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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Luka on May 20, 2003, at 3:07:49
I am considering taking serzone and effexor xr together.
Does anyone have experience with this combination ?
Suggestions ?
Thanks.
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on May 20, 2003, at 8:35:03
In reply to Effexor and serzone together, posted by Luka on May 20, 2003, at 3:07:49
> I am considering taking serzone and effexor xr together.
> Does anyone have experience with this combination ?
----------------I did that for about a month. I don't remember anything special happening (maybe mild shakiness), but it was a while ago. Which one were you on first? I'd have to say I liked Serzone more than Effexor.
Posted by Luka on May 20, 2003, at 14:52:47
In reply to Re: Effexor and serzone together, posted by Eddie Sylvano on May 20, 2003, at 8:35:03
I was on serzone for quite a while.
Recently, it started losing effectiveness. Plus, there was a loose bladder problem that was getting worse. I decided it was time to change meds.
My Doctor first switched me to Paxil. Man, what a mistake. That stuff took me directly to hell in a rocket-powered handbasket. Do not pass go, do not pick up hope. Just go directly to the halls of utter despair.
I then switched to effexor, since it works similarly to serzone. I ramped up with first, 37.5mg, then 75mg. Have now been on 150mg for about a week and a half.
The bladder problem has gone the other direction. Only a very slight sexual problem. Nausea and headache. All very slight, and nothing that would make me stop taking a med.
I also seem to be drained of energy and volition. Constantly tired.
The best thing I can say about effexor right now is that it has not done the same thing that the paxil did. It doesn't seem to be working very much at all as an anti-depressant.
Simple academic thought makes me wonder if the serzone could give the right kind of boost to the effexor. Even though it wasn't working so well any more, by itself.
Posted by noa on May 20, 2003, at 20:52:05
In reply to Effexor and serzone together, posted by Luka on May 20, 2003, at 3:07:49
Yes, I take 225 Effexor XR and 500 Serzone. Effexor in the am and Serzone about an hour or two before bed.
Posted by Luka on May 20, 2003, at 22:35:18
In reply to Re: Effexor and serzone together, posted by noa on May 20, 2003, at 20:52:05
> Yes, I take 225 Effexor XR and 500 Serzone. Effexor in the am and Serzone about an hour or two before bed.
Do you have experience taking just one or the other alone ?
If so, what effects are there with both, which you do not have with just one or the other ?
Any side effects made worse ? Any good effects made better ?
Etc.
Posted by noa on May 21, 2003, at 4:14:10
In reply to Re: Effexor and serzone together, posted by Luka on May 20, 2003, at 22:35:18
> Do you have experience taking just one or the other alone ?
Yes, I took Effexor for a few years before adding Serzone.
> If so, what effects are there with both, which you do not have with just one or the other ?
>
> Any side effects made worse ? Any good effects made better ?The reason I started the Serzone is because I needed a higher level of AD effect but couldn't tolerate higher doses of Effexor because of SEs such as myoclonus, sweating, insomnia, agitation, headache, bladder problems, word-retrieval problems, etc. etc. I had been taking a small dose of trazadone for help sleeping (ie, counteracting the insomnia from the effexor), but it was working less effectively. The pdoc suggested that I discontinue trazodone and introduce Serzone, both for the insomnia and the AD effect.
The Serzone did add more AD effect, and quieted the myoclonus, and helped with sleep. I find it quite sedating, so I take it at night. It is worn off by morning. Being able to lower the effexor dose helped with the other SE's. The only one that still really bothers me is the bladder problems, although since I lowered the effexor recently to 225 from 262.5, this is a bit better.
I started with a higher effexor: serzone ratio, but gradually increased the Serzone and decreased the Effexor because of the Effexor SE's. I was on the 500:262.5 doses for a few years, until recently lowering the Effexor to 225.
Serzone has initiation SEs that some people find rough. For me, it was grogginess, balance problems, and emotional lability. But these faded within about 2 to 3 weeks. For me, I am very glad I stuck through the initial SE's, because Serzone has helped a lot.
My understanding is that Serzone blocks the serotonin from activating the postsynaptic 5HT2-A receptors, which, at least in part, account for the muscle twitches (myoclonus) and muscle tension. The Serzone has made the myoclonus nearly non-existent, save for the occasional twitch which I think is no more than what the average person has. But I still have akithisia, though not as bad as before, which is experienced at night as restless legs. For that I take a very small dose of ativan.
Posted by Luka on May 22, 2003, at 2:26:14
In reply to Re: Effexor and serzone together, posted by noa on May 21, 2003, at 4:14:10
Thank you VERY much, Noa.
I read the posts here with the knowledge that everyone is different. And I am probably the most different of all. LOL
Most people say that effexor keeps them awake. It has me sleepy 24/7. Trazodone never sedated me even the slightest. Etc. Go figure.
Anyway, I do pick up enough second hand info here, that I am able to compare my own experiences with those of others. And to build a bit of an idea of how something may possibly work for me.
It is always good, though, to be able to ask direct questions and get direct answers like your own. Again, thank you very much.
: )
This is the end of the thread.
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