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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 10 to 34 of 52. Go back in thread:
Posted by Cindy on December 22, 1999, at 20:25:59
In reply to Re: Serzone, posted by Gary on December 22, 1999, at 14:45:54
> > >Maybe you need to up the dose. I think I read a study where about 450 mg a day was effective for SP
>
> I have been talking serzone for anxiety for about 2 months now.
> > > I started out on 50 mg and am now on 300 and feel no
> > > side effects what so ever. I also dont feel any effect
> > > to help me either.
> > > Is this odd?
> > >
> > >
> > No. I had the exact same results. I was trying it for social phobia. No side effects but no positive results either.
I loved Serzone...it made me feel less depressed, less socially anxious, and I slept much better. At first, the side effects were bad (dry mouth, irritability, dizziness, some visual effects). But I'd still be taking it if it decreased OCD (now am trying Effexor, and feel a little less obsessed and more "normal" but not as happy as I did with Serzone).--Cindy W
Posted by Dee on December 23, 1999, at 22:45:41
In reply to Re: Serzone, posted by Cindy on December 22, 1999, at 20:25:59
I have been taking Serzone since August, going up slowly first to 300mg, then 450 mg/day.
I found that Serzone takes long to take effect. When I upped from 300 to 450 I gave myself 6 weeks from the day I started with 400 before I would say if I was better than before.Also, I found that whatever beneficial effects I had gained on 300mg disappeared the day I upped the dose, to return some six weeks later.
Serzone works in a very subtle way. (Now I am assuming that it works for me like it is supposed to. I don't really FEEL it working, but I can tell it does as I am observing how I react in some situations. I am actually able to put up with a job that I hate, with only moderate feelings of anxiety when I hove to go there. Pretty good for someone who was unable to leave his room a few months ago. I am getting a little more social, too. Yet when I am asked if I feel any different on Serzone the answer is no.
Serzone did help with some small part of my anxiety, but I had to boost up with buspar, and I've so far found it a good combo.
Hope that some of my experience is helpful. We're all different and if it doesn't work for you, you should switch. Just make sure that you give Serzone a fighting change, because if it does, it is a potentially wonderful drug.
Love
Dee
Posted by Renee N on December 26, 1999, at 2:20:01
In reply to The last post was not by the same Renee who has be, posted by Renee N on December 26, 1999, at 2:13:36
> > I have been taking Serzone since August, going up slowly first to 300mg, then 450 mg/day.
> > I found that Serzone takes long to take effect. When I upped from 300 to 450 I gave myself 6 weeks from the day I started with 400 before I would say if I was better than before.
> >
> > Also, I found that whatever beneficial effects I had gained on 300mg disappeared the day I upped the dose, to return some six weeks later.
> >
> > Serzone works in a very subtle way. (Now I am assuming that it works for me like it is supposed to. I don't really FEEL it working, but I can tell it does as I am observing how I react in some situations. I am actually able to put up with a job that I hate, with only moderate feelings of anxiety when I hove to go there. Pretty good for someone who was unable to leave his room a few months ago. I am getting a little more social, too. Yet when I am asked if I feel any different on Serzone the answer is no.
> >
> > Serzone did help with some small part of my anxiety, but I had to boost up with buspar, and I've so far found it a good combo.
> >
> > Hope that some of my experience is helpful. We're all different and if it doesn't work for you, you should switch. Just make sure that you give Serzone a fighting change, because if it does, it is a potentially wonderful drug.
> >
> > Love
> > Dee
Oops! I messed up(darned that ADD!). I wrote my whole message in the title space on the last response. What I wanted to say was that there are two Rennes here. I am the one who has been posting in December before the Serzone Renee posted. I'll call myself Renee N now so you know which Renee is which.
Posted by yona on July 17, 2000, at 16:35:03
In reply to Re: Serzone, posted by Melanie on September 16, 1999, at 20:27:27
hi there. i am a new serzone recruit.. from paxil. i too need a little support on the side effects. day three here and i feel very dizzy and like i have to throw up all the time. this is especially difficult with my highly physical and fast moving job... any suggestions for dealing with the nausea.. i am trying ginger but i am not sure if the nausea is related to dehydration or indigestion. does anyone know?? also any suggestions on just how long i should put up with this before i try something else. i didn't have side effects on paxil, except that my sex drive dropped to absolute nil. advise from you experienced ones out there would be most helpful.
yona
Posted by Cindy W on July 17, 2000, at 21:03:23
In reply to Re: Serzone, posted by yona on July 17, 2000, at 16:35:03
> hi there. i am a new serzone recruit.. from paxil. i too need a little support on the side effects. day three here and i feel very dizzy and like i have to throw up all the time. this is especially difficult with my highly physical and fast moving job... any suggestions for dealing with the nausea.. i am trying ginger but i am not sure if the nausea is related to dehydration or indigestion. does anyone know?? also any suggestions on just how long i should put up with this before i try something else. i didn't have side effects on paxil, except that my sex drive dropped to absolute nil. advise from you experienced ones out there would be most helpful.
> yonayona, I took Serzone for a while at full dose and am taking 50-75 mg/night to help me sleep, now, in combination with Effexor-XR. When I took Serzone by itself, I usually took it on a full rather than empty stomach, so didn't get nauseous. Have heard that ginger can help with this, though. Good luck to you! (On Luvox, I puked myself silly the first time I forgot to eat with it...after a while, the nausea just went away...suspect this will be the case for you with Serzone; but talk to your pdoc.)
Posted by ksvt on July 18, 2000, at 7:17:56
In reply to Re: Serzone, posted by Cindy W on July 17, 2000, at 21:03:23
> > hi there. i am a new serzone recruit.. from paxil. i too need a little support on the side effects. day three here and i feel very dizzy and like i have to throw up all the time. this is especially difficult with my highly physical and fast moving job... any suggestions for dealing with the nausea.. i am trying ginger but i am not sure if the nausea is related to dehydration or indigestion. does anyone know?? also any suggestions on just how long i should put up with this before i try something else. i didn't have side effects on paxil, except that my sex drive dropped to absolute nil. advise from you experienced ones out there would be most helpful.
> > yona
>
> yona, I took Serzone for a while at full dose and am taking 50-75 mg/night to help me sleep, now, in combination with Effexor-XR. When I took Serzone by itself, I usually took it on a full rather than empty stomach, so didn't get nauseous. Have heard that ginger can help with this, though. Good luck to you! (On Luvox, I puked myself silly the first time I forgot to eat with it...after a while, the nausea just went away...suspect this will be the case for you with Serzone; but talk to your pdoc.)Cindy - why did you decide to lower your dose of Serzone? How long were you on it at full dose?
Posted by Cindy W on July 18, 2000, at 8:24:42
In reply to Re: Serzone, posted by ksvt on July 18, 2000, at 7:17:56
> > > hi there. i am a new serzone recruit.. from paxil. i too need a little support on the side effects. day three here and i feel very dizzy and like i have to throw up all the time. this is especially difficult with my highly physical and fast moving job... any suggestions for dealing with the nausea.. i am trying ginger but i am not sure if the nausea is related to dehydration or indigestion. does anyone know?? also any suggestions on just how long i should put up with this before i try something else. i didn't have side effects on paxil, except that my sex drive dropped to absolute nil. advise from you experienced ones out there would be most helpful.
> > > yona
> >
> > yona, I took Serzone for a while at full dose and am taking 50-75 mg/night to help me sleep, now, in combination with Effexor-XR. When I took Serzone by itself, I usually took it on a full rather than empty stomach, so didn't get nauseous. Have heard that ginger can help with this, though. Good luck to you! (On Luvox, I puked myself silly the first time I forgot to eat with it...after a while, the nausea just went away...suspect this will be the case for you with Serzone; but talk to your pdoc.)
>
> Cindy - why did you decide to lower your dose of Serzone? How long were you on it at full dose?
yona, I decided to lower the Serzone and start on Effexor-XR instead at the suggestion of my pdoc, because the Serzone didn't affect my OCD (I have intrusive thoughts and compulsive rituals as well as "hoarding" of items I can't use). Serzone was an excellent antidepressant for me, made me much less socially anxious, and did NOT interfere with sex for me (unlike Prozac, Luvox, and Zoloft). If you can stick with it, and make it through a couple of weeks of moodiness and apparently nausea (I never experienced that), it's GREAT! I really liked the way I felt on Serzone, except for the intrusive thoughts and all (that wasn't the fault of the Serzone, though).
Posted by Iden on July 18, 2000, at 14:50:34
In reply to Re: Serzone, posted by yona on July 17, 2000, at 16:35:03
> hi there. i am a new serzone recruit.. from paxil. i too need a little support on the side effects. day three here and i feel very dizzy and like i have to throw up all the time. this is especially difficult with my highly physical and fast moving job... ....... for dealing with the nausea.. ....... does anyone know?? also any suggestions on just how long i should put up with this before i try something else. i didn't have side effects on paxil, except that my sex drive dropped to absolute nil. advise from you experienced ones out there would be most helpful.
> yonaYona,
I was on Prozac for years and switched to Serzone. On May 17, I started to taper off the Prozac and taper on the Serzone. I (60 year old, 190 pound male) have been very sensitive to every antidepressant I have tried. The max Prozac I could tolerate was about 13.3 mg / day but it did help. It kept me from deeper depression in the decades-long course of dysthymia. I mention this to point out my sensitivity.
So, I started Serzone at 25 mg once a day and experienced obvious, unpleasant side effects. After 5 days I went to 37.5 mg once a day for 6 more days. Then to 25 mg in the morning and 37.5 at night. I have been working up slowly like this and, for me, feel it is about as fast as I would want to go. I am now at 75 mg in the morning and 100 mg at night. I started 63 days ago on Serzone. When I went from 75 mg in the morning and 75 mg at night to 75 in the morning and 100 mg at night, I felt the return of side effects (irritability, reduced optimism, reduced productivity, grogginess, etc.) as amazing as this may seem to some. I feel that many patients and doctors conclude that a particular antidepressant is not suitable for a particular patient when, in fact, the initial dose may be too high and the dose increase too fast for that aptient.
How does this relate to you? My feeling is that some people are just far more sensitive than others to a particular antidepressant. Maybe your starting dose was just too high for you and you will have to work up like I am doing. It is possible that Serzone is right for you, but starting at a lower dose and working up slowly.
Small doses do take some effort to make. You can buy pill cutters in drug stores which helps in making 25 mg pieces from half of a 100 mg tablet after it is broken in two. You can also powder a tablet and visually divide it up.
My doctor responded to my request to change from Prozac. He is aware on my sensivity to antidepressants so simply told me what the average and maximum Serzone doses are and said to work it up in dose at my own rate. I am pleased to have his understanding and blessing but I would have done it my way anyway.
Iden (first post here)
Posted by yona on July 18, 2000, at 15:00:37
In reply to Re: Serzone, posted by Cindy W on July 18, 2000, at 8:24:42
hi cindy. thanks much for your advise.. also to the others out there. even though i did go see my pharmasist today, (and she said the very same thing i heard from you and in a natural food store yesterday, (ie: don't take it on an empty stomach and do some ginger capsules)), it is good to feel the support of other people dealing with this stuff. today, instead of doing the pills first thing in the morning b-4 work, i did them at breakfast. no nausea. yeah!.. cause yesterday was just a little too intense for me and i was not looking forward to today. as far as i can tell i have become much more sensitive sexually, i can cry and yet just feel it and recover in about 15minutes, and my general mood is relaxed, curious. i think i should check in in about a few weeks and 'report', so if some other poor soul decides to try this med first thang in the morning they will at least know what they are getting into!
anyways, thanks cindy, and the rest. this has been most helpful. yo
Posted by yona on July 18, 2000, at 15:06:36
In reply to Re: Serzone, posted by Iden on July 18, 2000, at 14:50:34
iden.. thanks for the response. the nausea is much better today but i will keep close watch and do the 100 mg pill only once a day, or perhaps like you split it down the middle and do a half in the am and half in the pm. though i am pretty sensitive i do know that after 5 years on 40mg of paxil the effect i was feeling was reduced. i was also wanting my sex drive back even though 5 years without it was a great experience. anyways, thanks for the post. yo
Posted by Cindy W on July 18, 2000, at 21:44:34
In reply to Re: Serzone, posted by yona on July 18, 2000, at 15:00:37
> hi cindy. thanks much for your advise.. also to the others out there. even though i did go see my pharmasist today, (and she said the very same thing i heard from you and in a natural food store yesterday, (ie: don't take it on an empty stomach and do some ginger capsules)), it is good to feel the support of other people dealing with this stuff. today, instead of doing the pills first thing in the morning b-4 work, i did them at breakfast. no nausea. yeah!.. cause yesterday was just a little too intense for me and i was not looking forward to today. as far as i can tell i have become much more sensitive sexually, i can cry and yet just feel it and recover in about 15minutes, and my general mood is relaxed, curious. i think i should check in in about a few weeks and 'report', so if some other poor soul decides to try this med first thang in the morning they will at least know what they are getting into!
> anyways, thanks cindy, and the rest. this has been most helpful. yoyona, hope the serzone helps you! taking it with breakfast should really help.--Cindy
Posted by yona on July 23, 2000, at 6:26:08
In reply to Re: Serzone, posted by Cindy W on July 18, 2000, at 21:44:34
a little serzone update for those of you interested...
in comparison to paxil here is what i experience:
first, i get to cry again!! gaud i had no idea how much the paxil was affecting my ability to express deep felt emotions!
second, i get to come again... i guess everybody knows now that paxil and a good orgasm is an oxymoron.
third, i get to dream again. paxil affected my REM sleep, alot. i have missed that delicious state of being semi-conscious with my own private movie going on in my head.
fourth, i still have really weird sleeping habits, like a cat i still take naps that usually amount to eight hours a day, but i do not sleep 8 hours straight thru.
lastly, i am much more affected by caffeine. 2 cups of tea and i got the shakes.
anyways, mostly posting this for people who are trying to make the change (from paxil to serzone) and are experiencing side effects.
yo
Posted by Iden on July 23, 2000, at 11:41:55
In reply to Re: Serzone, posted by yona on July 23, 2000, at 6:26:08
> a little serzone update for those of you interested...
I know I am -- having tapered off Prozac and onto Serzone a little over two months ago.
>............. lastly, i am much more affected by
> caffeine. 2 cups of tea and i got the shakes.
> anyways, mostly posting this for people who
> are trying to make the change (from paxil to
> serzone) and are experiencing side effects.
> yoI have never been a heavy caffeine user -- in fact, didn't use it until in my forties. As I tapered up my dose of Serzone, I began to have periods of severe irritability and feeling like striking back verbally and physically at people and even inanimate objects. My patience was very low. I discovered that it was Serzone plus caffeine. I stopped caffeine for the last three weeks or so and yesterday at a public event, I had a regular-size can of Pepsi. Just that much caffeine caused another bout of irritability and loss of patience. I was even having thoughts of telling my lady-friend to get lost because she bugged me during a phone call that evening (my perception)-- hours later -- and quite unlike my usual manner. I drank the Pepsi because I was both thirsty (no water available) and I was curious. Just that amount of caffeine was all it took. I now know that I must totally avoid caffeine -- period.
I have been slowly tapering up my dose of Serzone and am now at 100 mg 2x/day. Most of the Serzone side effects I felt initially have subsided significantly.
Iden
Posted by yona on July 23, 2000, at 11:49:15
In reply to Re: Serzone + Caffeine, posted by Iden on July 23, 2000, at 11:41:55
thanks for the update. i got the feeling i am in the same boat. too bad for me because i have self-medicated with caffiene for years... my favorite drug actually. but what you said just made me know it's true for me too... the caffiene has gotta go. whaaaaa. but i will be better for it i am sure. thanks for the post.
yona
Posted by Mary Jane M on September 12, 2000, at 0:30:17
In reply to Re: Serzone + Caffeine, posted by yona on July 23, 2000, at 11:49:15
Can anyone please share their experiences with any of following side effects of serzone?: Does it cause weight gain or increased appetite? Does it help you go to sleep easily (within 30 minutes)? Do you get into deep REM sleep? Are you groggy the next morning? Does it help with panic and anxiety? Does it cause any shaking or tremors? Is libido improved (from being on paxil)?
I am looking for a "miracle"drug to help with all the side effects I'm having form other stuff. I'm sure you can all relate. I had severe postpartum depression 2 years ago which then became diag-
nosed as bipolar II. Any feedback appreciated!!
Posted by Cindy W on September 12, 2000, at 8:51:24
In reply to Re: Serzone , posted by Mary Jane M on September 12, 2000, at 0:30:17
> Can anyone please share their experiences with any of following side effects of serzone?: Does it cause weight gain or increased appetite? Does it help you go to sleep easily (within 30 minutes)? Do you get into deep REM sleep? Are you groggy the next morning? Does it help with panic and anxiety? Does it cause any shaking or tremors? Is libido improved (from being on paxil)?
> I am looking for a "miracle"drug to help with all the side effects I'm having form other stuff. I'm sure you can all relate. I had severe postpartum depression 2 years ago which then became diag-
> nosed as bipolar II. Any feedback appreciated!!Mary Jane, Serzone for me has had no bad side effects. The only things I noticed when taking 450 mg/day were: l) seeing "trails" in the middle of the night when I moved my hands through the air (kind of fun, really) and 2) urgent urination (at times, I had to run to the bathroom; there wouldn't be any feeling of needing to pee, I'd just start peeing). But no tremors, shaking, etc. It did not interfere an iota with sexual functioning. It helped my depression and social anxiety a lot! Plus I slept wonderfully. Now, on Effexor-XR 375 mg/day, I take Serzone 75 mg/day, which helps me sleep (not right away; but I get to sleep maybe an hour later, and sleep pretty soundly, and it doesn't seem to interfere with REM sleep the way Prozac, Effexor-XR, Luvox, and Zoloft do; sorry, never tried Paxil). Didn't seem to affect my appetite, and I don't feel groggy the next morning. But people are all different. Hope this helps!--Cindy W
Posted by Iden on September 12, 2000, at 18:30:38
In reply to Re: Serzone , posted by Mary Jane M on September 12, 2000, at 0:30:17
Posted by Mary Jane M on September 12, 2000, at 0:30:17
Can anyone please share their experiences with any of following side effects of serzone?
*My comments all start with *.
*I started on Serzone on May 17th while tapering off Prozac. I started at a rather low dose for two reasons. The first being that I have been very sensitive to all the antidepressants I have tried. As an example, I could tolerate up to about 10 mg / day of Prozac. That dose helped keep me from going into a bad depression but it wasn't enough to really kick the depression. The other reason for starting Serzone at a low dose was that some have posted here that Serzone is best started low and then with slow dose increases.
*I started at 25 mg once a day. Even that dose knocked me for a loop. By July 27th, I had worked myself up to 125 mg twice a day. The side effects were unpleasant to say the least -- grogginess - wooziness. The cure was worse than the depression at that point. I was hoping the side effects would diminish over time but they did not. I was at that dose for 15 days. I then dropped back to 100 mg in the morning and evening. In three days I started to feel better -- side-effect-wise. Underneath all the side effects it seemed like the depression was improved.
*On August 27th, I dropped to 75 mg in the morning and 100 in the evening and then started feeling better -- more productive and optimistic. A few days ago, I dropped to 75 mg morning and evening. No real improvement with the grogginess this time. On the evening of the 8th, I forgot to take my dose and the next morning I was motivated, optimistic, and more interested in things than in a long time. Coincidence? I plan to stay at the 75 mg morning and evening for a total of 2 weeks to see how it settles out and then will probably drop to 50 in the morning and 75 in the evening.
*The point to this is that I am looking for a dose that I can tolerate and will hopefully help the depression. I believe in giving each med a real chance rather than just giving up after a few weeks. Maybe Serzone isn't for me but maybe it will work at a lower dose. Remember that I am sensitive to these drugs and what I say is just one person's experience. We are all different.
Does it cause weight gain or increased appetite?
*No weight change so far. No appetite change so far. Alcohol seems to hit me harder and in an unpleasant way -- but not being much of a drinker, I avoid alcohol now for the most part.
Does it help you go to sleep easily (within 30 minutes)?
*My fall-asleep time has been good for several years. No change.
Do you get into deep REM sleep?
*What I can report is that my dreams are more detailed and intense. My sleep seems sounder with few or no wake-ups.
Are you groggy the next morning?
*I am groggy and a bit slower-thinking most all the time in varying degrees and absolutely attributable to Serzone.
Does it help with panic and anxiety?
*I don't have panic problems. I always run with some anxiety and have experienced no change with Serzone. The exception is that caffeine + Serzone makes me quite irritable and emotionally reactive. I am not much of a caffeine user so now avoid caffeine.
Does it cause any shaking or tremors?
*No.
Is libido improved (from being on paxil)?
*Not really but others report otherwise -- I was hoping, after years of Prozac. Sensation is improved. Less difficulty having an orgasm.
I am looking for a "miracle"drug to help with all the side effects
I'm having form other stuff.*You too????
Iden -- male 60
Posted by MarkinBoston on September 21, 2000, at 17:07:36
In reply to Re: Serzone / My experience, posted by Iden on September 12, 2000, at 18:30:38
I just started 50mg bid three days ago. My doc wanted me to take Serzone in the evening and Effexor XR in the AM, for three reasons: Effexor has worked for my major episodes in the past and I would eventually stop taking it due to sweating, inorgasmia, and demotivation, and it was doing nothing for my dysthymic anhedonia. Second, she has not had much success with her patients with Serzone. Lastly, Effexor is a bit speedy for me and Serzone a little sedating. SSRI's don't work for me, and I'd only want to take a safe MAOI like moclobromide, which isn't FDA approved. Welbutrin gives me flu-like symptoms.
I however knew what Effexor was like and never tried Serzone before, so I'm starting up with it and planning to increase the eve. dose, possibly using Effexor or Ritalin/w Serzone in the AM to offset the sominance. While some of my doc's pts. have used Ritalin with Effexor, i'm totally agitated and irritable. I've not tried T3 instead of Ritilin yet.
I don't dream when off meds, and after just the 2nd night on Serzone I had a very pleasant sexual dream. My libido has been nil for quite a while, with the exception of a recent course of testosterone hormone replacement therapy (which did make me feel much better and less depressed). The libido disappeared after I stopped the testosterone, but my blood pressure came down to normal. Withdrawing from testosterone was hell and I have a new appreciation of womens' PMS. I later found that steroid using bodybuilders take Clomid to prevent those crashes - endocrinologists arn't as up on these things as muscleheads apparently. The other reason I stopped was due to my excess fat, extra aromatization of testosterone into estrogen was occuring and making me really moody, depressed, weepy, and generally feeling like a big mess. Muscleheads take Arimidex or Tamoxifen to combat that, but endocrinologists arn't up on that either. Nevertheless, I came out of all of it feeling better so there is some possible carry-over into the positive side effects/feelings I'm getting on Serzone.
One MEDline paper suggests that Serzone resulted in a surge of human Growth Hormone after injestion. That's a good thing. GH supports healthy lean tissue growth/replacement and tends to decrease bodyfat. I think I'm experiencing some of that, though it could be a 4 week ago residual effect from testosterone therapy.
Last night I had another dream, positive, but not sexual. Unfortunately I did wake at 4am.
My appitite is still low, though that and the early wakenings have been symptomatic of my current depressive episode.
So, I'm quite encouraged by the little bit of experience I've had with Serzone so far. I plan to keep up blood work hoping to see my cortisol and estrogen go down and free testosterone go up.
Melancholic depression usually correlates with elevated cortisol levels (day and night) and I'm no longer going to tollerate the long-term consequences of fat gain, immune depression, and low libido. Libido is a prime goal of mine. What better motivation to lose weight?!
Posted by noa on September 24, 2000, at 14:21:03
In reply to Re: Serzone / My brief experience, posted by MarkinBoston on September 21, 2000, at 17:07:36
Mark, I am on the serzone/effexor combo, too, and it works pretty well for me. These two sort of balance each other out . I take 300 mg serzone at 6 pm-ish, and 300 effexor xr in the morning. I also take ritalin, which I think helps but is not an Essential component of my cocktail, and I take synthroid and cytomel, both of which are very definitely major players in controlling my depression, as I have hypothyroid.
The serzone counters the insomnia and restlessness and agitation of the effexor. Together they provide sufficient antidepressent effect. The serzone is somewhat sedating, but not overwhelmingly so. If I take it at 6, I can fall asleep at 10. I first tried taking it before bedtime, but that didn't work. I couldn't fall asleep for a long time, and then was still groggy in the morning.
One issue with serzone for me (and I've read others' similar accounts here) is that there are INITIAL effects that are very bothersome, like emotional lability, rage, grogginess, and balance/coordination problems. BUT, all of these went away after 3-4 weeks.
Good luck, I hope the combo continues to work for you.
Posted by Jo on September 27, 2000, at 19:07:26
In reply to Re: Serzone, posted by yona on July 23, 2000, at 6:26:08
I just found this message board today! I also started Serzone today. It is the first medication I've been prescribed, after begging my doctor for something to help me cope. I have been diagnosed with Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, at the fresh age of 30- just when I have begun to realize all my dreams and life goals.
I really appreciate all of your opinions. I have a graduate background in psychology and human ecology, and I was afraid to even talk to my colleagues about having to ask for an anti-depressant.
Posted by noa on October 8, 2000, at 10:20:49
In reply to Re: Serzone, posted by Jo on September 27, 2000, at 19:07:26
I have added a lot of links to the serzone folder at Psycho-Babble-Tips at egroups (link at top of this page).
I cannot vouch for all of the links, just put in lots of stuff that seemed interesting, but only having skimmed the material. Therefore, comments, feedback welcome.
Posted by noa on October 8, 2000, at 10:25:25
In reply to Re: Serzone, posted by Jo on September 27, 2000, at 19:07:26
> I just found this message board today! I also started Serzone today.
Since this is your first AD, here is some very important advice about Serzone:It can, for some people, cause really difficult INITIAL reactions, such as moodiness, rage, crying, loss of balance, grogginess. However, a number of people have reported these reactions disappear after the first few weeks, and that sticking it out is worth it.
I am one of those people. I am glad I stuck it out, because serzone (I take it in combo with other things) is a valuable addition to my "cocktail". The bad effects went away after 3-4 weeks.
Now, I take 300 mg. at around 6 pm. It allows me to sleep at night, which was hard because of the effexor,and counteracts other negative effects of the effexor, such as restlessness, fidgitiness, anxiety.
Good luck.
Posted by mjoe on December 30, 2000, at 18:03:30
In reply to Re: Serzone, posted by yona on July 18, 2000, at 15:06:36
I am a freshman in college and after ,y first bout with panic attacks and slight depression I started Prozac. Prozac cause horrible side effects. I had intestinal problems for 3 weeks, couldn't eat and lost 20 pounds altogether since the summer. On top of this, my anxiety became much more severe and I was launched into the worst depression of my life. I have also experienced some OCD. After this I tried zoloft and experienced confusion with sligh improvement to the depression. My doctor has most recently prescribed Serzone. But I am scarred of potentential side effects and the possibility of making it worse. I was also wondering how long I should wait in between the zoloft and the serzone. If anybody has any advice it would be great.
Thanks,
Posted by Jw on January 6, 2001, at 23:54:28
In reply to Re: Serzone, posted by mjoe on December 30, 2000, at 18:03:30
I have recently started Serazone this past week. I have been on Zoloft for almost 5 years now. I am having few of the side effects mentioned in previous posts. I, however, am having tremors. It is like being really cold inside. My hands also feel very cold. I can't quite describe it.
My main question is....Does this quaking and tremoring go away? I sure hope so, I don't think I can deal with it, otherwise.
I am feeling little difference in my depression. I feel like my body is 'missing' the Zoloft. I am feeling like my body isn't attached to my head. I DON'T attribute this to the Serazone because this has happend before when I have forgotten to take my Zoloft or have tried to go off of the medicine.
As far as the benefits of Serazone, I am not seeing too many. I know it is early. I have some problems getting up in the morning which isn't great, but oh well. Part of that is just enjoying the comfort of my bed. :) I feel this won't be a problem when I return to college as I will have classes to attend and work to go to. I, however, wish the detached feeling would go away. That was the most positive part of taking the Zoloft, I felt. It made me feel like I was part of the world again. I am not feeling that way with Serazone, yet. I feel like I'm still in a movie or something. Life feels slower....
I suppose you could say that there is a benefit to Serazone. I am feeling much more frisky lately. :)
-J
P.S. This board has helped me way more than my therapist ever could have. I think she just wants me to rattle off some symptoms and she plugs me into some sort of formula and I get some new pill. I really don't enjoy those types of therapists much.....
Posted by SLS on January 7, 2001, at 8:26:37
In reply to Re: Serzone, posted by Jw on January 6, 2001, at 23:54:28
> I, however, wish the detached feeling would go away. That was the most positive part of taking the Zoloft, I felt. It made me feel like I was part of the world again. I am not feeling that way with Serazone, yet. I feel like I'm still in a movie or something. Life feels slower....
> I suppose you could say that there is a benefit to Serazone. I am feeling much more frisky lately. :)
Hi JW.It might have been worth it to keep the Zoloft and simply add Serzone to it. Although there is always the potential for "serotonin syndrome" when any two serotonergic drugs are combined, I believe the risk is very small. You can discuss this with your doctor. Combining an SSRI with Serzone is sometimes recommended for difficult cases. It has been used by people here.
It seems that Serzone might be helping a bit, yes? From what I can see from posts, each drug tends to attack different components of a depression. The combination can make for a great treatment for people who are both depressed and have OCD. Since both Zoloft and Sersone may be partially effective for you, perhaps this is an indication of a synergy between the two:
zero detachment + friskiness = improvement
I don't know. Just thinking out loud...I guess I've just been bored these past few days.
- Scott
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