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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ruth on June 2, 1999, at 7:28:48
Hi, I've tried many ssri antidepressants and usually
go off b/c of sexual dysfunction. I was getting really
down about it--tried prozac, celexa and wellbutrin and
all were problematic. Now I'm trying Serzone--have only'
been on it 3 or 4 days at a low starting dose of 50 mgs.
I'm almost afraid to get too happy that it actually
seems to be a very good drug for me--no sexual problems,
sleep great, and it keeps my depression in check...
now I'm afraid I might be gaining weight--I've just
gained a few pounds and it could just be memorial day
weekend overeating, but I just want to check in with
folks who have taken serzone and ask about weight gain...
Posted by john on June 2, 1999, at 11:39:05
In reply to serzone/weight gain, posted by ruth on June 2, 1999, at 7:28:48
Having tried both Prozac, and Serzone, separately, each for a few years, I would say that the potential for weight gain on Serzone may well be greater than that of Prozac. My experience was that Serzone had no effect on my appetite, but that Prozac suppressed my appetite. For me, however, the problem is reverse. I have trouble eating enough. As with many depressed people, I suffer from lack of appetite, and so, wish that Serzone had been more effective than prozac (which is wasn't, quite, for me, as an antidepressant).
Your concern made me think of a possible solution, though it's just an idea. I'm not a doctor. It would seem to me that if you can get the depression under control, you will be in a better position to manage your lifestyle, (in terms of exercise, especially), in such a way that increased eating would not cause weight gain. Just an idea. good luck.
Posted by racer on June 5, 1999, at 18:20:19
In reply to Re: serzone/weight gain, posted by john on June 2, 1999, at 11:39:05
Three or four days is not long enough to know whether a drug will help with depression, nor whether it will effect weight.
If that's a typo, and you've been on it longer than that, the weight gain/loss may be real, but the holiday eating can also show up as a gain for a few days. ONLY a few days, usually.
Serzone made me lose weight, but that was because I couldn't keep ANY food down for days at a time while I was on it... Not the way to lose weight!
Posted by ruth on June 7, 1999, at 7:10:23
In reply to Typos? 3 or 4 days?, posted by racer on June 5, 1999, at 18:20:19
Racer,
Yes, you are right, 3 or 4 days isn't enough--and I've
only been on it a week now--but DAMN--I feel
convinced that I feel, actually, worse on this drug.
I keep wanting to pick fights with people, I cry
easily, and I feel really shitty about myself
almost constantly. I know I should give it some
time, but I also feel like I dread taking my little
pill today b/c something in my gut says it's
making me feel worse. Usually when I try a drug
that works for my depression, I can feel relief
very soon--in almost 2 days, and things gradually
get better from that point on. 8 days on this one
and things gradually seem to be getting worse...
I've been experimenting with finding the right
drug for 9 months now and I"m totally worn out from
the process.
Posted by dina on June 7, 1999, at 22:29:17
In reply to Re: Typos? 3 or 4 days?, posted by ruth on June 7, 1999, at 7:10:23
ruth- hang in there. i understand your frustration with trying to find an ad that is conducive to your body, and works too. i had a hard time initially when i went on serzone, the side effects are a lot different than other ad's (zoloft, prozac, wellbutrin). possibly, they will subside, when your body gets used to the med. could you possibly be having some withdrawal from the previous ad that you are on? serzone works differently than the ssri's and possibly its not taking the edge off the withdrawal of the other ad?
also, its possible to augment the serzone with wellbutrin, that could possibly balance things.
i hope i've been helpful.
take care and stay safe.
dina
Posted by ruth on June 8, 1999, at 7:43:03
In reply to Re: Typos? 3 or 4 days?, posted by dina on June 7, 1999, at 22:29:17
Dina,
Thanks--this is some really good information. I
think between what you've said and another poster
said, I'll give it more time. It's funny I had
the thought this morning that maybe I'm going
through withdrawal from the previous drug, and
i'm just used to how taking an SSRI will instantly
give relief to those feelings. I guess since
Serzone isn't a SSRI, maybe it dosen't take off the
edge as quickly. Also I think I might have upped
my dosage to quick (although I was just following
doctor's orders)--the day I took the bigger dose
I felt REALLY BAD. Someone else posted that this can
happen with serzone, that it's really dose sensitive.But anyway, thanks for responding :-)
Ruth
Posted by racer on June 8, 1999, at 15:29:54
In reply to Re: Typos? 3 or 4 days? Dina, posted by ruth on June 8, 1999, at 7:43:03
I was just saying that you can't tell much in three or four days.
On the other hand, my reaction to Serzone never did go away. I was tense, anxious, and felt like I was gonna explode at any second. Maybe that's just not the right drug for you. But give it a fair chance. I stayed on it too long, three or four months, until I couldn't keep any food at all down, and was throwing up the pills, too. That's not therapeutic!
How about telling your doctor how you feel and asking what he/she recommends?
Posted by MB on June 14, 2000, at 12:39:56
In reply to Re: Typos? 3 or 4 days?, posted by ruth on June 7, 1999, at 7:10:23
Could it be possible that it's not the Serzone that's making you feel worse, but the withdrawl from the drug you're switching FROM that's making you worse? I'm not sure, but I don't think that Serzone blocks the withdrawl from the more selective SRIs like zoloft, etc. In other words, maybe you're feeling lousy because you're comming off another med.
> Racer,
>
> Yes, you are right, 3 or 4 days isn't enough--and I've
> only been on it a week now--but DAMN--I feel
> convinced that I feel, actually, worse on this drug.
> I keep wanting to pick fights with people, I cry
> easily, and I feel really shitty about myself
> almost constantly. I know I should give it some
> time, but I also feel like I dread taking my little
> pill today b/c something in my gut says it's
> making me feel worse. Usually when I try a drug
> that works for my depression, I can feel relief
> very soon--in almost 2 days, and things gradually
> get better from that point on. 8 days on this one
> and things gradually seem to be getting worse...
> I've been experimenting with finding the right
> drug for 9 months now and I"m totally worn out from
> the process.
This is the end of the thread.
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