Posted by noa on April 11, 2003, at 19:42:28
In reply to Re: Looking for perspective, posted by ladylight57 on April 11, 2003, at 18:53:23
I take Serzone and have asked my internist, my pdoc and my friend, who is a gastroenterologist who specializes in treating liver disease, and all three told me that if I would have a problem it would have shown up already--ie, you monitor it and if there is going to be a problem, then liver enzymes are going to go abnormal pretty early in the process. I do have one nonspecific liver enzyme that was elevated once or twice over the years, but the gastro said it was only because I was taking a lot of meds and reflected my liver working hard to process them all, but that particular enzyme was not one that alarmed her. In any event, subsequent retesting showed the enzyme had gone back to normal.
I think you could probably monitor your liver function closely when you start Serzone and see if you will have a problem with it.
The other thing about Serzone, to keep in mind, though, is that it does have an adjustment period that is challenging. I recommend starting "low and slow". In the first month, even with low and slow, I had grogginess and balance problems and emoional jags, but after that, these went away.
It is sedating, so I take it at night. That also helps with the sleep issues caused by Effexor being rather activating for me.
I don't know anything about Lexapro.
Yes, I think you need to keep searching for that more compatible pdoc. Or, if really expensive, consider just a consultation with someone you have gotten good rec's about from people you trust. Then maybe that doc can refer you to an insurance covered doc that could do the continuing care.
poster:noa
thread:218584
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030411/msgs/218633.html