POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Mental Health & HIV => Topic started by: TheRoof on November 02, 2009, 03:16:32 pm
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After of taking Remeron for 14 months I've made the decision to stop it completely. It was a really good med, but it made me gain 30 pounds. The weight gain depresses me more then the actual depression itself now.
Before this I was 6'0 and 155. Now I am 177. I've lost 8 pounds, but I have never worked my ass off more to lose it. I just CAN'T lose it. The cravings impact my life real bad.
I've cut down my dose from 45mg to 15mg. (I was smart and weened of it) 30mg, 15mg, (Now tonight I will take 7.5mg).
What freaks me out is that even though I've cut down my dose. I still have bad cravings. Does anyone know if I stop remeron completely should my appetite return to normal?
Yes. 177 is "normal" weight for my height. But I don't feel comfortable with this as I was always skinny. So I want to be 155-160 again.
My question: Will the cravings generally subside. Because I heard they are still present at lower doses too.
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My appetite returned to normal when I got off of it, but I can't recall how long it took. You probably need to be more patient than, uh, a couple of days.
But yeah, you're still not overweight.
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Congrats for having taken drugs to help ease your depression, however, what a bore that it made you gain weight you don't want! But its a good sign that the weight gain is more depressing than anything, maybe that means your depression has lifted? You lost some weight, that's great!
Who is treating your depression?
If it is a pyschiatrist or psychologist, who you see regularly, you should be able to find an antidepressant that is not related to weight gain, such as is Remeron.
As for the fat itself. How old are you?
You might need to work with a nutritionist or exercise coach to understand the realities of weight gain and weight loss. There are two types of fat you can put on. If you added a lot of fat cells, in this weight gain, then it is difficult to lose them. They may shrink, but the will always be hungry. If you mostly increased the size of your existing fat cells, this is easier to lose without feeling really hungry.
Note that Remeron itself is linked to hunger and craving. Maybe its time for a fitness coach and a change of medicine and see if that brings you back to a happy place on the weight.
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Yes. 177 is not overweight. But for my bone structure, it is. I had higher cholesterol after the weight gain. Even my doctor recommended that I lose 15 pounds when I was 180. I am naturally thin.
I've been trying to ween off it for 3 weeks now. Not just a couple of days.
I notice that I am getting face tingling. Restless leg syndrome.
Pretty standard side effects. Lol
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My reference to patience was in connection with the normalization of your appetite and cravings. If you re-read my post you'll see that.
I was on Remeron for years and then halted it and you and I discussed the issue of cravings a month ago. I figure I may know something about the topic.
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Yeah agreed. I've been taking anti-depressants for 3 years. Not as long as some people here though still some experience with them.
I notice that Remeron can get you out of the deepest depression. Well it did that for me IMO. Though with something as effective as that of course there are side effects. I've never had issues with any other anti-depressants I took. Lexapro, Trazadone at different periods in my life. Never gained weight. Though different doses matter.
I know I'm getting older so I'm not as likely to be as skinny. Do you know if Remeron can effect a long-term metabolism. Though hopefully I'll start seeing results in the next couple of weeks. Probably not a large problem.
My doctor will Kill Me when she sees that I haven't lost any weight when I see her this week. From my last visit. Lmao.
Hopefully I can be 165 by New Years. With fitness. Slow steady Weight Loss.
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I have taken remeron 15 mg for a few years now. The increased appetite varies, some days it's terrible.
Do you know if remeron is directly related to higher cholesterol?
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I have taken remeron 15 mg for a few years now. The increased appetite varies, some days it's terrible.
Do you know if remeron is directly related to higher cholesterol?
Yes it is. There have been studies shown that it does do that. Though not by much. In my case it did make my cholestorol higher. So signs point that it does, but I think it has something to do with the increased appetite. So we eat unhealthier foods to compensate for that.
Personally Remeron can get you out of dark depression. But sadly the cravings don't really go away ever. This is why I am stopping it. It's not the weight that is the most bothersome. It's the unhealthy appetite that I've never had before.
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Thanks for your reply :) I am at 15 mg but when I stop even that
I get acutely depressed, it's spooky. Luckily there s a generic of it in Europe now.
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Thanks for your reply :) I am at 15 mg but when I stop even that
I get acutely depressed, it's spooky. Luckily there s a generic of it in Europe now.
Maybe it would be good if you maybe put the dose to 30mg. It will probably be more effective. Though if 15mg works for you it's good. (I know it didn't work for me) Lol that is why I was taking 45mg.
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I have lost 24 pounds since stopping Remeron.
Screw You Remeron!! Even though you were the only thing helping me with depression. I do feel that I suffer from mild depression, but at least I am slim and attractive now. But looks don't really do much when you feel sad 78% of the time. :-\