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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Squiggles on May 16, 2003, at 8:17:13
Well folks,
What can i say - "I wish I knew what I know
now, when I was younger..." The person in
question is a new person after 2 and a half
weeks on this drug. The change is pretty close
to miraculous in improvement of sleep, affect,
and eradication of anxiety. The only bothersome
side effect seems to be increased appetite.After more than 18 drugs, it does seem like
a case of serial anti-depressing. I should
be happy of course, and I want to say that
it is the NET that has opened the doors to
information, and Dr. Bob's wealth of links.
Unfortunately, this is not available to all
people but the few who have access to computers
and can use them. Perhaps, the UN could open
up some jobs for servicing people in poor
countries.We're delighted of course with the results,
and i am very grateful to the hints from here
and Dr. Golberg's site. Strangely, though
the discoveries i have made helping me personally,
and my relatives have left me with a sense of insecurity
and validated anxiety. I am by nature a rather
lazy person, and the idea that i have to research
medical stuff makes me tired. In a way, secretly
i have always wanted to be proved wrong -- sounds
strange i know.After decades of suffering, it does look like
blue skies.Squiggles
Posted by SLS on May 16, 2003, at 9:51:17
In reply to The mysterious case of Miss X - Remeron, posted by Squiggles on May 16, 2003, at 8:17:13
That's such great news. It is always nice to see someone actually get to the end of the tunnel and out into the sunshine again.
Continued good health...
- Scott
Posted by Squiggles on May 16, 2003, at 12:25:15
In reply to Re: The mysterious case of Miss X - Remeron GREAT! » Squiggles, posted by SLS on May 16, 2003, at 9:51:17
Hee,
Yup; the veritable light at the end
of the ********* tunnel, or that big
round moon radiating above your face
before you go into that endless night
(do not go blindly into that light,
rage, rage against the dying of the night
[can't remember the words, sorry];
or cave --if you are in a Platonic mood, or haze,
if you're confusing withdrawal with
the underlying addictive personality.In the 3 yrs. or so I have been on the net,
searching answers to medical problems,
I would like to share a word of caution --
despair attracts vultures. Not all sites
are legitimate and reliable and unfortunately,
as in RL, there are prey and predators. It may
not always be easy to use caution, but
it is very easy fall prey. I noticed that
Dr. Bob has a quality of information site,
and that helps. I would like to see a
website devoted entirely to this subject,
outlining the minefields--but i suppose, the
lawsuits would be immense.Take care
Squiggles
Posted by BekkaH on May 17, 2003, at 15:45:30
In reply to Re: The mysterious case of Miss X - Remeron » Squiggles, posted by JohnB55 on May 17, 2003, at 14:00:07
I have heard more success stories about Remeron than just about any other antidepressant. From what I've read, Remeron's main drawback is its effect on histamine and the consequent weight gain. Because of both health and cosmetic reasons, many people are unable and/or unwilling to put up with increased appetite and weight gain. If it weren't for the weight issue, I think Remeron might be the best currently available antidepressant.
Posted by Squiggles on May 17, 2003, at 16:01:18
In reply to The mysterious case of Miss X - Remeron, posted by BekkaH on May 17, 2003, at 15:45:30
That's interesting. I think that the weight
issue is of minor concern in cases where
the anxiety and insomnia side effects of the
more stimulating ADs makes for a miserable life.
What I find odd, is that the subsequent drugs
have not progressed much in terms of being
indubitably effective for depression. I would
say that goes for lithium as well - its drawback
is also weight gain and of course the thyroid
suppression, and toxicity.I have written to a couple of drug instrumentation
companies for a portable li-detector which would be super
for gaging toxicity. I have read on one of hte
usenet groups that ReliaLab is working on something
but have nor pursued it - fearing it may be a
Scientology scam - yeah i know i am paranoid.Squiggles
Posted by johnj on May 18, 2003, at 13:08:54
In reply to Re: The mysterious case of Miss X - Remeron » BekkaH, posted by Squiggles on May 17, 2003, at 16:01:18
Love your name...
Good to hear somebody is getting good relief from their illness. It is certainly hard to find a good combo. I applaud your efforts. Sometimes I just want to go off meds and be hospitaliized. Continuing the fight can be so hard and struggling. I often pray that I find something to make me at least useful and then hope down the road something better will come along. I believe many of us are in that situation.
I have come back to remeron because of the severe insomnia I was having. Great AD for sleep and I jumped back in at 30 mg. Last time I tried remeron I had severe brain fog/spaciness. But, that was probably due to working out since it happens when I am on a TCA too. I have some staring problems on it too, but I guess I need to weight the benefits of that or not being able to work at all.
I have some questions for you. It sounds like you take lithium too? I also take 600 mg for atypical depression. How much do you take? Are you taking anything else? If yes, will you scale it back since remeron is working? I am also on 18.5 mg of tranzene and may scale that back too. I am thinking I need something in the morning to clear my head, but am not sure what. Anyway, Congrats on finding your jewel to wellness. Best Wishesjohnj
Posted by Squiggles on May 18, 2003, at 13:32:36
In reply to Re: The mysterious case of Miss X - Remeron » Squiggles, posted by johnj on May 18, 2003, at 13:08:54
Hi John,
thank you - Squiggles is the name of one of our
cats; i think i did not make myself clear. I take
lithium and have for over 20 yrs (900mg) with
Synthroid for lithium-induced hypothyroidism and
benzos for archaic and unnecessary medical know-how
imho;Anyway, the Remeron is for my friend who has suffered
through many ADs of all classes and dosages through
many yrs. It has been a real pain and i believe that
it could have been done right from the beginning if
greater knowledge of the drugs was there - alas, that
is obviously, from the messages here, not such an easy thing.Remeron seems to be the best so far, with imipramine
being second (notice how old these drugs are);
At 30mg it is better than 15mg, with appetite being
the greatest side effect.As for me, since my Synthroid was lowered, i believe
the lithium is too high at 900mg. I am presently
experimenting with cutting 1/3 every Saturday. It makes
me feel so much better but i don't sleep as heavily on that
day. If things do progress, i may try to cut on Wed.
1/3 as well - bringing the total to 800mg per day.
My dr. does not mind me doing this but will not himself
lower it on account of the blood dose (1.0 to 1.2 max); however
i feel that a once a year draw is not accurate and i certainly
feel heavy, and had a terrible seizure a couple of yrs.
ago, in the record hot summer, which may have been serotonin
syndrome in the heat or withdrawal.I hope the Remeron helps you - i understand completely
how frustrating it is to spend your life trying one
drug after another as each one take so long to get on,
adjust, get off, if you can.My best wishes to you.
Squiggles
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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