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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tepiaca on January 15, 2006, at 21:50:19
Oh my god I have been eaten all day and Im still
hungry. Im going to be a pig in a week.
What can I do?
Posted by yxibow on January 16, 2006, at 0:46:00
In reply to Weigth gain on Remeron ....how to handle it?, posted by tepiaca on January 15, 2006, at 21:50:19
>
>
> Oh my god I have been eaten all day and Im still
> hungry. Im going to be a pig in a week.
> What can I do?Its a serious problem with Remeron. I'm still dealing with my weight gain from it by excercise. Basically you have to have solid determination to only eat the calories that will maintain your body weight. Read the package labels of your food (I think you're in Europe so I dont know the EU standard vs. the US required calorie listing -- also there are metric and imperial calories to complicate things) and maintain good body hygeine.
You have to eat a certain number of calories per day to maintain a proper body weight; if you eat less than that, and/or excercise to lose calories, you will lose it, give or take the metabolic change that also has to be taken into account with Remeron.
Its a very good antidepressant, but if you're not ready to say, I've had enough to eat today, you have to weigh (literally) the benefits of the drug vs. the weight gain if you don't watch what you eat. It's far easier to gain than to lose. But its also not "your fault." so don't think I'm blaming you at all by what I'm saying. If only that part of the drug could be removed...
Some might say, well you could supplement with Topamax, but the drug is not without some serious side effects (kidney and gall) and doesn't work for everyone as far as weight reduction. But as they say, your miles (or kilometers) may vary.
Some approximate "maintenance calorie" calculators can be found at
http://www.caloriecontrol.org/calcalsm.html
In metric:
http://www.medicdirect.co.uk/self_Exam/default.ihtml?step=5&cid=16
Posted by SandyWeb on January 16, 2006, at 11:16:10
In reply to Weigth gain on Remeron ....how to handle it?, posted by tepiaca on January 15, 2006, at 21:50:19
I'm hardly the one to give advice since I've gained 50+ pounds on Remeron (I've never even been this heavy when I was pregnant!!). All I want is to munch continuously on crackers and cookies and cereal and CHOCOLATE and...and...and... Isn't it HORRIBLE?
But Remeron literally saved my life, and I don't let the weight bother my self-image. However....
my lower back kills me now from too much weight, and I had gestational diabetes with both pregnancies and so am more prone to it now.....
So....
I keep stocking up on bananas, grapes, apples (my 3 favorite fruits). Whenever I need to munch, I eat the fruit instead. I know there are calories in fruit, but honestly, crackers have to be far worse for you, right?
Since I don't care too much for just plain water, I drink lots of zero-calorie diet Pepsi. It fools me into thinking I'm getting something sugary, and it helps to fill my tummy so that I don't eat as much.
As well, I also will add some hot chocolate powder into my coffee! It adds calories to your coffee, BUT it will help assauge that chocolate craving. I'm a chocolate-holic, so it's a wonderful drink for me!!
All that aside, I've heard where people will take over-the-counter acid reducers (I think it's 150mg BID). That may cost a small fortune since the pills only come in 75mg, and you'd need to keep purchasing a lot unless your doctor would prescribe. I haven't tried this yet, but I plan to buy some this weekend and test it out. If it works to reduce the HUNGER, I'll let you know.
If not, there is always Topomax. That would be my next test.
Have a wonderful day!
Sandy
Posted by Declan on January 16, 2006, at 12:52:13
In reply to Re: Weigth gain on Remeron ....how to handle it?, posted by SandyWeb on January 16, 2006, at 11:16:10
Hi Tep
Could you restrict what you eat to just fruit, vegetables (except potatoes) and protein?? Oily fish. The right kinds of fats (omega 3) and protein will make you feel more full.
Declan
Posted by ed_uk on January 16, 2006, at 14:14:31
In reply to Weigth gain on Remeron ....how to handle it?, posted by tepiaca on January 15, 2006, at 21:50:19
Hi Tepi
Remeron gave me a belly. I popped the button off my trousers ;-)
Ed
Posted by yxibow on January 16, 2006, at 17:25:27
In reply to Re: Weigth gain on Remeron ....how to handle it? » tepiaca, posted by ed_uk on January 16, 2006, at 14:14:31
> Hi Tepi
>
> Remeron gave me a belly. I popped the button off my trousers ;-)
>
> EdI popped several buttons :)
But seriously, I would follow the idea of weight management if and only if the Remeron is giving you more benefit as an antidepressant than others have before.
Posted by Phillipa on January 16, 2006, at 18:50:41
In reply to Re: Weigth gain on Remeron ....how to handle it? » ed_uk, posted by yxibow on January 16, 2006, at 17:25:27
Tepi can you eat fruits and salads in Mexico? I know when I was there it was a no no. Now stop with the tortillas. Love Phillipa
Posted by Racer on January 16, 2006, at 19:48:50
In reply to Weigth gain on Remeron ....how to handle it?, posted by tepiaca on January 15, 2006, at 21:50:19
I agree with, I think it was yxibow, whoever said that you should only do anything about it if the Remeron is clearly better than what you've been on before. I know you've had a hard time of it lately, but unless this is clearly better than any of the others, it's probably not worth the struggle over this.
The only other advice I have is to talk to your doctor about this. Ask what you can do while you wait to see if this will work for you. Sometimes the weight gain is less at higher doses, so maybe raising it would help. Maybe adding Topomax, or Metformin has also been suggested. Maybe getting a referral to a dietician, who can help you with a meal plan that will help you avoid excessive weight gain.
Good luck, Teps.
Posted by tepiaca on January 16, 2006, at 20:22:46
In reply to Re: Weigth gain on Remeron ....how to handle it? » tepiaca, posted by yxibow on January 16, 2006, at 0:46:00
Hi guys.
As you said, there is no reason to stay on
Remeron and struggle with weigth gain if I am
not receiving a good AD effect.
I believe I am not gonna keep taking it.
I have just ate like 40 kisses (chocolates)
o my god and Im still looking at the refrigerator
for more food. I dont think I could handle it.
I better look for other option
This is the only side effect of Remeron for me
but is a hard one. I dont feel drugged and
nothing like that I just want to eat everything
and yes phillipa we do eat fruit and vegetables
here in Mexico. My dad himself bring some fruit
from our ranch today. Tortilla yes ! , alot of
tortilla !. if you eat one week tortilla you
can be an enormoues cow, it is delicious but
weigth gain is some of the things you can get
from it.
Guys I feel calm in this moment. I believe
is the Xanax. Im only taking 0.5mg a day
Im planning to take more. It seems xanax
help more than klonopin for social anxiety
is rare dont you think?Love you
your mexican friend
TEPI
Posted by yxibow on January 17, 2006, at 1:09:23
In reply to Re: Weigth gain on Remeron ....how to handle it?, posted by tepiaca on January 16, 2006, at 20:22:46
>
> Hi guys.
> As you said, there is no reason to stay on
> Remeron and struggle with weigth gain if I am
> not receiving a good AD effect.
> I believe I am not gonna keep taking it.
> I have just ate like 40 kisses (chocolates)
> o my god and Im still looking at the refrigerator
> for more food. I dont think I could handle it.
> I better look for other option
> This is the only side effect of Remeron for me
> but is a hard one. I dont feel drugged and
> nothing like that I just want to eat everything
> and yes phillipa we do eat fruit and vegetables
> here in Mexico. My dad himself bring some fruit
> from our ranch today. Tortilla yes ! , alot of
> tortilla !. if you eat one week tortilla you
> can be an enormoues cow, it is delicious but
> weigth gain is some of the things you can get
> from it.
> Guys I feel calm in this moment. I believe
> is the Xanax. Im only taking 0.5mg a day
> Im planning to take more. It seems xanax
> help more than klonopin for social anxiety
> is rare dont you think?
>
> Love you
> your mexican friend
> TEPIXanax is fairly strong, but there is no one tailored benzodiazepine for each person. Effexor has been labeled in the US for both depression and SAD. I dont know if you have tried Cymbalta, which I believe is available in Mexico, and is also a good antidepressant though you may have to wait quite a while for the effects to really kick in.
Posted by ed_uk on January 17, 2006, at 15:37:25
In reply to Re: Weigth gain on Remeron ....how to handle it? » ed_uk, posted by yxibow on January 16, 2006, at 17:25:27
Yxi,
>I popped several buttons :)
Are we having a popping contest? ;-)
Ed
Posted by ed_uk on January 17, 2006, at 15:41:22
In reply to Weigth gain on Remeron ....how to handle it?, posted by tepiaca on January 15, 2006, at 21:50:19
HI TEPI! HI MEXICO!
Some people definately prefer Xanax over Klonopin. The frequent administration can be a pain - some people get withdrawal symptoms between doses if the doses are too far apart!
SALUDOS
Eddy
Posted by Declan on January 17, 2006, at 16:46:26
In reply to Re: Weigth gain on Remeron ....how to handle it? » tepiaca, posted by ed_uk on January 17, 2006, at 15:41:22
40 chocolates Tepi. My goodness.
love
Dec
Posted by yxibow on January 17, 2006, at 17:12:32
In reply to Re: Weigth gain on Remeron ....how to handle it? » yxibow, posted by ed_uk on January 17, 2006, at 15:37:25
> Yxi,
>
> >I popped several buttons :)
>
> Are we having a popping contest? ;-)
>
> EdSorry, I just had to place a little humour into the discussion :) Yes, many the button or pant tear I had to rethread because of Remeron weight gain. But I wasn't following a weight plan at the time. Now I am -- although I'm annoyed that I've got a sinus problem and can't go to the gym. But I'll get back. Probably where I got it anyway. So goes life!
Posted by ed_uk on January 18, 2006, at 9:27:24
In reply to Re: Weigth gain on Remeron ....how to handle it? » ed_uk, posted by yxibow on January 17, 2006, at 17:12:32
>Sorry, I just had to place a little humour into the discussion :)
:D
Eddy
This is the end of the thread.
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