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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Colleen D. on August 16, 2005, at 19:20:59
I'm just beginning a combo of Effexor and Remeron because I think Effexor is starting to poop out on me. Either that or I'm spiraling downward because of the losses I've recently experienced...my dad died on August 8, my schoolmate's mom on August 10 and finally my 43-year-old classmate who has been a close friend since 2nd grade on August 13. My friend died from complications during his final alcohol detox in ICU. I'm feeling overwhelmed with grief but I know I need to get on with living life and may need an increase in my meds, thus the addition of Remeron to my 150mg of Effexor and .5mg of Klonopin daily. Should I take the Remeron at bedtime? Is it very sedating? I take Effexor in the morning and Klonopin at night. Has anyone had success on "California Rocket Fuel?" At what dosage does the Remeron kick in on the norepinephrine? Thanks to all of your for your support and knowledge.
Colleen
Recurrent MDD, OCD, GAD and SP
Posted by Tom Twilight on August 17, 2005, at 4:09:57
In reply to Trial of California Rocket Fuel..., posted by Colleen D. on August 16, 2005, at 19:20:59
For me the combination of Effexor and Remeron/Mirtazapine was great
I was on 225mg of Effexor XL, which wasn't helping my depression, I added 30mg of Mirtazapine and experienced a significant lift in mood the next day
Mirtazapine is very sedating at least intially because of the strong antihistamine effects, so I would take it at bed time, starting with 15mg and work up to 30mg
Do not be discouraged if its very sedating to begin with, for me the sedation disapeared after a few days
I stopped taking the combination partly because I felt so much better and partly because it didn't do much for social anxiety. Retrespectivly that was probably a mistake!
It did make me a bit agressive, but not overwhelmingly soSorry for bad spelling, I am dyslexic!
Posted by fires on August 17, 2005, at 22:03:34
In reply to Trial of California Rocket Fuel..., posted by Colleen D. on August 16, 2005, at 19:20:59
I never experienced a "panic attack" in my life until I was on 225 mg of Effexor and 30 (or 60?) mg of Remeron.
Later I stopped the Remeron and reduced the Effexor to 75 mg. The result: I'm now considered BP II for the first time (Jane Pauley Syndrome without the severe mania).
BTW, I live in Calif..
Posted by Bill LL on August 18, 2005, at 9:35:46
In reply to Trial of California Rocket Fuel..., posted by Colleen D. on August 16, 2005, at 19:20:59
I'm very sorry to hear about the death of your father and your other recent losses.
As you might know, Remeron causes more drowsiness at lower doses (such as 15 mg) than at higher doses (such as 45 mg). So you may want to take it at night when you first start, especially if you start at a lower dose.
Also, Remeron can make people hungry. Therefore, some people like to take it near bedtime so that they will be sleeping (instead of eating) when the hunger kicks in.
This combo will probably work out very well for you. Good luck!
> I'm just beginning a combo of Effexor and Remeron because I think Effexor is starting to poop out on me. Either that or I'm spiraling downward because of the losses I've recently experienced...my dad died on August 8, my schoolmate's mom on August 10 and finally my 43-year-old classmate who has been a close friend since 2nd grade on August 13. My friend died from complications during his final alcohol detox in ICU. I'm feeling overwhelmed with grief but I know I need to get on with living life and may need an increase in my meds, thus the addition of Remeron to my 150mg of Effexor and .5mg of Klonopin daily. Should I take the Remeron at bedtime? Is it very sedating? I take Effexor in the morning and Klonopin at night. Has anyone had success on "California Rocket Fuel?" At what dosage does the Remeron kick in on the norepinephrine? Thanks to all of your for your support and knowledge.
>
> Colleen
> Recurrent MDD, OCD, GAD and SP
Posted by Tom Twilight on August 18, 2005, at 15:30:33
In reply to Re: Trial of California Rocket Fuel..., posted by Bill LL on August 18, 2005, at 9:35:46
Sorry I forgot to mention that this combo can cause anxiety, especially if the Effexor dose is to high
Personally I didn't have a huge problem with this as I found Remeron/Mirtazapine to be quite calming at least to begin with
Posted by Empathy on August 18, 2005, at 18:17:55
In reply to Trial of California Rocket Fuel..., posted by Colleen D. on August 16, 2005, at 19:20:59
I am so sorry Colleen... that is A LOT OF LOSS to deal with. I hope that you find the right drug combination to help you through this time.
Wishing you peace.
Posted by Colleen D. on August 18, 2005, at 20:30:34
In reply to Re: Trial of California Rocket Fuel..., posted by Empathy on August 18, 2005, at 18:17:55
The Remeron has been "knocking me out cold" at bedtime which is very good at stopping my racing thoughts which go on and on and on when I'm under a lot of stress. I have also had some very good dreams the last couple of nights - I always enjoy a good dream - LOL - especially the erotic ones which I haven't had in ages!
Anyway, I just wanted to thank you all for your input and kind words. This IS a difficult time for me. I am also going through a divorce which won't be final until February and I have three young children - my eldest turned 6 today - so I need all the support I can get (meds and otherwise.) It's so nice to come to this board and feel that people care about you and have actually had experience with these drugs. If I could do without the drugs, I certainly would, but I think I'm now a "lifer" and I didn't even realize that how I was feeling was abnormal until the meds made me feel somewhat normal. I am stronger now than I have ever been in my life and I owe part of this to all of you on the board that have helped me through my worst of times.
God bless you!
Colleen
Posted by Dr. Bob on August 20, 2005, at 12:08:02
In reply to Trial of California Rocket Fuel..., posted by Colleen D. on August 16, 2005, at 19:20:59
> I think Effexor is starting to poop out on me. Either that or I'm spiraling downward because of the losses I've recently experienced...my dad died on August 8, my schoolmate's mom on August 10 and finally my 43-year-old classmate who has been a close friend since 2nd grade on August 13. My friend died from complications during his final alcohol detox in ICU. I'm feeling overwhelmed with grief but I know I need to get on with living life and may need an increase in my meds
If you'd like to focus on meds, that's fine, I'd just like to remind you that Psycho-Babble Grief:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/grief
is a board here that focuses on losses. Best wishes,
Bob
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