I thought I was doing ok. Started Remeron 7 weeks ago today. Last wednesday after a therapy session I came back to work and evrything came slamming back. During week 4 & 5 I actually had some relief from the heavy physical symptoms that i find crushing. I had been lightheaded or spacy since this latest panic,anxiety,depression attack. That started oct/2008. All kinds of tests done so gp says it's anxiety/depression related and after me fighting starting on the meds for months, I finally gave in. now here I sit. Lost, withdrawn, filled with anxiety and sad. Had my Pdoc appointment today. he upped the remeron to 30mg. He wasn't sure if the dosage quit on me or my symptoms just overrode it. I'm not sure how I feel about the increase, but I know I don't want any SSRI"s they make me climb the wall. I'm sorry if I'm going on here but I was feeling ok and now Im really overwhelmed. Anyone have an experience with remeron that's similar. I would appreciate any input. OH yeah! I won't talk about the 10 lb weight gain...Shhheeeeeesh!
POPI

Hopefully the little bump up with the remeron will help. Sometimes after our meds have had time to settle into our systems they just need a little boost. I hope this is the case for you and you are feeling better soon.

[quote name='lonleysindy' date='Jun 15 2009, 08:28 PM' post='533688']
Hopefully the little bump up with the remeron will help. Sometimes after our meds have had time to settle into our systems they just need a little boost. I hope this is the case for you and you are feeling better soon.
[/quot
Thank You lonelysindy,
I guess I'm feeling sorry for myself. I don't usually indulge too much on that level. Here's to optomism! Peace......POPI

Hi Popi,

You may just find that the bump up to 30mg will help, but you need to stick with it. As I have posted before on this forum, some people (me included) have found that they actually have fewer side effects on a higher dose. This is because the increase in noradrenaline at the higher dose is thought to outweigh the antihistaminic effect that is often experienced at a lower dose (ie 15mg). I'm not saying this will be the case for you, but it worked for me and I know that it has worked for others.

I am lucky enough to have a very good psychiatrist who is well known for his expertise in pharmacology. He has told me that he often uses mirtazapine to complement existing anti-depressants, in my case venlafaxine. I have found the combination of the two to be very good but it has taken several months of trying different combinations of various antidepressants in various doses to get to where I am now.

My point is I guess that there is something out there that will help you - it may just take time to find it. So don't give up hope. Each medicine really has to be give three to four weeks before the full benefits can become apparent so you can see that it may take some time to find what's right for you, but find it you will.

Hang in there! I have been to hell and back and can tell you there is hope - you WILL improve.

Oh and by the way, my best buddy here in the UK is a vet and he gives Mirtazapine to cats as an appetite stimulant, so don't be surprised if you put on weight! Good luck, and stay in touch.

(still) Madasafish

Hi Madasafish,
Thank you for your great reply. I am actually feeling somewhat better today. I seem to have a higher level of anxiety in the mornings until about noon then things start to get better. At least that's how it's been. I definently hear you on sticking with it. Both my pdoc and gp believe this is the medication that will help. Time will tell. This is the only med I am on at the moment. This time around everything started with panic attacks into anxiety with depression bringing up the rear.lol. In regard to side effects, I guess I was lucky. On 15mg I lost the sedation at about the 3rd week but, or maybe I should spell that "butt", I have already put on 10 lbs. I'm not too concerned yet. I work out 6 days a week. hour of cardio on those days and every other day full weight workouts. It hasn't made a dent in my new found waist but, the bigger issue here is my mental health so that's what I'm concentrating on.
As I stated before I woke up today feeling better and my dreams last night weren't too weird so, Ill just believe it's going good. Thank you again for your warm reply and the info. I'll keep you updated. oh and...thanks for the hope.....POPI

Good to hear things are improving. I found the weird (and I mean really weird) dreams faded after six weeks or so but the appetite thing is still full on. We make our own bread and jam here and I'm telling you, it's calling me right now. Resist...I must resist.

Good for you for doing the work outs. They will make you feel a whole lot better. I can't believe you're in anything other than great shape with your exercise routine. I know what you mean though. I cycle to work and it doesn't seem to even make a dent in my waistline.

Now, where's that bread bin...

Hi Madasafish,
Thanks for your reply. OMG! you make your own bread and jam?? I would definently be in heaven with that situation.
I wanted to share some info regarding "cortisol". I didn't know what a huge culprit it is. Apparently when stress levels are high enough it gets released and plays a large part in determining "where" our body fat gets distributed and in most cases it puts it right where our waist used to be.lol Of course there are other factors such as age. I also found it interesting that as it gets released we reach for junk food, usually. You know candy, cookies...etc
When stress is involved on any level the cortisol released causes reactional eating. you know bad day at work. Arguments. Anything that raises our stress levels . So, that being said I'm not feeling quite as bad about the weight that won't budge. I'm going to keep up what I'm doing in the gym and start adding some healthier snacks such as fruit, whole wheat crakers with low fat crunchy peanut butter or low fat string cheese instead of some of the other stuff I've been eating. I'll keep you posted. Sorry this was so long. Thought you might want to know. Namaste......POPI

POPI

As a gym nut you will appreciate this. I have a cycle route (off road) which is about 13 miles. My previous pb was 58 minutes something and today I smashed that into the dirt with 52 mins 33 seconds. AND they have added two gates accross the route since I last went round. Now you may be saying so what's the big deal wise guy? Well thanks to the mirtazapine, venlafaxine, quetiapine etc etc and all that other stuff I take every day I have put on 20 pounds since the record was set last summer so I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself right now. As I say, as an exercise junkie you will get the significance of this.

And as this is an open forum, to anyone else reading this who is worried about their weight gain on meds I say this...it's not the end of the world! Go take some exercise like POPI here and see if you can't start feeling better about yourself.

Have a great weekend!