Remeron and Drowsiness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Sta...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 8, 2020

For Depression "I have bipolar disorder, and during my low episodes, I experience intense anxiety, which feels all day like that feeling when you look over a huge drop (if you're scared of heights). That feeling where your heart almost jumps out of your mouth, and also with ruminating thoughts of guilt and shame (OCD-like), that are so extreme they send me into depersonalization with hallucinations. After just 1 or 2 doses of Remeron at a dose of 15 mg, during these episodes, those ruminating thoughts and anxiousness almost completely disappear. It's miraculous. They make me so numb that I feel like I could do a bungee jump and not feel anything, which at times is a lifesaver. However, that feeling of complete numbness, paired with feeling very groggy in the mornings, is what makes me come off of it when these episodes pass. Using it in this way is what works for me, although it's an off-label way of using it. With BPD, the numbness makes me split on my partner quite badly and lessens my creativity."

• Mik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 23, 2024

"I did not experience any improvement on this medication. I was on 45 mg daily for about 2 months. I did not have any side effects when beginning. It did help me improve my sleep, which was nice. However, in terms of my anxiety and panic disorder, I did not find the relief I was looking for. I also felt pretty groggy most of the days. Based on the positive reviews, it might be a good fit for you, it simply didn't work for me. I'd recommend it since I found the transition periods easy. Best of luck, and I hope you find the right solution!"

• big...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2015

For Depression "I've been taking Remeron for a few weeks. The doctor prescribed it for major anxiety and sleeplessness, as well as depression. He also thought it would help with weight gain, which I needed. It has helped with everything but the depression. Anxiety has mostly subsided to the point where I'm not paralyzed. I have gained about 5 lbs in the past two weeks, and my sleep is uninterrupted. I was very groggy in the morning at first until 10 or 11 am, but that's gotten slightly better over time. Depression has not subsided, considering asking for something else to help with that."

• Anonymous
• June 14, 2010

For Depression "Had a deep depression combined with insomnia. I was helped from the first day with Remeron, it was an incredible feeling! The side effect is increased appetite. But since I know it's a side effect, I can control it. It's better to feel hungry than to feel like the end is near... Have been on it for a month now and still fall asleep like a baby after less than 30 minutes when taking the pill. My doctor recommends that I continue with it for approximately 4 more months and then lower the dose (from 30 to 15 mg) and phase it out after a month or so. Let's see what happens, but it's really great now!"

• Anonymous
• September 3, 2008

For Depression "Taken in conjunction with Effexor (Effexor in the morning and Remeron in the evening) definitely helps with sleeping through the night. For me, I needed 8-10 hours of dedicated sleep, any less and I felt groggy. Sleep aid definitely. Don't mix with alcohol or anything else to aid in sleep."

• JJi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2016

For Depression "Excellent for obsessive thoughts, best depression lift in many years...BUT...I am going off of it after five weeks. The initial side effects I could deal with, the normal headache, grogginess, irritability, but then after the fourth week, I noticed a rare side effect of edema (water retention) of an average of 2.5 lbs a day and on my last days, 3-4 lbs. It was serious. It also caused extreme sugar/carb cravings. That I can control, the water I cannot."

• Dep...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 16, 2024

For Depression "I was given Remeron after having a nervous breakdown in 2006. This drug helped me tremendously. I got my appetite back and began feeling normal again. It was very sedating though. I take a quarter of 15mg because I am very sensitive to medication. If I take half, I have to sleep for 10-12 hours. I was on it for nearly 10 years before getting off. However, I try hard not to go back on it because then you have to stay on it for a long time, if not, you get relapsed."

• Anonymous
• April 4, 2011

For Depression "I started taking this medication 4 days ago. I was given a prescription for 1 30mg tablet to be taken at night. I am sensitive to medication, so the first night I only took 1/2 of a tablet (15mg). I couldn't sleep at all. I was up all night. Finally slept about 2 hours early in the morning. On the flip side, I felt GREAT all day. So that night, I took the same dosage. Slept well, and no grogginess. The next day, I took the whole tablet (30mg) and slept from 10 pm until 8 pm the next day! I could NOT get up. My husband was worried, so he finally got me up and into the shower. I was okay after that. I took 1/2 tablet (15mg) and went back to bed that night around 2 am. Felt fine in the morning. Proper dosage is the key with this medication!"

• Anonymous
• January 19, 2010

For Anxiety "My doctor gave me this for anxiety and depression. I took half of a 15 mg pill as directed and slept for 16 hours, and every time I stood up I felt like I was going to pass out. I was unable to care for my daughter and had to have her grandma come take care of her till the side effects wore off later that evening. It was just a horrible drug for me, but I know everyone is different, so it may work well for someone else."

• ena...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 10, 2019

For Depression "Works wonders for my depression symptoms associated with complex PTSD. Helps me sleep better. Haven't gained any weight. I did have to combine it with a different antidepressant to help my anxiety symptoms. The first week or so, I was a bit groggy waking up, but that side effect passed. After a couple of weeks at 15 mg, my doc had me go up to 30 mg a night for a little while, and I got bad memory issues that resolved almost immediately after I was reduced back down to 15 mg. So now, no side effects. Just better mood and sleep. Would recommend."

• Anonymous
• March 28, 2012

For Insomnia "I have been taking Remeron for about 3 years now, and only recently are the side effects bothering me. I started taking it to counterbalance my ADHD medication so I could sleep at night. However, I stopped taking my ADHD medicines, and I have noticed weight gain. I'm assuming it's a bit of both medicines, though. Also, the drowsiness is becoming a big issue as I am sleeping through my 9 am classes, and I have a hard time getting awake for a long period of time. I do, however, love that I can sleep through the night and fall asleep fast, which has always been an issue for me. I also love the vivid dreams!"

• twa...
• March 6, 2010

For Anxiety "I suffer from insomnia and anxiety and was prescribed this as a sleep aid in a hospital once, which is when I discovered the pill's wonderful added bonus as having a slightly noticeable anti-anxiety effect. Usually, doctors mention that when prescribing a new medicine, but this really was a great bonus. I just didn't like the weight gain, total mind/body grogginess, and increased hunger all the following day. So I appreciated the anxiety effect and the help with sleep, but those effects (when the pill is taken for a few months) slowly fade and no longer help. I pop one every so often when I need sleep now, but cannot rely on sleep medicines anymore due to such hangovers, so I am off all nighttime medicines now. But this drug wasn't too bad for a while. Just be prepared to lose your tiny figure!"

• 1Mc...
• November 22, 2014

"I was prescribed 15 mg for acute insomnia, and the first night I fell asleep so well, it felt like my eyelids were heavy. Then the vivid dream came. This continued for a week, and I was so groggy, had trouble coming out, but it is supposed to work better the longer you take it, and I am sorry I did not use this medicine longer. I am going to get it again and try a full 30 days and see. Looking forward to a night's sleep. Ambien is great, but the side effects are too much for me, but everyone reacts differently to these medicines."

• Jam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 22, 2019

For Depression "Took 15 mg at night with 100 mg sertraline 2 years ago. Worked, but I gained loads of weight and slept for hours. On sertraline again now, been on for 2 weeks. Not sure whether to try it again with the mirtazapine as I’m losing weight..."

• Sle...
• February 16, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "The first night I took it, I slept for 16 hours straight (15 mgs). When I finally forced myself to get out of bed, I had this insatiable appetite. I also walked around like a zombie, feeling groggy for the next day and a half. I took it on a Saturday night, knowing that I didn't have to be anywhere the following day (good thing). Needless to say, I stopped taking it."

• Dg7...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2021

For Depression "If you have insomnia and lack of hunger, this drug may be a godsend for you. Unfortunately, it was a terrible experience for me. Literally made me sleep 11+ hours, made me super groggy and tired the entire day. The drowsiness and tiredness made my daily activities and work so hard to do."

• Dg7...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2021

For Depression "If you have insomnia and lack of hunger, this drug may be a godsend for you. Unfortunately, it was a terrible experience for me. Literally made me sleep 11+ hours, made me super groggy and tired the entire day. The drowsiness and tiredness made my daily activities and work so hard to do."

• Anonymous
• December 9, 2009

For Insomnia "So I am on my first day after. I took 15 mg of Remeron at 7:30 and still did not fall asleep until 1 a.m. However, I did sleep until 11:30 today, but woke up feeling groggy. I didn't eat any more than usual last night, and I'm kinda hesitant now that I've read about the weight gain side effect. I also take Seroquel XR and put on about 25 pounds in about 2 months. I can't take another weight gain. That is one of the sources of my current depression."

• die...
• August 16, 2018

"My 94-year-old mother was given this drug in the hospital. I was told it was to increase her appetite. It had a devastating effect on her. She went into a coma (I saw that one side effect was severe sedation) for almost a whole day! It made her confused, and it did more damage than good because she could not wake up to take her meds or eat or drink! I feel the doctor should have told me the side effects before giving her this drug. She was up and walking just a few days before and was hospitalized for atrial fibrillation. I do not recommend it!!!"

• Anonymous
• October 24, 2009

For Insomnia "I'm using this medication in conjunction with Effexor XR, clonazepam, and Vyvanse to help sleep and to help with my as-of-yet depression that hasn't responded to medicines. It knocks me OUT, but I can force myself to do things (not complicated) before I actually need to sleep. Haven't been on it long enough to assess it as far as depression. I guess we'll see."

• dvr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 8, 2015

For Depression "Took for the first time last night, slept perfectly. Did wake up groggy for the first 2 hours, small price to pay. I have been on over ten different meds, and this by far works wonders."

• tom...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 25, 2019

For Depression "Although very effective, it gave me tremendous side effects such as dry mouth, weight gain, and daytime sleepiness, along with decreased libido. All side effects were not worth the benefit."

• Anonymous
• September 11, 2011

For Insomnia "Helped with my insomnia but slept too long. Went to sleep at 11 pm and slept till 5 pm the next day. I did not take a dose the next night and still woke up groggy."

• guy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "Ok, so I took this last night to sleep at the dose of 15 mg. It's horrible. The next day, I'm sleeping all day, zero energy, feels extremely sedated and zombie-like. I will never take it again."