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Mental Health  (Expert Forum)
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Remeron
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
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MedHelp Member's Question

Remeron

by Baby123, May 17, 2004 12:00AM
Well, it's me again.  If you will read my previous posts titled "Effexor to Lexapro" that will help you with my question.  My Dr. decided after three weeks on the Lexapro that it was too stimulating for me since I am so sensative to meds.  So he put me on Remeron/Effexor combo.  The first few days I felt only a little nervousness/anxiety.  Then I felt GREAT for 10 days until yesterday afternoon, I started feeling that anxiety again (while I was having fun shopping).  Today has been really bad.  I don't understand.  I have kept such a positive attitude and thought Remeron was not supposed to be stimulating.  I am taking 30 mg of Remeron at night and 37.5 Effexor in the morning.  Is this combo still too stimulating for me. Should I talk to my Dr. about going completely off the Effexor or would lowering the Remeron to 15 mg be a better choice.  I am still on 3 mg. Klonopin a day and 50 mg. Tenormin.  What is your opinion?  It seems like everytime I think things are getting better, I get slapped in the face again.  Just your opinion, if I were your patient, what would you suggest?  I know you will suggest the MasteringStress progam and I do plan to do that but what would you do in the meantime with the meds to help get me stabilized enough to go through the program and be able to come off the meds?  I am so confused about how these meds work.  I hope you can enlighten me until my next Dr. appt.  I'll have lots of questions then!  Thanks so much for your help and this board.  It has been a lifesaver for me just reading it.  BTW, I do like the Remeron because I at least don't have the insonmia now like I did.
Doctor's Answer

by Roger Gould, M.D., May 17, 2004 12:00AM
I may have said it before, but if so, its worth repeating. You count too much on the magical properties of these medications. They smooth things out, diminish the great intensity of anxiety and depression, but they don't make you feel good.  You feel good when your life is going well, and you feel anxiety when you are worried about something.  Therefore, look into yourself for these changes in state, not into the medications.  I would ask you why you felt guilty when feeling good and having fun because that is why you felt anxiety, not because of the dosage of the drugs.  Anxiety is an internal signal, read it and do something about the source, don't try to drown it out with medication, or food, or alcohol.
Member Comments (5)

by platinum, May 18, 2004 12:00AM
To: Baby 123
Hi There.  I'm sorry that you have not been successful with your meds.  Did you or the doctor consider taking half of the 10 mg of Lexapro to start then take it up to 10mg?  Just a thought since you are very sensitive to meds.  Yesterday (actually the last past week or so) I've not been myself (more so than before)so I almost convinced myself to take the Lexapro I was prescribed but for some reason I just can't bring myself to do it.  I know that after the two weeks or so are up (hopefully) then everything will start to be better for me but I don't think I'm that bad.  If I could just get my mind elsewhere I would be great.  I have mild OCD/panic/anxiety/depression since I guess they all go hand in hand.  For about a month I was doing great then my monthly cycle started which usually brings on the anxiety and I haven't been able to shake is off completely but I do know it can be ALOT worse so I'm just waiting to see what happens.  I am considering taking St. Johns Wort but I want to research it first.  Did you try St. Johns?  It's natural so maybe you can tolerate that better?  Just a suggestion.  I hope things get better for you.  Best of Luck.

by Baby123, May 18, 2004 12:00AM
To: platinum
I had to come off the Lexapro because it was too stimulating for me.  We did start off at 5 mg. and even on that dose I had more anxiety.  I don't know if I could have ever gotten to 10 or not.  I was on it almost 3 weeks and the anxiety kept getting worse even taking it with 3 mg. Klonopin a day.  Mr. Dr. said it was a pretty stimulating drug and I am VERY sensitive to anything that is stimulating.  I have Mitral Valve Prolapse and usually people with that have very sensitive nervous systems.  I can't even take a half of a decongestant without getting jittery.  Same with caffeine and sugar.  He put me on Remeron at night and the lowest dose of Effexor in the morning about a week ago.  I did fine for several days then it started feeling like it was too stimulating.  I had my appt. this with my Dr. and we are weaning me off the Effexor and will try just the Remeron.  I like the Remeron because it helps me sleep at night.  Hope this works.  It is not as stimulating as the others I have tried so maybe it will be the one.  Hope so.  Hope all works out ok with you and the Lex. I was very dissapointed that it didn't work for me.  I really thought that would be a good one to be on.  A plus though about the Remeron is it doesn't have sexual side effects but has weight gain as a listed side effect.  My Dr. said since I watch what I eat and exercise that maybe I won't have a problem with that side effect.  Keep me informed on how you do on the Lexapro.

by platinum, May 19, 2004 12:00AM
To: Baby123
I have not taken the Lexapro.  I can take 2 Tylenol about every 6-8 hours and for whatever reason it calms me down and puts my mind at ease so I will continue this path for awhile.  I tell myself that if I can calm down with Tylenol I don't think I need Lexapro.  I could not find alot of information on St. Johns Wort so I have to keep looking before I venture to buy some.  Have you tried St. Johns Wort at all?  Best of luck to you.

by school, Jun 17, 2004 12:00AM
After a year of very stressful events and subsequent panic attacks, was put on Remeron (30mg).  I have been on it for about 9 months.  I am very sensitive to medicines, but except for the tremedous weight gain, have been very pleased with the results.  I am trying to go off the Remeron now and am experiencing burning in my chest, and hot flash type feelings.  I was wondering if anyone who has successfully stopped taking Remeron experienced this or how long it will last.

Thanks!

by dannymother, Aug 30, 2004 12:00AM
My mother got the same symptoms as you 'school'

She has stopped taking remeron 30mg for 1 day and was taking a efexor for 2 tablets and the burning was beginning to come now 4 days later its still burning the doctor adviced her to take 15 mg remeron. But i search on the net and a lot of people are having this symptom after stopping remeron

How is it going with you know

Can i have you direkt mail adres so we can chat abouth it





bye danny
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