Posted by DINGBAT on February 9, 2002, at 7:52:36
In reply to Re: Any comments on effectiveness of nefazodone? » DINGBAT, posted by JohnX2 on February 8, 2002, at 14:45:11
>Thanx very much for a really informative post! Wish all responses could be of this sort of quality. I will, I think, add an SSRI like Celexa (citalopram) and see how things go.
At present, I am on Efexor 150mg XR daily. What are your thoughts on just 'adding' the Serzone at 100mg or 200mg twice daily to the Efexor? I find that, although Efexor is a good antidepressant, it has this aweful emotional 'blunting' effect (it's like you can't *feel* about anything) never mind the mild anxiety cause by its NE effects and the sexual side-effects too!
In truth, I was looking to 'dump' the Efexor altogether (I know I have to titrate down slowly - did it twice before). About 3 years ago a switched from Efexor to Serzone with great ease (no 'Efexor Discontinuation Hoorors') and felt really good on the Serzone (no daytime drowsiness and good antidepressant effect too.
Unfortunately, like many other 'babblers' I've got a weird kind of depression (won't bother with the psycho-jargon) - sometimes I'm depressed and anergic (and that's when the NE effects of Efexor are welcomed), other times I am depressed and anxious (NE effects of Efexor not welcome).
I'm thinking that I'd rather go back to good old Serzone and try your idea of taking an SSRI with it. Do you think Celexa is my best choice at present?
When I get the profound anergia, my pdoc is more than happy to give me a short course of a stimulant like Ritalin. I also find that propoxyphene works well during the anergic/anhedonic phases.
Pardon the rambling, but does anyone think I might be Bipolar 2 - and therefore need a mood stabiliser on board too?
Anyhow, thanx again for taking the trouble to write a really informative response to my query!
Cheers 4 now ...
> Serzone generally kicks *** for mild anxiety and
> sleep disturbance. People who don't care for the
> medicine generally complain about being too drowsy and
> dizzy.
>
> As an anti-depressant it has been successfully used standalone.
> Generally it is chosen 2nd over the more standard SSRIs, SNRI,
> but this does not mean that it will not be as effective for YOUR BODY.
> It has an advantage of causing less sexual side effects and
> helps more with sleep disturbances.
>
>
> Should you want more punch, you can try boosting
> it with an SSRI like Zoloft, Celexa, etc.
> If you are really drowsy you can add a pinch of the
> anti-depressant Wellbutrin to counteract it. May boost
> the anti-depressant effect too.
> Also Provigil has been used by people on this
> news group to help with any daytime drowsiness and
> cognitive side effects. Just a few thoughts...
>
> Again, I listed a lot of options if you want to
> "tweak" the Serzone. But I'm going to be optimistic for you
> and assume things will work as is!
>
> Let us know how it goes!
>
> Personally I really liked Serzone for its help
> with my anxiety and sleep. It was some of the best
> sleep I can remember. I didn't care much for daytime drowsiness
> and if I could do it over again I would have the
> pdoc add a medicine to address it.
>
> Regards,
> John
>
>
> > Hi
> >
> > Fishing for comments/opinions on the efficacy of Serzone (nefazodone) 200mg twice a day as an antidepressant. Does it help with mild anxiety and sleep disturbance? Any horrid side-effects?
> >
> > Thanx!
poster:DINGBAT
thread:93297
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020208/msgs/93406.html