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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by bookgurl99 on April 14, 2003, at 18:08:52
In reply to Re: Has anyone switched from Zoloft to Serzone?, posted by Katia on April 14, 2003, at 2:39:21
It's so funny that you bring this up, because I have been on Zoloft for nearly a year and am now ready to try to get off/switch. The main reason is that my attention span has vanished. I don't notice as much, but people around me -- friends and my partner -- have said that it is really hard to have a conversation with me. And I notice that it is hard for me to do things that require intense concentration.
I would really suggest trying the Serzone. Some people say they feel manic on it, but some people love it. Otherwise I'd try another dual-mechanism drug like Effexor.I am trying to get in to see someone now, wish me luck.
Posted by Katia on April 15, 2003, at 18:28:43
In reply to Re: Has anyone switched from Zoloft to Serzone? » Katia, posted by bookgurl99 on April 14, 2003, at 18:08:52
> It's so funny that you bring this up, because I have been on Zoloft for nearly a year and am now ready to try to get off/switch. The main reason is that my attention span has vanished. I don't notice as much, but people around me -- friends and my partner -- have said that it is really hard to have a conversation with me. And I notice that it is hard for me to do things that require intense concentration.
>
>
> I would really suggest trying the Serzone. Some people say they feel manic on it, but some people love it. Otherwise I'd try another dual-mechanism drug like Effexor.
>
> I am trying to get in to see someone now, wish me luck.Hi,
I actually tried Effexor for four months. It seemed to work for a tad bit, but the side effects got horrendous, the brain shivers.I'm just getting on Wellbutrin so we'll see how that goes, although I'm drawn somehow to Serzone. Maybe I'll augment with ser. if the WB is too stimulating.
good luck!
Katia
Posted by Katia on April 20, 2003, at 16:25:21
In reply to Re: Has anyone switched from Zoloft to Serzone? » Katia, posted by bookgurl99 on April 14, 2003, at 18:08:52
ANYONE?? who is getting off Zoloft or who has done it? I'm having a nightmare of a time. (I've only been on it for three months). I am not sure if what I'm experiencing was the two weeks I started on wellbutrin, which I stopped. I tapered off of the Zoloft and stopped both the same day. The reason i stopped the WB was b/c I was experiencing those electrical jolts that I had when on Effexor. Now, I don't know if it's the Zoloft w/drawal or the beginning side effects of WB. Every time my heart speeds up a beat (like when I MOVE) electrical jolts go through my fingers. My fingers almost always feel like they were asleep and just waking up. I feel like I"m going to have a heart attack all the time. It's so hard to explain to people, that I've given up. this is subtle torture that I am suffering in silence. How do you explain this wierd shit?:!!!
Frankly, I'm too afraid to go on anything else. I don't have a regular pdoc b/c of the overworked clinic i go to....long story. bottom line I don't have a good doc. I suggest, me the depressed patient, suggest what to go on next and he just agrees. He gave me a starter pack for Serzone, but I'm starting to give up hope about ADs. esp. when this is the second time I've had to go through this electrical torture. I don't know what to do from here. I feel really alone in this and unsupported and my strength for hope and life is dwindling away. I'm not going to start Serzone or anything else right now. I feel too afraid.
I'd like to know how your withdrawal has been from Zoloft. or anyone else for that matter? so hopefully I can know that this won't last forever.
thanks.
katia
Posted by shnooky on April 20, 2003, at 16:53:04
In reply to hellish withdrawals from Zoloft anyone? » bookgurl99, posted by Katia on April 20, 2003, at 16:25:21
> ANYONE?? who is getting off Zoloft or who has done it? I'm having a nightmare of a time. (I've only been on it for three months). I am not sure if what I'm experiencing was the two weeks I started on wellbutrin, which I stopped. I tapered off of the Zoloft and stopped both the same day. The reason i stopped the WB was b/c I was experiencing those electrical jolts that I had when on Effexor. Now, I don't know if it's the Zoloft w/drawal or the beginning side effects of WB. Every time my heart speeds up a beat (like when I MOVE) electrical jolts go through my fingers. My fingers almost always feel like they were asleep and just waking up. I feel like I"m going to have a heart attack all the time. It's so hard to explain to people, that I've given up. this is subtle torture that I am suffering in silence. How do you explain this wierd shit?:!!!
> Frankly, I'm too afraid to go on anything else. I don't have a regular pdoc b/c of the overworked clinic i go to....long story. bottom line I don't have a good doc. I suggest, me the depressed patient, suggest what to go on next and he just agrees. He gave me a starter pack for Serzone, but I'm starting to give up hope about ADs. esp. when this is the second time I've had to go through this electrical torture. I don't know what to do from here. I feel really alone in this and unsupported and my strength for hope and life is dwindling away. I'm not going to start Serzone or anything else right now. I feel too afraid.
> I'd like to know how your withdrawal has been from Zoloft. or anyone else for that matter? so hopefully I can know that this won't last forever.
> thanks.
> katiaHi Katia, I really wish that we could talk on MSN or another chat line......I have a similar story to yours and I think I can help you!!
Summer
Posted by Katia on April 20, 2003, at 17:07:44
In reply to Re: hellish withdrawals from Zoloft anyone?, posted by shnooky on April 20, 2003, at 16:53:04
>
> Hi Katia, I really wish that we could talk on MSN or another chat line......I have a similar story to yours and I think I can help you!!
> SummerHi Summer,
sure, if you can give an e-mail address or vice versa (I'd prefer the former). we can chat outside of here.
katia
Posted by shnooky on April 20, 2003, at 17:35:28
In reply to Re: hellish withdrawals from Zoloft anyone? » shnooky, posted by Katia on April 20, 2003, at 17:07:44
> >
> > Hi Katia, I really wish that we could talk on MSN or another chat line......I have a similar story to yours and I think I can help you!!
> > Summer
>
> Hi Summer,
> sure, if you can give an e-mail address or vice versa (I'd prefer the former). we can chat outside of here.
> katiaHi Katia, my email address is shanahalbert@hotmail.com
Posted by SoS on April 20, 2003, at 19:57:36
In reply to Re: hellish withdrawals from Zoloft anyone?, posted by shnooky on April 20, 2003, at 17:35:28
Yes, I had a horrible time with getting off of zoloft. The electrical shock thing has been experienced by TONS of people. If you look up anti-depressant side effects you should find some sites that have those kind of stories. I didn't experience them with Serzone, and I do know it's VERY weird to try to explain to people who don't know. My mom didn't believe me or take it seriously until she was on zoloft and had them too. Very annoying side effect. I really hope you can figure this all out and maybe get a better pdoc or something. I'm sorry you have to go through this on your own.
MM
Posted by shnooky on April 21, 2003, at 1:06:16
In reply to Re: hellish withdrawals from Zoloft anyone?, posted by shnooky on April 20, 2003, at 17:35:28
> > >
> > > Hi Katia, I really wish that we could talk on MSN or another chat line......I have a similar story to yours and I think I can help you!!
> > > Summer
> >
> > Hi Summer,
> > sure, if you can give an e-mail address or vice versa (I'd prefer the former). we can chat outside of here.
> > katia
>
> Hi Katia, my email address is shanahalbert@hotmail.comHi again.......I had a bit of a time submiting a post, so I had to Register again, so my name migh show up as Shnooky!! Anyways I thought I would give you a little history of my Panic Disorder/Anxiety. I was diagnosed 41/2 years ago, and well I knew that it might happen to me, because both my parents have it also!!! My Dad has the same thing as me, and my mom's case is mostly Depression, but she also has experienced panic attacks. This went on for years as I was growing up, and their doctor had them taking Norpromine. My Dad also was taking Trilifon which is an anti-anxiety pill. It leaveled them off for years, but never did they feel 100%!! My dad did alot of reading on Serzone, and had his doctor switch him to it!!! After about 6 months, my mom was seeing how much better my dad was doing, so she switched to Serzone also!! They both say that they have never felt better!! My Dad still takes the Trilifon also to help out even more for the anxiety!! When I first was diagnosed, I was put on Zoloft 100mg a day........well having never experienced these spells before, I thought the panic and anxiety would never go away....but the doctor kept telling me it will get better, you just have to be patient! (Well easier said than done!!) But I was patient, and what do you know, after a painful 2months, I was finely me again!!
Of course I would still have an off day once in awhile, but it was completly tolerable, nothing like it was in the beginning! I remained on the Zoloft for 31/2 years, and the only reason I switched, was because, I had gained about 30lbs and I was sick and tired of my boyfriend complaining about the lack of Sex drive I had!!! I tried Effexor for 2 days and I hated it!! I totally know what those electric brain shocks are all about, and I totally believe it was the Effexor not the going off of the Zoloft, because when I stoped taking the Effexor I just immediatly started taking my Zoloft again and the shocks stopped!! A few months after that I thought I would give Serzone a try.....Why not, both of my parents are on it, and since our genetics are the same, there shouldn't be any problems!! So what my doctor did was lower my Zoloft down from 100mg a day to 75mg and started me taking 50mg a day of the Serzone all at once. Then the following week I went down to 50mg of Zoloft and then starting taking 100mg of Serzone. Then down to 25mg of the Zoloft with the Serzone, and then completly off the Zoloft to 300mg a day of Serzone. I had next to nothing for side affects when doing it this way and Apparently Zoloft and Serzone compliment each other very well, and can be taken together!!
My sex drive came back after awhile and after about 6months, I started to lose a few pounds here and there!! It's been almost a year since I've been on the Serzone, and just this past week I had a pretty bad spell with the Panic/anxiety..........It scared the shit out of me, because it's been 41/2 years since I experienced feelings like that!! I went and saw my doctor and he said first off, that this disorder is very seasonal for alot of people and that sometime after a really long winter the panic can worsen a bit for period of time and then relax itself out again!! But also that I wasn't at a really high dose, and since I told him that I was doing well on 300mg that he wasn't going to just up me!! But since I was feeling pretty rough, he thought it was time to up it to 400mg, (That is what my parents have been on for along time, so I wasn't nervous to do so!!) He also gave me some .5mg of Ativan, to have on hand to take when it gets really bad!! you can take up to 3 a day, but it's been 4 days and I've only taken 2!! It just calms you down a little bit when your feeling thoughs really bad panicy feelings!! So far so good, I'm definitly not getting worse, just gotta wait until the higher dose of Serzone is in my system!! I'll keep you posted on that!!
Well that's my story, sorry I know it's long!!
Summer
Posted by Katia on April 21, 2003, at 17:41:22
In reply to Re: hellish withdrawals from Zoloft anyone? Katia » shnooky, posted by SoS on April 20, 2003, at 19:57:36
Posted by Katia on April 21, 2003, at 17:52:54
In reply to Re: hellish withdrawals from Zoloft anyone?, posted by shnooky on April 21, 2003, at 1:06:16
Hi Summer,
Thanks for taking so much time to tell your story. That gives me hope about the Serzone. On zoloft, I was SUCH a zombie. Like I said, it felt like I had weights in every pore of my bones. Even in the midst of this withdrawal, i have a glimmer of some energy that I had when not on Zoloft. I've gained about five pounds, but it was simply from lack of activity b/c of my zombie state. I still haven't taken the Serzone, I feel a bit nervous to until I can get to a good pdoc and part of me just wants to clear my system of meds for a bit and see how I feel. Depression and finding the right meds is not so cut and dry! I had panic attacks when I was a teenager, but anxiety/panic is not a big problem for me. occassionaly i'll have a hit of panic, but somehow that's not been a big thing for me. I think maybe the anxiety manifests itself differently in people. I worry a lot and obsess over things; can't fully relax and feel safe. so who knows....
katia
Posted by SoS on April 21, 2003, at 17:57:49
In reply to Re: hellish withdrawals from Zoloft anyone? » shnooky, posted by Katia on April 21, 2003, at 17:52:54
One thing I forgot to mention about serzone is that it worked pretty well for my anxiety/obsessing.....it was a calming influence for me. Sometimes combinations of anti-depressants work better than one by itself too.
MM
Posted by bookgurl99 on April 21, 2003, at 22:34:47
In reply to hellish withdrawals from Zoloft anyone? » bookgurl99, posted by Katia on April 20, 2003, at 16:25:21
katia,
i had the electrical jolt feelings when i got off of another anti-depressant. i had the jolts that go down your fingers and the jolts that feel like they're in your heart. i had the same fears about having a heart attack, and several major panic attacks.
the jolts did last for a few months, to be honest, and really freaked me out -- but they faded away. i don't think you need to fear permanent damage.
as for serzone, i was on it and it worked really well; for the people who can take it, it's has alot of the positives of an ssri without all the side effects. (less flattened mood, less sexual problems, etc.)
good luck, i hope you can find some help and find a way to relax.
books
Posted by shnooky on April 21, 2003, at 23:22:12
In reply to Re: hellish withdrawals from Zoloft anyone? » shnooky, posted by Katia on April 21, 2003, at 17:52:54
> Hi Summer,
> Thanks for taking so much time to tell your story. That gives me hope about the Serzone. On zoloft, I was SUCH a zombie. Like I said, it felt like I had weights in every pore of my bones. Even in the midst of this withdrawal, i have a glimmer of some energy that I had when not on Zoloft. I've gained about five pounds, but it was simply from lack of activity b/c of my zombie state. I still haven't taken the Serzone, I feel a bit nervous to until I can get to a good pdoc and part of me just wants to clear my system of meds for a bit and see how I feel. Depression and finding the right meds is not so cut and dry! I had panic attacks when I was a teenager, but anxiety/panic is not a big problem for me. occassionaly i'll have a hit of panic, but somehow that's not been a big thing for me. I think maybe the anxiety manifests itself differently in people. I worry a lot and obsess over things; can't fully relax and feel safe. so who knows....
> katiaKatia,
Good luck finding a good pdoc!! Keep in touch and if you need to talk just email me or send a post!! Things always seem to find a way to work itself out!!
Summer
Posted by Katia on April 23, 2003, at 13:26:35
In reply to Re: hellish withdrawals from Zoloft anyone? » Katia, posted by bookgurl99 on April 21, 2003, at 22:34:47
> katia,
>
> i had the electrical jolt feelings when i got off of another anti-depressant. i had the jolts that go down your fingers and the jolts that feel like they're in your heart. i had the same fears about having a heart attack, and several major panic attacks.
>
> the jolts did last for a few months, to be honest, and really freaked me out -- but they faded away. i don't think you need to fear permanent damage.
>
> as for serzone, i was on it and it worked really well; for the people who can take it, it's has alot of the positives of an ssri without all the side effects. (less flattened mood, less sexual problems, etc.)
>
> good luck, i hope you can find some help and find a way to relax.
>
> booksHi Books!
thanks for your input. Was the one you were on Effexor? I experienced something similar on effexor. Yea, it's quite brutal on our bodies isn't it? this w/drawal.
Are you still on Serzone? Did it cause you to be a zombie? (I was a zombie on Zoloft). I need energy as I've got so much going on in my life. Did you sleep a lot on Serzone? Did you gain weight? How long were you on it? And what do you mean, that Serzone works really well for the people who can take it? What was the w/drawal like? Any electrical jolts?
Thanks so much.
Katia
Posted by bookgurl99 on April 23, 2003, at 23:25:27
In reply to Re: hellish withdrawals from Zoloft anyone? » bookgurl99, posted by Katia on April 23, 2003, at 13:26:35
Katia,
here's my attempt at answring your questions:
>Was the one you were on Effexor?no, it was luvox.
>Are you still on Serzone?
no, i'm on zoloft, but i am going to a pdoc to try something else -- maybe serzone again.
>Did it cause you to be a zombie? (I was a zombie on Zoloft).
No, it did not make me a zombie. i felt normal, quite social, able to feel emotions, just not with the anxiety/ocd symptoms that plague me.
>Did you sleep a lot on Serzone? Did you gain weight? How long were you on it?
It made me feel a little tired during the day, and I slept easily. I did gain weight, but I have a slow thyroid so I can't tell if it caused weight gain or not -- if it did, it caused less than zoloft has as a side effect. I took it for 2 separate 2-year periods.
>And what do you mean, that Serzone works really well for the people who can take it? What was the w/drawal like? Any electrical jolts?Some people feel manic on Serzone, so they can't take it. I've heard this complaint from a few people. I think it's all about your own brains and what they need.
Withdrawal was tough, with a few panic attacks. It would have been easier if I had known what was going on. Electrical jolts, maybe a few after withdrawal, but not while I was on it.
Make sense?
books
Posted by shnooky on April 23, 2003, at 23:45:47
In reply to Re: hellish withdrawals from Zoloft anyone? » Katia, posted by bookgurl99 on April 23, 2003, at 23:25:27
> Katia,
>
> here's my attempt at answring your questions:
>
>
> >Was the one you were on Effexor?
>
> no, it was luvox.
>
> >Are you still on Serzone?
>
> no, i'm on zoloft, but i am going to a pdoc to try something else -- maybe serzone again.
>
> >Did it cause you to be a zombie? (I was a zombie on Zoloft).
>
> No, it did not make me a zombie. i felt normal, quite social, able to feel emotions, just not with the anxiety/ocd symptoms that plague me.
>
> >Did you sleep a lot on Serzone? Did you gain weight? How long were you on it?
>
> It made me feel a little tired during the day, and I slept easily. I did gain weight, but I have a slow thyroid so I can't tell if it caused weight gain or not -- if it did, it caused less than zoloft has as a side effect. I took it for 2 separate 2-year periods.
>
>
> >And what do you mean, that Serzone works really well for the people who can take it? What was the w/drawal like? Any electrical jolts?
>
> Some people feel manic on Serzone, so they can't take it. I've heard this complaint from a few people. I think it's all about your own brains and what they need.
>
> Withdrawal was tough, with a few panic attacks. It would have been easier if I had known what was going on. Electrical jolts, maybe a few after withdrawal, but not while I was on it.
>
> Make sense?Books,
I was just wondering what it is that you suffer from?? Is it panic/anxiety or depression, or both?? Why are you thinking of changing medicatons?? Are you not doing well on the Zoloft??
Thanks
Shnooky
>
> books
>
>
>
>
>
Posted by Katia on April 24, 2003, at 13:36:53
In reply to Re: hellish withdrawals from Zoloft anyone? » Katia, posted by bookgurl99 on April 23, 2003, at 23:25:27
Posted by bookgurl99 on April 25, 2003, at 10:17:42
In reply to Re: hellish withdrawals from Zoloft anyone?, posted by shnooky on April 23, 2003, at 23:45:47
> Books,
> I was just wondering what it is that you suffer from?? Is it panic/anxiety or depression, or both?? Why are you thinking of changing medicatons?? Are you not doing well on the Zoloft??
> Thanks
> Shnooky
Hey Shnooky,I have anxiety with some ocd symptoms. I technically don't have ocd because for ocd to be labelled ocd, your ocd must take at least an hour out of your day.
But when I'm unmedicated, I can't get distressing thoughts (such as a news report about a murder) out of my head, I need to check the door a few times to make sure it's locked, need to check the stove even if I _know_ it's turned off. And, untreated, I am filled with dread if an object is out of place -- out of place being very random, like I set up a bed that had no headboard in a new apartment and panicked when my partner placed the pillows on the 'wrong' side.
Medicated, I have normal anxiety.
The reason I don't like zoloft is =
+I have gained 25 pounds in the past year, despite exercising and watching what I eat. (I do have a thyroid disorder, but I think the zoloft has pushed it over the edge.)+My feelings are overregulated. The ocd-type symptoms are gone, but my ability to feel happiness is really lowered.
+Despite all this, zoloft seems to make me argumentative and sad. I think it's because the drug raises serotonin at the expense of dopamine.
in short, zoloft sucks for me. :D
Posted by McPac on April 25, 2003, at 11:54:01
In reply to zoloft sucks! » shnooky, posted by bookgurl99 on April 25, 2003, at 10:17:42
Does Zoloft tend to cause anger/temper in you?
Posted by shnooky on April 25, 2003, at 12:09:02
In reply to bookgurl Re: zoloft sucks!, posted by McPac on April 25, 2003, at 11:54:01
> Does Zoloft tend to cause anger/temper in you?
>Actually as far as I can remember.......it didn't, I switched to Serzone about a year ago, only because I had gained about 30lbs in the three years I was on Zoloft!! Both of my parents are on it, so I wasn't to nervous to take it since they were doing great on it!!
Posted by McPac on April 25, 2003, at 15:12:06
In reply to Re: bookgurl Re: zoloft sucks!, posted by shnooky on April 25, 2003, at 12:09:02
Serzone....Any anti-ocd abilities with Serzone? thnx
Posted by shnooky on April 25, 2003, at 20:59:31
In reply to Re: Serzone, posted by McPac on April 25, 2003, at 15:12:06
I actually was just reading a book about the meds, and one of the things Serzone in used for is OCD.
Posted by McPac on April 25, 2003, at 21:14:05
In reply to Re: Serzone, posted by shnooky on April 25, 2003, at 20:59:31
"I actually was just reading a book about the meds, and one of the things Serzone in used for is OCD".
>>>>>>VERY interesting schnooky! Is Serzone an anti-dep? (It's not an Anti-psychotic is it?)
What classification of AD is it (if it is an AD)?
Are the side effects better or worse than the shitty ssri's?
Posted by shnooky on April 25, 2003, at 21:28:05
In reply to shnooky, Re: Serzone, posted by McPac on April 25, 2003, at 21:14:05
> "I actually was just reading a book about the meds, and one of the things Serzone in used for is OCD".
>
> >>>>>>VERY interesting schnooky! Is Serzone an anti-dep? (It's not an Anti-psychotic is it?)
> What classification of AD is it (if it is an AD)?
> Are the side effects better or worse than the shitty ssri's?
>
>
Serzone is an Anti-Depressant, and in the book I was reading, It wasn't in the same family as Zoloft, Paxil ETC. in was in a different family, but obviously it can't be to different, because when I was tapering off Zoloft I was introducing Serzone at the same time. So in other words, I didn't have to get the Zoloft completely out of my system first, before starting the Serzone!1I didn't notice any side effects, forsurely not the scary ones, otherwise I would remember.
Shnooky
Posted by Dr. Bob on April 25, 2003, at 22:01:28
In reply to shnooky, Re: Serzone, posted by McPac on April 25, 2003, at 21:14:05
> Are the side effects better or worse than the sh*tty ssri's?
Maybe they weren't any good for you, but please don't use language that could offend others, thanks.
Bob
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