Posted by JohnL on November 25, 2000, at 18:32:12
In reply to Serzone side effects - just temporary?, posted by CatSparkle on November 24, 2000, at 19:35:36
Serzone is a weird one. It's a finnicky one. It can work great, it can work horrible, and everything inbetween. Clinical trials look very impressive. But at this board I think we get more mixed reviews.
When I tried it I definitely had good sleep and good sex. Sadly it just made me more depressed as time went on. Weird.
One doctor I know has had good success with Serzone. He credits that success to his dosing techniques. He starts patients at 25mg per day, and then increases it by 25mg every four days. (taken in later afternoon or early evening, bedtime is too late) If the patient needs longer time at a particular dose to become more accustomed to it, then they can go at their own pace. But no faster than 25mg every four days. This slower titration in small steps is for several reasons: 1) It is easier to get adjusted to the side effects; 2)For some unknown reason Serzone just seems to work better that way; 3)There is often a therapeutic window with Serzone. Too much is just as bad as not enough. Gotta find that window. Don't want to fly right past it.
Anyway, you might do well to follow your pharmicist's advice. I think that was good advice. Go at a pace that is comfortable to you. Or as the doctor I mentioned said, go only 25mg more every four days (or longer), but no faster than that pace. Just an idea that has worked for others. You really won't know for at least 6 to 12 weeks whether the side effects will diminish or disappear, but at least until then you can make the ride a lot smoother.
If by chance you find yourself get more depressed instead of staying the same or getting better, then you should consider stopping or at least slowing way down. It took me six weeks on Serzone to finally realize I was actually a whole lot worse than I was before I started. Geez. But I've also heard of other people who stuck with it, the side effects went away, and they felt great. We're all different.
John
poster:JohnL
thread:49361
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001115/msgs/49412.html