My experience with Remeron

Hydroxyzine etc
Post Reply
User avatar
Hepcat
Intermediate Member
Intermediate Member
Posts: 72
Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2002 7:16 am
Location: Canada, eh

My experience with Remeron

Post by Hepcat »

Kind of an odd drug, this one doesn't fit neatly into any category so I'll put it here.

My physician recommended an interesting new med for me to try.

Called Remeron, it's an entirely different class of antidepressant called an Noradrenergic and Specific Serotonergic Antidepressant, or "NaSSA".

It acts both on the alpha-adrenoceptors (much greater affinity for alpha-2) and the H1 histaminic receptor. In theory, this sounds like it might make a pretty decent drug for trial with CP/CPPS so I gave it a whirl.

Pretty much all the info I found on Remeron was positive but did warn of sedative effects due the anti-histamine nature. That was an understatement. At 15 mg (Half what my doc wanted to start me on!) I was wiped for an entire day. Cogent conversation was pretty much impossible, as was driving, and I still feel wiped nearly two days later.

I'm not sure why it's effects were so long lasting, although a 20-40 hour half-life may mean someone who is very sensitive to anti-histamines (as I've always been) might feel the effects somewhat longer than normal.

Apparently this effect declines fairly rapidly (about a week or less) but I'm not so inclined to suffer through a weeks worth of haze to find out. Since most people apparently do ok on this med, YMMV.

As well, my pelvic pain increased, but I had a strong stream. Too bad the post-stream burning was more acute than normal :(

I suspect my side-effects were more serious than normal. Maybe Dale could comment? It's probably worth a try if amitriptyline, etc. are not working for you.

Derrick
Age: | Onset Age: | Symptoms: | Helped By: | Worsened By:
Top
User avatar
webslave
Maintenance
Maintenance
Posts: 11429
Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2002 3:18 pm
Location: Please give your location so we can help better
Contact:
Contact webslave

Post by webslave »

I think the typical effect of antihistamines, which results in discomfort in bladder and prostate smooth muscle for us, is the reason virtually nobody with this disorder uses them with any regularity. I find even Allegra, which is supposed to be free of these effects, still has them to a small degree. But if you can put up with this effect there are benefits to the prostate. This is counterintuitive! You must take something that makes the pelvis feel worse in order to make it feel better. Aaaah, I love stuff that works like that (not). :snipersmilie:
HAS THIS SITE HELPED YOU?
Say Thanks by donating. Keep the
Forum alive on the Internet!
PayPal link at end of page ↓
Contact me at support at ucpps.men
Top
Quidam

Re: My experience with Remeron

Post by Quidam »

Derrick,

30 mg of Remeron is less sedating than 15 mg...45 mg of Remeron is less sedating than 30 mg and 60 mg is less sedating than 45 mg. Check it out, strange but true. Try 30 or 45 mg and see what happens.
Top
User avatar
Hepcat
Intermediate Member
Intermediate Member
Posts: 72
Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2002 7:16 am
Location: Canada, eh

Post by Hepcat »

Bizarre, but the literature appears to back you up on this. :!:

It's suggested that H1 counterbalancing by noradrenergic effects becomes apparent at doses > 15 mg.

I felt like such crap the first go around I'll still have to reassess the cost/benefits of this therapy before I take another whack tho. So far, only neurontin has come close to making me feel this lousy.
Age: | Onset Age: | Symptoms: | Helped By: | Worsened By:
Top
User avatar
Richard.N
Sage
Sage
Posts: 578
Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2002 6:05 pm
Location: Bristol, England

Post by Richard.N »

Hepcat - I'd like to read more about Remeron. Could you direct me to a good URL please?
Last edited by Richard.N on Wed Jan 10, 2007 8:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Richard

Age: 39. | Onset Age: 30. Onset Date: January 2002. Symptoms (back then): Supra-pubic pain, back pain, urinary frequency, urgency and difficulty, weak stream, nocturia, (and variously) chronic fatigue, IBS. Current symptoms: more frequent than normal, but pretty much under control. Current amelioration: Xatral 10mg, Mirtazapine 30mg. | Worsened By: Stress, binge drinking, strained bowel movements, bloating, sitting on hard surfaces, jogging, and regularly - THE WINTER!

I'm not a medical expert. My comment is opinion. See your medical professional.
Top
Quidam

Post by Quidam »

Hepcat, I have never taken neurontin but I do know that lousy feeling you speak of from the Remeron. My best guess would be that you give it time @ a higher dose if you want to continue exploring this med. With your Doctors approval, of course.
Top
User avatar
Hepcat
Intermediate Member
Intermediate Member
Posts: 72
Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2002 7:16 am
Location: Canada, eh

Post by Hepcat »

http://www.remeron.com/ is quite comprehensive in it's information about this drug, Richard.

I suppose I'll try the higher dose this weekend, when it will matter less how aware I am. I'll post any changes I observe.
Age: | Onset Age: | Symptoms: | Helped By: | Worsened By:
Top
User avatar
Richard.N
Sage
Sage
Posts: 578
Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2002 6:05 pm
Location: Bristol, England

Post by Richard.N »

Ah - thanks Hepcat - it has a different name over here: Zispin.

Why do we always get the crap names? Please don't answer that :-D
Richard

Age: 39. | Onset Age: 30. Onset Date: January 2002. Symptoms (back then): Supra-pubic pain, back pain, urinary frequency, urgency and difficulty, weak stream, nocturia, (and variously) chronic fatigue, IBS. Current symptoms: more frequent than normal, but pretty much under control. Current amelioration: Xatral 10mg, Mirtazapine 30mg. | Worsened By: Stress, binge drinking, strained bowel movements, bloating, sitting on hard surfaces, jogging, and regularly - THE WINTER!

I'm not a medical expert. My comment is opinion. See your medical professional.
Top
User avatar
Richard.N
Sage
Sage
Posts: 578
Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2002 6:05 pm
Location: Bristol, England

Post by Richard.N »

I suppose I'll try the higher dose this weekend, when it will matter less how aware I am. I'll post any changes I observe.
I tend to favour Friday nights for starting something new like this myself :-D

Did you get any further with Remeron Hepcat?

Edit: spelling
Last edited by Richard.N on Wed Jan 10, 2007 8:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Richard

Age: 39. | Onset Age: 30. Onset Date: January 2002. Symptoms (back then): Supra-pubic pain, back pain, urinary frequency, urgency and difficulty, weak stream, nocturia, (and variously) chronic fatigue, IBS. Current symptoms: more frequent than normal, but pretty much under control. Current amelioration: Xatral 10mg, Mirtazapine 30mg. | Worsened By: Stress, binge drinking, strained bowel movements, bloating, sitting on hard surfaces, jogging, and regularly - THE WINTER!

I'm not a medical expert. My comment is opinion. See your medical professional.
Top
User avatar
Hepcat
Intermediate Member
Intermediate Member
Posts: 72
Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2002 7:16 am
Location: Canada, eh

Post by Hepcat »

Hi Richard.

I should have kept up with my post, but some more pressing health concerns have come up.

Accordingly I've limited my trials with meds.

So short answer, no, I've not explored Remeron further :(
Age: | Onset Age: | Symptoms: | Helped By: | Worsened By:
Top
User avatar
Richard.N
Sage
Sage
Posts: 578
Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2002 6:05 pm
Location: Bristol, England

Post by Richard.N »

some more pressing health concerns have come up.
I'm sorry to hear that mate. I hope you get a good result.

Richard,
Richard

Age: 39. | Onset Age: 30. Onset Date: January 2002. Symptoms (back then): Supra-pubic pain, back pain, urinary frequency, urgency and difficulty, weak stream, nocturia, (and variously) chronic fatigue, IBS. Current symptoms: more frequent than normal, but pretty much under control. Current amelioration: Xatral 10mg, Mirtazapine 30mg. | Worsened By: Stress, binge drinking, strained bowel movements, bloating, sitting on hard surfaces, jogging, and regularly - THE WINTER!

I'm not a medical expert. My comment is opinion. See your medical professional.
Top
User avatar
Richard.N
Sage
Sage
Posts: 578
Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2002 6:05 pm
Location: Bristol, England

Post by Richard.N »

Well...I started Remeron (called Zispin over here) as an altenative to Elavil about five days ago. I see what you mean Hepcat: The starting dose of 15mg at bedtime made me very sleepy in about 45mins and made me feel really tired/spaced for most of the next day. Far stronger than 25mg Atarax I would say. This tiredness was accompanied by a sinus type headache. Sleep was mildly disturbed. Each day the hangover got shorter and shorter. Yesterday I had no hangover and my sleep the previous night had been normal.

It feels exactly the same as Elavil at 25mg to me except the effect has been quicker and I am less constipated. H1 Effect is causing the usual pelvic tenseness. Anti-cholinergic effect may be milder. Something is still affecting the quality of my stools though.

Will probably move up to 30mg on Friday.
Richard

Age: 39. | Onset Age: 30. Onset Date: January 2002. Symptoms (back then): Supra-pubic pain, back pain, urinary frequency, urgency and difficulty, weak stream, nocturia, (and variously) chronic fatigue, IBS. Current symptoms: more frequent than normal, but pretty much under control. Current amelioration: Xatral 10mg, Mirtazapine 30mg. | Worsened By: Stress, binge drinking, strained bowel movements, bloating, sitting on hard surfaces, jogging, and regularly - THE WINTER!

I'm not a medical expert. My comment is opinion. See your medical professional.
Top
User avatar
Richard.N
Sage
Sage
Posts: 578
Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2002 6:05 pm
Location: Bristol, England

Remerol: the new Elavil?

Post by Richard.N »

I've only glanced at the abstract but this hints that Remerol may be useful for chronic pain...

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... t=Abstract
Richard

Age: 39. | Onset Age: 30. Onset Date: January 2002. Symptoms (back then): Supra-pubic pain, back pain, urinary frequency, urgency and difficulty, weak stream, nocturia, (and variously) chronic fatigue, IBS. Current symptoms: more frequent than normal, but pretty much under control. Current amelioration: Xatral 10mg, Mirtazapine 30mg. | Worsened By: Stress, binge drinking, strained bowel movements, bloating, sitting on hard surfaces, jogging, and regularly - THE WINTER!

I'm not a medical expert. My comment is opinion. See your medical professional.
Top
User avatar
MBey
Beginner
Beginner
Posts: 43
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2004 6:54 pm
Location: Zürich, Switzerland
Contact:
Contact MBey

Post by MBey »

Richard.N wrote:Well...I started Remeron (called Zispin over here) as an altenative to Elavil ...It feels exactly the same as Elavil at 25mg to me except the effect has been quicker and I am less constipated.
H1 Effect is causing the usual pelvic tenseness.
What is meant by this H1 effect of Remeron? H1/H2-histamine receptor?
And this leads to a pelvic tenseness...means it's absolutely contraproductive or is it a slight side-effect which vanishes after some days?[/b]
Age:28 | Onset Age: 16 | Symptoms: chronic muscle tension, urge and frequency (14 times per day) | Helped By: Cernilton, Prelief, Saw Palmetto, Alpha blocker, RUNNING, hot baths, relaxations | Worsened By: Extensive Sitting, stress, coldness Without any success: Botox injections in bladder and external urethra sphincter, sacrale neuromodulation, Prosta Q
Top
User avatar
Richard.N
Sage
Sage
Posts: 578
Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2002 6:05 pm
Location: Bristol, England

Post by Richard.N »

Slight effect felt by me. I don't notice at all any more.
Richard

Age: 39. | Onset Age: 30. Onset Date: January 2002. Symptoms (back then): Supra-pubic pain, back pain, urinary frequency, urgency and difficulty, weak stream, nocturia, (and variously) chronic fatigue, IBS. Current symptoms: more frequent than normal, but pretty much under control. Current amelioration: Xatral 10mg, Mirtazapine 30mg. | Worsened By: Stress, binge drinking, strained bowel movements, bloating, sitting on hard surfaces, jogging, and regularly - THE WINTER!

I'm not a medical expert. My comment is opinion. See your medical professional.
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Antihistamines”