Posted by Greg on October 12, 2000, at 20:04:22
In reply to Re: remeron works, but are there any other options?, posted by cole on October 12, 2000, at 14:06:29
Hi cole,
Sorry to take so long in responding, got real busy at work and then had a pdoc appt this afternoon.
I took Rem for awhile for depression but really had no positive results from it. It did however help me to sleep better, as you've already noticed. Are you the person who posted they they were taking 60 or 70 mgs a day of it? If so, that would certainly explain some of your tiredness and any weight gain you might be experiencing. Rem is notorious for weight gain.
I looked over your list of meds and the one I didn't see was Effexor XR. I have a few friends who use it and they say it's really turned things around for them. I took it briefly, and while it did help my depression a bit I also had very bad memory loss with it. So it might be an option for you assuming you haven't already tried it.
I was also wondering about the Wellbutrin, was it the regular WB or the SR type? WBSR worked the best for me until it pooped out after about two months.I started at 150mgs daily with no results, then went up to 300 and that really made a difference. Some people take 400. What dose were you taking? Of the "activating" ADs WB and Prozac are probably the most promising. I've heard many people here talk about trying an AD the first time with no success, but then trying it again several months later and having it work wonders. Might it be worth trying again? Our body chemistry can change so rapidly that meds can have very different effects over periods of time.
My SO wanted me to warn you about the herbs and supplements. She recently saw a news segment about them where they talked about how some of the "naturals" have been causing liver damage, heart failure, renal failure, stuff like that. They said that no one should assume that just because something is natural that it is good for you. Check everything out first before you take it.
I had a couple more questions for you. Do you have any other symptoms like manic episodes, rages or mood swings? I'm just curious if there might be something else going on with you that might need to be treated. Have you had your Thyroid checked? That can cause major havoc with a person's system and cause depressive-like symptoms. Also, are you having any trouble with concentration, focusing your eyes, headaches or anything like that? If you are there are some other things we can talk about. What does your doc say about your resistance to the meds? If you have a history of suicidal thoughts and/or attempts, a mood stabilizer like Tegretol might help.
If it makes you feel better, you're not alone about the weather. I DETEST wintertime! I hate the rain (love a good thunderstorm though) and the cold. I flood my house with extra lighting in the winter in the hopes that it will stave off some of the added depression. Give me a hot summer day anytime! Oh, and I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who does the cuticle thing, I pick at mine until they are raw and bloody.
Well, I wish I could be more help, but maybe this will give you a few things to work with anyway...
Talk to you soon,
Greg> greg, thanks for replying quickly!
> i am a 24 y/o female. i got depressed right about when my hormones got screwy (12-13?)my depression is unipolar, atypical. i sleep more (want to spend my life in bed) eat more but irregularly, self mutilate (usually picking on cuticles, chewing at lips, and cutting). my depression definitely worsens in the winter, but is present year round. i recently bought a light box for the SAD component. i get suicidal, have attempted probably 5 times, hospitalized 2x. i haven't attempted in the past 6 yrs, no hospitalizations since either, although i still get the urge. i am somewhat of a perfectionist, but when i'm not depressed it doesn't cause problems. i think that norepinephrine plays a strong role, as i have never really felt "right" with other meds. remeron makes me feel totally normal mentally, but it wreaks havoc on the rest of my body. if you have any ideas, i'd love to hear them. i am also going to go to a natural health clinic to see if this can be taken care of w/ herbs or supplements. thanks,
> cole
poster:Greg
thread:46201
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001012/msgs/46230.html