antidepresants

[duhduh]

does anyone know how long they can effect you? i had taken remeron over 3 months ago, just for a month, and i have never been the same since. are there facts out there by doctors or scientist that can prove that they can effect you for years or life? how can i find more information?  please help if you know anything...
thank you

[january43]

IMHO-antidepressants affect different people in different ways.  Perhaps your individual reaction hasn't happened to enough people to be noted in the journals, but that does not make it real for you.
Why are there so many different formulas for andidepressants?  It's because each of us can react differently-I had to try 7 before I found Effexor, which works great for me-though my facilitator in the depression clinic begged me not to take it.  He had a terrible reaction to Effexor that stayed with him for months after he quit taking the drug.
Try to stay mellow, meditate, do some positive things to help deal with depression-here is a great book, and I am fortunate enough to be able to go to the authors depression group weekly when I need it..His name is Douglas Bloch and the book is "Words that Heal the Blues".  It's a monthly affirmation guide to help us get into the right space mentally to feel better.
best
january43
h

[Tuckamore]

As promised I did some more research on Remeron. I have discovered two large suits against the makers of the drug. The first was basically for monopolizing the drug ingredients (formula). The court found the drug company guilty and there was a payout in a class action suit.

However there is/was another class action suit regarding suicide in young adults 18 to 25. See below.
"The FDA recently completed a bulk evaluation of 372 studies involving approximately 100,000 patients and 11 antidepressants, including Lexapro, Zoloft, Prozac and Paxil. When the results are analyzed by age, it becomes clear there is an elevated risk for suicidal thoughts and behavior among adults 18 to 25 that approaches that seen in children, the FDA said in documents released before their scheduled December 13, 2006 meeting of its psychopharmacologic drugs advisory committee.

In May 2006, GlaxoSmithKline and the FDA cautioned Paxil may raise the risk of suicidal behavior in young adults too and changed the drug’s label to reflect that risk.

In October 2003, the FDA notified healthcare professionals of reports of the occurrence of suicidality (both suicidal ideation and suicide attempts) in clinical trials for various antidepressant drugs in pediatric patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). FDA has completed a preliminary review of such reports for 8 antidepressant drugs (citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, mirtazapine, nefazodone, paroxetine, sertraline, and venlafaxine) studied under the pediatric exclusivity provision, and has determined that additional data and analysis, and also a public discussion of available data, are needed.

Potential side effects of Remeron include, but may not be limited to, drowsiness, dizziness, anxiousness, constipation, upset stomach, vomiting, confusion and dry mouth.

In addition to the aforementioned side effects associated with antidepressants, a new study has linked these drugs to an increased risk of death amongst patients with coronary artery disease. This study, which was conducted at Duke University, analyzed the survival rate of heart disease patients using antidepressants compared with those not using these drugs. " End copy.

This is not to say that this drug is not safe or was not safe for you. I have no basis to judge this drug nor am I qualified to do so. You may want to goggle "Law suits Remeron."  I wish you the very best. Again please let us know how you are doing.

Take care, Tuck

[Mollyrae]

Sorry, I made an error in my last comment....I had gained 3-4 lbs. per month, not week.

[Mollyrae]

Hi. You may also note that every patient is different. In my 7 months of therapy with Remeron, I had 7 months of weight gain. I ate no different and am an active person. I had a total of 3-4 lbs. per wk. that was linked to the Remeron. With my system, I found no plateau what so ever. The weeks following the dis-continuation of the Med, I began to loose that weight. Just an added thought for you...... Take care.

[sandee1818]

Mirtazapine (Remeron) causes no gastrointestinal problems, sexual dysfunction, or insomnia over the long term, but difficulties are likely to occur early. Patients should be advised that while somnolence at the start of therapy may be "overwhelming," it usually lasts only 2-3 days. "You need to counsel patients to stick with it," he said.

Increased appetite and weight gain also may be marked in the first stage of therapy but will generally plateau after 2-3 months. "[Treatment with mirtazapine] works only if the patient trusts you that these effects are time limited and treatable," he said.

European trials of mirtazapine reported less trouble with initial weight gain and somnolence, perhaps because higher doses were used. "Most [clinicians] now agree on starting at 30 mg rather than 15 mg," Dr. Sussman said.



I will keep looking and get back to you:)

[Tuckamore]

HI,
I am sorry you are still having problems with side effects of the drug. You said you have never been the same since your month of taking the drug. Can you explain what issues you are talking about or dealing with?
I did a quick search and did not find anything regarding long term effects upon cessation of the drug. I will search more and get back to you at a later time.
Again I am sorry. If you could share your symptoms it would aid my search. Thank you and please let us know how you are doing. Take Care, Tuck

[Mollyrae]

Hi duhduh. I have taken Remeron in the past and found that it was not the Anti-Depressant for me. I took it for approx. 7mo. I could tell very little differnce in my moods and I gained alot of weight which is a known side effect of Remeron. I will say though, it helped my Headaches. I was eventually taken off of the Remeron and put on something else and for the life of me, can't remember what it was. It started with an L I think. It's been a while since I've taken an Anti-Depressant. I would suggest that if it hasn't worked in the next month or so to talk with your Doctor and switch to something different. If I remember the name of the drug I took I'll let you know. It worked great with no weight gain.

Good luck and take care.
Mollyrae