Posted by Scars R. Stories on March 31, 2013, at 8:14:14
In reply to anhedonia possibly induced by remeron, posted by Stone on November 1, 2009, at 20:31:57
Hi there -
I've been in the same situation. A few things:
Effexor (XR) and Wellbutrin are the ONLY antidepressants that have been proven to work in long-term studies. The original studies on antidepressants of SSRI/SNRI classes (Remeron has been removed from the SNRI category) were only 8-12 weeks long. Ultimately, more thorough research has demonstrated that SSRIs and Remeron act only as well as placebos.
Remeron acts MUCH MORE like an antipsychotic. I don't know how much you know about antipsychotic action, but it's nearly identical. This leads me to believe it is dopamine depletion primarily (also serotonin, because of the Effexor XR withdrawal factor). Thus, you may want to go on Wellbutrin. You may also want to go back on Effexor XR. It's a good drug. The withdrawal is horrible. However, after 10 years of treatment, I got off the Effexor and took 30mg Remeron. I ended up experiencing the worst depression of my life, and by the end of the year attempted suicide for the first time in about 5 years (I used to be a frequent flyer) and ended up in the hospital.
My psychiatrist is in his late 70s and is a medication expert. Immediately, when I was still being admitted, he came to see me and immediately restarted Effexor XR.
I take 450 mg Effexor XR. I have a very fast metabolism.
All Best,
scars
poster:Scars R. Stories
thread:1041418
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20130322/msgs/1041418.html