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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 Iowagirl on March 12, 2000, at 22:53:15
I was on Paxil for five weeks for depression but I had constant trouble with insomnia and other side effects such as clenching my jaw often. The doc prescribed Remeron. I started on 30mgs and was knocked out instantly the first night. The second night I couldn't sleep and took .5mg of lorazepam. I slept but was totally knocked out the next day. Along with that I was incredibly hungry! Devoured a whole loaf of bread in two days! The third night I couldn't sleep at all, felt manic, had crying spells. I called the doc and she said to up the dosage to 45mg. Ever since I feel basically drunk. I have crying spells, feel manic, I feel exhausted. I can't sleep at night but when I do sleep I linger in this dream state. I have the wildest dreams and feel completely exhausted from them.
This being the day before a hectic week at work I can't play with dosages so I've decided to not take anymore. I don't know whether I should go back to the paxil and try to take the lorazepam at night or just not take anything and deal with the effects of the depression.
*sigh*
help!
Posted by MA on March 13, 2000, at 8:27:59
In reply to Paxil then Remeron not working out., posted by Iowagirl on March 12, 2000, at 22:53:15
Iowagirl,
What horrible experiences you have had on Paxil and Remeron. Have you read the entries from Nickki, she is also having problems with these meds.
I took Paxil for awhile and found that lower doses were better for me. I did get as high as 40 mg but found that 20 mg was better and I eventually took 10 mg. Higher is not always the way to go. Jaw clenching always tells me the dose is too high.
How much Paxil were you taking? Was that the first antidepressant you have been prescribed? If not, have you had any luck with any medication?
Also I took Remeron and couldn't even tolerate 15 mg without being really out of it. I refused to take it another day. I took it about 4 days and felt drugged and couldn't get out of bed.
I hope your doctor is a specialist and is highly experienced with giving these meds. It doesn't really sound like she is really working closely with you.
Also, how long have you had depression? How severe were the symptoms? And what were the symptoms? Something about your treatment doesn't seem right. And for stopping Paxil cold turkey...we all know the harm in that!!!
Ativan (lorexapam) can help in the short term, but if you are depressed, you need to find an antidepressant that works well. It may mean finding a new doctor if the one you have now hasn't had any luck, especially if her specialty is not with the treatment of depression, i.e. psychiatry.
MA
Posted by JohnL on March 14, 2000, at 2:55:28
In reply to Paxil then Remeron not working out., posted by Iowagirl on March 12, 2000, at 22:53:15
> *sigh*
> help!
Well said. That says it all. Boy can I relate. Yikes!But here's an idea I think you'll like. Hopefully you have some Paxil and Remeron on-hand. Have you tried the combination?
Try 20mg Paxil during the day. About an hour before bed take 7.5mg Remeron. If it's a 30mg pill, cut it in quarters with a big knife. Sizes don't have to be exact. If it's a 15mg pill, break it in half.
I have noticed that Remeron's personality changes dramatically with each 7.5mg difference in dose size. That small dose is excellent for overcoming SSRI insomnia, but has none of the daytime dopiness. For me 7.5mg is perfect. Its personality at this dose is characterized by heavy sedation for sleep, but no carryover into the next day at all. I've noticed when I go up to 15mg, I don't sleep as well and I do feel some of the drugged feeling the next day. I really think you should try 20mg Paxil + 7.5mg Remeron. This is a common and good combination. JohnL
Posted by saint james on March 14, 2000, at 11:24:00
In reply to Paxil then Remeron not working out., posted by Iowagirl on March 12, 2000, at 22:53:15
The doc prescribed Remeron. I started on 30mgs and was knocked out instantly the first night. The second night I couldn't sleep and took .5mg of lorazepam. I slept but was totally knocked out the next day. Along with that I was incredibly hungry
James here....
It is going to take a week (7 days) for you to not feel as "knocked out" by the Remeron. It will get better if you can stick it out. Try starting with 15 mgs and work up.
james
Posted by Iowagirl on March 14, 2000, at 16:50:43
In reply to Paxil then Remeron not working out., posted by Iowagirl on March 12, 2000, at 22:53:15
I decided to go off of the Remeron. It just made me feel too awful. I switched back to the Paxil for the time being and will take Lorazapam at
night before bed. Maybe I'll try your idea JohnL and take 7.5 of Remeron instead before bed. I have an appt with my doc next week. We'll see what she prescribes next. Thanks for the help!
Posted by Rick Earnhardt on March 16, 2000, at 14:19:34
In reply to Re: Paxil then Remeron not working out., posted by Iowagirl on March 14, 2000, at 16:50:43
> I decided to go off of the Remeron. It just made me feel too awful. I switched back to the Paxil for the time being and will take Lorazapam at
> night before bed. Maybe I'll try your idea JohnL and take 7.5 of Remeron instead before bed. I have an appt with my doc next week. We'll see what she prescribes next. Thanks for the help!I'm no doctor, but I am on 20mg Paxil and 15mg Remeron everyday, and use ativan (lorazepam) 0.5mg throughout the day...as needed...have taken as many as 4 in one day to get through the day. My problem is depression along with this uncontrollable anxiety. It has helped me tremendously!
Good luck...Rick
Posted by Colin123 on September 17, 2003, at 15:22:33
In reply to Re: Paxil then Remeron not working out., posted by saint james on March 14, 2000, at 11:24:00
I was on Paxil for about a year (30mg) as well as 300mg of Wellbutrin. The Paxil made me grind my teeth so much I actually pushed them out of place. It also felt as though it was wearing off.
My doc put me on 30mg of Remeron and took me immediately off Paxil. I have since learned that there are a lot of withdrawl effects with Paxil so I don't know what I'm feeling now is the result of withdrawl or taking the Remeron.
The sleep problem with Remeron cleared up after 3 weeks - that's how long I have been on. It still knocks you out, and I was interested to see that a lot of people were prescribed Remeron to help them sleep, but I can cope with that now.
Can anyone tell me if taking Remeron has made the sweat so profusely? I'm drenched all the time. If I lower the dose will that help? I don't feet great but could increase the Wellbutrin. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
This is the end of the thread.
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