![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Janelle on March 6, 2002, at 16:24:06
I have recently switched pdocs and the new one is changing like ALL my meds, so I will have a series of questions to post on here. First, he is having me change from EffexorXR (which kept my head above water but has not alleviated the depression) to SERZONE.
I'm a bit apprehensive about making this change because I've only heard negative things about Serzone, such as it is very sedating, to the point of making you a zombie and does little to help depression.
HELP! I would greatly appreciate hearing from anyone who's on Serzone or has been on it, and what your experiences have been with it. Thank you very much.
Posted by JohnX2 on March 6, 2002, at 16:50:14
In reply to HELP! Need experiences with SERZONE !!, posted by Janelle on March 6, 2002, at 16:24:06
Hi Janelle,Its hard to answer a generic question like this without
knowing what meds you were on, what is the rationale for
your pdoc switching you to Serzone, etc.Have you made it through a complete trial of other
meds that you didn't like (like you took it for 4-8
weeks)? And why did you not like those meds, why were
they prescribed etc.These are things your pdoc had to take into account when making
that decision with you.There are Serzone success stories and Serzone failure stories. Unfotunately there
is no medicine with 100% cure all for everyone.
Different medicines for different folks.If you name any med I can give you a crummy side
effect that some portion of the patient population
gets, but it doesn't mean that you will get it or
it won't go away after a good trial of the medicine.
For serzone, sedation is one of the greater complaints.
Doesn't mean YOU'LL be drugged out, in fact you
may feel no sedation. I take serzone depression and
headaches and am fine.So I guess it would be interesting to know your
pdocs motivation? Did you discuss your concerns
about side effects that you may not like? I personally
would not feel good walking out the door with a prescription
for a medicine I am psychologically biased against, it hurts
my chances of getting a response.sorry if I wasn't much help.
please be persistent at giving your meds a chance
to help you.Best wishes,
John
> I have recently switched pdocs and the new one is changing like ALL my meds, so I will have a series of questions to post on here. First, he is having me change from EffexorXR (which kept my head above water but has not alleviated the depression) to SERZONE.
>
> I'm a bit apprehensive about making this change because I've only heard negative things about Serzone, such as it is very sedating, to the point of making you a zombie and does little to help depression.
>
> HELP! I would greatly appreciate hearing from anyone who's on Serzone or has been on it, and what your experiences have been with it. Thank you very much.
Posted by Janelle on March 6, 2002, at 17:59:29
In reply to Re: HELP! Need experiences with SERZONE !! » Janelle, posted by JohnX2 on March 6, 2002, at 16:50:14
Hi JohnX2,
Thank you for responding to my post(s). If you have more to respond after you read this, please do so! Thanks.
To answer your questions and discuss things a bit more, here goes ... the most recent (current) meds I have been on (and I've been on them WAAAY longer than the 4-8 week trial!) are EffexorXR, Klonopin, and Zyprexa.
They were prescribed for depression and anxiety, and now there's been a diagnosis of BiPolarII, because I have cycles.
The *reasons* behind switching from the above meds to Seroquel, Lithobid and Serzone is because the above meds have been of little help. I start to feel better and functioning again only to crash again. I can't seem to sustain *wellness* on those meds. It's been a roller coaster ride, up and down, up and down and I can't take it anymore.
Interestingly, I have yet to hear of ANY *success* stories with SERZONE! Your news that you take it and are fine is the first *good* thing I've heard! I'm very glad to know this, I'm happy for you that it works!
I did discuss my concerns about possible side effects of the new meds with my pdoc, who reassured me that he's starting me on low doses and said similar things to what you mentioned - everyone reacts differently and I may not (or I may) get the side effects I was concerned about. This is why I'm willing to give the new combo of meds a chance, yet I can't help but be apprehensive about so many changes!
Hope this clarifies things.
-Janelle
Posted by Waterlily on March 7, 2002, at 8:20:31
In reply to HELP! Need experiences with SERZONE !!, posted by Janelle on March 6, 2002, at 16:24:06
I have been on Serzone for 6 days. My doc prescribed it to reduce my generalized anxiety. I have also been on Wellbutrin for 5 years. I have tried other meds for anxiety but only Ativan has worked. I had some terrible side effects at first (increased anxiety, dizziness, drowsiness, lightheaded), so much that I almost quit taking it after the first day. I stuck with it though and the side effects have diminished, although I developed a sandpaper rash (bumps, but no itching or redness) on Tuesday. I started out with 100 mg on Friday and then increased it to 150 mg on Monday. Tonight I increase it to 200 mg. I will stop increasing when I get to 300 mg. Yesterday I donated blood and my blood pressure was lower than normal (it was 98/70) which might explain the lightheadedness and dizziness. My pulse rate was lower than normal and my temperature was 92 degrees farenheit. I thought that was interesting, but I'm not sure if I need to bring it to the attention of my doctor before I see him two weeks from now. Anyway, despite the problems, I'm optimistic about it helping the anxiety and I'm going to stick with it for at least a month.
Posted by JohnX2 on March 7, 2002, at 18:32:12
In reply to Re: HELP! Need experiences with SERZONE !!, posted by Waterlily on March 7, 2002, at 8:20:31
Waterlily/Janelle.My skin turned a little red when I started Serzone
for the 1st week and I felt hot flashes. I actually
pushed the dose prety fast to 300 mg. I took my temperature
because I felt odd, and was surprised that it dropped to
96 degrees. I felt a bit anxious at first. After a few
days the anxiety dropped substantially, my temperature
went back to normal and my sleep has been *wonderful*.If you dig back through a PTSD thread from last
weel, there is a post by someone who prescribes SERZONE alot
who describes good strategies for minimizing start up side effects.
(Basically recommend going up really slow to find a good
therapeutic range for the patient).-John
> I have been on Serzone for 6 days. My doc prescribed it to reduce my generalized anxiety. I have also been on Wellbutrin for 5 years. I have tried other meds for anxiety but only Ativan has worked. I had some terrible side effects at first (increased anxiety, dizziness, drowsiness, lightheaded), so much that I almost quit taking it after the first day. I stuck with it though and the side effects have diminished, although I developed a sandpaper rash (bumps, but no itching or redness) on Tuesday. I started out with 100 mg on Friday and then increased it to 150 mg on Monday. Tonight I increase it to 200 mg. I will stop increasing when I get to 300 mg. Yesterday I donated blood and my blood pressure was lower than normal (it was 98/70) which might explain the lightheadedness and dizziness. My pulse rate was lower than normal and my temperature was 92 degrees farenheit. I thought that was interesting, but I'm not sure if I need to bring it to the attention of my doctor before I see him two weeks from now. Anyway, despite the problems, I'm optimistic about it helping the anxiety and I'm going to stick with it for at least a month.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.