![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
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 Sassy on January 3, 2000, at 15:51:56
Hi All,
Based on your feedback regarding Wellbrutin, I asked my doc to supplement with Wellbrutin to eliminate the
tireness I always experience. Instead, he put me on
30 mg Remeron.Due to the number of times I wake up at night, which is usually 5, but cut down to 3 after being on 300 mg of effexor, he insisted on the Remeron.
I told him I at least felt rested even though I woke up and preferred Wellbrutin. I also advised him of
hearing stories of weight gain with Remeron.He advised the weight gain is not caused by a chemical effect of the medicine, but the increase appetite for
carbohydrates.I found that to be interesting because I was always under the impression weight gain with certain meds were from chemical reaction. For example, Celexa didn't make me hungry, but when I went above 10 mg I gained weight.
What does Remeron actually do except relax you? Do you know whether it is used by itself for the purpose of
depression?The doc thinks I haven't given Effexor enough time to take it's full effect which is another reason why he
doesn't want to combine it with the Wellbrutin.I have taken Effexor for a month now and do feel much
better.Is anyone else on this combination and what are your
thoughts?Sassy
I am more concerned about not groggy.One thing for sure, when first taking the Remeron, you better be close to the bed.
This pretty much had an instant
Posted by JohnL on January 3, 2000, at 18:09:00
In reply to Effexor and Remeron, posted by Sassy on January 3, 2000, at 15:51:56
Some doctors in Dr Bob's Tips view Effexor+Remeron as being big guns. One of our posters, st james, I believe is doing well with this combination.
Sounds like a good combo to me. Remeron will put you to sleep fast. I took it about an hour before bed. Daytime sedation can seem like too much at first, but that goes away in a few days or a couple weeks.
As far as weight gain goes, Remeron blocks certain receptors, including some in the gut. You will feel hungrier even when you really aren't, and you'll want to eat more when you eat. So you just need to be aware that your increased appetite is just a trick, it's not for real. Those blocked sensors are not able to tell you you're not hungry. Don't change your eating habits, snacks, or size of meals and you should be fine. Remeron gave me the munchies, but I just ignored it after a while and had a glass of water instead. Whatever though, if you don't like it in 4 to 6 weeks, you can always go to Wellbutrin then. See what happens with Remeron first. You might really like it.
Wishing you well. JohnL
Posted by Sassy on January 3, 2000, at 19:54:25
In reply to Re: Effexor and Remeron, posted by JohnL on January 3, 2000, at 18:09:00
Hi John,
Thanks for responding and the good information.
I'll take a look at the Tips and see if I can
get some feed back from St James.Thanks!
Sassy> Some doctors in Dr Bob's Tips view Effexor+Remeron as being big guns. One of our posters, st james, I believe is doing well with this combination.
>
> Sounds like a good combo to me. Remeron will put you to sleep fast. I took it about an hour before bed. Daytime sedation can seem like too much at first, but that goes away in a few days or a couple weeks.
>
> As far as weight gain goes, Remeron blocks certain receptors, including some in the gut. You will feel hungrier even when you really aren't, and you'll want to eat more when you eat. So you just need to be aware that your increased appetite is just a trick, it's not for real. Those blocked sensors are not able to tell you you're not hungry. Don't change your eating habits, snacks, or size of meals and you should be fine. Remeron gave me the munchies, but I just ignored it after a while and had a glass of water instead. Whatever though, if you don't like it in 4 to 6 weeks, you can always go to Wellbutrin then. See what happens with Remeron first. You might really like it.
>
> Wishing you well. JohnL
Posted by lois on January 5, 2000, at 16:10:49
In reply to Re: Effexor and Remeron, posted by Sassy on January 3, 2000, at 19:54:25
Sassy,
Hi,
I am on remeron 30-45mgs at supper and effexor XR
37.5mgs in morning and 75mgs in eve. with remeron.
I had MAJOR sleep problems until remeron. Now I
rarely need an ambien. Am also on 0.25mgs clonipin,600mgs neurontin,and 800 mgs tegretol.
The remeron was the latest to be added.I do feel
hungry,but have been so sleep-deprived for so long
that the remeron is still a welcome relief.
Seems though it might have been potentiating the
clonapin---last few nights a little less restful.
I'll have to see if the 45mgs of remeron continues to help or if I get tolerant to THAT also. Maybe I can decrease the nighttime effexor.Still not very motivated,but not as bad as before I got less sleep.
Good luck.
Lois
Posted by Sassy on January 5, 2000, at 20:06:51
In reply to Re: Effexor and Remeron, posted by lois on January 5, 2000, at 16:10:49
Hi Lois,
I decided I'm going to give this remeron a chance.
If this appetite thing doesn't stop, I have to ask for something else. Usually if I eat protein the hunger pangs go ahead, but they haven't.
Beside sleeping pretty okay most of the night, I actually dream!
I usually don't have dreams unless it's a nightmare. The latest dreams have been very vivid and weird, not nightmares. My little boy woke me up because he heard me struggling in the dream.
If this is how dreams usually are, I rather not have them. With Tradazone, I didn't remember a thing, but it took me longer to get it together in the morning and I needed to fill up on coffee to be productive. I don't feel that way on the
remeron. I'm pretty refreshed in the morning.Sweet Dreams!
Sassy> Sassy,
> Hi,
> I am on remeron 30-45mgs at supper and effexor XR
> 37.5mgs in morning and 75mgs in eve. with remeron.
> I had MAJOR sleep problems until remeron. Now I
> rarely need an ambien. Am also on 0.25mgs clonipin,600mgs neurontin,and 800 mgs tegretol.
> The remeron was the latest to be added.I do feel
> hungry,but have been so sleep-deprived for so long
> that the remeron is still a welcome relief.
> Seems though it might have been potentiating the
> clonapin---last few nights a little less restful.
> I'll have to see if the 45mgs of remeron continues to help or if I get tolerant to THAT also. Maybe I can decrease the nighttime effexor.Still not very motivated,but not as bad as before I got less sleep.
> Good luck.
> Lois
Posted by lois on January 6, 2000, at 6:29:31
In reply to Sweet Dreams Lois, posted by Sassy on January 5, 2000, at 20:06:51
> Hi Lois,
>
> I decided I'm going to give this remeron a chance.
>
> If this appetite thing doesn't stop, I have to ask for something else. Usually if I eat protein the hunger pangs go ahead, but they haven't.
>
Are you saying the protein helps or hurts?I MIGHT switch (later) to welbutrin and remeron.Has anyone heard of this combo possibly counteracting the weight gain thing?
Lois
Posted by torchgrl on January 7, 2000, at 0:36:47
In reply to Re: Sweet Dreams Lois and remeron-welbutrin combo?, posted by lois on January 6, 2000, at 6:29:31
I don't know about Remeron+Wellbutrin, but upping the dose of the Remeron should help a little with the hunger...
Posted by Sassy on January 7, 2000, at 18:52:13
In reply to Re: Sweet Dreams Lois and remeron-welbutrin combo?, posted by lois on January 6, 2000, at 6:29:31
> > Hi Lois,
> >
> > I decided I'm going to give this remeron a chance.
> >
> > If this appetite thing doesn't stop, I have to ask for something else. Usually if I eat protein the hunger pangs go ahead, but they haven't.
> >
> Are you saying the protein helps or hurts?
>
> I MIGHT switch (later) to welbutrin and remeron.Has anyone heard of this combo possibly counteracting the weight gain thing?
>
> LoisHi Lois,
I was referring to the protein as helping the hunger pangs, but with the effexor and remeron,
I was out of control.I just have been prescribed wellbrutin and it
definately took care of the hunger. As a matter of fact, my stomach fills so full, I think I'll bust if you stick me with a pen. I only ate
an apple and coffee.The initial intake of the wellbrutin is a little too strong for me and the directions from the manufacturer states not to break the tablet.
I am suppose to take it twice a day 150 mg.I don't want to end up flying out of work, so I
will cut it down to once a day for now.My doc told me to still take the remeron, but only
1/2 the tablet which was 15 mg. This was perfect,
I slept good, didn't wake up groggy, was very
productive and focused at work.Now I'm happy with the efflexor, wellbrutin,remeron mix.
Sassy
Posted by lois on January 8, 2000, at 19:59:52
In reply to Re: Sweet Dreams Lois and remeron-welbutrin combo?, posted by torchgrl on January 7, 2000, at 0:36:47
> I don't know about Remeron+Wellbutrin, but upping the dose of the Remeron should help a little with the hunger...
Hi Torchgirl,
You say Upping remeron will Decrease hunger?
Seems like it would make this s.e. even worse
(i.e. more and more hunger.)
Thanks for input.Guess I'll give it a try.
It seems I need more of a dose anyway.
Hoping for no tolerance.Here I go.
Lois
Posted by torchgrl on January 8, 2000, at 20:59:27
In reply to Re: Sweet Dreams Lois and remeron-welbutrin combo?, posted by lois on January 8, 2000, at 19:59:52
I think it's one of those things they discovered after it had been available for awhile, even though it seems to be counterintuitive. I had a brief trial on Remeron last summer, and the low dose made me ravenous and catatonic, but we upped the dose and that helped a bit--I was just kind of hungry and really fatigued :) But there are plenty of people who have responded much better than I to the beneficial aspects of Remeron, and even if there is still some residual hunger & fatigue after increasing the dose, that may subside after a couple of weeks. It's worth it if what you're left with is positive AD effects and tolerable side-effects... Good luck!
Posted by juniper on January 10, 2000, at 23:33:54
In reply to Re: Sweet Dreams Lois and remeron-welbutrin combo?, posted by torchgrl on January 8, 2000, at 20:59:27
i was just chatting with my pdoc today and he mentioned that remeron, counterintuitively, is more sedating the less you take of it. for example, 7.5mg is more sedating than 15mg which is more sedating than 30mg. perhaps it works this way with hunger also?
juniper
Posted by torchgrl on January 11, 2000, at 0:15:25
In reply to Re: Sweet Dreams Lois and remeron-welbutrin combo?, posted by juniper on January 10, 2000, at 23:33:54
That's what I found--just didn't do so enough for me to tolerate it, but it might/probably does work better for others!
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.