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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by 202 on October 26, 2003, at 16:48:37
Hello All,
First post to this interesting and useful group.
OK, here's me.......
Diagnosed with GAD and mild depression a few months ago. Current meds are Celexa 20mg in the morning and Remeron 45mg in the evening before bed, also been taking Valium to offset the anxious effects of the Celexa in the first few weeks. Been on the Celexa for around 5 or 6 weeks and the Remeron for 2 weeks. Gradually cutting down the dose of valium (20mg a day now). Here's my question, I'm having trouble sleeping so, before I ask my pdoc, any thoughts on taking 7.5mg Remeron to help my sleep before bed(getting bad insomnia) and the rest early evening after work.So far I like the Remeron, though too early to tell what the effects will really be like, sex drive is back a bit and I'm a skinny runt so putting on a few pounds is a good thing!
Your comments eagerly awaited on the meds or anything else that might help with GAD (the depression is pretty mild - the GAD ain't - and yeah I'm starting CBT for the GAD this week).
Take Air
202
Posted by Jasmine Neroli on October 26, 2003, at 19:24:38
In reply to GAD, Depression Celexa and Remeron, posted by 202 on October 26, 2003, at 16:48:37
Hi: I was on Celexa for a year, found it very helpful for GAD after about 6 weeks BUT the insomnia did not go away ever!!!!Then the sexual side effects, plus more depression finally made me stop it. My doc put me on Remeron, which at 30mg put me to sleep, no prob. I had the BEST sleeps I'd had in years!! The drawback was, I felt "stoned" during the day too. Then I got other side effects (won't bore you with those!). Tried 45mg...less sleep, then tapered off altogether. Side effects remained at all doses, including the tapering. However, I'm happy to report that, 4 months later, I'm still sleeping fairly well. So maybe the Remeron corrected my wacked sleep patterns??
Perhaps try reducing the Remeron to 30mg. Definitely the lower doses (30, 15 and 7.5mg) cause more sedation, since the Histamine 1 receptor effect is it's most potent action and the only one at the low dose.
Best of luck....we're all searching for our individual holy grail of meds!!!
Posted by DoYouKnowHim? on October 27, 2003, at 0:52:47
In reply to Re: GAD, Depression Celexa and Remeron, posted by Jasmine Neroli on October 26, 2003, at 19:24:38
Go and check out the book "Beyond Anxiety" by Edmund Bourne.
The BEST book ever on GAD.
Posted by 202 on October 27, 2003, at 3:18:03
In reply to Re: GAD, Depression Celexa and Remeron, posted by Jasmine Neroli on October 26, 2003, at 19:24:38
> Hi: I was on Celexa for a year, found it very helpful for GAD after about 6 weeks BUT the insomnia did not go away ever!!!!Then the sexual side effects, plus more depression finally made me stop it. My doc put me on Remeron, which at 30mg put me to sleep, no prob. I had the BEST sleeps I'd had in years!! The drawback was, I felt "stoned" during the day too. Then I got other side effects (won't bore you with those!). Tried 45mg...less sleep, then tapered off altogether. Side effects remained at all doses, including the tapering. However, I'm happy to report that, 4 months later, I'm still sleeping fairly well. So maybe the Remeron corrected my wacked sleep patterns??
> Perhaps try reducing the Remeron to 30mg. Definitely the lower doses (30, 15 and 7.5mg) cause more sedation, since the Histamine 1 receptor effect is it's most potent action and the only one at the low dose.
> Best of luck....we're all searching for our individual holy grail of meds!!!
>Thanks for that Jasmine, what dose of Celexa were you on? I'm not really finding it all that much help right now - just seem to be really restless and agitated! I'll talk to my pdoc about lowering the dose of Remeron though just recently appetite things seems to have stopped and my anxiety is getting worse - might just be a bad day I guess! Seems Remeron is great for sorting sleep though - any other tips on cracking GAD?
Massive thanks
202
Posted by 202 on October 27, 2003, at 3:19:57
In reply to Re: GAD, Depression Celexa and Remeron, posted by DoYouKnowHim? on October 27, 2003, at 0:52:47
> Go and check out the book "Beyond Anxiety" by Edmund Bourne.
>
> The BEST book ever on GAD.Many thanks for that - book ordered!
Any other tips on reducing the aggitation and restlessness that plagueing me right now.
Posted by Jasmine Neroli on October 27, 2003, at 20:16:29
In reply to Re: GAD, Depression Celexa and Remeron, posted by 202 on October 27, 2003, at 3:18:03
Hey there:
I was on 20mg per day of Celexa. And, at various times during the Celexa period, Zopiclone and Mogodon for sleep. I gained a tolerance to each of those drugs, neither of them put me to sleep for more than 4 hours (don't you just HATE insomnia?!), but somehow they left me groggy in the am for a while.
I wish I could tell you a treatment plan that has worked for my GAD, but I'm also still searching and being a guinea pig! The benzodiazepine, Klonopin was great for me in small doses (.5mg twice a day), I was sedated and flat for the first 2 weeks, but not at all after that and did not gain tolerance to it. My GP put me on that, however, I was referred to a psychiatrist who doesn't like benzo's and he has me on BuSpar (30mg) right now (and for the past 2 months). I'm getting minor side effects (a LOT of them) and no appreciable anxiety improvement. It seems to work for a while, then suddenly CRASH. I'm *allowed* to take Klonopin for the crashes - which always works. SOOOOOOOO I see my pdoc this week and will be begging for a return to Klonopin!! And maybe see how he feels about adding Adderall (an ADD med) which apparently can help with the cognitive, brain-fade, lack of concentration (cuz you're worrying!) aspects of GAD.
I'll post back to the board, with details!
Best wishes, Jas.
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 27, 2003, at 21:59:03
In reply to Re: GAD, Depression Celexa and Remeron, posted by DoYouKnowHim? on October 27, 2003, at 0:52:47
> Go and check out the book "Beyond Anxiety" by Edmund Bourne.
I'd just like to plug the double double quotes feature at this site:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#amazon
The first time anyone refers to a book without using this option, I post this to try to make sure he or she at least knows about it. It's just an option, though, and doesn't *have* to be used. If people *choose* not to use it, I'd be interested why not, but I'd like that redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020918/msgs/7717.html
Thanks!
Bob
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