Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 66202

Shown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Remeron or Serzone

Posted by Fredrik on June 12, 2001, at 4:02:46

Anyone who have tested both remeron and serzone (not necessarily
together)?

I suffer from a slight sadness and nervousness and can
also get "stucked" in my thoughts - a kind of thinking OCD. I was put
on Prozac five years ago and it worked wonderful for many years, but I recently
quit because of sexual side effects. Since then I've tried Zoloft, Luvox and Effexor together with
Buspar, but have quit for various reasons (side-effects). Yesterday I discussed what to try next
with my doctor and we chosed between remeron, serzone or wellbutrin - maybe in combination with prozac.
We finally chosed remeron, but I already regret a little that I didn't choose serzone instead (to avoid weight gain).
Can you with your experience help me to compare these alternatives?

Fredrik

 

Remeron » Fredrik

Posted by SalArmy4me on June 12, 2001, at 15:46:42

In reply to Remeron or Serzone, posted by Fredrik on June 12, 2001, at 4:02:46

Regardless of whether you will gain weight on Remeron or not, I ask you to consider it, because it is perhaps the best medication that has come out in the last 5 years. And I will explain why:

Here are the benefits of Remeron:

--It can be used for all types of depression, anxiety, OCD, and insomnia.
--It is convienient because it is taken only once at bedtime.
--It may improve libido and sexual performance (its the only medication that improves mine). Dr. Bob Hsieung's fellow doctors recommend it for sexual dysfunction.
--You can take Remeron with most antidepressants except MAOIs.
--It has none of the anticholinergic effects of SSRIs.
--It has gained recognition as a very useful medication from psychiatrists in only four years of FDA approval.

I myself started Remeron at 60 mg right away and had no side-effects. I had no weight gain or sedation during the day.

http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Mirtazapine-for-SSRI-ADRs.html
www.remeron.com
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/mirtaz.htm

 

Re: Remeron » SalArmy4me

Posted by CraigF on June 12, 2001, at 17:31:28

In reply to Remeron » Fredrik, posted by SalArmy4me on June 12, 2001, at 15:46:42

I gave Remeron one day (at 15 or 30 mgs), not sure, and gave up due to unbelievable hunger and sedation.

Is there any way to test whether I'd have better luck at a higher dose without titrating off my current dose of Celexa (40 mgs?)

Also, how would you describe the theraputic effect of Remeron compared to Celexa or Prozac. I need something that is slightly activating, helps with concentration, ruminations/obsessive thoughts, as well as social anxiety and GAD.

I like my Celexa but I love my sex drive and would like it back. Any thoughts?

 

Re: Remeron

Posted by jdogg on June 12, 2001, at 22:34:08

In reply to Re: Remeron » SalArmy4me, posted by CraigF on June 12, 2001, at 17:31:28

I've been on Celexa for 2 years (60 mgs). I started taking Wellbutrin SR (150 mg twice/day). At first, the Wellbutrin helped a little. But over time, my sexual function came back to normal. I think it had more to do with the length of time on Celexa than the Wellbutrin effect. I don't know how long you've been on the Celexa, but it may improve if you give it a while.


 

Re: Remeron » SalArmy4me

Posted by Judy on June 13, 2001, at 20:28:13

In reply to Remeron » Fredrik, posted by SalArmy4me on June 12, 2001, at 15:46:42

> I myself started Remeron at 60 mg right away and had no side-effects. I had no weight gain or sedation during the day.

Why did you stop taking it?

 

Re: Remeron » Judy

Posted by SalArmy4me on June 13, 2001, at 22:45:30

In reply to Re: Remeron » SalArmy4me, posted by Judy on June 13, 2001, at 20:28:13

I stopped taking it because it didn't work for my depression. Nothing works for my depresssion mixed with painful flashbacks and OCD.

> > I myself started Remeron at 60 mg right away and had no side-effects. I had no weight gain or sedation during the day.
>
> Why did you stop taking it?
>

 

Re: Remeron » SalArmy4me

Posted by Judy on June 15, 2001, at 9:46:21

In reply to Re: Remeron » Judy, posted by SalArmy4me on June 13, 2001, at 22:45:30

I'm sorry to hear that - you sounded so enthusiastic about what a great drug it is.

I asked because after 16 years of depression/dysthymia/anxiety, I've cleared the shelves of every AD, mood stabilizer and combination thereof (only responded to MAOI, specifically Nardil, and can't tolerate it physically). I've been told all I have left are Remeron or ECT.

I've resisted trying Remeron because I've never been able to take even one antihistimine pill without being 'out' for at least 48 hours - and feeling fatigued is very frighteningly like a symptom of my depression. As for ECT - I know it's a miracle for some, but I cannot consent to it - I just can't do it.

> I stopped taking it because it didn't work for my depression. Nothing works for my depresssion mixed with painful flashbacks and OCD.
>
> > > I myself started Remeron at 60 mg right away and had no side-effects. I had no weight gain or sedation during the day.
> >
> > Why did you stop taking it?
> >

 

Re: Remeron » Judy

Posted by Mitch on June 15, 2001, at 11:45:08

In reply to Re: Remeron » SalArmy4me, posted by Judy on June 15, 2001, at 9:46:21

> .....after 16 years of depression/dysthymia/anxiety, I've cleared the shelves of every AD, mood stabilizer and combination thereof (only responded to MAOI, specifically Nardil, and can't tolerate it physically). I've been told all I have left are Remeron or ECT.
>
> I've resisted trying Remeron because I've never been able to take even one antihistimine pill without being 'out' for at least 48 hours - and feeling fatigued is very frighteningly like a symptom of my depression. As for ECT - I know it's a miracle for some, but I cannot consent to it - I just can't do it.

Judy,

Hope you don't mind this input, but have you taken any stimulants to augment your antidepressants in the past? Some folks don't get relief from depression without trying them. If you have taken them before without success you might try adding a stimulant (i.e. Adderall) in the AM to counter the drowsiness if you take some Remeron at bedtime.

Mitch

 

Re: Remeron » Mitch

Posted by Judy on June 15, 2001, at 13:36:36

In reply to Re: Remeron » Judy, posted by Mitch on June 15, 2001, at 11:45:08

Hmmmmm...I responded to your post, Mitch, but it seems to have disappeared! I probably posted it as a new thread or something!

Anyway - thank you - I appreciate your input very much. I have taken Ritalin in the past (alone and in combination with other AD's) and it made me sleepy!

My pdoc did suggest Adderall with Remeron for the fatigue and perhaps with the added benefit of appetite suppression. I know I should try it, but I'm SO tired (and afraid) of all the past med failures and the six weeks or so of misery while I 'give it a chance to work.'

Thanks again - maybe this will give me some courage to give it a go.

Judy

 

Re: Remeron » Judy

Posted by CraigF on June 15, 2001, at 18:06:46

In reply to Re: Remeron » Mitch, posted by Judy on June 15, 2001, at 13:36:36

Judy:

without even considering Adderal, have you thought that maybe the Remeron will work in higher doses without sedation/hunger?

I would imagine you'd be able to tell right away.

And hopefully, it will be effective for your symptoms.

Best of luck, and keep trying...

BTW: Have you tried any of the atypical APs to combat your depression? I don't know what your symptoms are, but they can be helpful.

 

Re: Remeron » Judy

Posted by Mitch on June 15, 2001, at 23:25:29

In reply to Re: Remeron » Mitch, posted by Judy on June 15, 2001, at 13:36:36

> Hmmmmm...I responded to your post, Mitch, but it seems to have disappeared! I probably posted it as a new thread or something!
>
> Anyway - thank you - I appreciate your input very much. I have taken Ritalin in the past (alone and in combination with other AD's) and it made me sleepy!
>
> My pdoc did suggest Adderall with Remeron for the fatigue and perhaps with the added benefit of appetite suppression. I know I should try it, but I'm SO tired (and afraid) of all the past med failures and the six weeks or so of misery while I 'give it a chance to work.'
>
> Thanks again - maybe this will give me some courage to give it a go.
>
> Judy

Judy,

I would try the Remeron+Adderall combo (why not try that last AD..??-never know). You got sleepy on the Ritalin (maybe not with Dexedrine??). OR what about a combination of Remeron with *Provigil* the alpha-1 agonist med that is supposed to be an alternative for ADHD? I talked a bit about this before, but wonder what would happen with the Remeron+alpha-1 agonist combo. See what your pdoc says, I am curious. Not that I am trying to make someone *else* a guinea pig!
Mitch

 

Re: Remeron

Posted by SalArmy4me on June 16, 2001, at 0:12:01

In reply to Re: Remeron » SalArmy4me, posted by Judy on June 15, 2001, at 9:46:21

I would suggest you try Ziprasidone if Remeron and ECT are your only alternatives.

 

Re: Remeron - Craig F, Mitch, Sal

Posted by Judy on June 17, 2001, at 17:40:10

In reply to Re: Remeron, posted by SalArmy4me on June 16, 2001, at 0:12:01

Thanks all for your suggestions

Craig F - talk about the pot calling the kettle black! (You quit Remeron after one day of fatigue?!? LOL). I keep feeling the reversal of side effects at higher doses is an 'urban myth' but I'll sure try to get up there fast to find out if I take this stuff.

Mitch - I'm going to ask about Provigil. I'll guinea pig readily as long as I don't think I'll vomit or feel sedated.

Sal - I'm really intrigued by what I've read about Geodon. This quote from NAMI sounds *so* good:

Geodon may also help in treating the "negative symptoms" of schizophrenia, which include social withdrawal, apathy, lack of motivation, and an inability to experience pleasure. Geodon is associated with little or no weight gain, a characteristic that distinguishes it from other antipsychotic drugs.

 

Re: Remeron or Serzone » Fredrik

Posted by allisonm on June 17, 2001, at 22:53:39

In reply to Remeron or Serzone, posted by Fredrik on June 12, 2001, at 4:02:46

I was on Remeron for about 2 years at varying doses from 15 to 45 mg. I did gain weight, but it was the best sleep I have had in many years. There was initial sedation the first few days/weeks, but that wore off. My pdoc later added Wellbutrin to it, cutting down the Rem and upping the Well dose so that by the end I was at 15mg Rem and 400mg Well. The Well helped me lose all of the weight I gained on the Remeron and lithium I took earlier.

Eventually got off Remeron. Tapered from 45 to 30 to 15 and then stopped w/o side effects.

I have never been able to tolerate any SSRI including Celexa.

My pdoc had me on the Wellbutrin and added Neurontin, but that wasn't the best combo, so he added Serzone to the Well and eventually took me off the Neurontin. Serzone helps me with sleep but is not as sedating as the Remeron and I have not had weight gain. I've been on it almost 4 months. There was some sedation at the beginning, but that has worn off.

I think both the Remeron and the Serzone have helped some, but not totally. Part of the reason may be that I have chronic refractory depression. Nothing has worked completely so far. Also, I am only up to 200mg Serzone/day. (He's starting me slowly.)

Hope this helps.

Allison


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