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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Sylph on May 14, 1999, at 18:49:58
In reply to Re: Scared to try Serzone. Any exp. to share?, posted by Gisele on May 14, 1999, at 10:39:25
I just got my starter kit and a scrip for Serzone. My doc was in such a hurry he never mentioned side effects or anything of that nature. Was afraid to try it, but read your posts. will watch for the side effects you mentioned, and will keep you posted.
Thanks!
Posted by John on May 25, 1999, at 2:46:15
In reply to Re: Serzone Just Prescribed for Me, posted by Sylph on May 14, 1999, at 18:49:58
> I just got my starter kit and a scrip for Serzone. My doc was in such a hurry he never mentioned side effects or anything of that nature. Was afraid to try it, but read your posts. will watch for the side effects you mentioned, and will keep you posted.
>
> Thanks!I've been on Serzone and may go back. Here's the deal...It has a sensitive window of therapy. Start low and raise dose slow. Stay at a new dose a two or three weeks. If you get too aggressive and go past the right dose, which is different for everyone, you may actually get worse. Find your window and stay there. It will cause some sedation, but also seems activating once you get moving. Great sex. Slight headache that does go away. Generally a pretty mild med compared to most. Again, to make it work, go slow. Don't believe it if someone pushes you too fast to a high dose, you may go past your window of therapy. It is sensitive and works in a small window, which you must find by trial, error, and patience. Hope this helps. John.
Posted by Delores on December 22, 1999, at 9:49:21
In reply to Re: Serzone Concerns, posted by Terry on March 11, 1999, at 15:46:17
> I am a new candidate for this drug. My confusion is beginning to deminish. I was a Paxil user until the late summer and due to side effects dropped the drug. Big time depression set in and was not relieved until a month of serzone. I am not seeing anyone professionaly-my HMO doc has not recommended this. The up side is that I am feeling more like my old self-secure,happy,etc. I am so glad that at least I have received a temporary reprieve from this illness. I only discovered I was going thru depression when I contacted my HMO in spring of 98. I was there to determine if I was going thru menopause. I had no idea that my life of mood swings was directly related to depression and that as I have gotten older my depression has surfaced and taken hold.
> > Hope that helps.
Posted by jeff on December 22, 1999, at 14:42:38
In reply to Re: Serzone Length of medication Concerns, posted by Delores on December 22, 1999, at 9:49:21
what dose are you at. Do you sleep well? Any agitation?
> > I am a new candidate for this drug. My confusion is beginning to deminish. I was a Paxil user until the late summer and due to side effects dropped the drug. Big time depression set in and was not relieved until a month of serzone. I am not seeing anyone professionaly-my HMO doc has not recommended this. The up side is that I am feeling more like my old self-secure,happy,etc. I am so glad that at least I have received a temporary reprieve from this illness. I only discovered I was going thru depression when I contacted my HMO in spring of 98. I was there to determine if I was going thru menopause. I had no idea that my life of mood swings was directly related to depression and that as I have gotten older my depression has surfaced and taken hold.
> > > Hope that helps.
Posted by Cindy on December 22, 1999, at 20:23:28
In reply to Re: Serzone Length of medication Concerns, posted by jeff on December 22, 1999, at 14:42:38
> what dose are you at. Do you sleep well? Any agitation?
>
> > > I am a new candidate for this drug. My confusion is beginning to deminish. I was a Paxil user until the late summer and due to side effects dropped the drug. Big time depression set in and was not relieved until a month of serzone. I am not seeing anyone professionaly-my HMO doc has not recommended this. The up side is that I am feeling more like my old self-secure,happy,etc. I am so glad that at least I have received a temporary reprieve from this illness. I only discovered I was going thru depression when I contacted my HMO in spring of 98. I was there to determine if I was going thru menopause. I had no idea that my life of mood swings was directly related to depression and that as I have gotten older my depression has surfaced and taken hold.
> > > > Hope that helps.I took Serzone for three months, at a max of 450 mg/day. It made me feel much better (less depressed, less social anxiety, better sleep). I'd still be taking it if it worked for OCD (now am trying Effexor). The side effects at first were weird (dizziness, some strange visual effects, dry mouth, irritability) but these went away after a couple of weeks.--Cindy W
Posted by Alice on December 23, 1999, at 19:26:48
In reply to Re: Serzone Length of medication Concerns, posted by Cindy on December 22, 1999, at 20:23:28
I've been on Serzone for nearly 3 weeks now, and though I do feel a little less depressed and anxious, it is not much of a noticable change. The side effects are getting to me...I sleep until 1 in the afternoon, and then can't sleep at night until late. My stomach is off. The other night I threw up after taking my dose of 300 mgs. I feel forgetful and drained of energy. Some people have written that these side effects will subside, and that this med takes several months to begin to work. I hope that this is true for me. I need to get out of this...depression, anxiety, mood swings. I was thinking of going off of it until I read some of the other comments. If this drug can really make me feel good, and normal eventually, I will stick with it.
Posted by bob Moses on October 18, 2000, at 10:30:10
In reply to Re: Serzone , posted by CeeCee on May 6, 1999, at 23:20:43
anyone here anymore?this board still werk?
any serzone folx around?
Posted by Cindy W on October 18, 2000, at 21:57:39
In reply to Re: Serzone , posted by bob Moses on October 18, 2000, at 10:30:10
> anyone here anymore?this board still werk?
> any serzone folx around?bob, there are a lot of Serzone folks around (I only take 75 mg/day right now). This board is very active, but the threads you want are probably archived. See below and I'm sure people will comment on Serzone. Personally, I loved it in terms of its antidepressant effect, but unfortunately it didn't help my OCD.
Posted by Snowie on October 18, 2000, at 21:58:42
In reply to Re: Serzone , posted by bob Moses on October 18, 2000, at 10:30:10
Bob,
Yup, and lots of posts on Serzone. And if you can't find it on this Current period, do a search of Serzone up top. It will likely blow your mind how many Serzone posts there have been!!!
Snowie
> anyone here anymore?this board still werk?
> any serzone folx around?
Posted by noa on October 19, 2000, at 7:55:24
In reply to Re: Serzone » bob Moses, posted by Snowie on October 18, 2000, at 21:58:42
Check out this folder:
http://www.egroups.com/links/psycho-babble-tips//Serzone_000967674931/
It contains some posts from here, items from Dr. Bob's tips, and various web sites.
Posted by Bob Moses on October 25, 2000, at 7:11:03
In reply to Re: Serzone » bob Moses, posted by Snowie on October 18, 2000, at 21:58:42
> Thanks Snowie.... I'm on ma way!
Posted by Bob Moses on October 26, 2000, at 13:35:53
In reply to Re: Serzone , posted by Bob Moses on October 25, 2000, at 7:11:03
Well, I've been lost the last few days.this 200 mil.tab's been kickin the bejegus outta me.My stomockas not right at all and dizziness is a LOT worse than every before.I understand now why folx quit stuff like this jus because of the side effect alone.I'm not sure I want to take this large a dose too long.My doctor is leaving for Manila 11/1,not to return till next May.I struggled for a month when my therapist moved to California last Spring.So... jus me n ma 3yr.old dawg,wandering around in the Great NORTHWOODS of Maine.... semi-retired,practicing for the real deal.So far,so good.Jus need to let go of more buggies in ma burntbrains,I guess!
Have a happy 24!! Till then....
Bear
Posted by chdurie2 on October 27, 2000, at 22:45:41
In reply to Re: Serzone , posted by Bob Moses on October 26, 2000, at 13:35:53
>
> Well, I've been lost the last few days.this 200 mil.tab's been kickin the bejegus outta me.My stomockas not right at all and dizziness is a LOT worse than every before.I understand now why folx quit stuff like this jus because of the side effect alone.I'm not sure I want to take this large a dose too long.My doctor is leaving for Manila 11/1,not to return till next May.I struggled for a month when my therapist moved to California last Spring.So... jus me n ma 3yr.old dawg,wandering around in the Great NORTHWOODS of Maine.... semi-retired,practicing for the real deal.So far,so good.Jus need to let go of more buggies in ma burntbrains,I guess!
> Have a happy 24!! Till then....
> Bearbob- boy, you really know how to pic your docs so that they run from you! (only kidding!)hope you have someone new lined up.
i was taking up to 400 mgs/night of serzone cuz my infectious disease doc recommended it for its alleged benefits to the immune system as well as being a good anti-d. although i was also taking cns stimulants in the a.m for ADD, the serzone made me real tired during the day and did nada for my depression. my p-doc said i'd kept with it long enuf, but his decision to take me off was the most absolute of any call he's made. (Had nothing to do with MD politics - my p-doc likes and respects my infectious disease doc a lot; just says serzone was not one of her better recs.)
a few months ago, when we were reviewing possible anti-d's for me to revisit (must admit, i'm pretty med-resistant,) he very dryly remarked that serzone wasn't on the list. (Serzone, paxil and celexa were my three true deadbeats.)
so everyone's different, and as i said, i'm pretty med-resistant when it comes to the anti-d's.
so that's my experience, for what it's worth. but the main thing is what it does for you - not 200 others on this board.
caroline h.
Posted by Log on November 1, 2000, at 21:00:55
In reply to Re: Serzone , posted by Bob Moses on October 25, 2000, at 7:11:03
I just started Serzone yesterday(100mg then 200 a day) after a list of other Anti-depressants most of which either worked or did not, or had side effects too harsh(SSRI's), and dont really know what to expect besides the nausia, warmness and dry mouth I have already aquired from it, however it really dosent make me that drowsy or drowsy at all. If anyone can tell me at this dosage or similar how long it will take to begin noticing the anti-depressant effects of it, please let me know. Thanx.
Posted by Bob Moses on November 2, 2000, at 15:39:22
In reply to Re: Serzone , posted by Log on November 1, 2000, at 21:00:55
sounds like a lot for the first day.
Posted by Suz on December 2, 2000, at 8:45:39
In reply to Re: Serzone Length of medication Concerns, posted by Cindy on December 22, 1999, at 20:23:28
Hi Everyone,
I want to thank you all for the infor...your willingness to talk about your experiences is a big help. I am the mom of a teenager with depression. she has just started on Serzone and I have done a lot of research on it... But the infor here is so much valuable...thank you
Suz
Posted by S. Howard on December 3, 2000, at 21:22:16
In reply to mom with depressed teen., posted by Suz on December 2, 2000, at 8:45:39
Suz:
For more info/help/support, go to-
http://www.nami.org/youth/
You have to type in the entire address, at least from aol.
Best wishes-
Gracie mom
Posted by isomac on March 16, 2001, at 17:14:25
In reply to Re: Serzone, posted by Laurie on April 27, 1999, at 2:29:40
I recently stopped taking Serzone because the drug interaction section of the DrKoop web site cautioned against a severe drug reaction to Lipitor, which I also take. I have been off Serzone for three weeks now (replaced with Wellbutrin), and my depression is back worse than ever.
Anybody hear of this potential reaction (Serzone & Lipitor), or have experience with it? I'd like to get back on Serzone ASAP!
Posted by Sunnely on March 17, 2001, at 0:19:08
In reply to Re: Serzone, posted by isomac on March 16, 2001, at 17:14:25
Hi Isomac,
Indeed there is a potential drug-drug interaction between nefazodone (Serzone) and atorvastatin (Lipitor). This interaction is via drug metabolism (liver) of Lipitor. Lipitor is mainly metabolized (broken down) by the liver enzyme called CYP3A4. Serzone is a potent inhibitor of the action of this enzyme. Serzone slows it (CYP3A4) down, in turn slowing down the break down of Lipitor. In turn, this leads to Lipitor accumulating in the blood which in turn can lead to increase in side effects and toxicity including muscle aches, weakness, muscle damage and even kidney failure (due to massive muscle cells breaking down). If you must take the two drugs in combination for medical and psych reasons, your doctor may need to lower the dose of Lipitor to adjust for the expected rise in its blood level. (Not an exact method.)
Incidentally, like Serzone, there are other drugs that are considered potent inhibitors of this liver enzyme and therefore expected to raise the blood level of Lipitor. These drugs include (not complete list) erythromycin, ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), cimetidine (Tagamet), diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac), nifedipine (Procardia), and the protease inhibitors (for HIV) such as indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), and ritonavir (Norvir). BTW, you should also avoid drinking grapefruit juice for the same reason.
On the opposite side, there are drugs (fortunately, not that many) that induce the action of this liver enzyme leading to a reduction in the blood level of Lipitor. They include carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), phenobarbital, and rifampin (Rifadin). BTW, might as well include St. John's Wort to this list, for the same reason.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> I recently stopped taking Serzone because the drug interaction section of the DrKoop web site cautioned against a severe drug reaction to Lipitor, which I also take. I have been off Serzone for three weeks now (replaced with Wellbutrin), and my depression is back worse than ever.
>
> Anybody hear of this potential reaction (Serzone & Lipitor), or have experience with it? I'd like to get back on Serzone ASAP!
Posted by Dusty Smith on March 25, 2001, at 18:47:33
In reply to Re: Serzone , posted by bob Moses on October 18, 2000, at 10:30:10
Anybody have severe hot flushes - really severe- with the use of Serzone? I'm only on 100 mg daily and this sort of "heatstroke" kind of thing is ruining my life. Are there any solutions to the hot flush problem?
ds
Posted by mdertinger on December 27, 2001, at 10:20:23
In reply to Re: Serzone , posted by Dusty Smith on March 25, 2001, at 18:47:33
I am having severe night sweats on Serzone as well. My doctor put me on it 2 months ago when I went into a severe post partum depression. I have suffered from depression since 1992. I went off during my pregnancy and felt OK. After the birth though, I freaked out! I'm back on the Prozac now taking 60 mg of Prozac in the morning and 300 mg of Serzone at night. I've taken Prozac for almost 6 years, and it worked great for me. I don't know if I really need the Serzone anymore.
I didn't take any Serzone last night and guess what! No night sweats! It does help me sleep, but it's very hard to wake up, which I need to do since I have a 4 month old baby.
I may try and cut back to 100 mg a day, but I don't know if I need it at all anymore.Any suggestions for suppliments to Prozac to help with sleep and anxiety?
Posted by mdertinger on December 27, 2001, at 10:32:00
In reply to Scared to try Serzone. Any exp. to share?, posted by Racer on August 25, 1998, at 23:07:12
Don't give up hope! There are alot of anti-depressants out and one of them will work for you.
Unless you have anxiety or trouble sleeping, I wouldn't take Serzone. I would try Prozac or Celexa or Zoloft (Zoloft has the least sexual side effects). You take these in the morning and they do give you a boost in energy. If you continue to try Serzone, take it only before bed, so the groggyness can where off by morning. I really like Prozac for depression. You may get headaches when you first take it, but they will go away in a week or so. Start low, like 10 mg a day and increase by 10 mg every 5 days until you feel relief. 20-40 mg should work (I take 60 but I've been on it for 6 years) Dry mouth is a given with almost all anti-depressants, but again, it gets better and is not difficult to tolerate.
Posted by MB on December 27, 2001, at 21:45:52
In reply to Serzone and Night Sweats , posted by mdertinger on December 27, 2001, at 10:20:23
I found Serzone to cause visual illusions which lasted two days. After that, I noticed absolutely no side effects whatsoever. It didn't even make me sleepy (while trazadone, a structural relative of Serzones, knocked me on my butt). My doc took me off of it because I thought it was making me out of breath, but I later found that the breathlessness was do to too much caffeine, not the Serzone. If the medication was ever recomended again by a doctor, i would give it a try (this time with no caffeine). Good luck.
Posted by CalvaryHill on January 6, 2002, at 2:38:36
In reply to Serzone and Night Sweats , posted by mdertinger on December 27, 2001, at 10:20:23
In order to rid yourself of the sweating, you can always get a low dose of the anticholinergic and tricyclic antidepressant desipramine or nortriptyline.
Posted by Rosie on January 16, 2003, at 18:25:34
In reply to Scared to try Serzone. Any exp. to share?, posted by Racer on August 25, 1998, at 23:07:12
Hello,
I'm a 24-year old female graduate student. I would like to share my story about Serzone. Although a lot of people are scared about Serzone, you've got to keep the numbers in perspective. More people die or suffer injury from ASPIRIN per year than from Serzone. It is not a drug for everyone, and I would recommend going to a psychiatrist (M.D.) instead of a family doctor or general practitioner for psychiatric medication.I've tried Wellbutrin (prescribed by my family doctor), Paxil CR (prescribed by my psychiatric nurse), and Klonopin for my major reccurrent depressive disorder, as well as my PTSD, insomnia, and anxiety. I am now taking Serzone. I also have a slow thyroid, and I take Synthroid for that. My psychiatrist gave me the BMS card full of Serzone pills, and right now I'm taking 100 mg/day. Today's my third day.
My depression didn't respond to the Wellbutrin or Paxil. I was still afraid to leave the house. I cried for 5 or 6 hours at a time, or felt numb. I still felt completely fatigued, my mind constantly churned with bad thoughts, and I couldn't reach orgasm. Because of the PTSD, I can hardly stand to be touched, so take that into consideration. But I had been able to have orgasms prior to taking medication. I had also gained about thirty pounds in a month, but all my doctors seem quick to attribute that to my thyroid's slowness.
When I had been on the Paxil for about two months, my thoughts about suicide were so intense that I went and bought a pistol and hollow-point ammunition. I formulated a plan for driving to a remote location and killing myself in my car. Fortunately, my husband found the pistol, put trigger and magazine locks on it, and called my doctors. I managed to avoid hospitalization, but I decided to see a new psychiatrist who might be a little more aggressive with my treatment plan.
My psychiatrist recommended Serzone because my depression was so severe. He recommended that I take both tablets at night, because it can make you "drowsy". Personally, when I first took my 50mg tablet in the morning, I felt "stoned". I was too "spaced out" to drive. I sat at home and just thought about stuff (happy things, not sad things). I didn't think about reading a book, or work on a crocheting project (which are favorite hobbies of mine), or anything. I took a five hour nap.
I did get excited and happy when appropriate, like when my husband brought me some flowers. I felt sad and cried when I told my parents about my suicide attempt. In my experience, the Serzone keeps me on an "even keel", but my mood still can fluctuate appropriately. I am "tapering off" the Paxil.
I plan on getting future liver function tests just in case. My last liver function test showed that my liver was a rock star!! (i.e., in great condition). I couldn't drink alcohol before because of the Klonopin and Paxil, and now I am especially careful to never drink because of the Serzone.
All in all, I felt that the Serzone had an immediate relaxing effect. My psychiatrist said that it is less likely to cause sexual dysfunction than other classes of drugs, such as the SSRIs. I am full of hope that it will work for me. If it doesn't, I guess I'll get to try yet another medicine. Wish me luck. Thanks!
-Rosie
ducatigirl@hotmail.com
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