Posted by Cindy on December 5, 1999, at 21:29:15
In reply to Re: For Cindy (& anyone w/all the answers), posted by Doug on December 5, 1999, at 16:07:08
> > > > > "Cindy, how is the effexor and does it have fewer side effects (cognitive, not physical)?"
> > >
> > >
> > > "With Effexor, I think I can think more clearly"
> > >
> > >
> > > ***Could you please clarify what it means to not be able to think clearly while on Serzone? I am interested in this drug because it is supposedly efficacious for anxiety (having failed to ameliorate this problem with Paxil, Effexor, Buspar, and Epival), but problems with cognition and memory are something I simply cannot afford to have (N.B., impairment of memory and concentration are among the most marked- and emotionally debilitating- features of my depression). In addition, has anyone experienced cognitive problems with Remeron?
> > >
> > > -Kev
> > > I have been taking Serzone for about 2 months now. I am up to 300 mgs daily (have been for about
> > 6 weeks). I am taking for social phobia. The only positive is that I have had no sexual side effect (anorgasmia) as I did with Paxil, Luvox, and Celexa. However, and this is a big however, so far I have noticed that it hasn't seemed to help with the social phobia. Also, as for negative side effects it seems to make me somewhat depressed which I hardly ever had a problem with until I started treatment for the social phobia. Also I get somewhat fidgety at times and have difficulty concentrating (it seems like I go blank at work for 5 or 6 seconds before I realize what I was thinking about). It seems to me that 2 months is enough time to gauge Serzone's effectiveness. Anyone have any thoughts on this ? Also, has anyone experiencing social phobia had success with Serzone or with BCT ? I am thinking of trying the benzo or MAOI route.
> > Thanks,
> > Doug
> Correction to my previous post : BCT was meant as CBT.
Doug, when doing therapy groups at work (scary for me, and anxiety-arousing, usually), I found that on Serzone, I didn't have the anxiety I usually have. I think my "performances" as group leader were the best I have ever done, and the people in the group seemed to really respond to my spontaneous verbalizations (I felt like I was talking without thinking). On Effexor, I still feel less anxious around people but don't have the sense of well-being and feel that my mind is calmer, but I am "censoring" or at least monitoring my thoughts before I speak them. My mind feels much calmer (fewer "racing" thoughts or intrusive, negative thoughts). I don't feel either medication affected my concentration, memory, or attention adversely. I am taking 150 mg/day of Effexor-XR at present, and before took 450 mg/day of Serzone.--Cindy
poster:Cindy
thread:15720
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991123/msgs/16276.html