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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 ClearSkies on August 6, 2007, at 11:20:12
In reply to Remeron 30mg comments welcome, posted by ClearSkies on August 6, 2007, at 9:53:50
Redirected from the wrong board!! Darn.
> My depression has improved greatly since starting Remeron, and the daytime sleepiness is getting less. I has some optimism that this medication might be a good one for a while for me. Is 30mg considered a standard dose, or do most people go up to 45mg (it seems I've done best at slightly lower dosages on medications)?
>
> I've gained about 6 lbs of weight but have become really out of shape because of being so very lethargic. It seemed to take no time at all to lose the slight muscle tone I had gained, and it was unthinkable that I try to take on any exercise, seeing as I had a hard time just staying awake between morning and night.
>
> If there is one thing having a single day of good mood has taught me, though, it's to take things slowly. I'm going to see how thing progress this week; take a walk in the evenings if my body allows, and then if I can maintain some alertness and stay conscious during daylight hours, I'll undertake some more rigorous exercise to get firmed up.
>
> As I mentioned in a post on Social, the combination of sleepiness on this med and the effects of anxiety have made the past several months doubly hard. I'd love to just drink some high-octane coffee and get on with it (whatever it is), but I'm jittery enough as it is. Finding the balance between wakefulness, having some energy to get some very basic tasks accomplished, and the heart-thumping discomfort of anxiety is nasty. For this reason, I think that stimulants aren't a good idea for me. I had a short trial on Provigil a few years ago and found it really unsuitable.
>
> Comments, suggestions, etc. are appreciated. Below are listed all daily medications.
>
> Remeron 30mg
> Xanax .5mg, split into two doses
>
> Also,
> Zonegran 150mg (migraine prevention)
> hormone treatment for perimenopause - estrogen and progesterone replacements
>
> Dx is "mild" bipolar II, which is in the process of being reevaluated (characterized as mostly major depression), GAD, and the occasional, well-placed panic attack.
>
> ClearSkies
Posted by polarbear206 on August 6, 2007, at 12:00:50
In reply to Remeron 30mg comments welcome, posted by ClearSkies on August 6, 2007, at 11:20:12
> Redirected from the wrong board!! Darn.
>
> > My depression has improved greatly since starting Remeron, and the daytime sleepiness is getting less. I has some optimism that this medication might be a good one for a while for me. Is 30mg considered a standard dose, or do most people go up to 45mg (it seems I've done best at slightly lower dosages on medications)?
> >
> > I've gained about 6 lbs of weight but have become really out of shape because of being so very lethargic. It seemed to take no time at all to lose the slight muscle tone I had gained, and it was unthinkable that I try to take on any exercise, seeing as I had a hard time just staying awake between morning and night.
> >
> > If there is one thing having a single day of good mood has taught me, though, it's to take things slowly. I'm going to see how thing progress this week; take a walk in the evenings if my body allows, and then if I can maintain some alertness and stay conscious during daylight hours, I'll undertake some more rigorous exercise to get firmed up.
> >
> > As I mentioned in a post on Social, the combination of sleepiness on this med and the effects of anxiety have made the past several months doubly hard. I'd love to just drink some high-octane coffee and get on with it (whatever it is), but I'm jittery enough as it is. Finding the balance between wakefulness, having some energy to get some very basic tasks accomplished, and the heart-thumping discomfort of anxiety is nasty. For this reason, I think that stimulants aren't a good idea for me. I had a short trial on Provigil a few years ago and found it really unsuitable.
> >
> > Comments, suggestions, etc. are appreciated. Below are listed all daily medications.
> >
> > Remeron 30mg
> > Xanax .5mg, split into two doses
> >
> > Also,
> > Zonegran 150mg (migraine prevention)
> > hormone treatment for perimenopause - estrogen and progesterone replacements
> >
> > Dx is "mild" bipolar II, which is in the process of being reevaluated (characterized as mostly major depression), GAD, and the occasional, well-placed panic attack.
> >
> > ClearSkies
>
>
Hey ClearSkies,If you have a soft bipolar II diagnosis, have you tried any mood stabilizers in the past? I take Lamictal, been on it for a very long time with excellent results. It keeps anxiety/fatigue at bay that I would have on antidepresant monotherapy. How long have you been taking the Remeron? Hopefully, the fatigue will fade the longer you are on it. I know that higher doses of rememron 45mg and above, the more activating it is and weight gain is less compared to lower doses. What's really important is that you are sleeping well on it. It has a good track record for great and restful sleep. It's really important to get out and get moving with exercise to help with the weight gain, fatigue and anxiety you are having. Remeron is also low with sexual side effects, which is a PLUS compared to the other antidepressants. I also have SAD, so I will probably have to increase my Effexor soon to 300mg. Was able to lower dose this summer. I am considering adding Remeron instead of another 150mg of Effexor. The reason is that I can't stand the sexual side effects at higher doses. Keep us posted with updates on how you are doing.
Polarbear
Effexor 150mg
Wellbutrin150mg
Lamictal 200mg
Omega 3 fatty acids 6 caps daily
Posted by ClearSkies on August 6, 2007, at 12:29:07
In reply to Re: Remeron 30mg comments welcome, posted by polarbear206 on August 6, 2007, at 12:00:50
Hi, PolarBear. Yes, I took Lamictal 200mg for over a year with no benefits noted as mood stabilizer, while I was taking Cymbalta. I stopped the Lamictal in January after a particularly stressing hypomanic episode. It's not clear to me that the hypomania wasn't triggered by the Cymbalta. Moot point since the AD properties of Cymbalta abruptly stopped 2 months ago.
The wrangling over the use of Lamictal while it clearly wasn't working is one of several reasons why I recently changed pdocs. The other was that the old pdoc told me my next treatment option was ECT, which I thought was rather rash.
Thanks for your thoughts. At the moment I am doing a daily mood chart for my new doctor.
cs
Posted by Phillipa on August 6, 2007, at 12:39:02
In reply to Re: Remeron 30mg comments welcome » polarbear206, posted by ClearSkies on August 6, 2007, at 12:29:07
ECT oh boy. I hope that remeron works well for you. I know l5mg didn't make me sleep but the meds all do the opposite with me that they are supposed to. Sounds like your plan is a good one. Love Phillipa
Posted by ClearSkies on August 6, 2007, at 13:31:21
In reply to Re: Remeron 30mg comments welcome » polarbear206, posted by ClearSkies on August 6, 2007, at 12:29:07
> Hi, PolarBear. Yes, I took Lamictal 200mg for over a year with no benefits noted as mood stabilizer, while I was taking Cymbalta. I stopped the Lamictal in January after a particularly stressing hypomanic episode. It's not clear to me that the hypomania wasn't triggered by the Cymbalta. Moot point since the AD properties of Cymbalta abruptly stopped 2 months ago.
>
> The wrangling over the use of Lamictal while it clearly wasn't working is one of several reasons why I recently changed pdocs. The other was that the old pdoc told me my next treatment option was ECT, which I thought was rather rash.
>
> Thanks for your thoughts. At the moment I am doing a daily mood chart for my new doctor.
>
> csI also tried Topamax, which worked well but made my hair fall out - not acceptable.
cs
Posted by King of Nothing on August 6, 2007, at 13:43:51
In reply to Remeron 30mg comments welcome, posted by ClearSkies on August 6, 2007, at 11:20:12
Good for you! I love remeron (i'm on 60 mgs. daily) i have been on it for 3 mos. and currently have no daytime drowsiness. Man does it ever increase my appetite though...have gained about 10 lbs. I think it's the best all around AD available. If 30 mgs. makes you feel good i'd stay right there, however you might have less drowsiness at a higher dose.
Posted by Oppycat on August 6, 2007, at 15:36:12
In reply to Remeron 30mg comments welcome, posted by ClearSkies on August 6, 2007, at 11:20:12
> Redirected from the wrong board!! Darn.
>
> > My depression has improved greatly since starting Remeron, and the daytime sleepiness is getting less. I has some optimism that this medication might be a good one for a while for me. Is 30mg considered a standard dose, or do most people go up to 45mg (it seems I've done best at slightly lower dosages on medications)?
> >
> > I've gained about 6 lbs of weight but have become really out of shape because of being so very lethargic. It seemed to take no time at all to lose the slight muscle tone I had gained, and it was unthinkable that I try to take on any exercise, seeing as I had a hard time just staying awake between morning and night.
> >
> > If there is one thing having a single day of good mood has taught me, though, it's to take things slowly. I'm going to see how thing progress this week; take a walk in the evenings if my body allows, and then if I can maintain some alertness and stay conscious during daylight hours, I'll undertake some more rigorous exercise to get firmed up.
> >
> > As I mentioned in a post on Social, the combination of sleepiness on this med and the effects of anxiety have made the past several months doubly hard. I'd love to just drink some high-octane coffee and get on with it (whatever it is), but I'm jittery enough as it is. Finding the balance between wakefulness, having some energy to get some very basic tasks accomplished, and the heart-thumping discomfort of anxiety is nasty. For this reason, I think that stimulants aren't a good idea for me. I had a short trial on Provigil a few years ago and found it really unsuitable.
> >
> > Comments, suggestions, etc. are appreciated. Below are listed all daily medications.
> >
> > Remeron 30mg
> > Xanax .5mg, split into two doses
> >
> > Also,
> > Zonegran 150mg (migraine prevention)
> > hormone treatment for perimenopause - estrogen and progesterone replacements
> >
> > Dx is "mild" bipolar II, which is in the process of being reevaluated (characterized as mostly major depression), GAD, and the occasional, well-placed panic attack.
> >
> > ClearSkies
>
>Although 45mg is the "normal" dose, many people respond to lower dosages. I'm currently taking 22.5mg Remeron, 10mg Lexapro, and 40mg Adderall XR. I can wake up ok without the Adderall, but it takes me about 2 hours and 3 cups of coffee.
Posted by ClearSkies on August 8, 2007, at 10:55:28
In reply to Remeron 30mg comments welcome, posted by ClearSkies on August 6, 2007, at 11:20:12
Maybe I'm dreaming of butter tarts?? It got so that I had to stop using my night guard so I can keep my mouth closed (I don't seem to be grinding my teeth at the moment anyway, which I think was an artifact of one of the medications I was on).
And I don't experience any Remeron rage if I'm all alone. I guess I'll have to break it to my husband. At this point I think he'll appreciate it.
cs
Posted by LlurpsieNoodle on August 8, 2007, at 15:20:57
In reply to Oh, and I'm drooling in my sleep, posted by ClearSkies on August 8, 2007, at 10:55:28
Hi CS,
I hope you're doing okay. I know things are really tough right now. I hope your side effects get a little better each day. Take it easy on yourself until then, and try to get some fresh air.Have you tried abilify (I can't remember)
Since I've been on it my moods have been very stable. (and you know that they were very, very unstable for about a month or three)
(((((clearskies)))))
-Llp.s. drool away. means you're hydrated.
p.p.s. don't let anyone shock my clearskies!
Posted by ClearSkies on August 8, 2007, at 16:11:13
In reply to Re: Oh, and I'm drooling in my sleep » ClearSkies, posted by LlurpsieNoodle on August 8, 2007, at 15:20:57
> Hi CS,
> I hope you're doing okay. I know things are really tough right now. I hope your side effects get a little better each day. Take it easy on yourself until then, and try to get some fresh air.
>
> Have you tried abilify (I can't remember)No - this is one of the possibilities if it turns out that Remeron is ultimately not suitable for me. I'm still hopeful and have noticed that in leafing back in those dratted daily mood charts that I am actually feeling better, overall. (Though husband is out of town for a few days so maybe it's just because I'm alone?)
>
> Since I've been on it my moods have been very stable. (and you know that they were very, very unstable for about a month or three)
>Yes, it's just awful, isn't it? And I've noticed that along with the rages I'm just more emotional overall; crying while listening to sentimental songs on the radio - don't make me tell you which one and by whom, it's just too, too embarrassing!! Do you remember the movie "This Is Spinal Tap", when the guy had his amplifier dials renumbered to go up to 11 so his guitar would be louder? That's what this feels like. I'm at 11 right now.
> (((((clearskies)))))
> -Ll
>
> p.s. drool away. means you're hydrated.
>
> p.p.s. don't let anyone shock my clearskies!
Posted by ClearSkies on August 10, 2007, at 8:35:11
In reply to Oh, and I'm drooling in my sleep, posted by ClearSkies on August 8, 2007, at 10:55:28
I can confirm this by reviewing my daily mood chart that I've been keeping for the last 10 days. Perhaps I can look forward to some stability inside this head of mine. I think it's way overdue. Or maybe this is another blip - time will tell, as always. There are so many exterior stressors going on at the moment too - our home's exterior is being remodeled, so there's a constant racket for 12 hours, 6 days a week; there's an ongoing effort to get my step daughter into counseling for her substance abuse problems; and my back was thrown out of whack last weekend by several night's sleep on a sofa bed. That's a lot for an antidepressant to keep up with, so I think overall I'm doing really well.
Cravings for sugar are subsiding, as are the increased need for sleep. Overall, ClearSkies on Remeron at 30mg is doing pretty well.
cs
Posted by alloftheabove on August 11, 2007, at 0:01:19
In reply to Moods are evening out, posted by ClearSkies on August 10, 2007, at 8:35:11
Hello ClearSkies
Remeron worked wonderful for me. I got me out of the hospital. I wished someone had warned me about the insidious weight gain. I gained 30lbs in a month. It increased my appetite as if I were pregnant with twins. The sleepiness and bad mood do subside eventually. If it seems as if it is working stick with it. However, watch those cravings.
The only reason I stopped was due to the weight gain.
Greetings
allotheabove
This is the end of the thread.
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