Posted by Scars R. Stories on March 31, 2013, at 8:02:43
In reply to Re: Insomnia resolved after trying EVERYTHING..., posted by linkadge on March 30, 2013, at 13:09:20
> First of all, remeron is not "proven" to cause increased blood lipids, slowed metabolism etc.
>
> As with all studies, an increased incidence of a particular side effect does not mean that every individual will have a particular side effect.
>
> Some studies link trazodone to cardiac rhythm disturbances (risk factor for SCD), liver toxicity and blood sugar disturbances. Also, as mentioned the metabolite MCPP is potentially cardiotoxic (in the manner of other 5-ht2b agonists like cabergoline).
>
> All in all, I get a little concerned when people put one medication on a pedistal at the exclusion of all others.
>
> Trazodone never worked for me as a sleep aid. In fact it made my insomnia worse. Remeron does work (for me). The 5-ht2c antagonism might benefit certain mood disorders in which a supersentivity of inhibitory 5-ht2c receptors has been noted.
>
> To each his own.
>
> Linkadge
>
>
Thanks for the info on Trazodone, I will look into it. But, I must give you the info for Remeron.First, MEDICAL RESEARCH does PROVE that Remeron causes weight gain in many, and EVEN IF IT DOESN'T affects the body of those that do not in a couple of ways that lead to Diabetes. For one, cortisol suppression = higher insulin. I found a good summary of some medical papers on the web - to quote:
"Not surprisingly, the research on Remeron talks alot about the weight gain, but, specfically, about the change in body composition. On Remeron, people tend to gain this layer of fat, or that's how I describe it. I call it the immovable layer of lard. It comes out of nowhere and is very stubborn about leaving. Walk all you want, hit that eliptical all you want....it won't move. It makes you want to give up on the drug. To hate it. To return to insomnia, if that's what will make the weight go away.
But then I happened upon some like that lead me another link. And, that's when I put together the cortisol + insulin connection.
This is how it goes: Remeron supresses the stress hormone cortisol. This is one of the reasons it helps people sleep. It basically 'powers down' your brain and slows your metabolism a bit. But, more interestingly is the relationship between cortisol and insulin. Apparently, cortisol counteracts insulin. Insulin basically grabs sugar from your bloodstream and stores it as fat. Your body needs cortisol to counteract and balance this effect of insulin, in addition to helping processing lipids (fats) and proteins.
So, as Remeron is supressing your cortisol it is also contributing to some of the effects of high insulin, specifically hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. When people say that can't stop eating carbs on Remeron, this may be why. Unabated, the insulin is grabbing sugar out of your blood, which leads you to think that you are carb depleted. So, you eat more carbs.
That's problem number one.
Problem number two comes from simply supressing cortisol. Because optimal levels of cortisol are neccessary for processing all macronutrients, having too little of it a night could drastically effect your body's conversion of these nutrients into energy. This could cause weight gain and would explain why people gain weight on Remeron so quickly.
That's problem number two."
Now, it is true, like I said, everyone has a different metabolism, but more importantly, different amounts of the TEN or so enzymes that process food/medication. One's body and the way we respond to medication is as unique as their fingerprints.
Pharmaceutical companies COULD but HAVEN'T developed technology to test for these, because they make more money if many drugs in higher dosages are tried.
So we are subject to this trial/error method. I have a very fast metabolism. VERY fast. I do not respond well to drugs that slow my metabolism down. I was on Clozaril for 2 years and the effects of Remeron were almost exactly the same. Massive weight gain, sleeping for 15+ hours, cravings for sweets.
Can I ask how much Remeron you take, for how long you've taken it, and what your diet is like? Body type? I'm interested in figuring out the puzzle, that's all. I'm a psychotropic drug researcher and journalist, and I would love to collect my own information about Remeron's effect according to these factors.
Best,
scars
poster:Scars R. Stories
thread:1041295
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20130322/msgs/1041417.html