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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Julie on January 5, 2000, at 7:16:19
I ran into a friend who began taking meds a month ago: Serzone and Klonipin (I don't know dosage levels). She said she doesn't feel happier, but she does feel extremely hostile! (This is someone who is sweet to her friends, but has always express a lot of anger towards much of her environment-- usually about things which do indeed sound annoying.) I'm curious- as well as concerned for her-- have any of y'all experienced hostility on either of these? I take clonazepam at night sometimes to help Effexor-related insomnia and can't imagine feeling hostile on it, so I'm wondering if it's the Serzone.
Posted by Phil on January 5, 2000, at 7:31:00
In reply to Serzone, clonazepam, and hostility?, posted by Julie on January 5, 2000, at 7:16:19
Julie, You're right. I was on the same combo about a year ago. Loved the Serzone because of no side effects but then slowly realized that I had turned very mean...people at work were afraid to approach me!! I got off that 'shit', sorry but that's how I feel about it, ASAP. I know a few folks that it works for but I'd rather be depressed than ever take Serzone again.
Phil
Posted by Cn. Michele on January 5, 2000, at 12:53:09
In reply to Re: Serzone, clonazepam, and hostility?, posted by Phil on January 5, 2000, at 7:31:00
> Julie, You're right. I was on the same combo about a year ago. Loved the Serzone because of no side effects but then slowly realized that I had turned very mean...people at work were afraid to approach me!! I got off that 'shit', sorry but that's how I feel about it, ASAP. I know a few folks that it works for but I'd rather be depressed than ever take Serzone again.
>
> PhilI'm with you Phil. I was mean and had super violent dreams plus waking gory, blood and pus ideation. Very strange. Went off it real fast after it dawned on my that, hey this is not me.
Michele
Posted by Noa on January 5, 2000, at 19:29:58
In reply to Re: Serzone, clonazepam, and hostility?, posted by Cn. Michele on January 5, 2000, at 12:53:09
I have never taken Klonopin, but do take serzone, and during the first 4 weeks or so, did feel agitated and super-emotional. Others on this board, like Dee, expressed feeling agitated and enraged, I think. But for me, it passed after that initial period of time. I would say it is worth keeping the trial going at least another few weeks, and then if these problems persist, to consider the serzone not a good option for that person.
Posted by GS on January 5, 2000, at 20:50:09
In reply to Re: Serzone, clonazepam, and hostility?, posted by Noa on January 5, 2000, at 19:29:58
> I have never taken Klonopin, but do take serzone, and during the first 4 weeks or so, did feel agitated and super-emotional. Others on this board, like Dee, expressed feeling agitated and enraged, I think. But for me, it passed after that initial period of time. I would say it is worth keeping the trial going at least another few weeks, and then if these problems persist, to consider the serzone not a good option for that person.
************************************************
The strange thing is (I had the exact same experience with rage on the stuff) Serzone was supposed to be the new AD when it came out several years ago that treated both depression AND relieved acute anxiety at the same time. My pdoc said it was designed and tested at Rush St. Lukes in Chicago where alot of the new ADs are born. It's claim to fame was that one wouldn't need something like a benzodiazapine along with the AD to calm the anxiety that came along with the mixed anxiety/depression. Goes back to that desire to develop a drug that eliminates the need for "addictive" benzodiazapines (which we all know by now are safe and not "addictive" for anxiety if managed properly by a skilled pdoc.)
My previous pdoc insisted that serzone would work alone on both problems as he had worked with the researchers over there at Rush. He was from the old school that didn't think that benzos were a safe way to treat severe anxiety and insisted that serzone would do the trick.
Well I don't know how much suffering I went through so that he could prove his theory but at least two years worth...and all the rage I keep hearing about now on this board over the last couple of years about serzone...I lived with it for around two years myself.
Finally got a new pdoc that would treat me a little less like he was an idealogue (you know, with an agenda) and am doing fine now on Neurontin in small dose and Ativan on moderate to high dose.
Gee. I wonder what Dr. Jensen would say to all of this? ;-)
GS
************************************************
Posted by Cindy W on January 6, 2000, at 19:51:31
In reply to Re: Serzone, clonazepam, and hostility?, posted by GS on January 5, 2000, at 20:50:09
> > I have never taken Klonopin, but do take serzone, and during the first 4 weeks or so, did feel agitated and super-emotional. Others on this board, like Dee, expressed feeling agitated and enraged, I think. But for me, it passed after that initial period of time. I would say it is worth keeping the trial going at least another few weeks, and then if these problems persist, to consider the serzone not a good option for that person.
> ************************************************
> The strange thing is (I had the exact same experience with rage on the stuff) Serzone was supposed to be the new AD when it came out several years ago that treated both depression AND relieved acute anxiety at the same time. My pdoc said it was designed and tested at Rush St. Lukes in Chicago where alot of the new ADs are born. It's claim to fame was that one wouldn't need something like a benzodiazapine along with the AD to calm the anxiety that came along with the mixed anxiety/depression. Goes back to that desire to develop a drug that eliminates the need for "addictive" benzodiazapines (which we all know by now are safe and not "addictive" for anxiety if managed properly by a skilled pdoc.)
> My previous pdoc insisted that serzone would work alone on both problems as he had worked with the researchers over there at Rush. He was from the old school that didn't think that benzos were a safe way to treat severe anxiety and insisted that serzone would do the trick.
> Well I don't know how much suffering I went through so that he could prove his theory but at least two years worth...and all the rage I keep hearing about now on this board over the last couple of years about serzone...I lived with it for around two years myself.
> Finally got a new pdoc that would treat me a little less like he was an idealogue (you know, with an agenda) and am doing fine now on Neurontin in small dose and Ativan on moderate to high dose.
> Gee. I wonder what Dr. Jensen would say to all of this? ;-)
> GS
> ************************************************I took Serzone for a few months, at 450 mg/day. At first, I experienced the rapidly changing moods and hostility people have complained about; however, these diminished, as did my social anxiety and depression, in the third week.--Cindy W
Posted by Louise on January 6, 2000, at 22:03:47
In reply to Serzone, clonazepam, and hostility?, posted by Julie on January 5, 2000, at 7:16:19
Julie,
I've only been taking Serzone for a few weeks, but I've noticed I'm easily irritated and more apt to express my irritation. Otherwise, I love it! It's helped me more with anxiety than I would have dreamed. I'm going to stick with this for a while longer and see what happens.
I tried Klonopin for 6 months several years ago and I became very mean ... in fact, people started avoiding me like the plaque. My sisters finally figured out it was the Klonopin and they told me to go off the drug or to leave them alone, since my personality had changed so much. However, I haven't given up on Serzone yet. I tried Klonopin for 6 months ... I owe Serzone at least that much time.
Louise
Posted by Mrs. G on January 10, 2000, at 21:32:56
In reply to Re: Serzone, clonazepam, and hostility?, posted by Louise on January 6, 2000, at 22:03:47
It took a while for me to realize it was the Serzone, not the illness, that was turning me into a monster. Having gained more than 50 pounds on other AD's, I wanted this to work very much. Did lots of research into Serzone. Found it has a half life of only 2 to 4 hours. This irritability made sense, as I was usually a real beast before the next dose was due, and would calm down soon after another dose. So I began to take half a dose every 6 hours instead of the twice a day instructions. I am still taking 500mgs a day, but instead of 250mgs in the morning and 250mgs at night, I take 125mgs every 6 hours. It is really helping. My sleep is becoming much better. My rage is mostly controllable and I have lost 15 pounds in 3 months. I have not told my Doctor I am doing it this way. He is not a Pdoc (there are none around here for hundreds of miles), and he is not comfortable with me doing my own thing. Finding the right dose and taking it the right way is very subjective. This Doctor is a very sweet man and is very frustrated with me. He makes it clear that he wants me to do it his way. I understand his feelings. I have to do it my way or it is not effective. So...
Posted by David Mirtzer on January 13, 2000, at 19:44:22
In reply to Serzone DOES make me hostle and MEAN. , posted by Mrs. G on January 10, 2000, at 21:32:56
Mrs G's experience leads me to ask again: Where. oh where, is that Serzone Sustained-Release? It was well over a year ago that I read a news release stating that Bristol Myers had this in the works, but so far, nada. Mrs. G's experience is a case-in-point as to why the extended-release version would be so beneficial! Let's get on the stick, Bristol!
-----
> It took a while for me to realize it was the Serzone, not the illness, that was turning me into a monster. Having gained more than 50 pounds on other AD's, I wanted this to work very much. Did lots of research into Serzone. Found it has a half life of only 2 to 4 hours. This irritability made sense, as I was usually a real beast before the next dose was due, and would calm down soon after another dose. So I began to take half a dose every 6 hours instead of the twice a day instructions. I am still taking 500mgs a day, but instead of 250mgs in the morning and 250mgs at night, I take 125mgs every 6 hours. It is really helping. My sleep is becoming much better. My rage is mostly controllable and I have lost 15 pounds in 3 months. I have not told my Doctor I am doing it this way. He is not a Pdoc (there are none around here for hundreds of miles), and he is not comfortable with me doing my own thing. Finding the right dose and taking it the right way is very subjective. This Doctor is a very sweet man and is very frustrated with me. He makes it clear that he wants me to do it his way. I understand his feelings. I have to do it my way or it is not effective. So...
Posted by Snowie on January 13, 2000, at 23:30:37
In reply to Re: Serzone DOES make me hostle and MEAN. , posted by David Mirtzer on January 13, 2000, at 19:44:22
David, I agree with you!!! If we can get Effexor XR, why can't we get Serzone XR??!!
Snowie
> Mrs G's experience leads me to ask again: Where. oh where, is that Serzone Sustained-Release? It was well over a year ago that I read a news release stating that Bristol Myers had this in the works, but so far, nada. Mrs. G's experience is a case-in-point as to why the extended-release version would be so beneficial! Let's get on the stick, Bristol!
Posted by Dennis on January 14, 2000, at 16:01:27
In reply to Re: Serzone, clonazepam, and hostility?, posted by Louise on January 6, 2000, at 22:03:47
> Julie,
>
> I've only been taking Serzone for a few weeks, but I've noticed I'm easily irritated and more apt to express my irritation. Otherwise, I love it! It's helped me more with anxiety than I would have dreamed. I'm going to stick with this for a while longer and see what happens.
>
> I tried Klonopin for 6 months several years ago and I became very mean ... in fact, people started avoiding me like the plaque. My sisters finally figured out it was the Klonopin and they told me to go off the drug or to leave them alone, since my personality had changed so much. However, I haven't given up on Serzone yet. I tried Klonopin for 6 months ... I owe Serzone at least that much time.
>
> LouiseTo those experiencing rage/hostility while on Serzone:
I was on-n-off Serzone for a couple years while trying other SSRI's. My experience with Serzone is that it lessened my anxiety significantly, though it did not alleviate the depressive symptoms all that much. It helped me to sleep. In fact, I experienced wonderful dreams while on Serzone, especially during the initial stages of taking the druq.
With regard to rage/hostility, I can fortunately say that this did not happen to me. I think the drug is relatively mild as compared to other SSRI's. And it is for that reason that I've read it's less effective in treating moderate to severe
depression than other SSRI's. Although it did not alleviate my depressive symptoms all that much, Serzone appealed to me because it did not make me feel lethargic, confused and apathetic toward my depression as other mediciations did.I never augmented Serzone with other with anti-anxiety drugs, as it was effective in treating my anxiety symptoms. I did however augment Serzone with Ritalin. I only took about 15 mg's of Ritalin and 300 mg's of Serzone. At first I felt a boost in its antidepressant abilities, though in addition, I later found that I was getting irritable. I attribute my irritability to the Ritalin. As soon as I stopped taking the Ritalin I felt less anxiety stricken. Dennis
Posted by Dave on January 28, 2000, at 20:21:29
In reply to Serzone, clonazepam, and hostility?, posted by Julie on January 5, 2000, at 7:16:19
> I ran into a friend who began taking meds a month ago: Serzone and Klonipin (I don't know dosage levels). She said she doesn't feel happier, but she does feel extremely hostile! (This is someone who is sweet to her friends, but has always express a lot of anger towards much of her environment-- usually about things which do indeed sound annoying.) I'm curious- as well as concerned for her-- have any of y'all experienced hostility on either of these? I take clonazepam at night sometimes to help Effexor-related insomnia and can't imagine feeling hostile on it, so I'm wondering if it's the Serzone.
Yes- i took serzone for a while- it had no effect on my depression ( i think my depression was environmentally related anyway)- but it made me horrible- i lost friends and the respect of my work collegues because of it!!!- ive read ( on psycho-babble) that it has a half hour of only a few hours- so that is probably why poeople loose their temper and get cranky!!!.
Posted by Cindy W on January 29, 2000, at 9:56:54
In reply to Re: Serzone, clonazepam, and hostility?, posted by Dave on January 28, 2000, at 20:21:29
> > I ran into a friend who began taking meds a month ago: Serzone and Klonipin (I don't know dosage levels). She said she doesn't feel happier, but she does feel extremely hostile! (This is someone who is sweet to her friends, but has always express a lot of anger towards much of her environment-- usually about things which do indeed sound annoying.) I'm curious- as well as concerned for her-- have any of y'all experienced hostility on either of these? I take clonazepam at night sometimes to help Effexor-related insomnia and can't imagine feeling hostile on it, so I'm wondering if it's the Serzone.
>
> Yes- i took serzone for a while- it had no effect on my depression ( i think my depression was environmentally related anyway)- but it made me horrible- i lost friends and the respect of my work collegues because of it!!!- ive read ( on psycho-babble) that it has a half hour of only a few hours- so that is probably why poeople loose their temper and get cranky!!!.I took Serzone for a few months and LOVED it. The initial hostility and mood changes wore off after a couple weeks. The short half-life is one thing I think that keeps it from having the horrible sexual side effects that the SSRI's have. It made me less anxious and depressed.--Cindy W
Posted by Julie on January 29, 2000, at 16:28:52
In reply to Re: Serzone, clonazepam, and hostility?, posted by Cindy W on January 29, 2000, at 9:56:54
My friend who's taking Serzone appreciated knowing that lots of other people felt irritable on it as well-- thanks for all the responses. She reports that now she feels better than she has in a long time. She still gets mad a lot, but I think that's the way she is... and she says that medication and therapy are helping her feel more ELOQUENTLY angry!
Posted by Alice on February 9, 2000, at 1:09:34
In reply to Re: Serzone, clonazepam, and hostility?, posted by Dave on January 28, 2000, at 20:21:29
I took Serzone for a couple of months. I had been off of my regular depression meds much longer than I should have been and was in a deep depressed state. I went to a new doc and he tried me on Serzone. Not only did it do NOTHING to improve my depression, I swear it made things much WORSE!! I became irritated, had outbursts of anger, and even snapped at my beloved husband all of the time over every minor thing to the point where he could barely take it any more! I just always felt so frustrated, so uncomfortable in my own skin....it was horrible! Finally, I went back on the drug that works best for me....Prozac, and that is where I am going to stay. I wouldn't recommend Serzone to ANYONE!
Posted by Noa on February 9, 2000, at 1:31:29
In reply to Re: Serzone, clonazepam, and hostility?, posted by Cindy W on January 29, 2000, at 9:56:54
For me, the irritability and emotionality lasted a couple of weeks initially and then went away, as did the other initial negative effects, such as balance problems and grogginess.
This is the end of the thread.
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