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Mirtzazipan/remeron and klonopin

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Posted 2/1/2014 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
I have been diagnosed with stress induced anxiety and depression. This started back in August last year when my company went out of business, my wife lost her first baby, I came down with health issues after being completely healthy for 40 years, wife losses second baby, had to move from our house because of my income disappearing. I have been prescribed remeron/mirtzazipan and klonopin. I had taken remeron many years ago for anxiety issues and it was a miracle drug. This time however, my first two days on it and klonopin as needed, I have been a walking zombie. I don't remember these side effects last time I took it. Maybe it's because it's a lower dose? I can't even take a shower without my wife being in the bathroom with me without having a panic attack. Even though medically speaking the drs have checked me for EVERYTHING and say on paper I should be out running marathons. This has completely halted my life. Any ideas thoughts suggestions. I know when I took remeron before it saved my life and I'm hopeful it will do it once more.
Posted 2/1/2014 9:58 PM (GMT 0)
Chadj,

Remeron was approved for the treatment of depression in June of 1996. That was 18 years ago, do you remember what year you were on this med ?

The most common side effects of mirtazapine are dose-dependent drowsiness (54 percent). When you read what others have to say re Remeron, many people write, "like a zombie the first few weeks but that feeling wore off.

I read somewhere that lower dose of Remeron does not always work as good as the higher dose. Remeron, or mirtazapine, is an antidepressant with at least 3 mechanisms of action: it may be sedating in low doses and (surprisingly) more activating and energy-enhancing in higher doses. 

 

I would ask your Dr. about your dose as you may benefit from  a dose increase. I took an antidepressant for 15 year and it pooped out so the hunt for a new med started.  I tried many of the newer meds without good outcomes.  Finally I requested to try the one that pooped out to see if with the passage of time it maybe would work again.  Sadly it did not.

You have a lot of sad as well as difficult things going on in your life.  My sympathy at the loss of the babies.  I am sure you are overwhelmed so remember we are here and happy to talk with you anytime.

May you find strength here in the forum

Kindly,

Kitt

 

Posted 2/1/2014 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
I was on remeron in early 2004. It was a miracle drug at that time. I was suicidal due to a horrific marriage amongst other things within weeks I was back to being even keel. I'm hoping it has the same effect this time. The klonopin taken in the morning at .25 keeps my anxiety at bay for the most part. And my dr wanted me to do the first two doses of remeron at 15 mgs then increase to 30 mgs on the third day. Outside of the "walking dead" feeling I can honestly say I feel a little different today than two days ago. I'm hoping as well the zombie effect will be gone after the start of the higher dose tonight. My fear of dying seems to be clouded by the fog and I'm really loving the weight gain as I had been hospitalized this past week due to dropping to 120 lbs and being 6'4. I won't complain to gain 50 lbs actually hoping I do. One of three side effects I'm praying for.

Post Edited (Chadj) : 2/1/2014 3:16:49 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/1/2014 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Chadj,

I am sorry to hear you are going thru some really tough times. While I have not taken remeron, I have taken klonopin before on a regular basis and still do on an as needed basis. The side effect of of klono on me is somewhat like that, walking like a zombie, the following day. I believe this is due to the long half live of klonos, so if the dosage:sleep duration ratio is not optimal, the residual klono in your system can cause you to feel drowsly/spacey.

Hope this helps you and hope for better days ahead. Peace.
Posted 2/1/2014 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
Chad,

From what I have heard, Remeron can cause you to crave food so I think you will get that wish for sure.  For people at the bottom who are looking for a big gun drug to pull them out of depression, Remeron often comes up as the drug of choice. 

Glad to read you are increasing your dose tonight.  Plan on having some down days so your body can adjust to the medication.

My prayers are with you,

Kitt

Posted 2/1/2014 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
Kitt

Sadly I've been unable to secure a job due to medical issues, a recent gallbladder surgery and where I live my background is very hard to find a job even though it's a big city they are 10 years behind in technology and my background is IT network support and engineering. I'll keep you all parts on the progress. Remeron saved my life once..... Here's hoping for round two LOL
Posted 2/2/2014 4:22 PM (GMT 0)
Day 3... Increased dose to 30 mg last night. Doesn't seem to have the walking dead feeling today. Still a little groggy but much better than the previous two days. The klonopin I think is starting to affect the increased appetite of the remeron unfortunately but time will tell. I have a baseline weight my dr doesn't want me to get below and if I do he is recommending new day, which is an in patient care center at a hospital for severe depression and anxiety. I'm hoping it doesn't get to that. I've already spent two out of four weeks hospitalized and don't particularly want to be away from my family anymore.
Posted 2/2/2014 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
Prayers and healing thoughts sent your way, for the patience to give this medication time to kick in, and with hope, that it brings you the success it had in the past!

Keep us posted.




M.
Posted 2/2/2014 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you. I just wish I had a support group in real life. Bless my wife's heart she is trying to be supportive, but she has had a very easy life with the exception of the two back to back miscarriages. She doesn't quite understand all of this and how it can be so debilitating and a brake on your life. I'm not giving up on the meds as I know how wonderfully it worked last time. I'm just being pushed a little more by my dr about my weight. As I've told him it's not that I don't want to eat or want to even be skinny. I'd LOVE to put on 50 lbs at the least. It's my lack of appetite that keeps me from eating. Since I've been home from the hospital my weight has been fluctuating from 133-137. So I'm happy with not dropping to the 130 mark, but during the day my appetite is near nothing and then at night it seems to kick into high gear. I will take all three prayers I can get, not only for my family to understand but I know God allowed me to be broken for a reason and now I'm patiently waiting for Him to put the pieces back together.
Posted 2/2/2014 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
Chad,

Good Morning,  I am here to tell you that you have friends here in the forum and turn to your friends and family that live in your town and "ask" for what you need. 

Feeling alone is one of the worst things anyone can go through.

I will share with you that I have cancer and it is not a good cancer.  I will need to be on Chemo for life.  You wrote, "  I just wish I had a support group in real life"  I could make that very same statement.  When I was dx many people rallied.  It has been 17 months since my dx and surgery and people fall by the wayside.  I know I need to take responsibility for calling people and keeping the ball rolling but sometimes I just let myself get into a funk and feel" like nobody cares". 

If you feel the Klonopin is blocking your appetite, talk with your Dr. re trying a different medication - Valium, Xanax etc.

A trick my daughter tried was to put all of the food she planned to eat the next day into a container of some sort  as well as make  a list of the foods and the last thing she would do at the end of the day was take inventory and whatever she had not ate - she sat down and ate it.

I am guessing that while you were in the hospital you saw a Registered Dietician.  If not you should -put that on your list to talk with  your Dr. about.

For now let go of the worries about your job as without your health you won't be able to do the job.  Let's fix one thing at a time.

Keep talking with us here in the forum and know you will get many responses as we are an anchor for you to hold onto.

My prayers are with you. "Dear Lord, you are our refuge in good and in bad times. In your infinite mercy, bring peace and comfort to Chad who faces days sometimes filled with pain and depression."

 

Blessings,

Kitt

Posted 2/2/2014 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the prayer. I am sorry to hear about your cancer, but it is possible with God's intervention to go away. I will pray for you daily that God will reach His mighty hand and mend your body, give you a comforting peace, and a restoration like you've never felt before. I do appreciate these forums, they were a great idea. What really aggravates me, is in the real world, I am the keyboardist in our church's praise team and do some of the vocals, and not but one time in the last four months has anyone in our church bothered to come by and say hey how are you doing. The pastor called me once and prayed with me prior to my gallbladder surgery but other than that, nothing. My family has missed church for almost the past two months due to sickness and my health.That to me has really been an added punch in the face. That our own church doesn't really seem to care. We have been discussing checking out some other churches once this "light switch" with the remeron kicks on. I grew up a preachers kid and can't even begin to count all the late night trips to the hospital my father made to see people that were ill. Really makes you wonder the validity of some churches motivation. You would think with me being a part of the praise and worship team, they might actually make some effort to at least call or text me and see how things are going. Guess I'm just naive about that.
Posted 2/2/2014 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
Chad -

I also take Mirtazapine for my anxiety (no real depression though). I had learned about it on another forum (I am extremely emetophobic, which means I'm terrified of vomiting and anything related to it). I started at 15mg in March, 2012 and increased to 30mg in July, 2012 when it seemed to not work as well. I loved the increased appetite as a side effect and I gained about 10 pounds. (I am only 4'11" at 37 years old so I didn't want to gain too much). I have been on 30mg ever since. I tried to decrease it back to 15mg and my panic attacks came back within a few days.

It sure is a miracle drug for me. I hope you are able to find something that works for you.
Posted 2/2/2014 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
I took it years ago and it saved my life so I'm hoping It will be a repeat. I've only been on it now three days. First two doses were 15 and last night was the first 30.
Posted 2/2/2014 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Chad,

I am sorry to hear of all the issues you are having.

Give the Remeron and Klonopin some time to work. It has only been three days. I have taken both of these and I still take the Klonopin. Remeron seems to be less activating at lower doses (makes you more sleepy/groggy) and more activating at higher doses. The Klonopin does get better with time as you get used to it and it really does help with the anxiety.

I'll be thinking of you and hoping that the Remeron works as well for you as it did in the past.
Posted 2/3/2014 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
I plan on it. If i remember from last time it took about 5 days for it to start working. Because I've never been sick and don't take meds usually when I do have to take any they knock me for an absolute loop LOL. I did however take my first shower in three months without my poor wife having to sit in the room with me and I went to the gas station without any freaking out. So that is a HUGE positive for me. Sometimes God must allow you to be broken in order for you to be mended in His sight. I'm thankful for the opportunity to be broken and then mended, but doesn't mean as a human being I'm not terrified with it.
Posted 2/3/2014 9:20 AM (GMT 0)
dear chadj, so many people here have given you excellent advice about most aspects of your problems. i would just briefly like to try to address the disappointment you are feeling with the lack of support from your church. in my church, years ago, i remember someone voicing a similar feeling towards our pastor. he had been reticent about turning up at this sick persons place because in the past people had basically told him to mind his own business, so since then, unless specifically asked for home visits and support of that kind, he held back. in my case, this same pastor is always willin, with his wife and family, to visit me in hospital and to help in any way, once i make a personal request, to him or his wife. could this be the case in your church? just wondering. will be praying for you and your family, like so many on this thread, blessings
Posted 2/4/2014 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
I actually have expressed to my pastor, the worship team leader in which I play the keyboard in our praise band, and several others of my wish for interaction from my church family. All to no avail. I have actively made my first therapy appointment on my own for in the morning and have a follow up with my dr for routine since my gallbladder surgery is also tomorrow. Day 4 on remeron and one klonopin in the morning and though I'm semi out of the fog, I still am waiting on that light switch effect. My psychiatrist is still OK with me staying home care sense I'm not suicidal and my weight has somewhat sustained in the mid 130s. But he still feels I would have a faster recovery if I went into the new day inpatient care facility. I'm trying my hardest to avoid it, but I am still on the fence whether I can do this on my own with what half witted support I have at home or if I should indeed go self admit myself. My wife though loving, caring, and supportive, has never really had a very rough life nor does she "get it" as to how debilitating and dangerous depression and anxiety can be to someone. Luckily, my anxiety comes from the fear of dying so suicide is far from any option for me and that's the only reason I've not been Court ordered to new day inpatient. Lord, I have been broken into many pieces, and I humbly wait and look forward to the day in which you put my broken pieces back together again.
Posted 2/4/2014 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi STKITT. i HAD COLON CANCER. What type of cancer do you have. I had a tumor removed and 3 lypth nodes removed. They said it did not spread. I am on chemo to. I am on Eloxtin and SFU. What kind of chemo are they giving you? How long have you been on it. What are you side effects from the chemo? Misty.
Posted 2/4/2014 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
Chad, I do hope you had a good night's sleep and that your medication is starting to move you in the right direction.  I understand that you must feel disappointed that your minister and your church friends have not responded as you had hoped. Let's make a couple of goals for you to work on - 1. Increase your weight by 10 lbs during the month of February 2. Start journaling your feelings - happy and not so happy. Journaling can be an extremely helpful tool for stress relief. Feelings of anxiety, for example, can lead to stress and .com/od/psychologicalconditions/a/rumination.htm"> rumination when left unchecked. Journaling can be a powerful tool for examining and shifting thoughts from anxious and ruminative to empowered and action-oriented. The following plan can help you to write your own ticket out of a place of stress, and find relief within a few minutes.  Write about your concerns, writing for several minutes until you feel you have written what needs to be said, but haven’t delved into a mode of rumination. You may prefer a computer, a journal, or just a pad and paper; if you are using paper, please skip a line or two for every line you use—this will be handy later. Detail what is happening right now, describing the events that are currently causing difficulties. Keep in mind that, with anxiety, sometimes it isn’t what is currently happening that is causing stress, but rather your concerns about what could happen from here. If this is the case for you, it’s okay; you can write about what is currently happening and just note that the only part that is really stressful is the possibility of what could happen next.  Your journal is your own private place to say whatever you are feeling - anger, sadness, high anxiety ETC. Next, write about your concerns and fears, and write in chronological order. In other words, start with one of the stressors you are contending with in the present, and explore what you think will happen next, then write what you fear will happen after that. Write how this would affect you. Now that you have your thoughts in order, see what you can do to relieve some of the anxiety within. Remember, today is a new day and I am here for you. My family has been dealing with my high anxiety and my depression as I can be OK for weeks and then get broadsided by 2-3 weeks of solid anxiety, tears and depression. We will keep talking and if you get to the point that you need to join a group day program you will know.  In the journey of your life, may your joys double and your success triple, may your sorrows halve and your failure disappear. Wishing you a stress free day. Blessings, Kitt
Posted 2/4/2014 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
misty 12,

I am going to start a new topic about anxiety and cancer dx.  I have been wishing Colon Cancer was one of our regular forums not thinking that the anxiety and depression caused by living with cancer can be talked about right here in the Anxiety/Panic Forum.

I will start a new thread to avoid high-jacking Chad's thread.  Please post to me in the new thread.

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 2/4/2014 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
Kitt

I actually started my first therapy appointment this morning. I was very relieved my therapist was also a Christian which seemed to help quite a bit with my anxiety of dying. He has challenged me to get out of the house at least once a day and walk for 15 minutes even if it's just around our culdasac. He's also challenged me to try and face my fear because unfortunately my main anxiety inducer is dying this young. So he is challenging me to realize whether that day is today or 40 years from now, we all will come face to face with death. Which somewhat helps with me religious beliefs but still being human doesn't make it any easier. He said that my fear of death is not unnatural by any means but I have let it control me. So facing my fear head on and getting myself to realize it doesn't matter what I ultimately do to keep from dying, when it is my time to be called home, nothing is going to stop that from happening. And again I know this but still doesn't make it any easier. Day 5 on remeron 30 mgs, I took it around 930, finally fell asleep around midnight. I haven't taken my klonopin yet because it's still pretty sedative and I had the therapist appt and then my surgery follow up with my dr and didn't want to fall back asleep and miss my dr appt. I can definitely tell a difference in my anxiety level not taking it yet. And I think I caught my wife s upper respiratory infection and I'm trying not to let that get at me thinking its worse than what it is.
Posted 2/6/2014 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
Day 7... Today was a decent day. Slept longer than I really wanted to but that's ok. Got up and was able to take my first shower without my wife having to be in the room and even the house. This was a huge step for me. I also was able to leave the house and run a few errands without any anxiety issues. Got home and was quite tired by 730 for some reason, but all in all a pretty decent day. I even started submitting job applications and have an interview in the morning at 10 am. On my weight check tonight I'm at 139 lbs which is 18 lbs since last Monday when I was admitted in the hospital. So hopefully this is the start of the upward climb.
Posted 2/6/2014 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
It sure sounds positive!! Awesome news all around, and a pretty amazing leap from when you first started posting with us.:)

Great job on getting the help that you needed. I am so impressed and happy to hear of your progress.

Best wishes with the interviews and your continued work to feel your best.:)

Keep us updated.

S.C.
Posted 2/10/2014 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
I have been doing some research and I'm going to ask my dr to let me try a non habit forming anxiety med. Seems klonopin can be very dangerous when you try to come off it and I don't want to get addicted and have to spend my life taking pills. Any suggestions?
Posted 2/10/2014 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
Chadj.,

I understand your concern...a lot of people has similar worries. However, know that if you are not at high risk for dependency (past substance abuse issues) and are following your prescribed dosage, you are not likely at risk for an addiction issue.

Do talk about this with your doctor though, so that you can make an informed decision.

Some people have had good experience with using and antihistamine for an anti-anxiety...this could be something to discuss when you go in?

Know that we care, and are keeping your in thought and prayer throughout this journey...you are doing great! Keep up the good work.;)

S.C.
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