[wanderingstar]

Could someone tell me what kind of drug Remeron is?thanks,wanderingstar

 

[vikee]

It is a very new drug that is an antidepressant. Guy is taking it and the expert on the subject. Hope he sees this post; if not here is my try. It has antianxiety properties and works well on a mind-gut receptor know to be a problem with IBS. It is also excellent with sleep problems.

 

[Guest]

I started Remeron(15mg) three weeks ago for Fibromyalgia ( Lack of sleep & pain)Dr. had me on 60 mg.(Too much- wierd dreams) 15 mg of Remeron and .o25 of ativan in the day. I'm having wonderful results with it. You do feel a little drug hangover for the first week, but it does go away. I have more engery for the first time and years.I seems to be having more regular BM's than "C". Hope it works great for you.

 

[Guest]

Wanderingstar,Remeron is an antidepressant, approved for use in 1996. Its mechanism of action is unlike that of any other available antidepressant. Remeron is also prescribed for anxiety disorders, and is seeing increased use in treatment of insomnia, D-predominant IBS, chronic pain, and fibromyalgia. Some research suggests Remeron may help treat the tremors seen in patients with Parkinson's disease. Remeron has several mechanisms of action. The primary one is as an alpha-andrenergic antagonist. Remeron also blocks histamine, as well as serotonin at the 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors. Recent research suggests an effect on dopamine receptors, too. Remeron also acts as a reuptake inhibitor of norepinephrine. The primary effect of interest to IBSers is the 5-HT3 blockade effect. This is the samse mechanism of action as Lotronex. Unlike Lotronex, however, Remeron is known to be effective in males, and because it is a slightly older drug, HMOs who do not provide copays for Lotronex may do so with Remeron (my HMO did not, but I requested and received an exception). I wanted to try Remeron because I was IBS-D and had chronic insomnia. I found an understanding doc who was willing to precribe it for me. I'm into my third month on it, and it's been a lifesaver. I'm sleeping better than I have in years, and my IBS is under control. I take 30mg/at bedtime. My BM frequency is now 2-4/day, with no D or urgency, and only occasional mild C. I gave the Remeron an "acid" test a few weeks ago; I went out and jogged for five miles. I haven't jogged for over two years, in part because the IBS would tie my gut in knots and I would suffer incredible cramping, gas and pain. With the Remeron,nothing; zero, zilch, nada. Those five miles convinced me for good; Remeron works, at least for me!

 

[wanderingstar]

Ahh - I see! Thanks guys for the info. I am taking mirtazapine aka Zispin, and I think the American name for it is... Remeron!!!I was prescribed it for depression and panic attacks. My IBS and D has been better since taking it, but I put that down to reduced stress ASIDE from reduced depression/panic, and the fact that I wasn't having seriously horrible D side effects with it, like I was with Prozac, which I was taking right before the Remeron.I think this new class of antidepressant is wonderful! Guy - I took 30 mg, then 45, and am now back down to 30mg. I find it makes me incredibly tired, and with IBS and ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome this is undesirable. I did a naughty thing and stopped taking the Remeron this past week. I had so much more energy. However, I was constantly crying and I had bad insomnia again! Do you think that taking just 15mg would work for the insomnia? I know I should see a Doc, but...Anyone else noticed significant weight gain with Remeron?wanderingstarwanderingstar[This message has been edited by wanderingstar (edited 06-18-2000).]

 

[AD]

I use 1/4 of a 15 mg tablet before bed, and that works just right for me. I don't get as thirsty when I take it and I sleep much better. 1/2 a 15 mg tablet nearly knocked me out. Other than inducing sleep, it had no side effects. However, I did eventually have to quit all my medications since my doctor was worried about my high liver enzymes.

 

[patjack]

As a patient and a nurse I can tell you Remeron knocked me for a loop as far as fatigue and gave me constant cramps and D.------------------trish

 

[Guest]

Wanderingstar,I don't know if 15 mg would work for you or not; that would be something to ask your doctor about. Everyone's different. From my personal experience, 15 mg was effective, but 30 mg was more effective. Weight gain is probably the most common side effect associated with Remeron use. This is a side effect of the histamine blocking ability of Remeron. Among other things, histamine helps to regulate appetite, so when histamine is blocked, hunger increases, people eat more, and weight goes up. I experienced that effect for a while, but I don't notice it anymore.

 

[wanderingstar]

Glad it's not just me with the appetite problems (well actually, it would be better if you didn't have it too, but you know what I mean!). I tried 15mg last night, and although i got to sleep okay, I was awake 4 times in the night. I think I will have to go and see the Dr. Thanks for the advice though.wanderingstar

 

[Guest]

I have IBS, and it switches between D and C. I have been taking a Fibre supplement from Enrich that seems to work fairly well with controlling both those symptoms. I still have days of great discomfort though. I was taking Modulon which worked incredible for 1 year, and then ofter that it had no more effect. Would Remeron work in my case, and, of bigger concern, Does it cause D or cramping in most cases? Please let me know.Thank you.

 

[wanderingstar]

Derek - I know Patjack/trish had D and cramps with Remeron. However, Remeron is the only antidepressant I've been able to tolerate, as the SSRIs (Prozac, Seroxat etc) give me lots of D and cramps! It's a strange world... wanderingstar