20, 2004, at 11:28:33
In reply to Questions: Remeron / mirtazapine, clonazepam, ??, posted by Lucylooo on December 19, 2004, at 18:02:27
Hi,
The most common side effects with mirtazapine are sleepiness, appetite increase/weight gain. There seem to be two distinct type of reactions to the stuff. Some folks get over the sleepiness relatively quickly (or never had much trouble with it at all), and others never seem to get any relief from the strong sedative effects. I was one in the latter group. Sometimes increasing the dose results in less sleepiness-sometimes not. I would suggest going ahead and giving it a try until you get your appt. You might be one of the lucky ones that gets great anxiety relief from it and with the possible excess sedation fading out after a few weeks.
Given your reactions to Zoloft and Effexor, and less than great experience with Paxil.. SSRI's probably aren't the best bet, and that's probably why they are letting you try mirtazapine. It is a good antipanic med. I didn't have a single panic attack while I took it-but gained a lot of weight and couldn't think clearly most of the time. You might be lucky.
If the mirtazapine turns out to be intolerably sedative and it doesn't improve by your appt. time, make sure to carefully document your experience with it and share that info with the pdoc. Another non-SSRI alternative which might be more tolerable could be a tricyclic antidepressant like nortriptyline, i.e.
Hope this helps!
Posted by Lucylooo on December 20, 2004, at 16:09:35
In reply to Re: Questions: Remeron / mirtazapine, clonazepam, ??, posted by Ritch on December 20, 2004, at 11:28:33
Hi Ritch,
Thank you. I'm feeling awfully alone with this medication dilemma (well, in general actually) and can't tell you how much I appreciate your response. Take care,
L
Posted by Ritch on December 20, 2004, at 21:56:59
In reply to Re: Questions: Remeron / mirtazapine, clonazepam, ??, posted by Lucylooo on December 20, 2004, at 16:09:35
> Hi Ritch,
>
> Thank you. I'm feeling awfully alone with this medication dilemma (well, in general actually) and can't tell you how much I appreciate your response. Take care,
>
> L
You are welcome! Let us know how your experience with mirtazpine and your appt. go??
This is the end of the thread.
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