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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 43. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2007, at 17:08:57
Well the pdoc is starting me on serzone know it carries a black box warning for liver. Anyone know anything about it or take? I am as usual frightened as I told him about the benzo withdrawal he said no. I'm so anxious it said it would be good for insomnia and anxiety. Along with the valium. Love Phillipa ps saw the therapist first who stirred up med and trust issues with me. Poor timing.
Posted by linkadge on April 4, 2007, at 18:05:15
In reply to New med Serzone any experiences?, posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2007, at 17:08:57
Serzone is a lot like trazodone. They are related. It might be worth a shot, just make sure to have periodic liver tests.
Linkadge
Posted by Fivefires on April 4, 2007, at 18:12:43
In reply to Re: New med Serzone any experiences?, posted by linkadge on April 4, 2007, at 18:05:15
I think my P may have mentioned this one to me.
Is it a minor tranquilizer?
5f
Posted by Racer on April 4, 2007, at 18:12:51
In reply to New med Serzone any experiences?, posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2007, at 17:08:57
I'm just curious, did he say why he chose Serzone over some of the other options?
It didn't work out for me -- hypotension, which I have trouble with -- but it was the medication which started me posting here way back when dirt was clean...
Posted by Quintal on April 4, 2007, at 18:12:53
In reply to New med Serzone any experiences?, posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2007, at 17:08:57
Yes, it's worth giving it a go Jan. I've read some reports on RemedyFind where people say it's the only med that's worked really well for their depression and anxiety.
Q
Posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2007, at 19:06:13
In reply to Did he say why he chose that? » Phillipa, posted by Racer on April 4, 2007, at 18:12:51
Racer that's funny about the dirt. Anyway he said it was sedating and one time in the past I had been given one dose and it put me to sleep. And when they took my BP at the internist it was up to 140/?. Too anxious to even remember diastolic. So in a way that would be a good thing. I am getting the impression that it wasn't good for you at all. Love Jan
Posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2007, at 19:07:35
In reply to Re: New med Serzone any experiences? » Phillipa, posted by Quintal on April 4, 2007, at 18:12:53
Thanks Qintal e-mail on the way.Love Jan
Posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2007, at 19:11:56
In reply to Re: New med Serzone any experiences?, posted by linkadge on April 4, 2007, at 18:05:15
Link he gave me a sheet on what to watch out for liver wise. I'm hoping the metabolic panel the endo included yesterday had liver enzymes on it. And I most definitely if it works will have them done periodically. This guy I also told about the MAOI's and he didn't think I was ready for one at this point. Love Jan
Posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2007, at 19:13:55
In reply to Re: New med Serzone any experiences?, posted by Fivefires on April 4, 2007, at 18:12:43
Five Fires think it's kind of like an antihistamine? Please all correct me if I'm wrong . And I will check remedy find. Love Jan ps I will look for your thread now.
Posted by elanor roosevelt on April 4, 2007, at 20:08:09
In reply to Re: New med Serzone any experiences? » Fivefires, posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2007, at 19:13:55
canada pulled it -- liver damage
i hated it but i had a summer from hell a few years back. There was serzone and luvox. Each one horrible. Perhaps serzone was the one that made me move so slow i was always late.
Posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2007, at 20:17:47
In reply to Re: old med Serzone any experiences?, posted by elanor roosevelt on April 4, 2007, at 20:08:09
Good that's what I need moving slow. I am so hyper in my mind . Love Phillipa/Jan
Posted by flmm on April 4, 2007, at 21:04:51
In reply to Re: old med Serzone any experiences? » elanor roosevelt, posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2007, at 20:17:47
Took it for 2 years, great for panic, insomnia, no sexual side effects! Ok for depression, not as potent as an ssri or snri.
Posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2007, at 21:34:33
In reply to Re: old med Serzone any experiences?, posted by flmm on April 4, 2007, at 21:04:51
Sounds good to try at the low dose he's ordered maybe that will let me sleep with the benzos and slow down speed in my head. Love Jan
Posted by flmm on April 4, 2007, at 21:42:38
In reply to Re: old med Serzone any experiences? » flmm, posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2007, at 21:34:33
Took 150 mg morning and night. Slept like a baby. not near as nasty as trazadone, smooth. I liked it and had no liver problems. P doc wanted to make a change though.
Posted by greywolf on April 4, 2007, at 22:11:49
In reply to New med Serzone any experiences?, posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2007, at 17:08:57
I was on Serzone many years ago. I recall it being a pretty tolerable med without heavy-duty SEs, but it turned out not to be enough for me during a period of acute crisis.I would take the liver test requirement seriously. I know that two of my doctors stopped prescribing it a long time ago. I'm sure that patient non-compliance with regular blood testing probably raised liability concerns for them (I certainly wasn't rushing to get my blood work done even though I knew it was important).
Give it a try. If you are sensitive to the typical SSRI SEs, you may be pleasantly surprised at how light Serzone is in that regard.
Greywolf
Posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2007, at 22:22:35
In reply to Re: New med Serzone any experiences?, posted by greywolf on April 4, 2007, at 22:11:49
Greywolf thanks yes the liver is a concern hopefully the endo in his panel he drew yesterday included enzymes. Love Jan
Posted by mattye on April 5, 2007, at 1:55:29
In reply to Re: old med Serzone any experiences?, posted by flmm on April 4, 2007, at 21:04:51
I had the same experience... I took it back before the black box warning and it worked fairly well for me. But at that point my depression was not as severe. I have grown older and my mental illness has grown deeper. I doubt if I took it today that I would respond as well. I don't think it is as potent as some other SSRI's
Phillpa: it sounds like you have been suffering for awhile. Have you considered giving an SSRI another shot? I mean, start at a very very low dose and very gradually work your way up. I remember reading something you wrote about SSRIs causing you extreme anxiety / panic or something. This was my experience when I first started Lexapro. This initial side effect prevented me from getting started on this med for months and months. I then decided to stick it out by splitting the smallest possible dose into 1/4 and taking that a week. Then the next week I took an addtional 1/4. And the next week so on. It may be worth a try.
> Took it for 2 years, great for panic, insomnia, no sexual side effects! Ok for depression, not as potent as an ssri or snri.
Posted by bassman on April 5, 2007, at 5:58:22
In reply to New med Serzone any experiences?, posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2007, at 17:08:57
Phillipa, I'm confused...so you don't live in the US? Serzone was taken off the market in 2004(?)...I know nefazodone ("generic Serzone") is still available. If you are taking it, please be careful...not fearful, careful. The liver toxicity is profound in some people-no sense exchanging one problem for another.
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 5, 2007, at 6:40:27
In reply to New med Serzone any experiences?, posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2007, at 17:08:57
> Well the pdoc is starting me on serzone know it carries a black box warning for liver. Anyone know anything about it or take? I am as usual frightened as I told him about the benzo withdrawal he said no. I'm so anxious it said it would be good for insomnia and anxiety. Along with the valium. Love Phillipa ps saw the therapist first who stirred up med and trust issues with me. Poor timing.
Nefazodone profoundly inhibits the function of two workhorse enzymes, 3A4 and 2D6, which is probably the underlying mechanism by which liver toxicity occurs in vulnerable people. Valium is a substrate for 3A4, so you're going to get an interaction there. You're going to get an increased AUC for this drug, meaning prolonged and enhanced effect. Considering your symptoms, this may be beneficial. Be wary, though, that you may develop symptoms of overdose, including dizziness and loss of coordination. Just take it easy until you get used to it. And whatever you do, no alcohol!
Lar
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 5, 2007, at 6:46:16
In reply to Re: New med Serzone any experiences?, posted by bassman on April 5, 2007, at 5:58:22
> Phillipa, I'm confused...so you don't live in the US? Serzone was taken off the market in 2004(?)...I know nefazodone ("generic Serzone") is still available. If you are taking it, please be careful...not fearful, careful. The liver toxicity is profound in some people-no sense exchanging one problem for another.
Having had the liver toxicity reaction, I can affirm that it is fully reversible, if caught in time. On day 11 of this drug, I became so disoriented that I could not avoid walking into a telephone pole. It's more likely to develop liver problems on depakote (or other variants on valproate). It's really important to balance benefit and risk on a case by case basis. I think that Jan's case supports this drug trial, with appropriate monitoring for adverse reactions.
Lar
Posted by ramsea on April 5, 2007, at 10:41:10
In reply to Re: New med Serzone any experiences? » bassman, posted by Larry Hoover on April 5, 2007, at 6:46:16
i was upset when the liver damage report came out. i was on it for 2 years and it worked for where many drugs dont. i am bipolar with a strong anxiety disorder too and this helped me a lot. i was fond of it. wish i could take it again. G/L
ramsea
Posted by bassman on April 5, 2007, at 11:01:20
In reply to Re: New med Serzone any experiences?, posted by ramsea on April 5, 2007, at 10:41:10
Well...as I understand it, you can still get the generic in the US. Providing you are in the US-I'm so provincial I'm amazed when anyone isn't from the US.:>}
Posted by Phillipa on April 5, 2007, at 12:59:06
In reply to Re: New med Serzone any experiences?, posted by bassman on April 5, 2007, at 11:01:20
I'm in the USA. Yes the liver issue scares me to death. Especially with the autoimmune factored in as I do have autoimmune disease with a weak link to some autoimmune liver thing. I am metabolizing the valium only getting two hours out of it. I posted a thread below since this has never happened to me before. Sleep is in two hours spurts. So tired. Love Jan
Posted by Fivefires on April 5, 2007, at 13:29:48
In reply to Re: Did he say why he chose that? » Racer, posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2007, at 19:06:13
> Racer that's funny about the dirt. Anyway he said it was sedating and one time in the past I had been given one dose and it put me to sleep. And when they took my BP at the internist it was up to 140/?. Too anxious to even remember diastolic. So in a way that would be a good thing.>
>I don't understand why this would be a good thing Phillipa? Your a nurse, so mayB you're speaking about something re: the BP?
5f
Posted by Fivefires on April 5, 2007, at 13:32:19
In reply to Re: New med Serzone any experiences? » Fivefires, posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2007, at 19:13:55
Like an antihistamine?
That's very interesting.
5f
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