Posted by Cam W. on July 30, 2000, at 20:52:20
In reply to Serzone, how long before it starts to help?, posted by LouieG on July 30, 2000, at 18:14:02
Louie - Like all current antidepressants, Serzone may take up to 8 weeks to notice any substantial antidepressant effect. You need to be patient and ride out the start-up side effects and seeming lack of effect. Your body has to adjust to the medication by decreasing some neuroreceptors and increasing others. Serzone does seem to help improve sleep patterns and it seems to be devoid of the sexual problems of the SSRIs (in most people).
Other side effects with Serzone (headache, nausea, drowsiness, etc), as with most antidepressants, are usually most severe during the start-up phase of the antidepressant, as your body is adjusting.
If Serzone doesn't work for you, there are several strategies to augment an antidepressant's actions; not the least of which is talk therapy (esp. cognitive behavior therapy). You need to work with your doctor during the treatment if you want to achieve a lasting remission.
Talk to your doc about the augmentation strategies that he/she feels comfortable using and go from there (if Serzone monotherapy doesn't work).
Why did you stop the Effexor if it was working? The withdrawl effects are usually only seen upon stopping the drug. How long did you take the Effexor and how high was your dose raised?
Good luck with your next antidepressant - Cam.
P.S. Sunnely and the regulars (Scott, the Johns, Andrew, and many others) may have some ideas of augmentation strategies.
poster:Cam W.
thread:41775
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000729/msgs/41801.html