Remeron and Transient Global Amnesia (w/response)

March 27, 2011

Hi ,

Here's my story again and an update and question:

I'm 61. After a frightening neurological event (Transient Global Amnesia) I had

an intense anxiety reaction that wouldn't let up. After 3 months of nausea, some

vomiting, considerable weight loss, and then insomnia, I was put on .5 mg of

klonopin and then 15 mg of Remeron on October 21, 2010. I started sleeping and

eating. After 3 weeks, I tapered off the klonopin over a 4 week period (not too

bad), and after conferring with you on December 20, 2010, I started tapering the

Remeron as you suggested - 10% or a little less per cut every 7 - 10 days.

Pretty smooth taper. Last 'pill' was 3/15. It was 7% of the 15 mg, or 1.05 mg

Remeron.

I was okay until last Wedednesday, 3/23. I've had nausea and trouble sleeping

since then. This morning, after 4 hours sleep, there was nausea and vomiting.

These are the symptoms that caused me to go on the meds to begin with. So my

anxiety is rising.

Is this likely my brain just trying to adjust to the lack of Remeron, or what it

did to me? I'm so afraid of the anxiety and its debilitating symptoms

returning. I've never been on meds before, and have not had anxiety like this

before the TGA incident. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks so much! Pam

** Hi Pam,

I have no time for a full response but here's the gist of it.

You went off too quickly. I've NEVER EVER told anyone to put only 7-10 days

between reductions of ANYTHING. I also never tell people to count days. I do

say that the least amount of time between reductions, going by how your body

feels, is 2 weeks. What you're experiencing is the snowball effect (rolls down

hill getting larger). Remeron stays in one's system a long time (half-life).

You were reducing before you'd even experienced the 1st reduction.

To stop what's happening, reinstitute the drug. You could try 1/4 of the

full dose first. If not significantly better, I'd go to a 1/2.

-- C

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